Quarter century of discovery

Twenty-five years ago, as the world entered the new millennium, a groundbreaking scientific initiative was taking shape in Atlanta. With an unprecedented $53 million in grants — a 10-year award of $37 million from the National Science Foundation’s Science and Technology Center Program and an additional $16 million from the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) — a coalition of researchers from eight institutions established the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN).

Its mission: to push the boundaries of neuroscience research, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, innovate new educational programs, reach out to the community of Atlanta and inspire future generations of scientists. The participating institutions included Georgia State University, Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine.

“We began with a blank slate,” recalls Regents' Professor of Neuroscience Elliott Albers, who has led the center for more than two decades. “We had this incredible mix of colleges and universities that created a scientific environment unlike anywhere else in the country.”

Now, a quarter-century later, CBN has delivered on that vision–expanding opportunities for education, outreach and real-world applications that touch lives across disciplines and demographics. As the center celebrates 25 years of discovery, that bold idea has evolved into a powerhouse of neuroscience innovation that continues to shape Atlanta’s scientific landscape.

A Bold Vision

The creation of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience represented a pioneering approach to scientific collaboration. While large-scale research initiatives existed, few were designed to be as collaborative and interdisciplinary as CBN. Rather than limiting itself to a single institution, CBN connected neuroscientists across multiple universities and disciplines, creating a research network that was both dynamic and innovative.

Albers recalls the early days of the center with a sense of awe and says Atlanta is the perfect location for it.

“There was a tremendous potential for GSU and for the region as a whole,” he says. “Atlanta has a lot to offer. Being close to the world’s busiest airport means scientists can travel easily to conferences and to collaborate with other scientists anywhere in the world. This has a huge impact since we all interact and travel a lot.”

This collaborative energy combined with Atlanta’s unique network of public and private research institutions set the stage for a neuroscience hub that continues to attract top talent from around the world.

Initially housed at Emory University, the CBN moved to Georgia State in 2002, when founding director Tom Insel left Emory to become director of the National Institute of Mental Health. At Georgia State, Albers served as the center’s director until last year, when Debra Bangasser was appointed as the next center director.   

“I am honored to continue the legacy of the CBN, and I am excited for what’s next,” Bangasser says. “Our ultimate goal moving forward is to push neuroscience into new frontiers, tackle mental health challenges, and explore how brain science can improve lives.”

Expanding Neuroscience Research: Transforming our Understanding Social Behavior

Over the past 25 years, the CBN’s research has fundamentally changed our understanding of social behavior, leading to breakthroughs in areas ranging from mental health to addiction science. Studies on neuropeptides like vasopressin and oxytocin have reshaped our understanding of aggression, bonding and social behavior.

“One area that has received a lot of attention is the molecular basis of social bonding,” Albers says. “We’ve been looking at how social reward can perhaps offset issues related to drug rewards. For example, we’re studying the underlying brain mechanisms that may explain how people seek out social interactions to help with substance use disorders.”

The center’s collaborative nature has also facilitated groundbreaking work in understanding stress and trauma. CBN researchers have partnered with the Grady Trauma Project, a long-standing collaboration with Grady Memorial Hospital, to study how trauma alters brain function and develop interventions to mitigate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in at-risk populations.

The project involves researchers from both Emory University and GSU who have been using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields, to stimulate nerve cells.

The research is also helping the next generation of neuroscientists gain experience.

Puja Raol, a first-generation college student and Presidential Scholar studying neuroscience at GSU, hopes to better understand how neuromodulation techniques can help restructure the brain and improve outcomes for trauma survivors.

“We’re looking at how changing the way the brain works or rewiring the circuitry can help patients recover,” Roal says.

Other notable research areas that have flourished within the CBN include work on affiliation and social cognition, neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Alzheimer's disease. In one significant study, CBN researchers discovered pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s in aged chimpanzees, providing new insights into the disease’s evolution.

Education and Outreach: Bringing Neuroscience to the Community

From its inception, the CBN has emphasized not just groundbreaking research but also innovative approaches to education and community engagement. The center has pioneered what it calls “translational neuroscience” — taking discoveries from labs and translating them into curricula for K-12 students, undergraduates, graduate students and the general public.

Kyle Frantz, a faculty member and co-director for science education at the CBN, explains this unique approach.

“We conceptualize translational neuroscience differently in the education arm of the CBN,” Frantz says. “While you often hear about ‘bench to bedside’ in translational medicine, our focus is on translating discoveries into curricula that can recruit the next generation of students.”

This educational philosophy has manifested in numerous programs, from school visits and interactive exhibits to structured summer courses and research immersions. One signature public engagement activity lets visitors don gloves and handle specimens preserved from various species.

“What makes us unique is the broad array of programs we offer,” Frantz says. “We’ve built a full compendium of opportunities for learners at all different levels, grades, ages and stages of interest. The buzz in the room when students are excited and using their new neuroscience vocabulary is music to my ears.”

One of the most popular programs is the Atlanta Regional Brain Bee, an annual neuroscience competition for students ages 13 to 19. This year’s graduate student co-chairs, Emory University’s Hyma Balasubramaian and GSU’s Lolo Iddrisu, have volunteered to mentor and help coach students.

“I grew up in India, and I didn’t even know neuroscience was a field when I was in high school,” Balasubramaian says. “Mentoring Brain Bee students is my way of giving back and making sure young students are exposed to science early.”

For Yvonne Ogbonmwan, exposure to the Brain Bee was life changing. As a high school student at South Cobb High School in 2002, she stumbled upon the competition through her school’s science club.

Ogbonmwan went on to win the regional competition and placed fourth at the national level. That experience led her to pursue neuroscience research as an undergraduate at GSU, complete a Ph.D. at Emory and eventually work in clinical trials for the pharmaceutical industry.

“The Brain Bee didn’t just teach me about the brain — it showed me that a regular person like me could become a scientist," she says.

Looking to the Future: What’s Next for CBN?

As CBN moves into its next 25 years, its commitment to innovation and collaboration remains as strong as ever under the leadership of Bangasser, who was appointed director in September 2024. The center is expanding its research on stress, substance use disorder, and neurodevelopmental disorders while continuing to build bridges between neuroscience and public health. The center also continues to evolve its approach to fostering innovative research.

Reflecting on her new position, Bangasser is looking ahead.

“As I joined the CBN last year, I was impressed with its 25-year journey. The way that cooperative interaction thrives among different people from different institutions — each with different strengths and missions — is truly remarkable,” she says.

From decoding the mysteries of the brain to inspiring the next generation of scientists, the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience has cemented its legacy as a leader in the field. With its momentum showing no signs of slowing, the next 25 years promise to be just as transformative as the first.