CSI Investigate Jelly Brain and the case of the Protective Skull

1 Dec 2016

Cork neuroScientists Investigators Caitríona Long-Smith, Shane Hegarty, Shauna Wallace-Fitzsimons and Marc O’Sullivan, with the help of 5th Class from Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Buachaillí, donned their CSI badges and began to look for clues... does a healthy life style protect the brain? Are we allowed to eat the jelly brain? What will happen when Shane drops the egg?

It was all part of the SEFS Science Week 2016 programme https://www.ucc.ie/en/sefs/scienceweek/. Caitríona Long-Smith, Shane Hegarty, Shauna Wallace Fitzsimons, from the Dept. of Anatomy & Neuroscience teamed up with Marc O’Sullivan from INFANT Centre, Dept. of Paediatrics, and a team of budding Science Investigators from 5th Class Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Buachaillí. The investigation comprised a fun brain awareness activity session entitled ‘Cork neuroScientists Investigate: Jelly Brain and the Case of the Protective Skull’ and included a talk and activities demonstrating the benefits of positive lifestyle factors in brain health.

The investigation activities included dancing to ‘activate their neurons’, preparing healthy ‘brain food plates’, getting their investigative skills sharpened by playing memory games, and of course solving the case of the 'Jelly Brain and The Protective Skull'  by doing ‘egg drop’ and ‘jelly brain’ experiments. Verdict: Case closed.

Dr. Caitríona Long-Smith is an SFI Advance Award Fellow, working with Dr. Yvonne Nolan, Dept of Anatomy & Neuroscience, and industrial mentor Dr. Denise O’Gorman of Marigot Ltd.  Dr. Shane Hegarty recently began his current position as a full-time Lecturer in the Dept. of Anatomy & Neuroscience, UCC.  Shauna Wallace-Fitzsimons is currently a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Harriet Schellekens and Prof John Cryan, and has recently completed her first year in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience and the APC Microbiome Institute. Marc O’Sullivan is a PhD student in INFANT Centre, Department of Paediatrics and is currently in his 3^rd year of study.

For further information, please email brainhealth@ucc

 (Photo B.Riedewald)