Teaching and Learning Neuroscience - Insights from Dr Silke Conen

Neuroscience is a highly interdisciplinary field, accessible from backgrounds including psychology, biology, medicine, computer science, mathematics, and engineering.

Dr. Conen's career transitioned from psychopharmacology and neuropsychology research to medical education, driven by a passion for teaching discovered during her PhD in the Netherlands.

Her neuroscience background directly informs how she teaches medical students, particularly in linking memory function and study skills to clinical content.

What we discussed:

Her PET imaging research on neuroinflammation in schizophrenia and treatment-resistant depression led to a neuropsychology and pharmacology niche.

Schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease were discussed as more closely related than commonly perceived, with dopamine dysregulation being a shared but opposing mechanism in both conditions.

We emphasize the value of publishing null or negative results to avoid scientific misinformation.

The importance of critical appraisal of research — questioning methodology, sample size, and biomarker validity — was a central theme throughout the conversation.

Dr. Conen advises to prospective university students not to over-specialize too early, to remain open-minded across disciplines, and not to rely solely on university rankings when choosing a program.