From Sci-fi to Sci-fact: New developments in neurotechnology for health and beyond

2025 BRAIN AWARENESS WEEK – ANNUAL DISTINGUISHED NEUROETHICS LECTURE

2025 Distinguished Neuroethics Speaker:
Laura Y. Cabrera, PhD, Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Neuroethics, Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Philosophy, and Bioethics, Pennsylvania State University

Panelists:

  • Benoit-Antoine Bacon, PhD, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of British Columbia
  • Christopher R. Honey, MD, DPhil, Alcan Chair in Neuroscience, Professor and Head of the Division of Neurosurgery, University of British Columbia
  • Julie M. Robillard, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology, University of British Columbia
  • Lakshmi N. Yatham, MBBS, FRCPC, EMBA, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia

Moderator:
Judy Illes, CM, PhD, UBC Distinguished Scholar in Neuroethics, Professor of Neurology, University of British Columbia

Overview:
New developments in neurotechnology are blurring the lines between what we thought was possible and what we thought it was in the realm of science fiction. In this lecture, Dr. Cabrera will explore groundbreaking advancements in neurotechnology that are transforming science fiction into reality, as well as their profound implications for healthcare and beyond. In particular, Dr. Cabrera will focus on key ethical considerations to ensure these technologies are developed and used for the benefit of society.

Event details:
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
C300 Theatre, UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 3B7 (map)

Everyone is welcome! This public, in-person event is free, but registration is required.
RSVP here: https://bit.ly/2025baw


Laura Y. Cabrera, PhD
Dr. Laura Y. Cabrera is the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Neuroethics. Dr. Cabrera is an Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Philosophy, and Bioethics at Penn State University. She is Senior Research Associate at the Rock Ethics Institute, and affiliated with the Center for Neural Engineering. She is also Faculty Affiliate at Neuroethics Canada, University of British Columbia, as well as at NeuroTech Institute, a joint venture uniting The Ohio State University and Battelle Memorial Institute. Dr. Cabrera is an honorific member of the Mexican Neuroethics Society, chair of the P7700 – Recommended Practice for the Responsible Design and Development of Neurotechnologies – Standard Development Group, past chair of the IEEE Brain Neuroethics Subcommittee, and member of the International Neuroethics Society (INS) Board of Directors. She is a Senior IEEE member. Dr. Cabrera’s interests focus on the ethical, societal and cultural implications of the design, development and use of neurotechnologies and other disruptive technologies.