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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain
@umn-midb.bsky.social
91 followers 30 following 34 posts
The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain is dedicated to fostering the healthy brain function of children across the lifespan.
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Join us for a hybrid presentation about evidence-based intervention for autistic individuals with intellectual disability and/or high support needs in Grand Rapids, Minn. on Nov. 20 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Learn more & register ➡️ z.umn.edu/MIDB1120
A young boy using a wheelchair smiles while interacting with a tablet outdoors. A red banner reads “Nov. 20, 11:30–1:30 p.m.” Below, text on a yellow background announces a hybrid presentation titled “Service Needs and Evidence-Based Intervention for Autistic Individuals with Intellectual Disability and/or High Support Needs (School-Age and Up)” in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
November 19, 2025 at 1:52 PM
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🚀 New from MIDB: Free, self-paced training modules for providers supporting children’s mental, emotional, developmental and behavioral health.

Learn more and get access ➡️ z.umn.edu/MEDBProviderModules
Landing page showing three self-paced online training modules on autism: 'Autism: Supporting Newly Diagnosed Children and Their Families,' 'Autism Assessment,' and 'Early Autism Intervention: What Works, Why It Matters.'
November 17, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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MIDB researchers Drs. Maria Kroupina, Jeffrey Wozniak, and Jessica Simacek recently presented at the Zero to Three LEARN Conference, highlighting how brain research is driving new clinical, intervention, and community outreach models to support children facing early adversity 💡
A wide shot of a large audience seated in a conference hall at the Zero to Three LEARN Conference. The room is brightly lit with white ceiling panels. Many attendees, mostly women, are seated in rows of chairs, looking toward the front of the room (off-camera). Two men in the front row are visible and facing the stage. Dr. Maria Kroupina stands at a gray, fabric-covered lectern in an indoor conference room, gesturing with her hands during a session at the Zero to Three LEARN Conference. From left to right, Drs. Jessica Simacek and Maria Kroupina stand smiling in front of the blue and yellow "ZERO TO THREE LEARN Conference" backdrop. Dr. Jeff Wozniak stands smiling in front of the blue and yellow "ZERO TO THREE LEARN Conference" backdrop.
November 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
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What a day for brain science! 🧠✨

We loved connecting with our community at Brain Day this past Sunday, where MIDB teams from Creativity Camp, the MnTiC Lab, CDNI, and the CEEd Hub shared interactive demos and hands-on experiments, celebrating discovery at the U of M.
Five smiling people in matching blue "Brain Day 2025" t-shirts stand side-by-side behind a table at an event hosted by the Center for Developmental Neuroimaging. A woman in a blue t-shirt smiles behind a table of colorful stress toys, engaging in conversation with a boy wearing a paper brain hat and a man in a black shirt, at Brain Day. Four people sit at a "Creation Station" table with art supplies. A chalkboard sign behind them features a "Community Puzzle Portrait" and "Creation Station" in chalk. Three young women in blue "Brain Day" t-shirts sit behind a table displaying a brain model, hand sanitizer, and a poster explaining Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Tics and OCD.
November 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
umn-midb.bsky.social
Join us for a sprint focused on autism spectrum disorder, part of our larger Project ECHO webinar series!

🗓️ Thursdays, Oct. 30-Nov. 20, 12-1 p.m.

Ideal for primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, mental health & educational providers ➡️ z.umn.edu/autismsprint
A graphic with a maroon background and yellow text that reads: 'Expand Your Expertise. Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Training for Providers.' A large yellow circle with a black arrow pointing right is in the upper right corner. The University of Minnesota MIDB logo is in the bottom right.
October 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM
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Stop by the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids, Minn. on Oct. 30 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for a presentation and listening session! Learn about what every good autism evaluation should include and share your insights. Register ➡️ z.umn.edu/as7l
An event flyer with a split background: a gold-yellow section on the left and a deep burgundy section on the right. The text on the left reads: "Join us for an autism evaluation presentation and listening session in Grand Rapids!" The text on the right provides details: "Date: Thursday, Oct. 30. Time: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Location: North Central Research and Outreach Center, 1861 US-169, Grand Rapids, MN 55744."
October 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
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In the first episode of the "Brain Health Solutions for All" series, a collaboration between MIDB and the Youth Community Journalism Podcast, youth journalists interview experts on addiction and recovery, including CEEd Hub director Dr. Dziwe Ntaba ➡️ youtu.be/PKinAXdRdiM?...
Three people, including youth journalist, Dr. Benjamin Clark, and Dr. Dziwe Ntaba, are seated at a table for a podcast recording.
October 14, 2025 at 2:20 PM
umn-midb.bsky.social
Join us for a free Mood Disorders Sprint, part of our larger Project ECHO webinar series!

🗓️ Thursdays, Sept. 25-Oct. 16, 12-1 p.m.

Ideal for primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, mental health & educational providers!

Register ➡️ z.umn.edu/mdsprint
Graphic with the title 'Mood Disorders Sprint.' On the left, a smiling woman hugs a young girl. On the right, four teenagers stand outside together, smiling with backpacks, notebooks, and headphones
September 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
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🚀 Big news: With a $3.3M NIH grant, MIDB members Meghan Swanson, PhD, and Mark Schleiss, MD, are leading a first-of-its-kind study of infants born with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV).

Learn more ➡️ med.umn.edu/news/univers...
Headshot photos of Dr. Mark Schleiss (left) and Dr. Meghan Swanson (right).
September 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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Inspired by a personal health journey, our teammate Russell is competing in the Madison Ironman on Sept. 7 to raise funds for the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain.

Join him in supporting brain health ➡️ z.umn.edu/RussellIronmanMIDB
September 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
umn-midb.bsky.social
Are you a provider or care connector? Help us better understand community needs and experiences in accessing children’s mental, emotional, developmental, and behavioral health by participating in a series of surveys. Learn more about the research study ➡️ z.umn.edu/BHSurvey
Graphic with the following text: Research study seeking M/E/D/B (Mental, Emotional, Developmental, and Behavioral Health) child and adolescent providers. Includes a bubble that says "online survey" and the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain logo.
August 20, 2025 at 9:15 PM
umn-midb.bsky.social
Inspired by a personal health journey, our teammate Russell is competing in the Madison Ironman on Sept. 7 to raise funds for the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain.

Join him in supporting brain health ➡️ z.umn.edu/RussellIronmanMIDB
A man (Russell) wearing a light blue button-up shirt, green hiking pants, sunglasses, and a hat smiles at the camera. He is holding two hiking poles and stands on a rocky mountain path. In the background, there is a large, snow-capped mountain peak. A family of three smiles at the camera for a portrait. A man in a dark blue shirt (Russell) stands on the right, with a woman in a black floral dress on the left. A young girl with reddish-blonde hair stands in front of them, smiling. They are standing in front of a body of water at sunset.
August 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
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The Mental Health Action Festival at MIDB was a vibrant celebration of science and community!

Thanks to the CEEd Hub and the Strong Body Strong Mind Foundation, and to all who joined us for performances and meaningful conversations with MIDB experts 🧠
Dr. Damien Fair speaking at the Mental Health Action Festival at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. Dr. Fair is accompanied by an interpreter, name unknown.
June 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
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This past month, Dr. Katie Cullen hosted a celebration at MIDB for participants of Imagination Central—a research study that incorporated a 9-month weekly arts and science after-school program. Guests enjoyed a short film, conversation & an exhibit of teen-created work! 🎨
Paper mache dolls displayed in a wooden box with flowers and greenery. Paper mache crafts displayed in a wooden box with flowers and greenery. A wall with youth-created artwork pieces, as well as a wooden like sculpture. Paper mache dolls displayed in a wooden box with flowers and greenery.
June 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
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Jessica Simacek, PhD, recently presented at the 2025 Military Mental Health Conference in Little Falls, Minn., sharing insights in a talk titled "Improving Access to Pediatric Behavioral Health Care for Military-Connected Children and Families" 🧠
Dr. Simacek presents at the 2025 Military Mental Health Conference at Little Falls, Minnesota. She stands beside a podium and gestures while speaking. A screen behind her displays a slide about the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, including a photo of the MIDB building and a diagram of its collaborative focus areas.
May 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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MIDB is excited to partner with the Strong Body Strong Mind Foundation's Youth Community Journalism Institute on "Brain Health Solutions for All"—a new, youth-led project to make brain science more accessible, inclusive, and community-driven. Learn more ➡️
www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-p...
Youth community journalists at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain in Minneapolis.
May 1, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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April is the Month of the Military Child! Military families often face added challenges when seeking support for developmental, emotional or behavioral health. MIDB is proud to partner with the Department of Defense make care more accessible through telehealth ➡️ z.umn.edu/MIDBDoDStudy
A Black woman in military camouflage embraces her young daughter as they look at a laptop together. The woman is smiling warmly and leaning in close, while the girl, wearing a light purple shirt, smiles softly.
April 30, 2025 at 9:37 PM
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New research, led by MIDB members, sheds light on early development in children with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC), a condition where the brain’s two sides are not fully connected 🧠

Learn more ➡️ z.umn.edu/ACCStudy
Smiling young child holding colorful plastic toys, including blue and green rings, while interacting with an adult. The background shows part of a playpen with bright green accents.
April 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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Frequent moves. Complex systems. Limited access. Military families face unique challenges when seeking care for their children’s behavioral health. MIDB is working to change that—by improving telehealth and making services easier to find and access ➡️ z.umn.edu/MIDBDoDStudy
April 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
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Jed Elison, PhD, a member of MIDB, was recently named a Distinguished McKnight University Professor! This prestigious title recognizes outstanding University of Minnesota faculty members who have recently achieved full professor status.

Congratulations, Dr. Elison! 👏
April 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM
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April is the Month of the Military Child. With over 1.6 million military children facing unique challenges, MIDB is proud to partner with the Department of Defense to support them. Learn more about our study ➡️ z.umn.edu/MIDBDoDStudy
Celebratory graphic for "Month of the Military Child" with photos of military families and themed text.
April 3, 2025 at 8:32 PM
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This past weekend, MIDB's CEEd Hub teamed up with University of Minnesota Extension for Spotlight Science: Brain Power at the @bellmuseum.bsky.social! 🧠✨ Over 400 visitors explored the brain through hands-on activities like our lobe puzzle & hemisphere challenge.
March 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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MIDB was recently represented on Capitol Hill! 🏛️

Drs. Jessica Simecek and Damien Fair shared updates on their Department of Defense-funded project focused on improving telehealth access for children and families with behavioral health needs.

Learn more about the study ➡️ z.umn.edu/MIDBDoDStudy
February 26, 2025 at 3:12 PM
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A research team led by Christine Conelea, PhD, a member of #MIDB, recently received a 3-year, $1.2 million grant from the NIH to study the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a treatment for youth with Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders.

Read more ➡️ med.umn.edu/news/u-m-med...
February 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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MIDB members shined at the Department of Pediatrics' Julie Ross Departmental Awards!

👏 Emily Nagel, PhD, RD, LD – Best Clinical/Translational Paper (pictured)
👏 Katherine Satrom, MD – Translational Researcher

Amazing work by our talented team!
February 6, 2025 at 3:17 PM