Rachel Wurzman, Ph.D.

Rachel Wurzman, PhD, is a neuroscientist and neuroethicist. She is a Dana Fellow in Neuroscience & Society, focusing on the Dana Frontiers programs. In addition, she serves as Senior Fellow with the Institute for Biodefense Research, as well as Affiliate Faculty with the Neuroethics Studies Program of the Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University. She has been a Fellow with the Penn Center for Neuroscience and Society and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Neurology with the Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, both at the University of Pennsylvania. Over the past decade, Rachel has served as a subject matter expert and neuroethics advisor to the military as well as multiple public and industry neuroscience initiatives, programs, and working groups. Rachel was also a co-founder and Director of Science for SeekHealing, a nonprofit focused on improving relational social health in communities to address the root causes of addiction, suicide, and radicalization. Rachel received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Georgetown University’s Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, MS degrees in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University and Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University, and a BA in Neuroscience from Smith College.


Misinformation Epidemic Raises Stakes for Solutions
Can cognitive-training tools equip people to resist fake news? Are top-down measures necessary? Neuroscientists help sort out what could work.
Brain Awareness Week Grantee Interview: Rossana C. Zepeda and Claudia Juárez-Portilla
Rossana Citlali Zepeda, Ph.D., and Claudia Juárez-Portilla, Ph.D., are neuroscientists and faculty members of Universidad Veracruzana’s Biomedical Research Center in Mexico. For the past several years, they have been coordinating a series of free, public events for Brain Awareness Week, to shed light on the importance of neuroscience research and knowledge about the brain. Their […]
Can Social Prescriptions Improve Cognitive and Mental Health?
Social connectedness gains ground as a formal strategy for reducing health burdens.

Survey Finds Brain Health is a Top Priority for Americans
Executive OverviewAn executive overview of the Jan 2023 Dana Foundation / Research!America survey of American's views on the brain and brain health.

Brain Awareness Week Grantee Interview: Adejoke Elizabeth Memudu, Ph.D.
In Edo State, Nigeria, Dr. Memudu and colleagues scheduled some Brain Awareness events in a cascade: starting the discussion on a radio show in the morning and ending with an in-person discussion in the evening.

Dana Alliances: Mission Accomplished
A look back at three decades of education, influence, and outreachA look back at three decades of education, influence, and outreach.

Tessa Hirschfeld-Stoler Receives 2022 SfN Science Educator Award
Report from Neuroscience 2022Interview with Tessa Hirschfeld-Stoler on the rewards of sharing hands-on science with students of all ages.
Randy Blakely Receives 2022 SfN Science Educator Award
Report from Neuroscience 2022We chat with Randy Blakey on the satisfactions of mentoring and outreach, paying it forward, and more.

Brain Awareness Week Grantee Interview: Kristofer Rau, Ph.D.
"There is a place for everyone in neuroscience," says Kristofer Rau, Ph.D. He and his colleagues at Virginia Tech always participate in Brain Awareness Week, as well as outreach events year-round.

Dana Foundation Awards 11 Planning Grants for Dana Centers for Neuroscience & Society
The Dana Foundation is excited to announce the 11 US-based academic institutions awarded planning grants for potential future Dana Centers for Neuroscience & Society.