Researchers from The University of New Mexico recently gathered at the Brain & Behavioral Health Institute (BBHI) Research Day to present their latest findings on child brain development. The event, which took place at the Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education, focused on various aspects of child neurodevelopment. Keynote speaker Ryan Bogdan, PhD, from Washington University in St. Louis, led a discussion on the genetic and prenatal influences underlying substance use disorder.
The Research Day featured over 200 participants and attendees, showcasing 71 poster presentations and abstracts from graduate students and postdoctoral fellows representing nearly two dozen UNM departments. Ludmila Bakhireva, MD, PhD, MPH, co-director of BBHI, emphasized the importance of collaboration among different centers within UNM to drive groundbreaking research and better serve the community.
Bakhireva highlighted the significance of the event, stating, “All our centers are striving to break silos and looking for ways to collaborate with each other in order to facilitate groundbreaking research and better serve our communities.” The day included an overview of research initiatives from five Health Sciences centers focusing on young children, demonstrating a commitment to early childhood development and well-being.
The event received support from various entities within UNM, including the Health Sciences Office of Research and the BBHI Advisory Committee. Kiran Bhaskar, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology and co-director of BBHI, expressed plans to continue fostering collaboration and research in the neurodevelopment and child brain health area throughout the year.
The posters and abstracts presented at the event covered a wide range of topics related to brain and behavioral health, addressing issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders, and social determinants of health/population health.
Overall, the BBHI Research Day served as a platform for researchers to exchange ideas, promote collaboration, and advance understanding in the field of child brain development.