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  • This flagship session explores how nutrition, sleep, movement, mindfulness, and social connection shape brain resilience—translating neuroscience into practical strategies that support cognitive, emotional, and functional health across the lifespan.

  • This forward-looking session examines cutting-edge approaches to spinal disorders, chronic pain, and recovery—integrating surgery, engineering, neuromodulation, imaging, and rehabilitation science to restore function, mobility, and quality of life.

  • IGNITE (Igniting Neuroscience Innovation, Teaching and Exploration) inspires learners across all stages to rediscover curiosity in neuroscience through hands-on exploration, creative building, mentorship, and lived experience—reframing education as an active, lifelong process of discovery.

  • The Global Neuroscience Livestream Event brings together voices from around the world to listen, learn, and collaborate—connecting science, care delivery, policy, and lived experience to advance equitable neuroscience education and brain health across borders.

An orchestra performing on stage with a conductor in front, a large variety of instruments including violins, cellos, and wind instruments, with a flower arrangement at the front of the stage.

“A Concert of Neuroscience and Innovation”

Jacobo Mintzer, MD, MBA

MIND 2026

Keynote Speaker

“Music on Our Minds: The Rich Potential of Music to Promote Brain Health and Mental Well-Being”

Tuesday | April 21st | 9am

Gaillard Center Grand Ballroom

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Brain Health & Lifestyle Medicine

Featured Speakers

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Kaitlin DaPore, NBC-HWC

Day 1 explores how nutrition, sleep, movement, mindfulness, and social connection shape brain resilience—translating core neuroscience into practical, evidence-based strategies that support cognitive, emotional, and functional health across the lifespan.

Health & Wellness Coach, Training and Education Program, Medical University of South Carolina

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Ben Bullock, MSW, MPA

Vice President & COO, Together SC

Megan Hays, PhD

Chief Wellbeing Officer, Medical University of South Carolina

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Joseph J. Fins, MD, DHL, DMSc, MACP, FRCP

Chief, Division of Medical Ethics, Weill Cornell Medical College; Visiting Professor of Law, Yale Law School

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Peter Fecci, MD, PhD

Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado

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Anne Maitland, MD, PhD

Director, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Institute, Medical University of South Carolina

  • This session examines lifestyle medicine as a rigorous, evidence‑based approach to brain health. Speakers integrate neuroscience, nutrition, exercise physiology, psychology, and sleep science to show how modifiable behaviors shape neuroplasticity, mood, and cognitive performance—translating research into strategies for clinical care, community programs, and everyday life.

  • This session provides the theoretical underpinnings of brain health and elucidates how common brain disorders arise from cellular, circuit‑level, and developmental dysfunction. Speakers highlight why moving beyond “average brains” to individual neural fingerprints is critical to filling the knowledge gaps between cellular identity and neural connectivity dynamics.

  • This flagship precision neuroscience session highlights how immune profiling, circuit modeling, advanced neuroimaging, and individualized biomarkers are transforming care across neurological disease.

  • This community‑focused session highlights how nonprofit organizations translate neuroscience knowledge into real‑world impact. Leaders from statewide and national nonprofits discuss models for expanding access to care, improving measurable outcomes, and sustaining mission‑driven programs for individuals living with neurological disease across South Carolina.

  • This session explores brain injury through the lenses of neurocritical care, perioperative neuroscience, and neuroethics. Featuring internationally recognized physician-ethicist Dr. Joseph Fins, discussions will focus on disorders of consciousness, ethical decision-making, and dignity-centered care in complex clinical settings. A patient panel will provide powerful insight into the lived experience of brain injury, complementing conversations on leadership, systems, and sustainability needed to support high-quality, humane care across the continuum.

  • Emerging evidence reframes joint hypermobility syndromes as conditions rooted in neuroimmune and autonomic dysregulation, rather than isolated musculoskeletal issues. This session explores the interconnected roles of connective tissue, mast cell activation, and autonomic dysfunction, while addressing the complex overlap with endocrine and gastrointestinal systems that often leads to delayed diagnosis and fragmented care. Emphasizing both lived patient experience and evidence-based, non-surgical strategies, the session highlights the importance of coordinated, multidisciplinary care to improve function, autonomy, and long-term quality of life.

”The most captivating thing I’ve ever seen!”

“Precision Neuromodulation in Parkinson’s Disease: Patient‑Specific Circuit Modeling to Optimize Therapy”

Tuesday | April 21st | 1pm

Gaillard Center Grand Ballroom

-Cameron McIntyre , PhD

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Spine, Pain and Neurorehabilitation

Featured Speakers

Uzma Samadani, MD, PhD

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Michael Fehlings. MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS

Day 2 examines cutting-edge approaches to spinal disorders, chronic pain, and recovery—integrating surgery, engineering, neuromodulation, imaging, and rehabilitation science to help restore function, mobility, and overall quality of life across diverse patient populations.

  • A mechanistic and translational session focused on acute spinal cord injury, emphasizing time‑sensitive interventions that preserve tissue, optimize perfusion, and initiate recovery pathways. Speakers examine surgical timing, neuroprotection, intrathecal pressure management, and early prognostic tools that shape outcomes following SCI.

  • A forward‑looking session focused on novel ways to improve recovery and quality of life after spinal cord injury. Speakers highlight pharmacobiologic therapies, rehabilitation engineering, and pain management strategies designed to restore function and improve long‑term outcomes.

  • A forward‑looking session on advanced spine imaging and biomarker‑driven diagnostics designed to enable precision decision‑making across spine care. Speakers explore quantitative MRI, electrophysiologic biomarkers, machine‑learning–based risk stratification, and imaging predictors of recovery, complications, and long‑term outcomes.

  • This session examines how rapidly evolving technologies—including robotics, artificial intelligence, stereotactic radiosurgery, and minimally invasive techniques—are reshaping spine surgery. Speakers explore how data-driven planning, automation, and precision tools are altering surgical decision-making, implant design, and operative execution, while critically assessing evidence, limitations, and implementation challenges in real-world practice.

  • This session positions chronic pain treatment as an engineering and computational neuroscience problem, emphasizing how neural signals are measured, modeled, and manipulated to achieve therapeutic benefit. Speakers highlight mechanism‑driven neuromodulation, biophysical modeling, closed‑loop control, and algorithmic personalization.

Professor, Neurosurgery, University of Toronto & Krembil Brain Institute

Neurosurgeon, University of Minnesota

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Brian Kwon, MD, PhD

Full Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia

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Warren Grill, PhD

Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Duke University

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Robert Masson, MD

Founder, Masson Spine Institute, Orlando, FL & Park City, UT

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Jamie Wilson, MD, FRCS, MSc

Associate Professor, Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina

Thursday, April 23, 2026

IGNITE Day (Igniting Neuroscience Innovation, Teaching and Excellence) for Students

MIND 2026 IGNITE Visiting Scholar-in-Residence for Neurotechnology & Learning

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IGNITE Day Highlights

As MIND’s IGNITE Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Charles Liu will anchor the day’s keynote, lead hands-on neuroengi-neering sessions, and actively mentor learners throughout the program. He will guide participants toward curiosity-driven discovery through building and creative problem-solving—emphasizing inspiration as a catalyst for lifelong learning in neuroscience.

“Igniting Minds in Neuroscience: Tracing the Thread from K-12 to the Operating Room”

  • This highly interactive experience allows young learners to rotate through hands-on neuroscience stations led by students, residents, and educators. The emphasis is on play, exploration, and discovery—creating an inviting environment that encourages creativity and curiosity about how the brain and spine work together to support learning, movement, emotion, and everyday experiences.

  • The STEM Bowl brings brain science to life through a high‑energy, game‑show–style competition for high school and undergraduate students. Teams test knowledge of brain anatomy, function, behavior, and disease while solving real‑world problems under time pressure. Designed to celebrate curiosity, teamwork, and scientific thinking, the STEM Bowl showcases the excitement of discovery across neuroscience and related disciplines.

  • An interactive, age‑appropriate exploration of the brain and spinal cord designed to spark wonder and curiosity in younger learners. Faculty perform live brain and spinal cord demonstrations, guiding participants through major structures, pathways, and functions using clear language, visuals, and hands‑on engagement.

    • Making Neuroscience Fun

    • Helmet Safety Demonstration (Charleston PD)

    • The Brain in Action! Biofeedback Session

    • NeuroCoding Challenge (College and Graduate Students)

    • A Day in the Life of a Neuro Doctor Panel

Neuroscience Discovery Camp!

This highly interactive experience allows young learners to rotate through hands-on neuroscience stations led by students, residents, and educators. The emphasis is on play, exploration, and discovery—creating an inviting environment that encourages creativity and curiosity about how the brain and spine work together to support learning, movement, emotion, and everyday experiences.

Thursday | April 23rd | 9a

Gaillard Center Grand Ballroom

Brain-STEM Bowl +

NeuroCoding Challenge!

The Brain-STEM Bowl & NeuroCoding Challenge bring brain science to life through a high‑energy, game‑show–style competition for middle, high school and undergraduate students. Teams test knowledge of brain anatomy, function, behavior, and disease while solving real‑world problems under time pressure. Designed to celebrate curiosity, teamwork, and scientific thinking, these competitions showcase the excitement of discovery across neuroscience and related disciplines.

Thursday | April 23rd | 11a

Gaillard Performance Hall

Friday, April 24, 2026

Global Neuroscience: Connecting Minds, Care & Communities Around the World

Featured Speakers

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Jim Brown, MD

Day 4 brings together voices from around the world to listen, learn, and collaborate—connecting science, care delivery, policy, and lived experience to advance equitable neuroscience education, innovation, and brain health across borders and diverse communities.

  • Global Health Day brings together clinicians, researchers, and advocates from around the world to explore challenges and innovations in neurological care across diverse settings. With a focus on access, equity, and collaboration, this session highlights global perspectives on brain health, shares lessons learned across health systems, and emphasizes scalable solutions that improve outcomes for patients worldwide.

  • Item Drawing from firsthand experience delivering neurosurgical care in resource‑limited settings, Dr. Brown reflects on what it means to learn, teach, and practice neuroscience where infrastructure is scarce but human need is immense. His remarks highlight the power—and current limitations—of global collaboration, tele‑mentorship, and sustained relationships in closing gaps in training and care. The address centers on listening, humility, and co‑creation rather than one‑way knowledge transfer.description

  • A forward‑looking session outlining concrete next steps for sustaining global engagement beyond the conference, including virtual mentorship, global grand rounds, shared educational resources, and collaborative research or training pathways.

General Surgeon, Volunteer, Samaritan’s Purse, Disaster Assistance Response Team

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Ramin Eskandari, MD, MS

Professor, Pediatric Neurosurgery; Director, Pediatric Neuroscience Institute, Medical University of South Carolina

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Mike Mallah, MD, FACS, FICS

Assistant Professor, Surgery; Director, Global Surgery Program, Medical University of South Carolina

Pearl Tenkorang

Medical Student (M1), Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine

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William Vandergrift, MD

Professor, Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina

Mia Majauskaite

Medical Student (M5), University of Ghana Medical School

“It connects you with something human.”

Global Voices in Neuroscience Panel (Livestreamed)

Friday | April 24th | 10a EST

Gaillard Center Grand Ballroom

-Mike Mallah, MD

Join us for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra!

 

Register to attend the MIND 2026 Conference and gain access to four days of cutting-edge neuroscience education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development. Flexible registration options are available, including single-day and multi-day passes. Early Bird rates end Sunday, February 15 — secure your discounted registration today.