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Crossing the Boise State Brain Bridge: Neuroscience in the Community

**starting in Spring 2025**

What is the ambitious goal of this project?

This project is an interdisciplinary, innovative, and collaborative project intended to translate important aspects of neuroscience into the community and social services, including neurodevelopmental issues such as: the impacts of childhood trauma, substance use and fetal exposure, traumatic brain injury, neurodivergence, emerging neurocognitive-focused treatment opportunities, and neurocognitive decline and related diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia.

Experience Gained

Students who have completed this VIP will be able to

  1. Discuss and interpret important neurodevelopmental issues with a broad range of audiences
  2. Develop innovative methods for communicating and translating neuroscientific information into communities and social services, and
  3. Prepare for a variety of professional fields for which neuroscience is relevant.

Methodologies and/or Technologies used to achieve project goals

  • Adult education strategies
  • Case studies
  • Design thinking
  • Instructional design
  • Qualitative research methods
  • Quantitative research methods
  • Writing

Preferred Preparation

This course is open to undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines; undergraduate students must at least be in their second term of freshman year. There are no other prerequisites or limitations.

Majors and Interests Needed

  • Art
  • Bachelor of Applied Science
  • Biological Sciences
  • Communication
  • Counselor Education
  • Criminal Justice
  • Curriculum Instruction and Foundation Studies
  • Early and Special Education
  • Educational Technology
  • Environmental Studies Program
  • Family Studies
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Organizational Performance & Workplace Learning
  • Psychological Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Teacher Education
  • Urban Studies & Community Development
  • Neuroscience
  • Social Work

VIP Coach Information

Dr. Sydney Boutros (she/her) is a behavioral neuroscientist in the Department of Psychological Sciences. Her expertise is in learning, memory, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Raissa Miller, LPC (she/her) is an associate professor in the Department of Counselor Education. Her scholarly interests primarily include the integration of neuroscience principles into counselor education and professional counseling practice and the development of neuroeducation modules for clinical and non-clinical applications.

Dr. Jacoba Rock, LCSW (she/they) is a clinical faculty member in the School of Social Work whose practice and applied research have focused on the experiences, needs, and strengths of incarcerated young people. As a professor, she is invested in transdisciplinary and transformative education that improves conditions for communities.

Course Information

VIP  200, VIP 400, or VIP 500.
Full semester course. Choose to enroll in 1 or 2 credits.

Interested in joining this team?

For more information and to request a permission number to register, contact Dr. Jacoba Rock at jacobarock@boisestate.edu OR complete this interest form and someone will contact you.  Check out this document for tips on contacting a professor about joining a team.

To register: search by Subject: Vertically Integrated Projects, read the project description to find the right section of VIP 200, 400, or 500. Use permission number, here are instructions Registrar Help: Add with Permission Number