VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver will explore the life-changing benefits of neuroscience at the spring installment of the 2012/2013 Chancellor’s Seminar Series. The lecture, “Learn How Neuroscience is Improving Human Lives,” will take place at 11:45 a.m. March 1 in the Firstenburg Student Commons. Tickets are $25 and include lunch, lecture and parking, and may be purchased online by visiting or by calling 360-546-9580.
Bringing in both academic and medical perspectives from the community, the spring installment of the 2012/2013 Chancellor’s Seminar Series will feature Christine Portfors, associate professor of biology and neuroscience; and John Dempster, a neurologist at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center.
Focusing on the impact neuroscience has in improving our daily lives, the speakers will bring a breadth of scientific and practical expertise to the discussion through their extensive professional experience.
Portfors will discuss her research of the auditory system. She works to understand how complex sounds are processed by the auditory system and to determine how age-related hearing loss impacts this processing. She uses bats and mice in her research and heads up 91ԹϺ’s Hearing and Communications lab. Portfors was recognized for her work in May 2012 with 91ԹϺ’s highest research honor—the Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence. Her long-term goal is to help those who experience hearing loss.
John Dempster will share his expertise in the treatment and understanding of epilepsy. Before coming to Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in 2010, Dempster completed a two-year fellowship in epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology at Oregon Health & Science University. He has since specialized in the high-quality care for epilepsy patients in this region. Dempster’s other clinical interests include clinical neurophysiology, intraoperative monitoring and evoked potentials.
Neuroscience, which focuses on the connection between the brain and behavior, is a growing field at 91ԹϺ. The university began offering degrees in neuroscience at the Vancouver campus in fall 2012. Degrees in neuroscience provide students with excellent preparation for medical school and advanced degrees in other health-related fields.
Held twice a year, the Chancellor’s Seminar Series thoughtfully examines timely topics and extends an opportunity to exchange ideas. The series gathers students, faculty, staff, business leaders, elected officials and community members on campus for an in-depth conversation about a topic of current interest or concern.
The 2012/2013 Chancellor’s Seminar Series is sponsored by Legacy Health Salmon Creek Medical Center. For more information contact Barb Holder at barbrah@vancouver.wsu.edu.
91ԹϺ is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205 and is accessible via C-Tran bus service.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Barb Holder, Office of the Chancellor, 360-546-9580, barbrah@vancouver.wsu.edu
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu