The breadth of ongoing research by Kent State University’s Brain Health Research Institute members will be displayed when the institute hosts its annual Neuroscience Symposium 2024 Nov. 7-8 at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center.
This year’s event will highlight research at Kent State and other Northeast Ohio institutions, including the Lerner Research Institute at the Cleveland Clinic and Northeast Ohio Medical University, which are part of the institute.
“Our symposium is a bit different this year, as we chose to focus on the research of our members,” Michael Lehman, Ph.D., director of the institute told Kent State Today. “We often get so involved with our own work that we aren’t aware of all that is going on at our university and this symposium will allow for that internal exchange, as well as showcase to the general public all of the high-level research that is ongoing at Kent State and our partner institutions.”
In February 2022, Kent State was elevated to an “R1” classification by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. R1, or very high research, is the highest research ranking that Carnegie designates, putting Kent State into a category of the highest 146 research universities in the U.S. out of more than 4,000.
Kent State is expected to again receive the R1 status when rankings from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education are released in early 2025.
The symposium will begin with a public lecture by institute member and Kent State professor of psychological sciences Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D., at 6 p.m. on Nov. 7, at the hotel (215 S. Depeyster St.), a reception will follow.
Neal-Barnett, director of the Program for Research on Anxiety Disorders among African Americans, will give a presentation titled, "Hush Little Baby: Reflections on Black Maternal Mental Health."
An expert on Black mental health and anxiety disorders among Black women and girls, Neal-Barnett has found that untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic stress among Black mothers plays a critical role in high mortality rates among Black infants, an increased risk of pre-term births and mortality of the mother. In 2021, Neal-Barnett developed and launched the Spirit of Motherhood Program, which aims to reduce symptoms that negatively impact the health of Black mothers and babies by screening and treating for PTSD and chronic stress among expectant mothers. Neal-Barnett is the recipient of a $300,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to support her work at Kent State to address preterm births and infant mortality among Black mothers in Northeast Ohio.
“Dr. Neal-Barnett’s research has had a tremendous positive impact on the health of Black mothers and infants right here in Northeast Ohio, and we are thrilled that she can share her research in the community where it is having the greatest impact,” Lehman said.
Lehman noted how, in its next five years, the institute will establish research focus groups in four selected neuroscience research areas where the institute and Kent State can evolve its distinctive programs into nationally recognized strengths. One of the focus group areas will be trauma and mental health, which encompasses Neal-Barnett’s research.
On Nov. 7, the symposium will offer a poster session for students to highlight their ongoing research that will culminate on Nov. 8, when students present their research, and awards are given.
From 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 8, various professional and student researchers will take part in a research exchange in which they will offer short presentations of their ongoing research and answer questions. View a full list of research presenters.
All events are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Visit the symposium website for more information.