On April 7th, at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Barcelona we inaugurated the highly anticipated Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, a groundbreaking step in the application of innovative technology to the study of the brain and neural systems.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Dr. David Gallardo, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Psychology, followed by Dr. Jordi Alberch, Director of the Institute of Neurosciences at the University of Barcelona. Dr. Alberch framed the journey leading up to the launch of the new unit, highlighting the significance of this achievement in the broader context of advancing neuroscience research. The opening speeches were concluded by Dr. Ruben Perellón, Coordinator of the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, who offered a detailed explanation of how the unit will operate and the research it aims to foster.
The newly established unit is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories focused on cutting-edge technologies for neuroimaging, non-invasive brain stimulation, and computational analysis of neural data. These facilities, designed to support behavioral studies and human participant experiments, will provide optimal conditions for research as well as for training the next generation of neuroscientists.
The technological advancements in this unit will enable research into the brain’s circuits and networks, with an emphasis on the computational processes that underpin crucial functions such as perception, attention, memory, language, decision-making, emotions, and action control. This interdisciplinary approach will integrate fields like psychology, neurobiology, artificial intelligence, and computer science.
The Institute of Neurosciences is committed to expanding its capabilities, growing the team, and enhancing its research projects to position itself as a global leader in cognitive neuroscience. The unit has already made significant strides, with a dedicated technician and unit coordinator in place to ensure seamless operation. Researchers interested in conducting experiments are encouraged to reach out for potential collaboration opportunities.
This milestone is the result of several years of dedication and hard work, marking just the beginning of a technological leap that will shape the future of cognitive neuroscience research.
