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Welcome to Neuroscience Symposium 2025!

 

We are excited to welcome you to the 2025 Oklahoma Neuroscience Symposium, presented by the Department of Neurosurgery. This two-day event will take place on November 20th at the OKC Innovation Hall (755 Research Parkway OKC, OK 73104) and on November 21th at the Nicholson Conference Center (1000 NE 13th St Suite 5700, Oklahoma City, OK 73104). 

 The Symposium opens on November 20th with flash talks presented by PhD candidates from the Neuroscience PhD Program and neurosurgery residents, giving our talented trainees the opportunity to share their cutting-edge research. The second day, November 21th, will feature keynote presentations from Anthony Kontos, PhD (Universite of Pittsburgh) and Prof. Michael Fehlings, PhD (University of Toronto, Canada), alongside talks by researchers from our own university, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), and other institutions.

This symposium serves as a platform to highlight and strengthen neuroscience research across the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) campus. It also lays the foundation for cross-disciplinary collaborations among neuroscience, neurosurgery, and other research programs at OUHSC and OMRF, promoting interactions between trainees, clinicians, and researchers. These collaborations are intended to spark new publications, inspire grant applications, and showcase the exceptional work already being conducted on our campus.

The theme this year focuses on advances in traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury research, bridging basic, clinical, and translational science. We aim to foster dialogue that enhances our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of neural tissue damage and regenerations, as well as opportunities for interventions. 

The symposium is designed for a diverse audience, including neuroscientists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, residents, fellows, graduate and medical students, and nurses. We look forward to the exchange of ideas that will emerge from this gathering of researchers, clinicians, and students, and the opportunity to drive innovation and discovery forward in our field.

We are grateful for your participation in the 2025 Oklahoma Neuroscience Symposium and look forward to two days of insightful discussions and networking.

 

This Year's Topic: 

 

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND SPINAL CORD INJURY

Thursday, November 20: 

Neuroscience Social Event: networking and flash talk sessions

Venue: Innovation Hall at Oklahoma City Innovation District

Friday, November 21: 

4th Annual Neuroscience Symposium to be held at Nicholson Tower, Gandy Auditorium

Keynote Speakers:

Michael Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS

Vice Chair of Neurosurgery,
University of Toronto

Topic:
"Spinal Cord Injury"

Anthony P. Kontos, PhD

Professor, Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Research Director, Concussion Laboratory and UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, University of Pittsburgh

Topic:
"Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion"

Schedule of Events

Day 1:

Neuroscience Symposium Social Event

Date and time: Thursday, November 20, 2025 5:00pm - 8:30pm

Venue: Innovation Hall, 755 Research Parkway OKC, OK 7310

Program: networking reception and flash talks

Day 2:

Date: November 21, 2025; 

Venue: Nicholson Conference Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Campus 

Keynote speakers:

Anthony Kontos, PhD
Michael Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS

Program: 

breakfast and welcome, keynote talks (45’ + 15’ Q&A), invited talks (20-25'), selected talks from trainees (9’ + 3’ Q&A) based on abstract, lunch & poster session, award ceremony

Invited speakers: Jasmeet Hayes, PhD; Andriy Yabluchanskiy, MD, PhD; Phillip Bonney, MD; Li Chao, MD

Preliminary Schedule:
7:30am Breakfast and Registration
8:00am Zachary Smith, MD
David Sherry, PhD		 Department of Neurosurgery
Department of Cell Biology		 Welcome and introductory remarks from the directors of the Neuroscience PhD program
8:15am - 10:10am

Morning Session: Traumatic Brain Injury
8:15am Andriy Yabluchanskiy, MD, PhD University of Oklahoma Health Sciences,
College of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery		 Neurovascular uncoupling in traumatic brain injury
8:35am Jasmeet Hayes, PhD Ohio State University, Department of Psychology Chronic effects of brain injury and psychological stress
9:00am Coffee break
9:15am Anthony P. Kontos, PhD
[KEYNOTE]		 University of Pittsburgh,  Department of Orthopedic Surgery, UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program Evidence-based concussion research and mild TBI
10:15am Break
10:25am-11:25am

Selected talks from trainees - Based on abstract submission
11:25am - 1:45pm

Lunch & Poster session
1:45pm - 3:40pm

Afternoon Session: Spinal Cord Injury
1:45pm Li Chao, MD University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery CSF diversion in acute spinal cord injury
2:05pm Phillip Bonney, MD University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery The science behind the management of spinal cord injury at the ICU
2:30pm Break
2:40pm Prof. Michael Fehlings, MD
[KEYNOTE]		 University of Toronto, Department of Surgery; Toronto Western Hospital Neuroprotection and Regenerative medicine for spinal cord injury: stem cell and tissue engineering approaches
3:40pm

Award Ceremony, Closing Remarks

Announcements

Registration and abstract submission

Registration and abstract submission - Friday, August 1, 2025

Please register for the Symposium. Abstract submission site has opened and we are looking forward to receive submissions.

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