Press Releases

March 8, 1999
Careers in Psychobiology: Workshop at Southampton College

Contact:
Jane Finalborgo
(516) 287 8313
Fax: (516) 283 4081

A half-day workshop on Careers in Psychobiology will be presented in Duke Lecture Hall, Chancellors Hall at Southampton College of Long Island University Saturday March 27 from 10 am to 2 pm. The workshop is open to high school students, teachers and guidance counselors interested in exploring this exciting new area of science.

Psychobiology (Interdisciplinary Psychology-Biology), the study of brain-behavior relations, is one of the fastest growing areas in the behavioral sciences. At Southampton College, students can work closely with faculty on research projects such as brain changes in infant development or human brain-behavior disorders such as attention deficit disorder and autism. As a result of the recent upgrading of laboratories, students have access to state-of-the-art behavioral and neuroscience instrumentation.

Careers in psychobiology can move in a surprising variety of directions. Scientists with a background in psychobiology are intimately involved in studies to discover a new treatment for diseases like mental retardation, epilepsy and Alzheimer's. They work to develop innovative behavior therapy programs for brain disorders and drug addiction, and are at the forefront of efforts to explore the ability of apes and dolphins to use language.

The workshop will include presentations by a psychobiology graduate working at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center for Mental Retardation, a current student doing an internship at Harvard Medical Center on choline dietary supplements to prevent brain damage during pregnancy, and another student who has done research on stingray behavior. Following a free lunch, high school students and their mentors will be allowed to delve into psychobiology together in hands-on laboratory experiences.

This will be an ideal opportunity for prospective students and their teachers to explore their interest in the study of the brain and behavior, whether they choose to work with humans or animals.

The workshop will also include a session about ACE, the Accelerated College Entry Program that allows high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college-level courses. To request information packages or to reserve your seat, contact Dr. John Neill at 287-8202 or email: jneill@southampton.liu.edu.