NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Systems Engineering Seminar
Neuroplasticity and Innovation
Presented by:
Col. Bedford Boylston MD, US Army / GSFC IPP
February 1, 2011, 1:00 p.m.
Building 3 Auditorium
Abstract:
Neuroplasticity and Innovation
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change as a result of one's experience. Targeted cognitive therapy using brain fitness computer modules can increase a young engineer's productive lifespan. NASA is expected to do more with less, so increasing innovation will be required to succeed in future projects. Increasing an individual's ability to innovate can be augmented with targeted cognitive therapy. Innovative Partnership Program is one NASA avenue to take these innovations of space missions and channel them to productive uses on earth.
Biography:
Dr. Boylston has an undergraduate degree from Harvard University, medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University, surgical residencies in general surgery, vascular surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery. He has worked on research projects of myocardial preservation at Columbia University, serum biomarkers for carcinoma of the lung at University of Kentucky, and artificial lung support using Novalung for blast lung injuries with the US Air Force. Col Boylston has served in the US Army Reserve for 23 years and is a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon in private practice. He lives with his wife on a horse farm outside of Gettysburg Pennsylvania.
Col. Bedford Boylston MD is an intern in the Innovative Partnership Program and an advisor for medical application of advanced NASA technologies. He was injured at the 345th CSH in Tikrit Iraq and has been in treatment at the Walter Reed for the past 21 months. His lecture on neuroplasticity and innovation derives from a year of cognitive therapy using the brain fitness center at Walter Reed.