HYDE PARK — University of Chicago brain researchers will talk about how they’re solving the mysteries of mis-folded brains, making robot arms feel and what makes people choke under pressure.
Professors will reveal what answers they’ve found at “Brain Teasers: Cracking the Mind’s Toughest Riddles,” a TED-style talk at 6 p.m. April 1 at the Logan Center for the Arts, 916 E. 60th St.
“We’re especially interested in the brain and body when we’re in high-stakes or high-stress situations, from performing in the classroom, to giving a great presentation in the business world, to exceeding on the athletic field,” psychology professor Sian Beilock said in a short preview of the talk. “What I hope my research can do is provide people some knowledge so that they can apply some of the psychological tools that we’ve been discovering to perform better, especially when it matters most.”
Beilock and the other researchers will give a short overview of their research and then will take questions from the audience.
Sliman Bensmaia, a professor of biology and anatomy, will talk about how his team is developing robotic prosthetic limbs that can translate the sensation of touch and feeling to the wearer.
Neurobiologist Peggy Mason will go over her research that drills down into whether animals have empathy and what can make a mouse help another trapped mouse when there is no reward.
Dr. James Mastrianni will talk about how having the wrong wrinkles in one’s brain can increase the chances of Alzheimer’s and other diseases.
The event is free and open to the public, but those wishing to attend are encouraged to R.S.V.P. by visiting discoveryseries.uchicago.edu/content/rsvp-brain-teasers-cracking-minds-toughest-riddles.
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