Course Description

Instructor: Stuart Zola

Brain scientist, Stuart Zola, will first show how our everyday memory allows us to consciously recall the facts and events of our lives – a conversation we had a few hours ago, a phone conversation from yesterday, or a vacation we took years ago. But, in a real-life demonstration in class, each of you will see how quickly you forget everyday memory – you’ll be amazed!  Now - did you know that we all have another kind of memory ability? Habit memory - although we use it a lot, we are mostly unaware of it. In fact, you’ll discover in class that you behave non-consciously more times a day than you can imagine! Habit memory has been one of the most important discoveries for understanding how the brain works. Our habit system might possibly be better than our everyday memory for retaining some kinds of information. This discovery could be important for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. You won’t forget this session!

BIO:Stuart Zola’s neuroscience research has been at the cutting edge of efforts to understand how memory is organized in the brain, and his translational research led to the identification in humans of neural systems in the brain that are critical for memory function and other systems important for habit and habit formation.

Prof. Zola’s many roles in leadership include Director of the Graduate Neuroscience Program at the University of California, San Diego, Director of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center (now the Emory NPRC) at Emory University, Co-Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Emory, Senior Research Career Scientist and Deputy Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, and Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Emory University under then-President, Claire Sterk.

Additionally, Prof. Zola co-founded with several Emory colleagues, NeuroTrack Technologies, Inc., a company started at Emory University and now located in Redwood City, CA., focused on digital phenotyping for early detection of cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease. More recently, as the result of a chance conversation with his next-door neighbor, Matt Golden, they co-founded MapHabit, Inc., an Atlanta-based assistive technology company focused on enhancing quality of life, independence, and ability to successfully manage activities of daily living (ADLs) in individuals living with diverse cognitive challenges throughout their lifespan.

He is currently the Innovator/Entrepreneur in Residence at the Hatchery, Emory University’s Center for Innovation, mentoring students in various stages of their entrepreneurial start-ups and early-stage businesses. Prof. Zola is a sought-after, amazing speaker and MC, and he uses his natural sense of humor and his long-time hobby of sleight-of-hand magic to engage audiences as he transfers his knowledge.