OSU Brain Initiative
The age of the brain
This is the age of the brain. A major emphasis of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is funding neuroscience research, particularly studies that investigatethe link between the brain, health, environment and behavior. Neuroscience is becoming a popular undergraduate major, a focus of graduate studies, and an interdisciplinary research theme atuniversities across the country.
A faculty-driven initiative:
Convening interested faculty members from across the university system meet to explore undergraduate and graduate training programs in neuroscience. To date, we have initiated:
- The undergraduate minor in neuroscience, housed in the department of psychology.
- The graduate certificate in neuroscience, housed in the graduate college. This certificate is available in Tulsa and Stillwater.
Seek funds for state-of-the-art neuroscience research that includes neuroimaging capabilities. We have supported the creation of:
- The Hardesty Biomedical Imaging Center with state of the art MRI scanners, EEG and fNIRS systems.
- Research facilities in Stillwater to support neuroimaging and EEG research.
Develop outreach programs to bring brain science to communities throughout Oklahoma.
We regularly are involved in activities to promote neuroscience awareness through the Tulsa Society for Research in Neuroscience.
Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
We are the researchers, practitioners, educators and students of the Oklahoma State University community conducting interdisciplinary, transformative and applied neuroscience. We educate and train the next generation of neuroscientists to improve health and well-being through neuroscience informed research and practice.
Vision
To advance knowledge and benefit society by bringing together educators, researchers and practitioners across the OSU system to promote neuroscience education, research and outreach.
Values
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Neuroscience Discovery
Systems and Integrative Thinking
Innovative and Rigorous Approaches
Broad Impact
The Oklahoma link
According to a recent survey by Child Trends and research by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Oklahoma ranks in the lowest 10% on most measures of children's health and well-being and has the highest rates of early life adversity. OSU received more than $20 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct research on adversity and brain development, thus developing the Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA), which has been a major support of the Brain Initiative since its inception.
The OSU Brain Initiative builds on this and fulfills our land-grant mission to apply cutting-edge research to solve real-world problems and to train and educate the next generation of scientists and educators.