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Meet Taster Presenter Marianna and hear all about her chosen topic focusing on the intersection of technology and neuroscience
Venture into the cutting-edge world where neuroscience meets technology. Explore how advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are transforming our understanding of the brain. Examine the profound medical and technological possibilities, while considering the ethical dilemmas of merging human cognition with machines in a rapidly evolving landscape.
For students interested in: Neuroscience; Artificial Intelligence; Biomedical Engineering; Psychology; Computer Science
Meet your Presenter: Marianna!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Thessaloniki, Greece, a beautiful city by the sea with incredible sunsets and the best street food!
Where did you do your undergraduate degree? What did you study?
I studied Neuroscience here at UCL, where I got to explore the brain’s mysteries and hang out at some amazing libraries.
What are you currently studying and what is your specific area of research?
I’m doing an MSc in Neuroscience at UCL’s Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience, where we study how neural processes like sensation, perception, and cognition translate into behavior. I am researching how the brain learns to make decisions in complex environments and how animals (mice in particular) adapt their behavior based on visual information and rewards. This work could help us understand how the brain processes decisions, paving the way for smarter AI systems or better treatments for brain disorders!
What are your favourite things about being a university student?
I love the “aha!” moments when concepts click, meeting like-minded people who geek out about the brain as much as I do, and the flexibility to dive into topics that fascinate me.
Do you know what you want to do when you finish your degree?
I want to combine neuroscience with technology and apply it to real-world challenges, perhaps in the fields of brain-computer interfaces or cognitive enhancement, but I also really like academia and doing work in the lab.
What are you most excited about for UCL Expand?
I’m excited to inspire curiosity about neuroscience and show how understanding the brain can connect to everyday life and even shape the future. I am thrilled to be working with students and watch their confidence grow as they tackle ideas and questions.
Tell us a random fact about you.
I once taught myself to juggle just to prove to my friends that neuroplasticity works. It took me two weeks, but now I can (mostly) juggle three balls!
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I’d want the ability to pause time – imagine all the things I could do! Plus, I would sneak in extra naps throughout the day.
If you could invite three people, living or historical, to dinner, who would they be?
I’d invite Marie Curie to discuss her groundbreaking work in science and her determination to push boundaries, alongside a contemporary neuroscientist like May-Britt Moser to talk about the evolution of neuroscience. The third person would be an artist like Salvador Dalí to explore creativity and imagination in the brain. It would be fascinating to explore how far we’ve come and where neuroscience might be headed in the future!
Supplementary Resource List
Below you can find resources that will give you an introduction to 'Minds and Machines'. These resources are optional and for you to browse at your leisure.
- How does the brain work?
An engaging resource by BrainFacts.org exploring a 3D brain and brain functions and linking them to concepts like learning and technology.
- What is artificial intelligence?
An engaging video introducing artificial intelligence and key terminology, using relevant examples.
- Frontiers for Young Minds – Science Edited for Kids, by Kids
A scientific journal that includes young people in the review of articles, making complex topics like neuroscience accessible.
- Neuroscience: Science of the Brain
This beautifully illustrated and accessible booklet by the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) provides a comprehensive introduction to the brain's biology, its functions, and its role in health and disease. Topics include how neurons work, brain anatomy, and examples of medical conditions related to the nervous system.