Tiana Tolver, Executive Assistant | Lake Forest College
Tiana Tolver, Executive Assistant | Lake Forest College
The 2025 Robert B. Glassman Memorial Brain, Mind, and Behavior Symposium is scheduled for Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31 at Lake Forest College. The event is part of the college’s Brain Awareness Week, which has been held annually for thirteen years to honor the late Professor Robert Glassman. Glassman played a key role in developing the college’s neuroscience major.
This year’s symposium will include presentations from three faculty members and two alumni on October 30. A poster session featuring research by students and alumni will take place on October 31. The talks are set for the Tarble Room of Brown Hall on Middle Campus from 7 to 9 p.m., following a public reception at 6:30 p.m.
Presentation topics include “Self-Organization: Lessons From Infant Eye Movements” by Naomi Wentworth; “Unlocking Silent Synapses on Metastatic Tumor Cells” by Aiden Houcek; “Music As Magic” by Donald Meyer; “Stress and Colorectal Cancer: Implications for Patient Outcomes and Health Equity” by Zoe Walts; and “Powerful Yeasts Model Deadly Brain Diseases Caused by Toxic Protein Shapes” by Shubhik DebBurman.
On October 31, Calvin Durand Hall will host a research poster session from 4 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a closing ceremony led by President Michael Sosulski. Students from Nu Rho Psi are collaborating with art students under David Sanchez-Burr to create an installation based on this year’s national theme, “Neuropolitics.”
Fifty posters will be displayed at the symposium, representing research conducted at Lake Forest College as well as other institutions such as Rosalind Franklin University, Princeton University, the University of Minnesota, and international sites in Brazil and Tokyo. Many student presenters go on to pursue graduate studies.
Undergraduate research plays an important role in preparing science students at Lake Forest College for careers in STEM fields.
“For many students, Glassman is their first major scientific meeting and professional communication experience beyond the classroom. It helps them to prepare to present at larger external venues, including national and even international meetings, and helps build their edge,” said Shubhik DebBurman.
“The collaborative research at the symposium truly showcases the close mentoring relationship between our faculty and students that shape skillsets and mindsets of our science students for their future success,” he added.
Holly Kiernan ’26 described her experience: “I first presented my research at the Glassman Symposium my sophomore year; that experience truly helped me to prepare for presenting at a national meeting later that year. The opportunity to engage with professors and other students is incredible as well. It really made me feel a part of the Lake Forest science community and cemented my desire to continue research and aim for a PhD."
Ash Peacock ’28 shared similar thoughts about participating: “I am looking forward to presenting the research done at Rosalind Franklin University to the community of Lake Forest College. Working in the lab didn’t just teach me hard skills like immunostaining and animal handling, but also how to ask innovative questions and collaborate with peers. Presenting our research to the community offers an incredible opportunity to connect professionally with others and share exciting new information!”
The symposium events are free of charge and open to all members of the public.
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