Waking up the brain with Professor Donald Pfaff

Sunway University’s popular Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Speaker Series (TSJCDSS) recently invited Professor Donald W. Pfaff, Head of the Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behaviour at The Rockefeller University to present a lecture titled Waking up the Brain: Mechanisms Underlying the Central Nervous System Arousal.

Professor Donald Pfaff presenting a talk under the TSJCDSS.

Professor Pfaff who is renowned in the area of brain science, uses neuroanatomical, neurochemical and neurophysiological methods to study the cellular mechanisms by which the brain controls behaviour. His study revealed how high levels of activity in the brain arousal circuitry can be connected with high levels of sexual arousal. Through his lecture and experimentations with lab rats, all 120 attendees learnt that specific chemicals induced in specific parts of the brain can determine individual behavioural responses.

120 guests attended the lecture at Sunway University.

After the lecturer, Professor Pfaff welcomed many question from the floor from practising doctors, medical lecturers, the general public and students. Also present was Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, Chancellor of Sunway University, founder and chairman of the Sunway Group of companies in Malaysia who later presented a token of appreciation to Professor Pfaff.

Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah presenting a token of appreciation to Professor Donald Pfaff.

The TSJCDSS is a way Sunway University gives back to the community and public by encouraging lifelong learning and intellectual empowerment. Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah is passionate about education and seeks various methods to empower the community through education. Through the TSJCDSS, the public is presented with an opportunity to listen to a series of expert speakers presenting on a vast array of topics. Sunway University has also conducted many socially responsible activities in the past and is on a mission to contribute to society through education.