This is an image of the mouse nasal cavity taken using confocal microscopy. Pictured are the nasal turbinates, cribiform plate and olfactory sensory neurons. Olfactory sensory neurons are labeled in cyan.

Neuroscience Institute

Facilitating scientific excellence, collaboration, education, and networking between neuroscientists at Penn State

The Neuroscience Institute: Where Insights Turn Unknowns Into Breakthroughs
Learn more about our newly launched undergraduate degree programs in neuroscience here


The Penn State Neuroscience Institute (PSNI) provides oversight and coordination for neuroscience-related activities in education, research, patient care, and outreach while promoting an intellectual environment that enhances the interdisciplinary neuroscience educational experience from the undergraduate to postdoctoral levels.

PSNI at University Park is comprised of over 125 faculty, and over 75 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff. Faculty in the institute provide immersive research experiences to over 350 undergraduate students.

Click here to learn more about the recent BIG10 Neuroscience Annual Meeting July 21-22, 2025 at the University Park campus.

Learn more about how your support of the Institute can help accelerate the speed at which we solve the brain and the mind

Penn State Neuroscience Institute Tagline: Where insights turn unknowns into breakthroughs Our Priorities A Vibrant, Multidisciplinary Neuroscience Community at University Park 120+ faculty affiliates 6–10 post-doctoral fellows 60+ graduate students representing over 12 graduate programs 350+ undergraduate students involved in research representing over 30 distinct majors Strong Integration & Collaboration with Other Centers One Health Microbiome Center Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics Center for Reproductive Biology and Health Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Bidirectional Partnerships that Strengthen Impact Penn State College of Medicine Approximately 25% of University Park faculty actively collaborate with College of Medicine investigators Pillars of Excellence 1. Environmental and Behavioral Neuroscience Focus on interactions between environment, behavior, and neural systems. 2. Brain Development and Aging Research spanning infancy through older adulthood. 3. Neuroplasticity, Mental Health, and Addiction Understanding brain adaptability, psychiatric health, and substance use disorders. 4. Neural Engineering, Biodevices, & Artificial Intelligence Advancing technology-driven neuroscience and computational tools.

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News

NSF CAREER Award: Understanding how the brain learns complex skills

Tarkeshwar Singh, associate professor of kinesiology in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, has been awarded a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The five-year, $775,450 CAREER award will support Singh’s research on the interaction between cognition, decision-making and motor control to plan and coordinate complex movement sequences and skills.

Industrial noise may alter bluebird behavior but not cognitive ability

Scientists have long wondered whether loud, human-caused noise interferes with wild animals’ cognition — their ability to think and learn — by causing stress, distraction or making it harder for them to focus. The results of a novel study of Eastern bluebirds conducted by a team of researchers at Penn State suggests that, at least in some cases, short-term noise doesn’t affect them much.

Huck Institutes announces recipients of nine interdisciplinary seed grants

Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has awarded nine research teams seed funding for 2026-27. These grants support high-impact, innovative research projects that align with the Huck’s strategic research priorities and have the potential to drive scientific breakthroughs and generate significant return on investment.

News

NSF CAREER Award: Understanding how the brain learns complex skills

Tarkeshwar Singh, associate professor of kinesiology in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, has been awarded a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The five-year, $775,450 CAREER award will support Singh’s research on the interaction between cognition, decision-making and motor control to plan and coordinate complex movement sequences and skills.

Industrial noise may alter bluebird behavior but not cognitive ability

Scientists have long wondered whether loud, human-caused noise interferes with wild animals’ cognition — their ability to think and learn — by causing stress, distraction or making it harder for them to focus. The results of a novel study of Eastern bluebirds conducted by a team of researchers at Penn State suggests that, at least in some cases, short-term noise doesn’t affect them much.

Huck Institutes announces recipients of nine interdisciplinary seed grants

Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has awarded nine research teams seed funding for 2026-27. These grants support high-impact, innovative research projects that align with the Huck’s strategic research priorities and have the potential to drive scientific breakthroughs and generate significant return on investment.

Ganda, Kovac and Hao named Huck chairs

A trio of Penn State faculty members have been named Huck chairs by the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences in recognition of their research endeavors and track records of service to key Huck units.