BrainWaves: The Neuroscience Graduate Program Newsletter

The MiNDS Program Retreat!

Author: John Krzeczkowski

Over the past 10 years, MiNDS has developed into a program renowned for its cutting edge research, stimulating neuroscience education, and strong community presence. Armed with the momentum generated from our past successes in these areas, MiNDS faculty and students congregated to brainstorm how we as a program can take the next steps toward remaining at the forefront of the field at the MiNDS Program Retreat on February 2nd 2018.


That morning, the stage was set by the inspirational words of our new director, Dr. Flavio Kapczinski, our University President, Dr. Patrick Deane, the Dean of Science, Dr. Maureen MacDonald, the Dean of Medicine, Dr. Paul O’Bryne, and by the Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Dr. Nick Kates. Each pushed us to think about how we do our work and how we can tailor it to best benefit society. This led to the creation of our Program’s new vision and mission statements, as well as our ongoing mandate.

Vision: Neuroscience transforming society

Mission: Excellence in integrative neuroscience creating knowledge and technologies for the betterment of health and society.
Mandate: To build a strong community of neuroscientists fostering a culture of discovery, innovation and mentorship.

The next task involved identifying components of the program that we are doing well, and how we can improve in each of these areas. For example, we plan to further our reach into the community by the development of interactive community-based lectures, creating a social media presence, and expanding the scope of our very successful Out of Our MiNDS program. 

 

Overall, faculty and students should be very proud of the success of the retreat. Indeed, if one were to look around the room at any time, they would have observed many lively discussions, smiles, much laughter and a great passion for the MiNDS program. Together these dedicated individuals laid the groundwork for the program’s next steps forward. From my perspective, the future of the program is very bright indeed.