Carl Zimmer, a science writer for The New York Times, will lead “A Journey to the Center of the Brain,” in a 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 talk in the Nebraska Union Auditorium.

The event, organized by the University Program Council, is free for University of Nebraska–Lincoln students (with a valid NCard) and $5 for all others. Books written by Zimmer will be available for an autograph signing after the talk.

Zimmer will discuss humans’ pursuit of brain mapping and how it will eventually lead to an inner map of human nature itself. In a short time, brain mapping has improved people’s lives, enabling scientists to implant electrodes in the brain to help people with Parkinson’s regain the ability to walk, and also to give paralyzed people the power to control computers. In the future, mapping the brain may lead to better ways to treat many disorders, including autism, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

Along with writing for The New York Times, Zimmer’s work also appears in National Geographic, Scientific American and Discover, where he is a contributing editor. He is the author of six books and won the 2007 National Academies Communication Award. Zimmer also writes an award-winning blog, The Loom.

For more information on UPC events, click here.