Wendy Suzuki facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wendy Suzuki
Suzuki speaks at the National Institutes of Health in 2016
Alma mater	University of California, Berkeley (BA) University of California, San Diego (PhD)
Awards	Troland Research Award
Scientific career
Fields	Neuroscience Psychology
Institutions	National Institutes of Health New York University
Academic advisors	Marian Diamond David Amaral

Wendy Suzuki is an American neuroscientist, which means she studies the brain and how it works. She is a professor at New York University and is known for her research on how exercise can improve brain health. She also wrote a book called Healthy Brain, Happy Life, which helps people understand how to make their brains work better. Since 2022, she has been the Dean of the New York University College of Arts & Science.

Becoming a Brain Scientist

Wendy Suzuki started her journey in science at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1987, she earned her first degree in how the body works, including human anatomy. There, she met a special teacher named Marian Diamond. Dr. Diamond taught her that the brain can actually change and grow based on what we experience. This idea is called neuroplasticity.

Studying Memory and the Brain

Because she was so interested in how the brain changes and how we remember things, Wendy Suzuki went on to get her PhD in Neuroscience. This was at the University of California, San Diego in 1993. Her research helped us understand that certain parts of the brain are very important for keeping our long-term memories safe. Her amazing work earned her a special award called the Donald B. Lindsley Prize.

Her Work and Discoveries

After getting her PhD, Dr. Suzuki continued her research at the National Institutes of Health from 1993 to 1998. There, she studied how our brains remember where objects are in the world around us.

In 1998, Dr. Suzuki joined New York University. Her main research focus is still on neuroplasticity, which is the brain's amazing ability to change and adapt throughout a person's life.

How We Form Memories

Early in her career, Dr. Suzuki's team studied the hippocampus. This part of the brain is like a special filing cabinet for our memories of facts and events. These are called "declarative memories." Her group was the first to see how brain activity changes in the hippocampus when we try to link different memories together. They also showed how important the hippocampus is for remembering the order of events.

Exercise and Brain Power

More recently, Dr. Suzuki's research has looked at how aerobic exercise (like running or swimming) can make our brains work better. Her team is trying to find the perfect "recipe" for exercise to help with learning, memory, attention, and even our mood.

They have found that even a short burst of aerobic exercise can improve the activity in the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain helps with our personality and making decisions. Dr. Suzuki is also exploring how exercise can help people with mood problems or traumatic brain injury. Her group found that combining exercise with positive thinking can boost brain skills and mood for these patients.

Sharing Science with Everyone

Dr. Suzuki is also great at explaining science to people who aren't scientists. She wrote the popular book Healthy Brain, Happy Life. In her book, she shares her own story of how exercise changed her life. She also explains the science behind why exercise is so good for your brain. She has appeared on TV shows and podcasts to talk about her research and inspire others.

Awards and Achievements

Dr. Wendy Suzuki has received several important awards for her work:

• New York University Golden Dozen Teaching Award, 2010
• National Academy of Sciences Troland Research Award, 2004
• McKnight Foundation Scholar Award, 1998 – 2000
• Donald B. Lindsley Prize, Society for Neuroscience, 1994

She also helps lead the McKnight Foundation, which gives awards to other scientists studying memory and brain disorders.