Course Description

Instructor: Dr. Stuart Zola

Week 1: The Science of Sleep: Why is sleep important? Why do we go through several different phases of sleep every night? Are naps during the day a good idea? Can caffeine affect your sleep and cognition? What should we NOT do every night to help get a better night’s sleep? We’ll discuss evidence-based information investigating the curious world of sleep, sleep disorders, and some of the strange things that people do in their sleep. Really strange things. Stay awake and join us for this one!

Week 2: The Science of Dreams: What causes us to dream? What are dreams? Why do we forget our dreams so quickly? Who dreams and who doesn’t? Do people with vision and hearing loss dream? Can dreaming help your memory? Wow, that’s a bunch of interesting questions. Dreams are an enduring source of mystery for all of us, and we’ll begin to unpack some of what science knows about all of those questions, and more (did I mention nightmares?). You’re not gonna fall asleep during this talk!

Bio: Stuart Zola, Professor Emeritus, Emory University has had a continuing and extremely productive career as well as successful research program investigating the neurological foundation of memory and memory impairment. His work has been at the cutting edge of efforts to understand how memory is organized in the brain, and he has made increasingly important contributions to understanding memory functions. His work on animal models of human amnesia, much of it carried out with VA grants and support, led to the identification of a neural system in the medial temporal lobe of the brain that is critical for memory function, and he was a pioneer in support of the development of a transgenic animal model of Huntington’s Disease in nonhuman primates.

Dr. Zola is also internationally known and respected for his many roles in leadership, including Director of the Graduate Neuroscience Program at the University of California, San Diego, Director of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center 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 most recently as the Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Emory University.

Dr. Zola co-founded 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. He is the President and CEO of Quiet Developments, LLC, a leadership advisory company. Most recently, he has co-founded a third company, Map Habit, Inc., focused on neurocognitive support for individuals with memory impairment, using visual maps to help guide them through their schedules of daily activities. He is a sought-after speaker and Master of Ceremonies, artfully combining his natural sense of humor and social acumen, his working knowledge of science, and his favorite hobby, sleight-of-hand magic.