Gray-matter types don’t just sit around playing Mensa games. The Friends of BrainHealth proved that point on Wednesday, September 17, at the Dallas Country Club. Here is a field report from someone who is smarter than most of us:
“While there may be a shortage of women in science that was not evident at the Friends of BrainHealth Scientist Selection luncheon last week where four young female brain scientists were each awarded a $25,000 research grant. A dynamic donor circle dedicated to advancing Center for BrainHealth research, the Friends of BrainHealth raised more than $300,000 to support, in part, the unique program designed to give young scientists an invaluable opportunity to design and lead their own research studies at an early point in their careers.
“A family friendly event, 2014 Friends of BrainHealth chairs, Tracy and Ballard Castleman, along with membership chairs Helen and Rives Castleman (Ballard and Rives are twins), spearheaded this year’s efforts that culminated last week with a vote to select one of three finalists live.
“Bob Penn who, along with wife Katherine, made the luncheon possible and has also graciously committed to making next year’s possible, kicked-off the luncheon at the Dallas Country Club. BrainHealth’s vibrant board president, Debbie Francis, presided over the program in the absence of Center founder and chief director, Dr. Sandi Chapman who had been called away to last-minute meetings in Washington, D.C.
“While ballots were being tabulated, three scientists chosen prior to the event to receive named awards created by members at the Visionary level ($25,000) explained their innovative projects.
“Visionary Friend Joel Robuck, attending with wife Linda, introduced the pre-selected scientists. Paying homage to his Oak Cliff roots, he bestowed each research project with a spirited and humorous title to dispel any intimidating scientific language surrounding the research projects of Lee Ann Young, the Linda and Joel Robuck award recipient who will use virtual-reality to revolutionize traumatic brain injury diagnosis and treatment; the Sapphire Foundation awardee, Dr. Lori Cook, who will adapt high performance brain training for elementary-aged students; and Dr. Nyaz Didehbani who will use the Katherine and Bob Penn grant to explore the efficacy of an ocular test that assesses youth sports concussions on the playing field.
“Bambi DeLaRosa’s popular vote win for her neurofeedback brain training proposal was perhaps preordained by her auspicious dress choice that was in the same black and white stripe vein as Friends chair Tracy Castleman.
“Brain Performance Institute executive director Eric Bennett announced the passing of the Friends torch to the Billingsley family. He charmingly challenged incoming co-chairs Lucy Billingsley and Lindsay Billingsley to fill the Dallas Cowboys stadium with next year’s luncheon attendees.
“Former honorary chairs of the Friends of BrainHealth include Toni and Norm Brinker, Sue Justice, Sammye Myers and Dee Wyly. Former Friends of BrainHealth chairs include Caroline Gehan with Ross and Anne Helbing, Kimber Hartmann with Angie Kadesky. Although Caroline Gehan could not attend, daughter Lindsay Gehan who serves on BrainHealth’s young professionals board and also works for the Brain Performance Institute, attended with sister Adrienne.
“The Friends of BrainHealth kicks off their 2015 campaign on Saturday, November 1.”
* Photo credit: Kristina Bowman