Touching Minds: A Visit to the Georgetown Brain Bank

Ever wondered what it feels like to hold the essence of human thought in your hands? Well, recently, interns in the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Internship had the unique opportunity to do just that at the Georgetown University Brain Bank. Stepping into the brain bank, interns stepped into a world where the mysteries of the mind are explored through the research and development of brains and neuroscience. This incredible experience allowed them to touch brains and spinal cords, all while engaging in fascinating lectures by Dr. Brent Harris and Dr. Rachael Wurzman. 

Dr. Brent Harris first gave interns an introduction into the nervous system, specifically the brain. He discussed the difference between the right and the left hemispheres, a few of the most important deep structures within the brain such as the choroid plexus, as well as the importance of a brain bank in neuroscientific discoveries. Stella Ashdown expressed her excitement of this experience by saying, “I really enjoyed how the lecture beforehand was fun, interesting, and educational! I’m so grateful because I know most teenagers don’t really ever get to see, let alone hold, a real brain.” 

Other interns had similar reactions as Stella when reflecting on their experiences at the brain bank. Izabele Sunelaityte gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of the complexities behind neuroscientific discoveries when she stated, “There is so much that we still don’t know about the human brain but with places like brain banks, future doctors are able to do various tests to discover even more information about the brain.” 

Zoe Powell-Maignan was both shocked and inspired by the experience when she revealed, “To see and hold a human brain was a life changing experience. I always found the brain fascinating but to actually see it in real time was just mind blowing. It was a lot smaller than I expected and the texture of it almost felt like rubber.” 

Other interns, like Raine Stepp, left the brain bank feeling inspired. After leaving the brain bank, she said, “While I was in the brain bank I thought about how it would be to do true research in that lab. How it would feel to study and work on human brains everyday to become a surgeon.” 

As the interns’ visit to the brain bank came to an end, they walked away with not only a unique experience, but also a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of the human brain and neuroscience. Many left having found inspiration to pursue the field of neuroscience and to continue discovering more about the complexities of the human nervous system. Interns undoubtedly left the brain bank with memories that would continuously shape their futures and remind them about the wonder of the human brain.