Kirby Culture

Weekly and Monthly Seminar Series

We have three main seminars, which run roughly from September to June. 

Neurobiology Seminar Series. Mondays at 12:15 PM.

This is a joint venture with the neurobiology department at Harvard Medical School. The seminar features an excellent researcher from institutions around the world. These talks are a great way to learn about cutting edge research from all areas of neuroscience. For the current list, visit: https://kirbyneuro.org/events/ 

F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center Lab Results Talks. Wednesdays at 9:30 AM. 

Each talk features two students, post docs, and/or research assistants from Kirby Center labs or affiliates who present their research. It is a wonderful chance to learn about the amazing work going on all around you.

Translational Neuroscience Seminar Series. Second Tuesday of the month at 12:00 PM.

This series focuses on neuroscience research with a clinical component.  Learn more here: rsztnc.org.

If you are interested in more neuroscience related seminars, you can sign up for the Harvard Brain Science Initiative newsletter at: https://brain.harvard.edu/ 

Happy Hours

Every Friday, a different lab hosts a "Happy Hour" in the CLS 12 Kitchen at 4:30pm.  Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are provided, and all members of the Kirby Center are encouraged to join. This is a great opportunity for folks to mingle with colleagues from different labs and unwind after the week!

Continued Learning

The Kirby Center is committed to organizing critical reflection workshops for folks to learn and develop inclusive mindsets so that everyone feels welcomed and accepted. 

Some of our workshops include: 

• Safe Zone Trainings

• From Bystander to Upstander Workshops

• Addressing Implicit Biases

DID YOU KNOW? Every other Friday, Dick Argys, Chief Culture Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, hosts a virtual Fireside Chat, focusing on how we’re supporting our patients and each other. Learn more about what we’re doing for frontline staff, as well as those who are now working from home, including essential tips on self-care, staying connected, and taking care of your own well-being and resiliency. Learn more here.

Community Outreach

The Kirby Center organizes opportunities throughout the year to work with local organizations and give back to local communities within the greater Boston area. 

Some of our initiatives include: 

•  Food and Utensil Drives to Family Food Connections: Located in Jamaica Plain, BCH launched this community program in collaboration with the Boston Housing Authority. This program provides food and utensils to patient families from various centers as well as residents from the Mildred C. Hailey apartments and the surrounding neighborhood. The site has over 800 visits per week and more than 35,000 visits since it opened in January 2022. 

•  Volunteering with Community Servings: The mission of Community Servings is to actively engage with the community by providing medically tailored, nutritious, scratch-made meals to chronically and critically ill individuals and their families. They commit, in all programs and business practices, to prioritize racial and economic justice and health equity.

• Participation in BCH's "Embrace-a-Family" Program: The goal of Embrace-a-Family is to empower caregivers to make the best choice for their family around the holidays. Whether helping to purchase a hot holiday meal or groceries, donations directly support families in need and gives them something to look forward to/celebrate. This program has fulfilled holiday wishes for 3,161 families (11,000+ individuals) at Boston Children’s since 2009.

• June Eversource Walk for Kids: An annual fundraiser organized through BCH to benefit patient families. All funds raised support care and services for patient families that are not covered by insurance and advance promising research.

If you have an idea for an event, workshop, or community initiative, please email Jordan Bessette.