SUPPORT SERVICES
The Institute for Human Neuroscience (IHN) is a fully equipped state-of-the-art research facility, located in Boys Town, Nebraska, which opened in 2021. The unique layout of the newly renovated 15,000+ sq ft. was designed by scientists with two major goals in mind: optimizing research participant experience and fostering scientific collaboration. The resulting Institute for Human Neuroscience not only houses the latest equipment available in the field of noninvasive neuroimaging but it also boasts an extensive support services staff exclusively for the function and running of IHN. These support services include an administration and operations arm, an engineering team, communications and community outreach experts, and a physical therapy clinic. Below you will find more information on all support services offered by the Institute for Human Neuroscience.
ENGINEERING TEAM
IHN houses many state-of-the-art pieces of neuroimaging equipment, including OPM, MEG, MRI, transcranial direct current brain stimulation technology, and a 3D printing suite. The IHN engineering team provides maintenance and high-level technical support for all major instrumentation housed within IHN. The engineering team also installs new peripherals to existing equipment, new software, and works with laboratory directors to connect any laboratory specific devices that may be needed (e.g., joysticks, VR goggles) to our major equipment. This team also supports the MEG and MRI research programs through processing of functional mapping data and assisting with design and implementation of research paradigms. They also apply their expertise to design, print, and finish various 3D printed parts to be used to support neuroscience research.
IMAGING CORE
FACILITY SUPPORT
IHN employs a team of full-time imaging technologists and managers to support the research process. These individuals are trained professionals who operate the MRI and MEG instruments for research scans. Our MRI and MEG core managers have a combined twenty years of experience working with their respective instruments, and the MRI and MEG cores are staffed by skilled technologists for 10-12 hours per day, 6 days a week.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
IHN also houses Boys Town National Research Hospital’s first physical therapy clinic, The Center for Human Performance Optimization (CHPO). The clinic is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment designed specifically for individuals with mobility impairments, allowing freedom of movement while the therapist manipulates the environment to facilitate challenges that enhance the ability to learn new movement strategies. There are currently two full-time physical therapists at CHPO, and they have over twenty years of experience working with individuals that have neurological (i.e., stroke, spinal cord injury) and intellectual and developmental disabilities (i.e., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome). The physical therapy clinic performs therapeutic interventions for both research participants, as well as providing outpatient services for the greater Omaha metropolitan area. The clinic boasts an extensive array of equipment, including:
Aretech ZeroG Dynamic Bodyweight Support System
B-temia and Biomotum Robotic Exoskeletons
Zero-Entry Split Belt Treadmill
Enliten Open Area Support System
Woodway Curve Treadmill
PUSH Band 2.0 Velocity-Based Training Wearable Device
An Integrated Biofeedback TotalGym System
Biomechanical assessments from a Protokinetics ZenoWalkway digital gait mat, and APDM wearable IMU sensors are also used to enhance the clinical decision-making process and outcome assessments.
ADMINISTRATION AND
OPERATIONS TEAM
IHN research propels innovation and discovery in cognitive neuroscience, and we have a team of research administration professionals in place to support these efforts. They support laboratory directors by providing grant proposal development and support, financial tracking, assisting with progress reporting, and sharing expertise on grant regulations. This team also assists with strategic planning and development of projects, large and small, and provides support to check-in research participants at the door and get them set up for their visit.
COMMUNICATIONS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND RECRUITMENT TEAM
As part of IHN’s aim to build partnerships and collaborations with community organizations and encourage excitement about science, we have a group of individuals who are dedicated to and passionate about making this possible. This team includes scientific communication, community outreach, and research recruitment professionals. Through our collaborative efforts, the outreach and communication service arm of IHN specializes in engaging various diverse communities, from children to adults, about neuroscience, brain health, and the myriad of ways IHN is furthering understanding of how the brain works. IHN knows that the value of scientific outreach is multi-faceted and long-term. For example, some of our events stimulate kids to think about science and can help spark an interest in STEM-oriented careers. Other unique experiences serve to educate adults of all ages about the brain and the research being conducted in their local community. Such outreach can also help build local pride and confidence in science.
SCIENTIFIC GRAPHIC
DESIGN SERVICES
IHN has our own in-house scientific graphic designer, who provides professional design services to laboratory directors, students, and staff of all levels to create materials to suit their needs. Our graphic designer creates scientific graphics for publications, social media posts, recruitment ads, brochures, flyers, outreach materials, and presentations, to name a few.