The BRC NeuroTransmitter - Dec 2025
The BRC NeuroTransmitter - Dec 2025
Message from the Director:
We are pleased to announce the return of NeuroTransmitter, the Brain Repair Centre’s monthly newsletter. As we transition to a new year, one of our key initiatives is to re-establish a regular communication channel that keeps our members informed and connected.
Each edition of NeuroTransmitter will highlight upcoming events, showcase ongoing initiatives, and share updates from across the BRC community. With so many exciting developments in brain research, clinical innovation, and training happening at Dalhousie and our partner institutions, we know how valuable it is to have a central place to stay up to date.
Our goal is to ensure that everyone in the BRC network including trainees, faculty, clinicians, and our partners have access to relevant information that supports collaboration, engagement, and continued growth of our neuroscience community.
We look forward to sharing more with you each month and welcome your contributions, announcements, and feedback as we roll out this revitalized newsletter.
Jim
Announcements
The BRC Roadshow Has Officially Launched!
In partnership with Brain Canada, NS Department of Early Education and Childhood Development (EECD) and Dalhousie University - Faculty of Medicine and the Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation (OVPRI), we celebrated the formal launch of the BRC Neuroscience Roadshow on December 5th. This marks an exciting milestone for a project we've been developing for quite some time, and we were thrilled to kick things off with a fantastic event! Read the Press Release here and check out the photos on our socials. Note to Trainees: We need trainee involvement to bring this initiative into the high school community, so if you are interested in working on this project, contact naomi.sager@dal.ca.
BRC Trainees Colin MacKay and Jack Guthrie Honoured at Med Neuro Blitz
We’re excited to share that BRC trainees Colin MacKay and Jack Guthrie received awards at this year’s Department of Medical Neuroscience Blitz. Congratulations to both on their outstanding work and well-deserved recognition! Read all about the awards at: brainrepair.ca/our-trainees
Save the Date(s)
BRC Research Day Feb 27th 2026
Updates on program schedule, speaker lineup, and registration will be posted at brainrepair.ca as they become available.
🔗 Call for Abstracts: to register your interest in presenting (oral or poster)
🔗 Call for Volunteers If you’re interested in volunteering or want more information, please contact esb@dal.ca
Brain Awareness Week March 16th-20th 2026
Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is an annual global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. In Halifax, the types of events that are held each year include public lectures, panel discussions, neuroscience lab tours, art exhibitions, brain fairs, and lessons for school students.
Grant Opportunities
Call for Submissions for BRC Innovation grants and BRC RDC grant are open until January 15th Details at brainrepair.ca/grants
Crossroads Interdisciplinary Health Research Conference
The deadline for abstract submissions is now January 9th. LINK
Community Updates
BRC Journal Clubs | Upcoming meeting dates are available at Calendar.
Alzheimer’s Society of NS (ASNS) recognizes students pursuing dementia research by offering Student Research Awards | Submissions are open until March 15, 2026.
2026 Annual Meeting | Society of Biological Psychiatry | NYC | April 2026
Dal Crossroads conference | Deadline for abstracts extended to Jan 6, 2026
The 2026 Neuro as Art competition is open | Submit your entries by Feb 14th
Member Publication Spotlights
A memory transcriptome time course reveals essential long-term memory transcription factors | Spencer G. Jones, Beatriz Gil-Martí, . . . Jamie M. Kramer, Francisco A. Martin et al | doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64379-x
Published: Oct 29, 2025 Nature Communications volume 16, #9320 (2025)
Abstract and more at: brainrepair.ca/news
Funding Opportunities
BRC Innovation Grants | Call for Submissions | Closing: Jan 15th 2025
BRC Research Dissemination & Commercialisation Grant | Contact Eleanor for info
Research Nova Scotia Ear to the Ground (E2G) supports early-stage and higher-risk research and development by providing funding needed to move ideas toward implementation. Each project must demonstrate a clear path to practical impact, ensuring research leads to measurable economic benefits for Nova Scotia. The deadline for applications is January 21, 2026. Up to $500,000 CAD over 6-36 months.
Turnbull-Tator Award in Spinal Cord Injury and Concussion Research
(a collaboration with Brain Canada) is advancing research efforts that seek to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by spinal cord and brain injuries. $50,000 CAD
Research Network of Excellence in Women’s Heart and/or Brain Health 2026 award is focused on rehabilitation and recovery following acute heart-brain health events such as stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrest. $5,000,000 CAD total for up to 5 years.
Visit brainrepair.ca/grants for more info on any of the funding opportunities listed
Help Us Grow Our Social Media Presence!
Every follow, like, and comment helps amplify our reach. If you haven’t connected with us on social media yet, we’d love to have you join our community! Click the links below.
LinkedIn - coming in 2026
BRC Membership
See our list of members at brainrepair.ca/researchers.
If you would like information on BRC membership, please email Eleanor
Share Your Publications
We want to celebrate outstanding research happening across our BRC member research community. Showcasing your work helps keep our community informed and highlights the impact of our collective efforts in advancing cancer research. If you have a recent publication (or any news!) that you would like featured in an upcoming newsletter, please contact esb@dal.ca
Season’s Greetings
Wishing You Joy and Peace this Holiday Season. Please note the BRC offices will be closed from Dec 24th to Jan 6th so we can recharge the batteries and get ready for a busy Winter. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
Jim, Eleanor & Naomi