Back for More Brains: Second Year at Society for Neuroscience (SfN)

This November, I had the opportunity to present my research at the annual Society for Neuroscience (SfN) meeting in San Diego, California. Returning for my second year at the world’s largest neuroscience gathering, I arrived with new confidence and a clear goal: to be more intentional about connecting with the research community. I wanted to share my work, ask better questions, gather valuable feedback, and forge new relationships to guide the next steps of my project and career.

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My project, titled Manipulation of interoceptive signals alters task-related and spontaneous behaviors in an approach-avoidance conflict task, investigates how interoceptive signals contribute both to deliberate decision-making and spontaneous actions. Our findings demonstrate that pharmacological induction of a sympathetic-dominated autonomic state reduces tolerance of aversive heat stimuli during an approach-avoidance conflict task and amplifies spontaneous behaviors. Additionally, we observed that both deliberate decisions and spontaneous actions share a similar heart rate signature, and we identified potential neural correlates from neurons recorded in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and amygdala. Discussing these findings with researchers across many subfields and levels of expertise yielded insightful feedback and highlighted promising avenues for analysis, especially related to ACC function.

Last year, at SfN 2024, the comments I received during my poster presentation led to breakthroughs in our experimental approach and interpretations, and SfN2025 met—and  raised—this bar. Outside of the poster hall, I had the privilege of attending presidential lectures and minisymposia, which helped me better understand how my research fits into the broader landscape of the field. The conversations I had and information that I was exposed to reinforced my sense of belonging within the research community and impressed upon me the importance of scientific communication and collaboration. Upon returning home, I felt both grounded in my work and excited to continue contributing meaningful research to the field.

I had non-neuroscience-related fun as well! From coffee walks with my lab members to exploring the largest Little Italy in the nation, I got to enjoy and appreciate the downtown area of San Diego. One of the highlights of the conference was stepping outside after a full day of science to watch the San Diego sunset with lab peers and other friends. These experiences would not have been possible without the support of UBRP throughout the summer, fall semester, and through the UBRP Travel Award. Thank you to the program for such a privilege, I am incredibly grateful!