Library U returns at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at Bethany Lutheran Church with “What’s New in Neuroscience?”

Seattle is well-known for producing airplanes, coffee, and software, and its biotech industry is gaining in repute. But did you know that this area is also home to a cluster of cutting-edge neuroscience institutes? Library U’s September class, “What’s New in Neuroscience,” offers Bainbridge Islanders a peek into some of the newest brain research projects taking place in our region.

Part 1 features “New Insights into Childhood Brain Development.”

On Saturday, Sept. 19, a panel of pediatric neuroscience experts will present “New Insights into Childhood Brain Development.”

Bainbridge Island resident Dr. Nino Ramirez, director of Seattle Children’s Center for Integrative Brain Research, will describe current projects at the Center.

Dr. Kimberly Aldinger, also with the Center for Integrative Brain Research, will discuss the latest research into autism disorders, and Dr. Amelia Bachleda of the U.W. Institute for Learning & Brain Science will explain how new discoveries in childhood brain development are being put to use in our schools.

Part 2 comes to the library on Saturday, Sept. 26.

The topic is “New Horizons in Brain Health.” Elle O’Brien and James Wu, both doctorate students in the University of Washington’s Graduate Program in Neuroscience, will bring us up to date on developments in neurobiology, bioengineering, and neurosurgery.

They will be joined by a researcher, TBA, on brain health, Alzheimer’s, and other age-related brain disorders.

Finally, Dr. Laura Specker Sullivan, Neuroethics Fellow at U.W. Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering, will discuss the bioethical issues that can arise in brain research and development.

The panelists’ remarks will be followed by Q&A’s with the audiences. Both programs will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Bethany Lutheran Church. Space is limited and advance registration is not available for these classes, so plan to arrive early.

Refreshments will be provided and donations will be gratefully accepted.

Library U is a program of the Bainbridge Public Library that offers a variety of free lifelong learning opportunities throughout the year. More information can be found at www.krl.org and at www.BainbridgePublicLibrary.org.