After spending the academic year reviewing the developing scientific field of cognitive neuroscience, a faculty committee submitted a proposal to University President Judith Rodin calling for the creation of a Center for Cognitive Neuroscience. One of the fastest-growing fields in modern science, cognitive neuroscience brings together several disciplines -- including psychology, neurology and biology -- to study the physical basis of the human mind. And the faculty committee -- created by Rodin under the Agenda for Excellence, her long-term campus master plan, and chaired by Provost Robert Barchi -- recommends that Penn establish a center for the new interdisciplinary field. The proposed inter-school, inter-departmental center would develop a group of core neuroscience faculty members, acquire resources and scientific equipment -- such as tools for brain imaging -- and bring together faculty from a number of different departments. The center will promote interdisciplinary study among faculty and students in a number of different schools, departments, institutes and programs, and is likely to house the undergraduate major Biological Basis of Behavior, the David Mahoney Institute for Neurological Sciences and the Institute for Research in Cognitive Science. Barchi -- who was chairperson of the Medical School's Department of Neurology and Neuroscience before taking over as provost -- said he would like to see a "virtual center" established within the next few months and that in the fall officials will begin recruiting new faculty from both within Penn and from peer institutions. He said the center -- which would incorporate faculty and students from the Bioengineering, Neurology, Neuroscience, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Psychology, Radiology and Rehabilitation Medicine departments -- would not obtain a permanent home for four or five years. Barchi declined to estimate how much it would cost to develop the center over the upcoming years, though funds will be needed to pay new faculty members, acquire equipment and eventually fund a site. In the long run, he added, the center will not prove a strain on Penn's budget. Barchi explained that fundraising for the Agenda will cover some of the costs and the University will also fundraise specifically for this project. Barchi also noted that while research centers require initial capital to get up and running, they usually receive significant funding and grants from outside sources, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Barchi explained that cognitive neuroscience is a "hot area educationally," adding that over the past 20 years "there has been an evolution of new technology to look at the brain." Several other universities -- including Harvard, Columbia and Cornell universities -- have announced similar plans to hire cognitive neuroscience faculty and construct facilities for the growing field. Barchi acknowledged that there will be "aggressive competition" between schools for faculty and resources, but he said Penn will "make sure we're at the forefront." Committee member and Neurology Professor Mark D'Esposito said he is excited about the interdisciplinary nature of the center. "[Cognitive neuroscience] draws on different types of people from different backgrounds, all at one common goal," he said.
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