BRI neuroscientists hold positions in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the Schools of Dentistry, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Science and also in the College of Letters and Science. Our challenge is to form alliances among researchers from across UCLA’s vast research complex. How can we bring together faculty, students, staff and postdoctoral fellows to catalyze collaborations?

“UCLA’s scientific community has a uniquely entrepreneurial spirit,” says BRI director Chris Evans, “but convening scientists in this intellectually rich zone still requires an active effort.”

One particularly successful project has been the Joint Seminars in Neuroscience series, which brings 30 leading neuroscientists to UCLA every year. More than 200 scientists from 20 disciplines gather weekly to hear these distinguished lecturers, and also join smaller groups of scientists for more focused discussions. Alliances often take shape at “journal club” and “affinity group” meetings of faculty, students and postdoctoral researchers. The BRI also provides core facilities of specialized equipment and resources that many research groups share. All our efforts are focused on attracting people and resources to collaborative multidisciplinary neuroscience.

In this environment, collaborations can even arise from pure serendipity. “No one could have predicted the advances born out of collaborations between UCLA neuroscientists and engineers,” Evans asserts. “Neuroscience touches every phase of life, from early development and learning to the pathologies associated with old age. The more connections we create, the greater our potential for improving millions of lives.”