I’m celebrating a neuroscientist friend’s achievements in Washington DC this weekend

Today, I’m going to this city…

…and more specifically, this building…

…to attend this event…

…because one of the awardees is a friend of mine from all the way back in high school:

Here’s André’s writeup:

Dr. André Fenton, is a Professor of Neural Science at New York University. His research focus is molecular, neural, behavioral, and computational aspects of memory. He studies how the brain stores experiences as memories, and how the expression of knowledge activates information that is relevant without activating what is irrelevant. Dr. Fenton’s lab recordings of electrical brain activity are elucidating the physiology of cognitive control, learning to learn, and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, intellectual disability and autism.

In an effort to integrate investigations and understanding across levels of biological organization, the Fenton Laboratory uses genetic, molecular, electrophysiological, imaging, behavioral, engineering, and theoretical methods, to investigate these fundamental and interrelated issues in neuroscience.

Dr. Fenton and his colleagues identified PKMzeta as the first molecule that maintains the persistence of memories in the brain, a discovery recognized by Science Magazine as one of the 10 most important breakthroughs in all of science and technology published in 2006.

Dr. Fenton founded the Bio-Signal Group Corp., which developed and commercialized an FDA-approved portable, wireless, and easy to use platform for obtaining medical quality EEGs anywhere, anytime, and for everyone. It is being used in innovative clinical applications, including emergency medicine, space exploration, and underserved clinics in Africa. He co-hosted NOVA Wonders on PBS, and is now developing a way to detect and warn about concussion.

Here’s the “Meet André Fenton” segment from NOVA Wonders:

We’re having a “boys’ weekend” as a group of us from high school congregate in DC to cheer André on at the awards dinner tonight, followed by touring around DC tomorrow. There may be some drinks involved.

Congratulations and well done, André! We’ll see you tonight!