Inspire 2026 Faculty on Science of the Mind: From Brain Cells to Brainwaves Summer Course
"We’re most excited to connect with students who are genuinely curious about how the mind works and to watch them make discoveries for themselves." - Jenny Fu, PhD, Katherine Nimchuk and Meghan Puglia, PhD
Science of the Mind: From Brain Cells to Brainwaves invites students to explore how the brain works—from single neurons to complex behaviors. Through interactive lessons, hands-on dissections, and EEG recordings, participants will think like neuroscientists, asking and testing questions about the mind. Below, meet Jenny Fu, PhD, Katherine Nimchuk, and Meghan Puglia, PhD, the instructors for this brand-new Inspire course for Summer 2026!
Meet the Instructors:
Q: Tell us about your journey into neuroscience and how you developed your expertise in the field?
Jenny: Vision is a sense that allows us to perceive the world around us, and I’ve long been fascinated by how our eyes and brain work together to process this information and comprehend it. During my PhD, I studied how the images from our two eyes are combined to produce binocular vision, building upon my previous experience in biomedical engineering and research on visual diseases.
Katherine: As a scientist, I love that we get to ask a question and then design and perform our own experiments to answer that question. I have always been fascinated by the brain because it informs every aspect of our reality, and I grew up with an older brother who has significant neurological disabilities. Though I have some background in addiction neuroscience, during my PhD I have been especially interested in how we build a functional brain, and I have been studying this phenomenon in the inner ear. I use a myriad of genetic tools and a lot of microscopy to investigate how we build connections between sensory hair cells that detect sound information and the neurons that carry the sound to our brains in order for us to hear.
Meghan: I’ve always been fascinated by what makes people who they are and how our brains shape our thoughts, emotions, and relationships from the very beginning of life. That curiosity led me to study psychology and neuroscience, where I became especially interested in how early experiences influence brain development. Today, my research uses brain imaging and physiology to understand how babies learn and connect with others, and how parents can support healthy brain growth.
Q: What knowledge and skills can students expect to learn in Science of the Mind: From Brain Cells to Brainwaves this summer?
All: This two-week course introduces students to the theory and practice of neuroscience, from brain cells to behavior. Through interactive lessons, EEG experiments, and a hands-on brain dissection, students will learn how scientists study the mind and uncover the biology behind thought, emotion, and perception.
Q: Do students need a background in neuroscience to be successful in this class?
All: Not at all! Curiosity is the only prerequisite. Whether you’ve taken advanced science courses or are just beginning to explore how the brain works, this class is designed to meet you where you are. We’ll build the foundations together and encourage students to ask questions, think creatively, and connect neuroscience to their own experiences.
Q: What advice do you have for students interested in taking your class this summer?
All: Come ready to wonder. Neuroscience is full of mysteries, and the best discoveries often begin with simple questions. Don’t be afraid to explore ideas that don’t have clear answers yet—that’s where real science happens! And remember: learning about the brain is also learning about yourself.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about Inspire this summer?
All: We’re most excited to connect with students who are genuinely curious about how the mind works and to watch them make discoveries for themselves. We can’t wait to see what questions our students bring to the table and how they’ll think about the brain in new and surprising ways.