October 19, 2009

Medical School Professor Janet Dubinsky Honored with Science Educator Award from the Society for Neuroscience

News Summary

• University of Minnesota Medical School professor Janet Dubinsky, Ph.D., has been awarded the Science Educator Award on behalf of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN).
• Society for Neuroscience founded the Science Educator Award in 2003 to recognize an outstanding neuroscientist who has made significant contributions in promoting public education and awareness about the field.
• SfN is a nonprofit membership organization of scientists and physicians who study the brain and nervous system. Today, SfN is the world's largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to advancing understanding of the brain and nervous system.

Quotes

• “While I am deeply honored, this national award recognizes the collective contributions of the University’s neuroscience community which has helped build BrainU, the Brain Bee, and the Brain Awareness programs. Our staff and faculty also have set an example for the active roles we expect our students to play in their own communities outside the University.” - Janet Dubinsky, Ph.D.
• “Recognizing educational outreach efforts with the science education awards is critical for engaging the public about the scientific quest for knowledge and for exciting the next generation of scientists.” - Thomas J. Carew, Ph.D., president of SfN.

About the Medical School

Dedicated to excellence, diversity and service, the University of Minnesota Medical School educates the next generation of physicians, advances patient care, and discovers breakthroughs in biomedical research that enhance health in Minnesota and beyond. Its commitment to transform medical education, Rural Physician Associate Program, and success in training Native American physicians are well-known. More than 1,500 Medical School physicians and scientists provide world-class care and carry out nearly $200 million in research, which informs the treatments and care that patients receive. For more information, go to www.med.umn.edu.

Full Text

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (October 19, 2009) — University of Minnesota Medical School professor Janet Dubinsky, Ph.D., has been awarded the Science Educator Award on behalf of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN).

Society for Neuroscience founded the Science Educator Award in 2003 to recognize an outstanding neuroscientist who has made significant contributions in promoting public education and awareness about the field. To date it has more than 40,000 members.

“While I am deeply honored, this national award recognizes the collective contributions of the University’s neuroscience community which has helped build BrainU, the Brain Bee, and the Brain Awareness programs. Our staff and faculty also have set an example for the active roles we expect our students to play in their own communities outside the University,” Dubinsky said.

A professor in the Department of Neuroscience, Dubinsky actively promotes public education in the field. One of her most significant accomplishments is creating BrainU. In collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, BrainU brings neuroscience materials and curriculum to middle school and high school teachers; the program has reached teachers in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. As a result, students become more involved in science as the cognitive climate in the classrooms improves. Since its inception, BrainU has reached 140 teachers and tens of thousands of students.

“Recognizing educational outreach efforts with the science education awards is critical for engaging the public about the scientific quest for knowledge and for exciting the next generation of scientists,” said Thomas J. Carew, Ph.D., president of SfN.

SfN is a nonprofit membership organization of scientists and physicians who study the brain and nervous system. Today, SfN is the world's largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to advancing understanding of the brain and nervous system.

Since 2003, the BrainU program has received funding from several grants and awards including the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Precollege Education Award, "Precollege Brain Science Education in Minnesota;" the BrainU Eisenhower Professional Development Program; the NIH NCRR R25 Science Education Partnership Award, “Bringing Resources And Inquiry in Neuroscience (BRAIN) to Middle Schools;” the NIH NIDA R25 Science Education and Drug Abuse Partnership Award, “Changing Brains Through Inquiry, Not Drugs;” the NIH NCRR R25 Science Education Partnership Award, “BRAIN to High Schools;” along with additional funding from the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center and University of Minnesota Medical School.