Research and Medical Technologies for the Brain – Honors Academies 2027
September 2, 2026 2026-09-02 21:28Research and Medical Technologies for the Brain – Honors Academies 2027
Course Available in Lima and Sao Paulo
Research and Medical Technologies for the Brain
This course introduces students to neuroscience, neurology, and the brain technologies used for research, therapy, and treatment, along with their implications for society. Participants will learn basic brain anatomy and the notable psychiatric and neurological conditions that can affect it, then move into emerging neurotechnologies such as brain implants, neuroimaging, and brain computer interfaces.
Through collaborative reflection on both hypothetical and real-world examples, students will examine how neurotechnology intersects with medicine and society, including how it is received in their own home countries. The course culminates in a group project in which students design their own brain technology and consider how it might be received in their local communities, strengthening their teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills along the way.
Maya Foster, M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Ph.D., Yale University
Maya Foster recently completed her Ph.D. at Yale University in May 2026, where she was a Gruber Science Fellow, a Yale Center for Clinical Investigation Fellow, an Edward Bouchet Graduate Honor Society inductee, and an inaugural Quad Fellow. She earned a B.S. in Neuroscience with departmental and university honors from Johns Hopkins University in 2019, and later earned her Master of Philosophy and Master of Science from Yale University. Beyond research, Foster is deeply committed to teaching, mentorship, and advocacy. She has mentored students across educational levels, developed inclusive teaching practices through Yale's Certificate of College Teaching Preparation program, and supported initiatives that broaden participation in science and engineering. She was recently named a trailblazer in engineering by Purdue University. In her free time, Maya enjoys learning new languages, traveling, reading and writing, watching movies, and spending time with friends.
