UT Brainstorms Presents: The Online Brain
Feb
23
2026
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Michael Mauk -
Lauren Dobbs -
Scott Burghart
Feb
23
2026
-
Michael Mauk
-
Lauren Dobbs
-
Scott Burghart
Description
University of Texas Professor of Neuroscience Michael Mauk will deliver a talk exploring how exposure to social media and the online environment changes our brain and behavior. Get ready to be amazed by the power of the brain, get your questions answered and leave with a new appreciation for the complexities of the mind!
UT Brainstorms is a public event series where you get to dive deep into the fascinating world of neuroscience and learn about the latest brain research affecting our daily lives. With more of us spending more of our time online and digitally connected, what will be the impact for our brains?
About the Speakers
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Michael Mauk
Professor
Department of Neuroscience, UT Austin
Michael Mauk’s research focuses on computation and mechanisms of learning in brain systems, particularly in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex. The hallmark feature of his research is the combined use ...
Michael Mauk’s research focuses on computation and mechanisms of learning in brain systems, particularly in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex. The hallmark feature of his research is the combined use of experiment and computer simulation to address what brain systems compute and how their neurons and synapses accomplish this computation. The ultimate goal for his research is to understand brain systems well enough to build fully functional replicas. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University.
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Lauren Dobbs
Assistant Professor
Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, UT AustinDr. Lauren Dobbs is an assistant Pprofessor in the Department of Neuroscience in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) and Department of Neurology at the Dell Medical School. The Dobbs ...
Dr. Lauren Dobbs is an assistant Pprofessor in the Department of Neuroscience in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) and Department of Neurology at the Dell Medical School. The Dobbs lab takes a systems-level approach to identify the neural substrates, circuits and behavioral motivations driving the abuse of addictive drugs. Dr. Dobbs was recently recognized for her excellence in teaching and mentoring with a 2025 CNS Teaching Excellence Award.
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Scott Burghart
Program Coordinator
Polymathic Scholars, UT AustinDr. Scott Burghart is a biological oceanographer whose research spans tropical to polar systems, focusing on plankton and micronekton assemblages. He is the program coordinator for the Polymathic Scholars, the ...
Dr. Scott Burghart is a biological oceanographer whose research spans tropical to polar systems, focusing on plankton and micronekton assemblages. He is the program coordinator for the Polymathic Scholars, the CNS interdisciplinary honors program. He was previously an administrator in graduate education at UT Austin, working on initiatives aimed at enhancing graduate student experiences, implementing fellowships, and fostering an inclusive academic environment.
Location
Welch Hall (WEL), Room 2.224
105 E 24th St
Parking: Speedway Garage