Memory ties together the many events we experience over the minutes, years, and decades of our lives. It creates meaning for the narratives that form our identity and the stories we tell each other. Simply put, it allows us to make sense of our world. How does the brain organize memories and shape these stories? What happens to these processes as we age, and how can we maintain a healthy mind across the lifespan? In this event, three experts in memory research will bring perspectives from cellular, cognitive, and clinical approaches to explore the narrative that memory helps us form.
Christopher Baldassano, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Columbia University, will open our event by sharing insights from his research on the neural processes that underlie memory. How does memory give rise to our personal narrative of the world—one that we can continually incorporate new experiences into? What techniques can we use to better arrange and access the multitude of information in our minds? By studying the ways that people can remember things more effectively, he examines how we can push the limits of our memory systems.
Jennifer Manly, PhD, Professor of Neuropsychology in the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will then present her work investigating the life course influences on cognition in older adults. In partnering with populations that have not traditionally been included in aging research, she uses methods tailored to measure memory among people with different cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds. Through examining risk and resilience factors for Alzheimer’s Disease, her research addresses a key concern in aging adults: holding onto the power to tell your story and have your story told.
Following the two talks, Julie Parato, PhD, Postdoctoral Scientist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will moderate a discussion and Q&A with the speakers. Audience questions are welcomed, either submitted during registration or live during the event.
RSVP by Tuesday, April 2nd
Registration is required.
Closed captioning will be made available via Zoom.
Dr. Baldassano and Dr. Manly welcome your questions!
Please submit them via the registration link no later than Tuesday, April 2nd.
