SfN Announces Editorial Board for BrainFacts.org

For immediate release.

SFN ANNOUNCES EDITORIAL BOARD FOR BRAINFACTS.ORG

Washington, DC — The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) announced today the inaugural Editorial Board members for BrainFacts.org, an authoritative public source for information about the brain and nervous system. BrainFacts.org, a public information initiative of The Kavli Foundation, The Gatsby Charitable Foundation, and SfN, will launch in the spring of 2012.

The BrainFacts.org Editorial Board is composed of eight leading neuroscientists from around the globe. The selected members have wide-ranging areas of expertise, spanning from molecular and cellular science to areas related to human cognition and disease, as well as across the physical and life sciences. The board will provide guidance on content development of BrainFacts.org, ensuring its strong scientific validity and facilitating engagement from the scientific community. As founding editorial board members, they will be instrumental in determining the site’s direction and development.

The editor-in-chief of BrainFacts.org, Nicholas C. Spitzer, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of California, San Diego, began his three-year term July 1, 2011. In addition to Spitzer, the Editorial Board members will be:

– Allan I. Basbaum, PhD, University of California, San Francisco

– Judy L. Cameron, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

– Sarah Dunlop, PhD, University of Western Australia

– Kenneth S. Kosik, MD, University of California, Santa Barbara

– Trevor W. Robbins, PhD, University of Cambridge

– Terrence J. Sejnowski, PhD, The Salk Institute for Biological Sciences

– Edvard I. Moser, PhD, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

At launch, BrainFacts.org will feature a wealth of scientifically reviewed public information on the brain and nervous system. As the site grows, BrainFacts.org will provide interactive dialogue about basic and clinical brain research; facts about brain diseases and disorders; information to promote brain health and wellness; promising discoveries and key concepts such as neuroplasticity; and discussion of the growing role of neuroscience in societal discussions about health, education, ethics, law, and more.

“BrainFacts.org is an exciting and important new effort to engage with the global public about the wonders of the brain and mind, and that is why it is so valuable to have the site’s scientific excellence guided by this exceptional group,” said Spitzer. “Like our Founding Partners — the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and the Kavli Foundation — SfN is committed to providing greater access to accurate and timely information and dialogue about the brain. It has never been more important — today, neuroscience is on the leading edge of scientific discovery, and understanding brain function will be essential to address the next generation of medical and societal challenges. Public awareness, understanding, and support for brain research will be vital to success.”

-30-

The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a nonprofit membership organization of scientists and physicians who study the brain and nervous system. Since its inception in 1969, the Society has grown from 500 members to more than 41,000. Today, SfN is the world's largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to advancing understanding of the brain and nervous system.

Gatsby is a Trust set up by David Sainsbury to realise his charitable objectives

We focus our support on a limited number of areas:

– Plant science research

– Neuroscience research

– Science and engineering education

– Economic development in Africa

– Public policy research and advice

– The arts

We are proactive in devising projects to achieve our aims

We are enthusiastic about supporting innovation

We are analytical as we believe it is important to understand the opportunities and problems we tackle

We take a long-term view as we do not think much can be achieved by short, one-off projects

We are always enthusiastic to form partnerships with other organisations who share our goals

The Kavli Foundation, established by Fred Kavli, is dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of humanity, promoting public understanding of scientific research, and supporting scientists and their work. The Foundation's mission is implemented through an international program of research institutes in the fields of astrophysics and theoretical physics, nanoscience, and neuroscience, and through the support of conferences, symposia, endowed professorships, journalism workshops and other activities. The Foundation is also a founding partner of the Kavli Prizes, biennial $1 million prizes that recognize scientists for their seminal advances in three research areas: astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience.