New Fellowships Established in Honor of Neuroscience Institute Founding Director

AUGUST 22, 2023

ATLANTA—Georgia State has established the new Wilczynski-Georgia Research Alliance Future Faculty Fellows in Neuroscience. The fellowships will support a cohort of three high-caliber postdoctoral students in Neuroscience with the goal of attracting and retaining exceptionally promising talent.

A series of brain scans

The collaborative project is funded by an endowed gift in memory of Dr. Walter Wilczynski, the Founding Director of the  Neuroscience Institute.

“We intend these fellowships to champion a culture of inclusion and serve to expand diversity in the field of neuroscience” said Dr. Deborah Greene, whose philanthropy initiated the program.

Additional support will come from the  Georgia Research Alliance , a public-private partnership that promotes new scientific discoveries and economic growth, as well as the  GSU Research Foundation , the  College of Arts & Sciences , the  Center for Behavioral Neuroscience  and the Neuroscience Institute.

“Georgia State’s research enterprise continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and these new fellowships will bring in top-notch neuroscientists to help us continue our growth and impact,” said Dr. Tim Denning, Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Georgia State. “It’s also a wonderful testament to the work of Dr. Wilczynski.”

Wilczynski became the Founding Director of the Neuroscience Institute at Georgia State in 2008, serving in the role for six years before returning to teaching and research. He was a mentor to numerous undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral research fellows.

The Wilczynski-Georgia Research Alliance Fellows will pursue research in strategically selected areas that capitalize on the strengths in the Neuroscience community at Georgia State and leverage the university’s intellectual and infrastructural resources.

“The College of Arts & Sciences is excited to launch this post-doctoral program,” said Dr. Sara Rosen, Dean of the college. “The program will provide a premier research experience to train and develop the next generation of researchers in neuroscience.”

“We are excited to welcome and support new neuroscience scholars to our vibrant research community with the goal of retaining exceptional talent for years of service to the Georgia State student base,” said Dr. Daniel N. Cox, Director of the Neuroscience Institute.

Potential home appointments for the postdoctoral fellows include the Neuroscience Institute, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and the Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Sciences.

The fellowships will have a three-year term of support with funds for operating expenses and professional development as well as a footprint of laboratory space for building a research program.

“Neurologists are in short supply, yet more undergraduates are interested in studying neuroscience. These two trends underscore the importance of neuroscience faculty,” said Susan Shows, President and CEO of the Georgia Research Alliance. “The Wilczynski Future Faculty Fellows program will make a meaningful contribution to developing neuroscience faculty by bringing new talent to a strong program at Georgia State. The program is a big win for Georgia.”

Source: https://news.gsu.edu/2023/08/22/new-fellowships-established-in-honor-of-neuroscience-institute-founding-director/

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By Sheran Brown • April 10, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences Selects Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy Student as the 2025 Georgia BioGENEius Winner Sandy Springs & Rockmart Teens Take Top Honors in Statewide Science Competition Atlanta, GA (April 4, 2025) – Georgia Life Sciences today named Bhavya Alapati , a junior at Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy, as the winner of the 2025 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge, the premier competition for high school students that recognizes outstanding research and innovation in the biotechnology field. Eleven students from across Georgia competed for this year’s title and cash prize. Bhavya’s project investigated a novel method of identifying strokes using a device she created called SpectroStroke, a small-scale spectrophotometer, to detect homocysteine, an amino acid product that is associated with stroke. Bhavya identified the ability of homocysteine to be detected using Ellman’s reagent, which reacts with the free sulfhydryl group on the molecule to produce a yellow color. Bhavya created a wearable patch that contains the Ellman’s reagent. Then, she designed the SpectroStroke to be able to detect the color change when the patch is exposed to elevated levels of homocysteine. Bhavya’s SpectroStroke can detect normal levels of homocysteine up to extremely high levels seen in those experiencing a stroke. The ability to detect a stroke earlier would reduce damage and long-term effects of the condition. A future iteration of the SpectroStroke would include real-time monitoring capabilities to help track changing homocysteine levels. "Supporting and celebrating outstanding research and innovation in biotechnology is vital for the future of science and medicine. The Georgia BioGENEius Challenge not only encourages the brightest young minds to explore their potential but also nurtures the next generation of leaders who will drive groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology,” said Georgia Life Sciences President and CEO Maria Thacker-Goethe. “By recognizing and empowering these students, we are helping to shape a future where innovation thrives and the possibilities for improving lives are endless. Well done, Bhavya!” Georgia Life Sciences also congratulates the Georgia BioGENEius runner-up, Shelby Kendrick , who is a senior at Paulding County High School in Dallas, GA. Shelby’s research investigated the ability of Aspergillus terreus, a fungus found in soil, to degrade pre-treated polypropylene plastic (PP). This fungus has been discovered to produce high concentrations of degrading enzymes and raises the moisture level of its substrate. Shelby isolated the fungus from soil samples and confirmed the species using PCR amplification and DNA barcoding. Samples of polypropylene were pre-treated with 75% ethanol and UV exposure, then placed in a liquid culture of A. terreus in Minimal Salt Medium (MSM) media, and the culture was incubated for 23 days. At the end of the trial period, PP samples were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy. These samples showed changes in their surface layer, indicating evidence of biodegradation. Polypropylene plastic is found in household items such as plastic cups and is a known problem in the environment due to its inability to degrade. Shelby’s future research on the use of A. terreus for biodegradation includes optimizing degradation conditions and assessing methods of application in the environment. Judging the 2025 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge were Ralph L. Cordell, CDC, and Alex Harvey, ViaMune. Cash prizes were awarded to Bhavya and Shelby. # # # About Georgia Life Sciences Georgia Life Sciences, founded in 1989, is a non-profit, membership-based organization that promotes the interests and growth of the life sciences industry. It is the state’s largest and most influential life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization working to improve access to innovative discoveries that have lifesaving impact. The association connects business, academia, government, and other allied entities involved in the application of life sciences products to fuel growth and collaboration through policy development, community programs, national industry initiatives, and a portfolio of educational and networking events. Learn more at galifesciences.org.
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