Institute IV- Neuroscience Workshop
(12-30 March, 2023)
During the workshop on neuroscience, the nuns were taught by Sheer Karny and Dr. Eric Chudler. From 12th March to 20th March, Sheer Karny took the class. He touched upon a range of neurological topics with the nuns. He explored topics such as how the nervous system develops, genetics and the brain, fundamental neuronal signals, automatic functions, drugs and the brain, language, neurological diseases, nervous system disorders (such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD), the ageing brain, and meditation.
From March 20 to 30, Dr. Eric Chudler took over the classroom. During his classes, the nuns learned about the history of neuroscience, neuroanatomy, states of consciousness, sensory perception (vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell), memory and learning. While in class, they indulged in interactive lectures and learning activities.
About the teachers:
Eric Chudler
Eric Chudler, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist (Research Associate Professor) and
Executive Director of the Center for Neurotechnology in Seattle, Washington. He is a “basic researcher” performing experiments related to how the nervous system works and how Parkinson’s disease affects the brain. Eric received his Ph.D. from the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1985. He has worked at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD (1986-1989) and in the Department of Neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA (1989-1991). In addition to performing basic neuroscience research, Eric works with other neuroscientists and classroom teachers to develop educational materials to help K-12 students learn about the brain. His web site, Neuroscience for Kids, is accessed millions of times each year by students and teachers from around the world.
Sheer Karny
Sheer is a recent graduate from the University of California Berkeley receiving Honours in Cognitive Science and a minor in Data Science. Whilst there, he lead a course called “Meditation and Mindfulness: Traditional and Neuroscientific Perspectives.” Additionally, he was a student researcher at the Cognition and Action Lab, where he wrote his honours thesis. Since graduating, he has spent his time traveling across Nepal and India.
