MindCORE Receives National Science Foundation Support

MindCORE (Mind Center for Outreach, Research, and Education) received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for an undergraduate research program for visiting students.

The program offers an integrated paid 10-week summer research experience for eight undergraduate students who attend school outside of Penn. It combines an introductory workshop on brains and behavior with the opportunity to do research in an established lab at a research university and ongoing programming to support student development and well-being. The program is part of MindCORE’s work to make the cognitive sciences more diverse, starting at the undergraduate level.

Florian Schwarz, Associate Professor of Linguistics and MindCORE’s Associate Director of Education, says, “By bringing to campus a diverse group of students from outside of Penn, MindCORE’s NSF-supported program provides opportunities to engage in hands-on research, participate in a wide variety of professional development and technical skills programming, and form connections with faculty and Penn students.” He adds, “We aim for this immersive learning experience to help pave the way towards these students pursuing graduate studies and research careers, as well as to enrich the research environment for participating Penn faculty and students.”

MindCORE, established in 2018 by founding director Sharon Thompson-Schill, Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Psychology, takes a multidisciplinary approach to pursue insights into phenomena ranging from brain abnormalities and decision-making to the fundamental nature of human intelligence and creativity. Now directed by Joseph Kable, Baird Term Professor of Psychology, the center emphasizes collaborative, cross-lab research to enable innovative approaches and the use of advanced technologies, as well as educating the next generation of scientists at Penn and in the community.