The Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) at the UVA School of Medicine joined forces with the undergraduate neuroscience honor society, Nu Rho Psi, for Neuro Fair—a community-wide education event held Feb. 23, 2025 that covered topics related to neuroscience and neurology. This first-ever event attracted children and adults alike from all over Albemarle and Fluvanna counties and garnered over 120 registrations. Although marketed to K-12 schools, the event had something to offer learners of all ages. Activities included interacting with brain specimens, psychology mind games, neuroscience-themed arts and crafts, and medical student facilitated talks on topics of stroke, neuroradiology, cranial nerves, and neuropathology. The event was hosted with the hopes of fostering curiosity about neuroscience at a young age and to inspire and empower the next generation of neuroscientists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons.
One medical student volunteer, Afua Nyantakyi, said, “It was amazing to see a lot of young people and their parents be so curious about neuroscience and health. I was especially impressed by the enthusiasm of some of the youngest kids. They asked great questions about imaging and did a great job of spotting abnormalities on the CT & MRI images. I also felt moved by hearing stories from some of the parents & adults present about their own personal health experiences relating to the exhibits.”
The event would not have been possible without the following medical student volunteers: Nina Jannatifar, Emily Kopp, Isaiah Swann, Timour Abduhalikov, Emily Golden, Afua Nyantakyi, Kelly Denhard, Channing Williams, and Kristen Briney.