A limited series podcast highlighting the stories from the 50-year history of the Society for Neuroscience, the world’s largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. We’ll discuss the significant moments, trailblazing ideas, and historical development of the Society throughout the decades, with some of its current, past, and future leaders.

Where would neuroscience be if, rather than sharing scientific knowledge as part of a broader field, disciplines like neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and neuropharmacology still pursued specialized interests? In this episode, Bernice Grafstein, Vincent and Brooke Astor Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience at Cornell University, Trustee and Vice-President of the Grass Foundation — and the first female president of the Society for Neuroscience — recounts how the formation of the Society...

In this episode, Marina Picciotto, Charles B.G. Murphy Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University and the editor-in-chief of JNeurosci, notes how the journal has evolved in its nearly 40 years to mirror the changing ways in which research is shared. Throughout this narration of the history of SfN journals, Picciotto reflects on research trends that have captured the imagination of neuroscientists early in their careers, and on the future of scientific publishing. More personally, she...

In its 50 years, the Society for Neuroscience has become an international society representing the interests of scientists from diverse backgrounds across the globe. In this episode of History of SfN: 50th Anniversary, Mickey Goldberg, David Mahoney Professor of Brain and Behavior at Columbia University, and a past president of the Society for Neuroscience, describes how the Society and meeting have evolved, including through the digitization of abstract submissions. History of SfN: 50th...

Highlighting scientific breakthroughs and achievements over the past 50 years, this episode features Carla Shatz, David Starr Jordan Director of Stanford Bio-X, an interdisciplinary biosciences institute, Sapp Family Provostial Professor of Biology and Neurology at Stanford University, and a past president of the Society for Neuroscience. Shatz, known for her discovery of the “fire together, wire together” phenomenon, discusses both the advent of neuroscience as a field and the history of...

Much of science advocacy is local by nature, but it also has tremendous potential to bring neuroscientists together on a global scale. In this episode, Bill Martin, the president and chief operating officer of Blackthorn Therapeutics, traces the evolution of SfN’s role in global advocacy efforts throughout his time on its Government and Public Affairs Committee and continued involvement with the Society. History of SfN: 50th Anniversary is a limited series podcast highlighting stories...

“In some ways, SfN as an organization parallels the adult nervous system: It must be both plastic and robust,” writes Eve Marder in her chapter of SfN’s History of Neuroscience in Autobiography, Volume 10. In this episode, Marder, Victor and Gwendolyn Beinfield Professor of Neuroscience at Brandeis University and a past president of the Society for Neuroscience, expands on this thought, sharing details from her time on SfN’s Program Committee and about the evolution of annual meeting...

SfN’s public-facing website BrainFacts.org serves to educate and inspire site visitors. Since its launch in 2013, it has reflected creative additions including the 3D Brain and been used by scientists and nonscientists across the globe. In this episode, Nick Spitzer, Atkinson Family Chair Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences at University of California, San Diego, and the inaugural editor-in-chief of BrainFacts.org, shares how BrainFacts.org came to be, his experience on SfN’s...

When Bianca Jones-Marlin started saying “yes” to service opportunities, she started giving to and building her community. “That's the way that the community grows,” she says, “but also it brings me joy. It makes me happy to know that the work that I do, my voice and my presence, will help influence change for the better.” In this episode, Jones-Marlin, a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute and the incoming chair of SfN’s Trainee Advisory Committee, talks...