Professor Marie Hayes (3rd from left) and students in the Neurogenetics Research Program at MIHGHFrom 2007-2010, the Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health worked with neuroscientists from UMaine, University of New England, The Jackson Laboratory and Bates, Bowdoin and Colby Colleges to create and host a state-wide forum networking 140 neuroscientists, psychiatrists, psychologists and graduate, postdoctoral and undergraduate students.
The mission of the Neurogenetics Consortium, led by Professor Marie Hayes, UMaine at MIHGH, was to address the excessive rates of neurological injury from trauma, neurodegenerative disease, cancer and addiction disorders in Maine with biomedical research. In the process, Consortium members fostered inter-institutional and interdisciplinary communication among neuroscience professionals statewide , and encouraged collaborations in research, funding, teaching and public service. As well as providing a community to advance understanding of the brain and nervous system through research, the Consortium was dedicated to promoting education to improve brain health in Maine, and reduce the burden of neurological disease.
Using funds provided by MIHGH, the Consortium established and administered the MIHGH/Health Neurogenetics Seed Grant Program to generate data to support grants and publications; met twice a year to share research results and plan collaborative research and developed a virtual forum to facilitate communication.
In 2010, The Consortium was approved as the Maine Chapter of the Neuroscience Society, a prestigious neuroscience organization http://www.sfn.org. The Society supports chapters around the world, providing networking opportunities for professionals and science, fostering career development sharing knowledge and providing funds for research and meetings. The Institute congratulates the Maine community of neuroscientists and physicians on this achievement, and their growth into an independent entity with national recognition.