The Department of Neurobiology welcomes and values all students, trainees and researchers. We believe our department is inclusive and interactive. In this spirit, we provide resources to aid in the success of our trainees and researchers. The list below is not exhaustive but provides a summary of basic resources for this cohort. More specific and/or detailed queries should be directed towards departmental administration.
All students, trainees, and researchers are welcomed to participate in the Department of Neurobiology’s bimonthly JEDI Discussion Series and other JEDI activities offered. For more information and a schedule of events, please see https://neurobio.ucla.edu/neurobiology-jedi-discussion-series/ .
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
The Undergraduate Research Center offers a host of resources for students in the sciences. See: https://sciences.ugresearch.ucla.edu/
Students may participate in laboratory activities in two ways, either as a non-clinical volunteer or through a students research project (SRP) for course credit. The volunteer office information can be found at: https://www.uclahealth.org/volunteer/ucla-health-sciences-volunteer-program. The SRP contract and procedures can be found at: https://sciences.ugresearch.ucla.edu/courses/srp/. Please note: students are required to take Lab Safety Fundamentals (LSF) training prior to enrollment. LSF is a free, online course administered by the Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) office and can be completed on WorkSafe.
The Department offers undergraduate student awards and funding support opportunities. Please discuss with your Neurobiology faculty mentor.
Outreach opportunities: Undergraduate students: If you are a student, you can participate in one of the following activities: Brain Awareness Week or Los Angeles Brain Bee, to create and present engaging neuroscience lessons to K-12 students; Project Brainstorm, Drug Abuse and Society, or InterAxon, to join a group of undergraduate students visiting K-12 schools to teach about the brain.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Neurobiology graduate students are enrolled under the Graduate Program in Biosciences (GPB). Their website (https://bioscience.ucla.edu/) offers a variety of information on interdepartmental programs. The Neuroscience Interdepartmental PhD Program (NSIDP) offers information related to students enrolled in this program, as well as related resources: http://www.neuroscience.ucla.edu/graduate-program. Professional development resources and opportunities can be found at: https://bioscience.ucla.edu/professional-development-resources/
The Department of Neurobiology offers graduate student awards and funding support opportunities. Please discuss with your Neurobiology faculty mentor.
Additional resources can be found through the UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI):
Samuel Eiduson Student Lectureship
The BRI Knaub Fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis Research
Eva Kavan Prize for Excellence in Research on the Brain
Outreach opportunities: Graduate students: If you are a student, you can participate in one of the following activities: Brain Awareness Week or Los Angeles Brain Bee, to share neuroscience with K-12 students; Project Brainstorm, Drug Abuse and Society, or InterAxon, to join a group of graduate students visiting K-12 schools.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS/FELLOWS
The Department offers awards and funding support opportunities. Please discuss with your Neurobiology faculty mentor.
Bioscience Postdoctoral Affairs https://www.biomedpostdoc.ucla.edu/
The Biosciences Postdoctoral Affairs office offers a good summary of resources available to postdocs. Professional development resources and opportunities can be found at: https://www.biomedpostdoc.ucla.edu/professional-development/
Brain Research Insitute (BRI)
The BRI offers the Arnold Scheibel Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuroscience Lecture. In addition, the BRI Project Synapse (see https://bri.ucla.edu/outreach/project-synapse/) is a postdoctoral group sponsored by the UCLA Brain Research Institute that provides a strong network of colleagues, career development workshops, and opportunities to participate in K-12 outreach activities. Project Synapse members participate in ongoing visits to local Los Angeles K-12 schools to teach and inspire interest in Neuroscience, higher education, and STEM careers. Monthly career development workshops include topics such as presentation and communication skills, time management, curriculum vitae tips, grant writing, leadership skills and more.
PROJECT SCIENTISTS
What is a Project Scientist? See the UCLA CALL for a definition: https://apo.ucla.edu/policies-forms/the-call/appendices/appendix-36-project-e.g.-scientist-series
The Department of Neurobiology offers awards and funding support opportunities. Please discuss with your Neurobiology faculty mentor.
Bioscience Postdoctoral Affairs https://www.biomedpostdoc.ucla.edu/
- Project Scientists can participate in most of the activities and professional development programs, except those such as NIH postdoctoral fellowship prep, which are restricted to those in the Postdoc title
- If you would like to join the postdoc mailing list to learn about opportunities as they come up, you can self-enroll here: Postdoc Email List, and select “Biomedical, Life, and Health Sciences” as the Primary Research Discipline.
Brain Research Institute (BRI)
The BRI Project Synapse (see https://bri.ucla.edu/outreach/project-synapse/) is a postdoctoral group sponsored by the UCLA Brain Research Institute that provides a strong network of colleagues, career development workshops, and opportunities to participate in K-12 outreach activities. Project Synapse members participate in ongoing visits to local Los Angeles K-12 schools to teach and inspire interest in Neuroscience, higher education, and STEM careers. Monthly career development workshops include topics such as presentation and communication skills, time management, curriculum vitae tips, grant writing, leadership skills and more.