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This conference brings together leading scientists from a range of disciplines to unravel the complex connections between genome, brain structure and function, and cognitive processes relevant to e.g. language, memory, and psychiatric disorders. An overview of the keynote talks can be found online: please visit www.cognomics.nl​ for additional information about the program, registration and abstract submission.

Prof. Dr. Berna Güroĝlu, project leader in the NeuroLabNL Startimpuls delivered her inaugural lecture on 28 June in the Academy Building of Leiden University. She has been appointed professor of Neuroscience of Social Relations. In her inaugural lecture, she spoke about the development and influence of friendship during adolescence, and the impact of social exclusion on brain development. Her inaugural lecture took place together with the inaugural lecture of Prof. dr. Ellen de Bruijn, professor of Neurocognitive Clinical Psychology at Leiden University. Read this article for the scientific content of their lectures. Congratulations Berna and Ellen with your professorships!

On May 16th, researchers of the NeuroLabNL Startimpulse projects celebrated the fact that they are mid-way, and the projects are running well. Prof. dr. Ron Dahl (UC Berkeley) kicked off with his inspiring lecture on the application of developmental neuroscience for public health: positive interventions at an early age give an upward spin to development. Also, youth likes to “matter”: by keeping youth involved and by respecting their opinion, they will find a positive way to contribute to society.

Startimpulse researchers presented the products that they are working on right now, such as an app for learning a second language, motivation measuring tools, educational material on antisocial behavior, and a new social taxonomy for child adolescent development.

For more news on this inspiring day, see the NeuroLabNL website and Universiteit Leiden.

GUTS-member Barbara Franke, Professor of Molecular Psychiatry at the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, received royal honours for her academic work on psychiatric disorders. Her work has led to great insight into the genetic factors underlying ADHD and the molecular differences between children and adults with ADHD. She was awarded Knighthood in the Order of the Dutch Lion.

The foundation for Life Sciences & Society (Biowetenschap & Maatschappij) has published a new booklet on adolescent brain development. It covers the most recent insights on a wide range of topics, such as risk-taking behavior, social-emotional development, the effect of sleep and social media, and what happens when development deviates from average. It is written by Dutch scientists and youth professionals, amongst which many GUTS researchers. It can be downloaded (free) or bought through this site.