Achievement

Neuroimaging is a significant component of our IGERT program. Psychology students at both Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh learn neuroanatomy through their participation in the CNBC graduate training program, and then use IGERT funding to acquire hands-on training in fMRI or MEG imaging techniques. Then they go on to conduct their own imaging experiments. These include studies of empathy (Svetlova), memory effects (Paynter), reinforcement learning (Laurent), auditory category learning (Lim),and cortical connectivity (Cole).

This year saw the opening of a new imaging facility at the Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging at Carnegie Mellon, with a new Siemens Verio 3T scanner paid for by a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. As of May 2010, the scanner was installed and undergoing calibration. Both Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh researchers, including IGERT trainees, will be using the new facility.