University at Buffalo (UB) 
Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Clinical and Translational Science InstituteAdvancing research discoveries to improve health for all
Community of Scholars Seminar Series
The goal of the Community of Scholars (COS) Seminar Series is to provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about topics addressing health disparities and clinical and translational research, which are central components of our Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). Attendees from all disciplines including medicine, nursing, dentistry, public health, and pharmacy are invited to attend.
The Community of Scholars Workshop Regularly Scheduled Series (RSS) series – UB CME Course Code # 0608 is approved for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM.
Upcoming Seminars
Decoding Mechanisms and Creating Tools for Social Cognition and Behavior
Assistant Professor Adjunct
Department of Psychiatry
Yale School of Medicine
July 21, 2023, 11:00 AM
LOCATION (Hybrid): Clinical and Translational Research Center - 5019 A+B Murphy Family Seminar Room and online via Zoom.
Social cognition is critical for human health and is necessary for our ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion. Social isolation leads to increased pro-inflammatory gene expression and overall mortality and has been linked to increased cardiovascular risk, functional decline, and to an increased likelihood of death. In addition, many psychiatric conditions including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and ASD manifest with altered social connections and behavior. However, there remains no FDA approved medication for targeting and improving social behavior. The impact of social cognition on survival is also seen in many other species and is thought to be evolutionarily conserved and mediated by conserved neural mechanisms. Thus, we take a multidisciplinary, translational approach to dissect the neural mechanisms underlying fundamental aspects of social cognition and behavior. Our research lies at the boundary of social neuroscience, machine learning, psychedelics, and music psychology and is ultimately aimed at advancing our understanding of social cognition’s impact on mental health. To that end, we use data from rodent, primate, and human social neuroscience experiments and apply state of the art computational approaches to identify the neural circuitry mechanisms that support social behavior and the ways in which psychedelics, music, and mindfulness can change behavior to enhance social connection and treat mental health symptoms in the clinic and community.
Dr. Allsop will be hosted by Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Jamal B. Williams, PhD. “In addition to his world-class training as both a scientist and a physician, AZA is a very talented musician and incorporates all of these experiences into his work,” says Williams.
For more information, contact scholar1@buffalo.edu or 716-829-4718.
Past Seminars
JUNE 13, 2023
May 23, 2023
February 28, 2023
December 6, 2022
December 6, 2022
June 28, 2022
June 21, 2022
June 7, 2022
November 16, 2021
September 27, 2021
May 18,2021
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT