Stanford Neuroscience Journal Club
Teaching Kids How to Read and Interpret Scientific Publications
Scientific publications remain the key mechanism for scientists to communicate the results of their original scientific research and findings to the field of medicine. The Stanford Neuroscience Journal Club was initiated by faculty members, Dr. Odette Harris in the Department of Neurosurgery and Dr. Reena Thomas in the Department of Neurology. The intent of this group is to mentor high-school scientists in the critical analysis of a scientific paper and encourage participants to consider a career in the Neurosciences. Our once-per-month meetings offer students an opportunity to read and discuss scientific literature and newsworthy developments in the field of neuroscience in a low-pressure environment, with expert Stanford scientists. There are no coursework prerequisites for participation, just a curiosity for science and a desire to learn how to understand scientific literature.
Application information
Applications for 2023-2024 have closed! Applications for 2024-2025 will open in early Spring 2024.
Application and criteria information:
- Must be in high school during the 2024-2025 school year
- International students are welcome to apply
Please submit:
- A completed application
- A completed parent/guardian form *this form must be completed and submitted as a PDF for your application to be considered
- A completed assumption of risk form *this form must be completed and submitted as a PDF for your application to be considered
2023-2024 Meetings
*Tentative Schedule, Some Dates Subject to Change
*All meetings take place via Zoom
Students are expected to attend these meetings as an important part of their participation in the Club.
- September 19th , 2023
- October 3rd , 2023
- November 7th , 2023
- December 5th , 2023
- January 9th , 2024
- February 6th , 2024
- March 5th , 2024
- April 2nd , 2024
- May 7th , 2024
Our Team
Odette Harris, MD, MPH
Professor of Neurosurgery
Director, Brain Injury
Department of Neurosurgery
Dr. Odette Harris specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and conducts TBI research with a focus on epidemiology and outcomes. Dr. Harris serves in leadership positions at both Stanford and the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health Care System.
Reena P. Thomas, MD, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences
Director, Adult Neuro Oncology Fellowship
Division of Neuro Oncology
Department of Neurology
Dr. Reena Thomas specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. Her research focuses on immune based cancer therapies and chemokine signaling in-, and advanced imaging studies of glioblastoma.
Featured Student
Our JClub Student Leadership Team consists of six high school students from around the country: Jack Zhou, Jerry Zhou, Ariana Awiszus, Serina Cao, Janani Harish and Haiden Guppy. They have been instrumental in the organizing of the 2023-2024 JClub program. We appreciate all their hard work.
The Harris Neuroscience Internship
The Harris Neuroscience Internship provides funding for 6-8 weeks each Summer to support a High School Student (Rising Grade 10-12) in completing scholarly activities in Neuroscience and Neurosurgery focused on topics related to 1) gender and/or 2) health care disparities in the neuroscience.