Thursday, March 26, 2026

Speaker Series: Dr. Allen Sills from the NFL




Join us for the 2026 Speaker Series kickoff, hosted by Michigan Athletics and the University of Michigan Concussion Center, on Thursday, April 9, at 11:00 AM, featuring internationally recognized neurosurgeon and sports safety leader Dr. Allen Sills. In his presentation, “Can Football Be Made Safer? How Data is Informing Rules, Equipment and Coaching,” Dr. Sills will explore how large-scale injury surveillance, biomechanics research, and advances in clinical care are shaping evidence-based improvements across the sport, while thoughtfully examining the path forward for making the game safer at every level.


Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Eastern Time

Location: Junge Family Champions Center or Zoom


About Dr. Sills: Dr. Allen Sills serves as Chief Medical Officer of the National Football League (NFL), where he leads efforts to advance the health and safety of the sport. A board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in the care of athletes, Dr. Sills is Professor of Neurological Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Founder and former Co-Director of the Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center.

In his role with the NFL, Dr. Sills oversees the league’s Head Injury Reduction Plan—a comprehensive, data-driven strategy designed to reduce concussion incidence through rule modifications, equipment innovation, and coaching and technique improvements. Since its implementation, the initiative has been associated with increased reporting transparency and reductions in certain head injuries, alongside continued efforts to minimize head impacts across the game.

REGISTER TODAY


CMNS Peer Mentor Spring Workshops | Help Us Spread the Word

It’s that time of the semester again - join us for our annual CMNS Peer Mentor Spring Workshop Series. All workshops will be offered on Zoom. 

Use the link below to RSVP for as many workshops as you’d like. The RSVP form includes detailed descriptions of each session to help you plan.

We hope to see you there - please RSVP as soon as possible. Reminders will be sent ahead of each workshop you register for.

For ease and simple access all workshops will have the same Zoom link.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Careers in Neuroscience: Neuropsychiatry

Interested in exploring a career in neuropsychiatry? Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring professionals in the field who will share insights on career pathways, training, and real-world experiences at the intersection of neuroscience and mental health.

Date: Monday, April 13

Time: 6:30-8:00 PM

This is a great opportunity to learn more about neuropsychiatry, ask questions, and connect with experts. 

Register at go.umd.edu/NEURPANEL26


NEUR Merch Shop Extended Through 3/29!

Great News, NEUR community! 

The NEUR Merch Shop is staying open a little longer! By popular demand, the shop deadline has been extended through March 29th. Don't miss your chance to grab your NEUR gear before it closes, shop NOW while it's still available! 



Monday, March 23, 2026

Mapping the Jagged Edges of AI with the Tools of Cognitive Science

 Please join AIM and CSCS, the (Cognitive Science Colloquium Series) for a lecture featuring Tom Griffiths (Psychology & Computer Science, Princeton University). 


When: Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 3:30–5:00 PM

Where: Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering, Room 4105  | (Add to your calendar here or click the flyer!)


Full Abstract: Current artificial intelligence systems demonstrate a surprising amount of heterogeneity in their abilities, displaying superhuman competence in some tasks but puzzling limitations in others. The speaker will argue that the tools needed for understanding this heterogeneity can be found in cognitive science, where researchers have spent decades developing theoretical and empirical methods for making sense of the capabilities of intelligent systems. Work by cognitive scientists suggests two strategies for mapping the jagged edges of AI: identifying general properties of neural networks that might translate into limitations for current AI systems, and considering cases where human minds might provide a guide to problems that pose a challenge for AI. The talk will present examples of both strategies, discussing surprising cases where large language models perform poorly in predictable ways and recent results using the limits of human cognition to predict failures in large language models and vision language models.


Career Conversations: Navigating Your Search Beyond the Fair

 Students can register to attend on Handshake using this link




Sunday, March 22, 2026

Research Coordinator (Lab Manager) position opening

 Research Coordinator

University of Maryland College Park

 

We are seeking a full-time Research Coordinator for the Aphasia Research Center at the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland. The Research Coordinator will provide hands-on support to ongoing and new research projects. Primary responsibilities will include managing and training research assistants and other team members, facilitating regulatory activities, recruiting research participants, conducting and managing data analysis activities, data management, and coordinating the smooth functioning of the research (other duties may be assigned as necessary).

 

This is a one-year position (with the possibility of renewal for additional years). Start date is June 1 2026 (with some availability in May 2026 for onboarding training). This is not a remote position. Candidates must be able to work in person at the University of Maryland College Park.

Requirements

Education and Experience

  • Has a Bachelor's degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences, Psychology, Education, Human Development, Cognitive Science, or a related field with a minimum of 1 year of research experience within a university or professional research setting e.g. collecting data with human subjects in a social /behavioral science research lab
  • Has subject-area expertise, such as knowledge of cognitive science and speech-language pathology, experience with data collection and management, and experience with data analysis


Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge


Required:

  • Experience collecting data with human subjects
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Organizational and time management skills to follow up on many components of research projects, manage multiple projects, and keep projects moving forward 
  • Ability to troubleshoot and set up computers, equipment, software for research projects
  • Ability to work independently and in a hybrid team environment
  • Ability to work self-sufficiently and identify areas where processes could be improved 

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated ability to professionally engage with people from diverse backgrounds through various communication channels, including email, social media, phone calls, and in-person conversations (e.g., experience recruiting research participants, canvassing, or conducting community outreach)
  • Familiarity with programming and statistical software (e.g., R/Rstudio)

 

To be considered for this position, submit your resume, a cover letter, and contact information of two references who have known you in a work and/or university setting at the application link. The application deadline for best consideration is April 10, 2026.

The Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences is part of a thriving research community, with the University of Maryland, College Park ranked 10th among US public institutions for research and development spending.  The mission of the Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences is to provide state-of-the-art teaching, research, and clinical services in the areas of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Our department is recognized as one of the top-ranked Graduate Programs by U.S. News and World Report with both programs ranked in the top 10% of graduate programs in the discipline nationwide (America's Best Graduate Schools 2024). 

 

The University of Maryland, College Park, actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.