Fostering Connections: The Miller School 2025 Neuroscience Retreat
More than 100 Miller School faculty and staff presented research, participated in team-building exercises and recognized outstanding work at this year’s retreat.
It’s not only about science. Building relationships and working with others are key components to conducting excellent medical research and launching successful careers.
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine 2025 Neuroscience Retreat kept the focus on team building. The two-day event drew approximately 100 trainees and faculty.
“Students present their work often and are informed of what their colleagues do, because they attend seminars regularly,” said Roberta Brambilla, Ph.D., associate professor of neurological surgery and director of the neuroscience graduate program at the Miller School. “What they are often missing is the sense of community, the sense of team and the opportunity to congregate and share experiences.”
A Collaborative Approach to Neuroscience Training
The 2025 retreat was organized, for the first time, in collaboration with the cellular physiology and molecular biophysics graduate program directed by Laura Bianchi, Ph.D., professor of physiology and biophysics at the Miller School. The goal, noted Dr. Brambilla, was to foster interaction within the larger neuroscience community.
“We wanted the students to have the opportunity to interface with the broader graduate community at the medical school,” said Dr. Brambilla. “This was facilitated by the fact that the majority of the students in the cellular physiology and molecular biophysics program actually study neuroscience or have projects that are related to neuroscience.”
The first day of the retreat included scientific presentations by eight students and two faculty members on topics including:
• How neuroinflammatory signaling alters cognitive function in the brain
• How the vasculature is remodeled in the context of spinal cord injury
* How diet-induced changes in pancreatic islet microvasculature lead to insulin resistance
Two faculty members gave a brief overview of their work to familiarize the students with some of the research conducted in the different labs, Dr. Brambilla explained, before attendees defied intense rain and storms to participate in the “Neuro Olympic Games.” The winners were the students’ Team Pink, who defeated the faculty team in a contest that emphasized fun as well as collaboration.
Some who opted out of the games turned to creativity, painting neuroscience-related art on small canvases, which will be assembled into a collage for display at the Office of Graduate Studies as a memento of the retreat.
Faculty-Student Interaction
In the evening, the students organized a mentoring and networking event. Jars with conversation-starter question cards were placed on each table. Every 10 minutes, students rotated to different tables while the faculty remained seated, allowing students to interact with all faculty members throughout the session. Questions ranged from serious topics like “How do you choose a mentor for your dissertation?” to more casual ones about favorite TV shows, travel destinations or foods.
“These icebreakers got people to talk, and not just about science but, more importantly, about themselves and their interests” said Dr. Brambilla. “At the end of the networking session students had the chance to interact with all the faculty and mingle with their fellow trainees. This was an opportunity to forge new collaborations and friendships,” which she described as another powerful outcome of the retreat.
The second day of the retreat also celebrated trainees and faculty who are dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research and training the next generation of researchers and academics, with an array of awards presented.
Neuroscience Retreat Awards
Research Awards
• Senior Research Distinction: Danielle Antoine
• Junior Research Distinction: Alexis Brake, Kyra Schindler
Retreat Presentation Awards
• First place: Brianna Carney
• Second place: Lauren Bystrom
• Third place: Noah Levi
Teaching Assistant Award: Erika Cabrera Ranaldi
Excellence in Teaching Award: Dr. Ami Raval, Department of Neurology
Faculty Mentor of the Year Award: Dr. Roberta Brambilla, Department of Neurological Surgery
Dr. Brambilla emphasized that feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with students appreciating the community-building aspects of the retreat.
“Students and faculty look forward to the opportunity to get together again next year for yet another exciting, fun, team-building retreat experience,” she said.
Tags: Department of Neurological Surgery, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Dr. Laura Bianchi, Dr. Roberta Brambilla, medical education, neuroscience