How emotions shape our memories

Have you ever contemplated the difference between a feeling, a thought and a memory? And how do all these things fit together in making us who we are?

Leonard Mlodinow is a theoretical physicist and best-selling author. In his latest book, “Emotional: How Feelings Shape Our Thinking,” he unpacks the role emotions play in our thinking and mental well-being.

Kelsey Martin, director of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) and the foundation’s neuroscience collaborations, has spent much of her career as a neuroscientist seeking to understand better how experiences change brain connectivity to store long-term memories.

SFARI 2022 Genomics of ASD: Pathways to Biological Convergence and Genetic Therapies RFA — Informational session

On July 5, 2022, SFARI hosted an informational session on the 2022 Genomics of ASD: Pathways to Biological Convergence and Genetic Therapies request for applications (RFA). The session featured a discussion of the RFA’s objectives and priorities and an opportunity to ask questions with SFARI senior scientists Pamela Feliciano, Alan Packer, and Julia Sommer.

SFARI 2022 Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science RFA: Informational session

On February 25, 2022, SFARI held an informational session about the 2022 Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science request for applications. The session provided an overview of the RFA and its scientific priorities from SFARI senior scientist Pamela Feliciano, SFARI clinical research scientist LeeAnne Green Snyder, SFARI senior scientist Alice Luo Clayton and Clinical Research Associates deputy director Paul Wang.

SFARI 2022 Bridge to Independence Award RFA: Informational session

SFARI hosted an informational session on the 2022 Bridge to Independence Award (BTI) request for applications (RFA). The session provided a brief overview of the BTI program and its objectives from SFARI senior scientist Alice Luo Clayton and an open Q&A panel and breakout room discussions with current BTI fellows Gabriella Boulting, Marino Pagan, and Stephanie Rudolph.

Autism Rat Models Consortium RFA: Informational session

On July 26, SFARI hosted an informational session on the Autism Rat Models Consortium request for applications (RFA). SFARI senior scientist Alice Luo Clayton, and Peter Kind, director of the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB) at the University of Edinburgh will present the goals and objectives of this new funding opportunity and be available to answer questions from potential applicants.

What do we mean by ‘autism risk genes’?

David Ledbetter and Joseph Buxbaum discussed whether there are genes for which mutations confer risk specific to autism or whether these genes are really conferring general risk of disrupted brain development. The discussion was moderated by Heather Mefford.