Dr. Nathan A. Smith

#actuallivingscientist Stimulating Astroctyes In Vivo #ScienceMarch #STEMlearning #astrocytes #neuroscience

Spelman College made history as seven seniors from the Class of 2026 were named valedictorians after graduating with perfect 4.0 GPAs

We pause today to honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. They were sons, daughters, parents, and friends who believed in something greater than themselves. Because of their courage, we wake up free. Let us never take that gift for granted. Remembering every fallen hero with a grateful heart this Memorial Day.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Why are poor sleep, chronic stress, depression, and cardiovascular disease all linked to dementia risk? In a new review in @ScienceMagazine, co-director of the Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Maiken Nedergaard, MD, DMSc, proposes that these conditions may converge on a common biological pathway: disruption of sleep-dependent brain rhythms that support the brain’s nighttime waste-clearance system. The work offers a new framework for understanding sleep, neurodegeneration, and brain health. Full study: doi.org/10.1126/scienc… #URochesterResearch

“Class of 2026, we’ve had our challenges. But here’s one more: Go out there and be somebody’s miracle” Onesmo Mushi, who received his PhD from our Warner School, spoke for the graduate students, sharing his story and encouraging his classmates to empower others #URochester2026

“As Oscar Wilde said, ‘Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.’” Back on campus as Commencement speaker, Jeannine Shao Collins ’86 shared her memories, celebrated lifelong friendships and reminded the Class of 2026 to find their own path. #URochester2026

Long-term editing of brain circuits with engineered electrical synapses! I still remember years ago when @KafuiDzirasa from @DukeU @hhmi_science called me beaming with excitement about this new technology. Here it is today @Nature. nature.com/articles/s4158…

The University of Rochester Class of 2026 is shaping what’s next—these leaders, creators, and changemakers are ready to make their mark. 🎓 rochester.edu/commencement/c… #URochester2026

Learning makes brain cells work together, not apart A new study challenges a long-standing theory in neuroscience and could reshape how scientists think about perception, learning disorders, and artificial intelligence. #URochesterResearch Read more: rochester.edu/newscenter/lea…

We're getting ready to celebrate the Class of 2026 — 7 days and counting, graduates! 🎓 Find a complete Commencement guide for grads and their families: uofr.us/URochester26 #URochester2026

An honor to deliver this keynote lecture today at the historic Riverside Church. What a wonderful neuroscience community at Sinai!

Meet Assistant Prof. Tanzil Arefin: "Learning that addiction is a chronic disease that hijacks the brain’s so-called “reward system”—rather than a failure of willpower—sparked a fascination with how drugs and behavioral addictions rewire brain circuitry." urmc.rochester.edu/news/publicati…

Calcines-Rodríguez’s path to Neuroscience started with biology classes. “I remember reading about the organelles in the cell in the biology textbook and thinking that the authors had a good imagination... From that moment, my fascination with biology and human behavior began, for which many years later I decided to pursue a degree in Neuroscience.” urmc.rochester.edu/news/publicati…

A new NIH grant is supporting promising research at URochester Medicine to tackle age-related macular degeneration—one of the leading causes of vision loss. Led by Ruchira Singh, the work aims to target the disease earlier and preserve sight. Full story in our Newsroom: urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/new… #URochesterResearch

@OfficialMLK3 Happy Heavenly Birthday 💜💜💜💜💜

Happy heavenly birthday, Mom. Your grace and vision shaped my understanding of purpose, compassion, and justice. I still hear your words, especially in moments when I need direction most. You often reminded us of the importance of the Beloved Community, saying, “the greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate acts of its citizens.” I carry your voice—and your spirit—with me always.

What an honor it was to accept the @UR_Med Trainee Academic Mentoring Award in Basic Science. Special thanks to my trainees past and present (Sid, Estephanie, and Adam), my lab manager (Tracy), @URNeuroscience, colleagues, friends, family, and University Leadership. Mentorship is not about shaping someone in your own image, but about giving them the courage to outgrow you, because the next generation's success is the most enduring legacy we leave. #LiftingAsWeClimb #TheEnduringLight #thefutureisbright #MentoringwithINTENT

This program transformed my career. Give it a shot! @hhmi_science's #FreemanHrabowski Scholars Program offers early career faculty up to $10M over 10 yrs, + salary & benefits. Postdoc? This year's comp has a program for you too. Opens 11/3! bit.ly/4vhC0LA

📢🎉@hhmi_science competition for the next cohorts of #HannaGray Fellows and #FreemanHrabowski Scholars opening 11/3/2026. Senior postdocs and faculty within 7 years of appointment. Up to $10M over 10 yrs, + salary & benefits. Spread the word and consider applying! bit.ly/4vhC0LA

What neuroscientists want from a new NINDS director | The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives thetransmitter.org/policy/what-ne…

Big recognition for our team! Dr. Maiken Nedergaard's research on how the brain clears waste during deep sleep was named #StatMadness Editors’ Pick. It is an important step forward in understanding brain health and diseases like Alzheimer’s. @StatNews urmc.info/2lM