New Frontiers in Brain and Behavior

Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medicine brought researchers and clinicians together on April 29 for their annual Neurosciences and Behavioral Health Research Day. Centered on translating advances in brain science into better patient care, the event highlighted ongoing work across the field while creating space to share ideas, spark collaborations, and move promising discoveries toward real-world impact.

The event showcased research spanning basic neuroscience, clinical innovation, population health, and translational medicine. A unifying theme throughout the day was the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in accelerating progress.

The program opened with welcome remarks and a scientific autobiography from Harry Selker, MD, Dean of the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and Professor of Medicine. Dr. Selker reflected on the milestones, challenges, and decisions that have shaped his career, offering insight into the evolution of translational science and its role in improving healthcare.

Morning presentations explored how the brain influences multiple systems across the body. Topics included cerebrovascular disease, stroke in younger patients, and emerging evidence that some neurological conditions may develop earlier than previously recognized. Speakers also highlighted advances in retinal imaging, adolescent brain health, and novel biomarkers that may enable earlier and more accurate disease detection.

The second session shifted focus to the factors that shape brain health, with speakers examining both biological and behavioral drivers. Topics included the effects of cancer treatments, aging, trauma, Alzheimer’s disease, and innovations in noninvasive brain stimulation. Together, these talks emphasized that brain health reflects a complex interplay of influences rather than any single cause.

The afternoon program began with a second scientific autobiography from Soma Sengupta, MD, PhD, MBA, Chair and Professor of Neurology at Tufts School of Medicine and Neurologist-in-Chief at Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Sengupta shared reflections on her professional journey and the evolving landscape of neurology, emphasizing the importance of integrating research and patient care. Presentations that followed focused on translating scientific insights into clinical practice, spanning schizophrenia, pediatric epilepsy, metabolic regulation in the brain, and stem cell models of neural development. Speakers also underscored the growing role of implementation science in bridging discovery and delivery, as well as emerging pathways that bring new therapies closer to patients.

Building on this focus, a panel on advancing multidisciplinary, translational research brought together Helen Boucher, MD, Dean of the School of Medicine; Brent Forester, MD, Chair and Professor of Psychiatry; Chris Dulla, PhD, Chair and Professor of Neuroscience; Jamie Maguire, PhD, Kenneth and JoAnn G. Wellner Professor of Neuroscience; and Emily Newman, PhD, Ghahreman Khodadad Professor in Neuroscience. The conversation explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration across research and clinical settings and concluded with an audience Q&A and open discussion.

The day concluded with an interactive poster session and networking reception, where attendees continued conversations, shared emerging work, and built new connections, offering a fitting close to a program centered on collaboration and exchange.

By bringing together experts in neuroscience, psychiatry, neurology, public health, and translational science, Neurosciences and Behavioral Health Research Day highlighted the collaborative energy driving research across Tufts University and Tufts Medicine and its potential to advance discovery and improve patient care.