iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 6h

Today is Donor-Advised Fund Day! If you have a DAF, you can recommend a grant to support our neuroscience research and fund training for future neuroscientists. See how to give through your DAF: bit.ly/4dp5eB5

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 10h

Picture yourself here in five years. Curious how to make it happen? Join our IMPRS-SC PhD information session and learn how the program can launch your neuroscience career. Info Session: Oct. 13, 12 EDT Register: mpfi.zoom.us/.../reg.../W.... Learn more: www.mpfi.org/training/imp...

mpfi.zoom.us

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Taddeo Salemi on earning his PhD through IMPRS-SC! With Ryohei Yasuda, he developed a fluorescence-lifetime two-photon miniscope that tracks brain molecular signals as animals move naturally. We're so excited to see what discoveries it enables. Congratulations Taddeo!

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Join us for one of the biggest neuroscience parties in existence! MPFI's Social Circuit Dance party returns Monday, Nov. 16 during #SfN26 in Washington DC. RSVP at the link below & show your QR code at MPFI's SfN booth 2723 to get your admission bracelet. See you on the dance floor! buff.ly/JaQNU6R

Event flyer with a glowing blue and teal background of neurons and sparkling light, and silhouetted dancers with raised arms along the bottom edge. Text at top: "Max Planck Florida presents." In a dark circle at center: "Social Circuit Dance Party," then "11.16.2026," "The Hamilton Hotel, 1001 14th St NW," and "9:00PM–12:00AM, Cash Bar." At bottom: "A joint event in partnership with" followed by four logos: Max Planck Gesellschaft, American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation), and Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience.

Aerial view from a balcony of a dark theater filled with a dense crowd dancing under blue and magenta light. A DJ stands at a booth on the stage, surrounded by a smaller group of dancers. Behind them, a large screen shows nested neon triangles in green, yellow, and pink against a starry backdrop. Many attendees wear glow-stick necklaces, headbands, or bunny ears, and some raise their arms or hold drinks.

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

MPFI is hiring a Neural Data Scientist! This is a rare opportunity to work as an embedded computational neuroscientist within a world-class experimental community, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries and the rapid advancement of neuroscience. Visit our website to apply. bit.ly/3TDE82d

Two researchers discuss a scientific image on a computer screen.

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Reposted by Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Vidhya Rangaraju, PhD @rangarajuvidhya.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

A mitochondrion spans dozens of spines. When one spine undergoes plasticity, only the ~2 µm mito. region beside it remodels; the rest of the organelle remains unchanged. Not one uniform power supply, but a mosaic 🧠⚡ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... at Max Planck Florida (@mpfneuro.bsky.social)

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

When learning a new motor skill, brain connections rewire to refine the timing of movements. However, scientists at MPFI have shown that rather than a brain-wide overhaul, synaptic changes in just a single class of neuron are needed to precisely adjust the timing of motor behavior. buff.ly/yPiN40B

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Our postdocs are pushing the boundaries of what we know about the brain, driven by curiosity and a desire to make a difference. This week, we celebrate the people who keep discovery moving. Thank you to all of our Postdocs! #NPAW

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Considering a PhD in Neuroscience? Know someone who is? We are currently recruiting PhD students! Learn more about our unique joint program with Florida Atlantic University at an information session on October 13th, 12pm. Register here: buff.ly/vC3S2tj Learn more about our program: buff.ly/mYYYZa4

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

@lintianphd.bsky.social delivered a keynote talk at the MMiN 2026 meeting in Amsterdam last week. Her lab is a leader in developing genetically engineered sensors that could one day help treat neuropsychiatric diseases. Congratulations, Dr. Tian!

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Palm Beach & Martin County Teachers: Registration is open for the Max Brain Challenge, our annual neuroscience trivia battle! *Who: 8th-12th grade students (3-person teams) *When: Feb. 6, 2027 *Where: MPFI Win prizes & bragging rights! Register now: bit.ly/4h8jDT4

Students competing in trivia challenge. Text reads: Max Brain Challenge, Registration Now Open

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Don't miss the new preprint from MPFI's Wang lab showing how widespread neuromodulatory systems can selectively modulate task-relevant neurons to shape behavior. Congrats to first author @dinghaoluo.bsky.social and team! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

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Reposted by Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Meet the team! Today’s spotlight: @akashpal.bsky.social ✨ Akash is a postdoctoral researcher building genetically encoded sensors that enable real-time observation of neuropeptide signaling in the living brain 🧠

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Reposted by Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Looking forward to speaking at the 2026 Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience (MMiN) Meeting in September! I’ll be presenting recent work on developing & using genetically engineered sensors to monitor brain activity in living, behaving animals 🧠 Register by 9/7: monitoringmolecules.org/mmin-2026/

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Last chance to vote! MPFI is nominated for an Innovation Award in the 2026 PBI Education Awards for our commitment to K-12 STEM education. Can we count on your support? Cast your vote by Aug. 25: www.palmbeachillustrated.com/education-aw...

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Welcoming the 2026 IMPRS students to MPFI! IMPRS is a partnership between @mpfneuro and @FAU, bringing together scientific excellence and exceptional training within the scientific environment of the Max Planck Society. Applications for 2027 admission will open Sept 1.

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

We’ve been nominated for an Innovation Award in the 2026 PBI Education Awards! The nomination recognizes our commitment to K-12 STEM education. Can we count on your support? Cast your vote by Aug. 25: www.palmbeachillustrated.com/education-aw...

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

We are happy to announce our 2026 NeuroMEETS selected postdoc speakers, Dr. Chenjie Shen from MIT and Dr. Asako Noguchi from UTSouthwestern Medical Center. We can't wait to hear about your exciting research!

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Reposted by Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Thorlabs, Inc. @thorlabs.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Advancing brain health relies on access to care, as well as the research, technology, and expertise driving new discoveries. Through collaborations with organizations such as @mpfneuro.bsky.social, we're proud to help those working toward breakthroughs. #WorldBrainDay #WorldBrainDay2026

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Reposted by Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Lin Tian, PhD @lintianphd.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Meet the team! Today’s spotlight: Erin Scott ✨ Erin is a PhD student working to characterize a family of dopamine sensors for the dLight 3.0 series. She is also developing a sensor for alpha-synuclein, a toxic protein heavily implicated in Parkinson’s disease.

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

New work from the Inagaki Lab bridges levels of analysis to show that synaptic plasticity in different cell types plays distinct, complementary roles in shaping neural dynamics during learning. Congratulations to all! buff.ly/gm5fosP

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Congratulations to MPFI Scientist Dr. Alex Gribizis, who received an NIH K99 Pathway to Independence Award! Her research focuses on how early brain activity shapes the development of visual circuits before eye opening. Learn more: buff.ly/vepcwTR

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Kori Citrin, our newest IMPRS PhD graduate! Dr. Citrin's research explored how the hippocampus tracks time, a critical component of forming memories. We are so proud of her dedication and can't wait to see the impact she'll make. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Citrin!

Kori Citrin stands at a podium with her title slide of her thesis defense behind her.

Dr. Citrin stands with her lab mates with a graduation cap on at a celebration in honor of her earning her PhD

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Neuroscience postdocs: Showcase your original research at NeuroMEETS! On our Jupiter, FL, campus, you’ll gain confidence as you present to eager MPFI students, postdocs, and faculty. Apply by July 1 for a speaking spot! bit.ly/43GMW9a

Postdocs listen to a lecture in an auditorium

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Attention, postdocs: Apply to present your research at NeuroMEETS: Neuroscience Meetings for Extramural Emerging Talents!  Connect with MPFI students, postdocs, & faculty in Jupiter, FL. Travel support & honorarium provided for presenters. Apply for a speaking spot by July 1: bit.ly/43GMW9a

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Congratulations to @salilbidaye.bsky.social for being named one of this year's McKnight Scholar Award recipients! Learn more about this honor and the important neuroscience research it funds: buff.ly/AUf0gTl

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Neuroscience postdocs: Apply to share your research at our NeuroMEETS seminar! • Present your research at our Jupiter, FL, campus • Gain experience for future interviews • Network with MPFI students, postdocs, and faculty Apply for NeuroMEETS by July 1: mpfi.org/science/max-...

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

NeuroCollective 2.0 brought together 140+ students, scientists, and industry professionals from 15 institutions for a day of NeuroAI, mentorship, and connection. Shoutout to the 32 trainee presenters — and especially our two IMPRS-SC PhD reps who took home best talk AND best poster honors! 🏆

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

New research from MPFI led by @maryphillips.bsky.social in collaboration with @zeiss-microscopy.bsky.social and MetaCell introduces an imaging pipeline called Neuroplex, enabling simultaneous monitoring of neural activity across 9 neuronal populations in freely moving mice. buff.ly/HkgsSZU

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

How does the brain power its own memories — and what happens when that system fails? MPFI scientist Vidhya Rangaraju sat down with neuroscientist Mark Mattson on the Brain Ponderings podcast to explore exactly that. Listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube. 🎧️ buff.ly/v7N186U 📹️ buff.ly/DDvrwpY

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Recent work by @salilbidaye.bsky.social and team on the circuits that control walking in the fly featured in The Transmitter!

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Brain Exploration Day was a fun day of sharing our science and hearing your questions about how the brain works. We are grateful to all who attended and our staff and volunteers who helped support the event. Read more about it and see pictures from the event here: buff.ly/5wk04gq

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Congratulations to @salilbidaye.bsky.social and the Bidaye Lab team on their latest work on the neural control of locomotion! Here, they use 🪰 to address long-standing questions of neural generation of coordinated walking. Read the study here! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6

biorxiv.org

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

We are thrilled to share that our CEO & Scientific Director, Dr. David Fitzpatrick, has been elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, considered one of the highest honors in science. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Fitzpatrick on this important recognition. buff.ly/b3SeMYf

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

We were excited to celebrate 18 outstanding young scientists at our fifth annual Capstone Celebration, held April 21. This event celebrates graduates of FAU High School, Jupiter Campus, in partnership with our Max Planck Academy. Read more, and please join us in wishing them the best! bit.ly/4d8Pyly

MPFI-FAU High School Capstone scholar shows their work

MPFI-FAU High School Capstone scholars and team

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Have you registered for Brain Exploration Day yet? On Saturday, May 9 from 10 am to 2 pm we are opening up the institute for a fun day of hands-on activities and science demonstrations. Brain Exploration Day is free - but advance registration is required. Sign up today! buff.ly/nW4n42E

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Raphael Heldman, who earned his doctorate through the IMPRS-SC program! Raphi successfully defended his PhD thesis, which revealed how the brain uses self-motion to estimate distance traveled. We look forward to seeing where Dr. Heldman's talents and curiosity lead him next!

A group of people excitedly shake hands with a young man

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

MPFI's @rangarajuvidhya.bsky.social recently joined neuroscientists from Columbia University and Mount Sinai for a town hall on memory, brain health, and cognitive aging, hosted by @southfloridapbs.bsky.social. Read more about her insights and find out how you can watch the special: buff.ly/NCaA7J0

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Celebrating another talented grad from our IMPRS PhD program, in partnership with Florida Atlantic University. Congratulations to Dr. Goksu Menton, who successfully defended her thesis," A Light-Operated Kinase Inhibitor Strategy & Its In Vitro and In Vivo Applications" yesterday. Way to go, Goksu!

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Today is the last chance to have your impact on education DOUBLED! Thanks to a generous gift from the Stiles Nicholson Foundation & The Pray Family your gift to our Ask Max education program will be matched up to $50,000. The challenge ends tonight at midnight - so don't wait! buff.ly/IcqQb3g

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

If you've ever toured MPFI, you've likely met Dr. Naomi Kamasawa. Now, after 15+ years of electron microscopy, she is retiring. With 50+ publications & countless talks and outreach events, Naomi has inspired thousands to get excited about microscopy. Please join us in wishing her a happy retirement!

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

IMPRS-SC Alumna Dr. Zidan Yang has received the Larry Katz Memorial Lecture Award. In appreciation of the late Larry Katz for his pioneering work, this honor is awarded to a grad student who has done “the most original and significant work in the past 2 years on neuronal circuits.” buff.ly/iOsB6S6

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

It's Science Appreciation Day & we are feeling the love thanks to Wellington High School and Eagles Landing Middle School students who took the time to send thank you notes and slides to our researchers and education staff, thanking them for their work. We're grateful for our community's support!

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Carina Arnold, the latest grad from our joint MPFI/FAU IMPRS PhD program! Carina completed her doctoral work in the Blakely Lab at Florida Atlantic University, advancing our understanding of how serotonin signaling shapes behavior at the molecular level. Congrats, Dr. Arnold!

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

We’re still catching our breath from Sunposium 2026! From deciphering neural circuits to showcasing bidirectional neurotech, the summit reiterated that amazing breakthroughs arise through global collaboration. Explore the highlights: www.mpfi.org/sunposium-20...

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Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience @mpfneuro.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Today is our last day of #Sunposium2026 and we would like to recognize one of our signature sponsors, @thorlabs.bsky.social, for your support! We enjoyed learning about new advances in Mini2P Imaging and other exciting advanced imaging technology. Learn more about Thorlabs at buff.ly/e8PhxoN

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Reposted by Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Thorlabs, Inc. @thorlabs.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Excited to be here at the @mpfneuro.bsky.social #Sunposium26 where we are demonstrating our Mini2P with Spark Lasers. If you're nearby, visit us at booth 102!🔬

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