PINT OF SCIENCE FESTIVAL
13-15 MAY 2024
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Infinite minds, infinite possibilities: the secret power of your brain
A small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Join us at Café Boekowski in a journey to discover the infinite power of your brain. Ever wonder how your brain maintains the balance of astronauts or even how you walk the way you do? Come meet our two researchers who will unveil all the brain's secrets with you.
Step into the beyond: How the brain maintains the astronaut's balance
Catho Schoenmaekers
PhD Student Lab for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace (LEIA)
University of Antwerp
Since the beginning of human spaceflight, tremendous efforts have been made to research its effects on the physiological functions of the human body. Only the past 10 years however, dedicated studies to investigate the brain’s structural and functional changes to spaceflight are being conducted. Settlements on the Moon and sending humans to Mars are planned by different space agencies. My research focusses on investigating the effect of spaceflight on the equilibrium system and how the brain copes with this adaptation. Join my talk to explore these changes, how it affects the astronaut, their causes, and possible countermeasures
The brain as a puppeteer
Renata Fanfa Loureiro Chaves
PhD Researcher
University of Antwerp - MOVANT
Have you ever wondered how we are able to move? Or have you ever asked yourselves why some people walk so differently than others?
Well, I have…
These questions gave origin to my PhD project. We are currently working on understanding how our brain can influence our ability to walk and how a brain lesion can influence that. We are researching the brain of people after a stroke and their ability to move. Let’s try to understand what influences the way we walk and how we can walk around after a brain lesion!
