Navigation auf uzh.ch
Navigation auf uzh.ch
The mission of the Brainfood peer mentoring group is to connect young UZH researchers who are investigating the human brain using various neuroimaging methods and to help them expand their knowledge. To tailor the contents and the topics of Brainfood’s meetings to the needs and interests of its members, interested parties are encouraged to reach out with questions and suggestions for topics and speakers. Based on Brainfood’s vision for a peer mentoring group, the group offers the following:
Creating and providing a database of expertise
Brainfood will create a database with the contact details and fields of expertise of young experts from the local neuroimaging community (PhD and postdoc researchers) who are interested in exchange and willing to support their peers. Brainfood believes that gathering information about methods and toolboxes as well as analytical approaches and linking it to scientists who are versed in these methods will be a valuable resource for young academics. If neuroimaging researchers have a specific question on a method, toolbox, or analytical approach, they can get in touch and be connected to another early- career UZH researcher with more experience who is willing to support their peers. Occasionally, there might not be an expert in the group on a certain topic. In these cases, the organizers will try to make suggestions about resources and experts to the best of their knowledge.
Providing a platform for networking and peer feedback
Brainfood will provide opportunities for early- career researchers in the field of neuroimaging to meet their peers and strengthen local connections. Even though group members are working with similar data, they often do not know their peers from the local community, so they are not able to benefit from each other’’s knowledge and practical skills. The group will offer a physical and virtual (if needed) space for gathering neuroimaging researchers by organizing regular lunch seminars called “Food for Thought.” During these meetings, participants will be encouraged not only to get to know each other but to share their successes and struggles and contribute potential solutions to others’ difficulties. Ideally, this will ignite discussions, with participants receiving and providing advice based on their own knowledge and know-how. Additionally, Brainfood sees these meetings as a great opportunity for young scientists to practice important talks and presentations in front of their peers on different academic levels with knowledge on the methodology.
Learning opportunities with peers and advanced mentors.
We will expand the knowledge of our members on state-of-the-art methods in the field of non-invasive human neuroimaging research. We will organize hands-on workshops and invite guest speakers to provide insights into established techniques, new and helpful toolboxes, and cutting-edge research approaches from which the local community can profit. Ultimately our hope is that the members of the peer mentoring group will acquire or enhance their practical skills and be inspired to transfer elements of the new analytical or study conduction-related approaches to their personal projects after attending the workshops.
We are currently putting together a new program for 2024. Stay tuned!
As your Brainfood team, we are looking forward to meeting you and your peers and helping you expand your knowledge and network! For more details about us, you can check out our UZH pages:
We are immensely thankful to our advisory board members – Prof. Nora Raschle and Prof. Alexis Hervais-Adelman, who supported our application and continue contributing to our cause with priceless guidance.
We are grateful to the graduate campus for recognizing the need for such a group and the benefit for the local community that our initiative will bring.
Contact us at: brainfood@jacobscenter.uzh.ch
