The human brain is an incredibly complex organ, and scientists are still learning about how it works. One of the most important things that scientists have discovered about the brain is that it is "plastic," meaning that it can change and adapt over time. This plasticity is what allows us to learn new things, remember experiences, and recover from brain injuries.

University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering assistant professor Caleb Kemere is leading a team of researchers who are studying the plasticity of the brain. Kemere's team is using a variety of techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and computational modeling, to understand how the brain changes in response to different experiences.

One of the things that Kemere's team is investigating is how the brain changes when we learn new things. When we learn something new, the brain creates new connections between neurons, or brain cells. These new connections are called synapses. The more synapses that are created, the stronger the memory becomes.

Kemere's team is also studying how the brain changes when we recover from brain injuries. When someone suffers a brain injury, the brain tissue can be damaged. This damage can disrupt the connections between neurons, making it difficult for the person to think, remember, and move. Kemere's team is using MRI and EEG to track how the brain changes as people recover from brain injuries. They are also using computational modeling to create simulations of how the brain recovers.

Kemere's research is helping to improve our understanding of the plasticity of the brain. This understanding is essential for developing new treatments for brain injuries and other neurological disorders.

Here are some of the key findings from Kemere's research:

* The brain is highly plastic, meaning that it can change and adapt over time.

* Learning new things creates new connections between neurons in the brain.

* The brain can recover from injuries, but the recovery process can be long and difficult.

* MRI and EEG can be used to track how the brain changes in response to different experiences.

* Computational modeling can be used to create simulations of how the brain recovers from injuries.

Kemere's research is providing new insights into the plasticity of the brain. This understanding is essential for developing new treatments for brain injuries and other neurological disorders.