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July 2026 - Hormones and Brain Health

This edition of the WWN Newsletter explores the profound influence of hormones on the brain. Hormones shape every aspect of brain function; They help shape how we learn, remember, sleep, respond to stress, and adapt throughout every stage of life. In this issue, we celebrate discoveries, ongoing questions, and personal experiences that highlight our understanding of and drive research in neuroendocrinology and women’s health.

World Women in Neuroscience is constantly expanding. Do you want to be part of the growth? Sign up as a member today!

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Members News

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Introducing our WWN Interns

We are delighted to introduce Ms. Aymen Tahir, Ms. Eliza Stulman, and Ms. Faith Hosea. They have joined our WWN team as part of a new initiative, the WWN Internship Program.


To read more, click here.

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Ms. Videsha Bansal recently completed her MSc in Behavioral Sciences at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Her dissertation was titled “Developing a Scientific, Evidence Based EI Module for Top Management Professionals: A Behavioral Approach".

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Dr. Huma Ikram recently authored Gut-Brain Axis and Human Health: Microbiome, Nutrition, and Therapeutic Perspectives, exploring how the microbiome influences substance use disorders, psychological wellbeing, and gut-brain communication. The book also examines dietary models like the Mediterranean diet, highlighting nutrients’ role in promoting health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.


To read more, click here.

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Ms. Sekinat Yusuf recently co-authored Beyond Reproduction: A Comprehensive Review of Oestrogenic Actions in the Mammalian Brain. Motivated by personal experiences, Ms. Yusuf aims to inspire early-career scientists to study women’s brain health and help women worldwide understand the effects of menopause on the brain.


To read more, click here.

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Dr. Rashmi Patil, recently presented at her research Protective Role of Pterostilbene in Metabolic Diseases-Induced Depression at the 20th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP 2026) in Melbourne, Australia. She also received the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) International Travel Grant, which made her participation possible.


To read more, click here.

How to Get Involved

Speakers Bureau

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Mentoring Program

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Upcoming Events

WWN–IBRO Skill Building Campaign

Introducing the next WWN–IBRO Skill Building Program 2026: Scientific Writing

Following a successful campaign launch with "Research Management 101", #WorldWomenNeuro, in collaboration with International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), continues the Skill Building Program with a second series focused on “Scientific Writing”.

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Click here to register

Past Events

WWN Global Connectome 2026

The WWN Global Connectome was a new initiative launched in 2025 that fosters a worldwide network of women scientists dedicated to promoting their research on a local and global stage. Inspired by the concept of a connectome—a map of neural connections—the program serves as a metaphorical bridge, linking women across borders to share knowledge, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. Through its recognition of impactful projects it celebrates innovation while promoting diversity and collaboration in neuroscience.


In the second half of 2026, we celebrated four more WWN-supported Global Connectome events:

  • Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN-ACN) Conference | 18-21 May

  • NeuroFuture: Conversations on Women Advancing Neuroscience Worldwide | 1 June

  • ComSciCon 2026: SciLearning Science vs

    Learning to Do Science | 7-10 July

  • FENS 2026 Forum: Effective Allyship as an Essential Strategy for Professional Career Development | 19 July


To read more about the recent WWN Global Connectome Events, click below. 

Click here to read more

WWN Webinar Series 2026

Conflict resolution in research settings

Our May webinar focused on “Conflict Resolution in Research Settings”, presented by Prof. Vedrana Montana (Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in Hangzhou, China). Held on 27 May at 9.00 am EST, Prof. Montana explored practical strategies for navigating disagreements, improving communication, and fostering respectful collaboration in research settings. Conflict is inevitable in collaborative research environments—but it can also be productive when managed effectively.


If your AI were conscious, how would you know?

We encourage you to watch another WWN Webinar Series, which took place in June 2026 and was presented by Dr. Megan Peters. Consciousness science - and tests for consciousness - rely on human data. Our findings may not generalize to radically different systems like AI. This talk discusses a testing framework built on latent variable modeling and Bayesian belief updating for how we can use the similarity and differences between human brains and minds, and those of machines or other organisms, to test for consciousness and maybe even discover what consciousness is to begin with.

WWN Webinar Series 2026

Members Contributions

*These are the views of the individual authors, and do not necessarily reflect WWN’s views.

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What Women’s Brains Are Teaching Us About Trauma, Memory, and Resilience

Written by Mryam Ali

Read here

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Have you ever felt like a different person across your menstrual cycle?

Written by Nuppur Thapa

Read here

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Hormones Never Sleep

Written by Omowumi M. Femi-Akinlosotu, Olumayowa O. Igado and Kehinde O. Adeniji

Read here

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Hormones Are Universal. Their Effects Are Personal.

Written by Marina Berzina

Read here

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Stress and Cortisol: A delicate balance for Brain Health

Written by Lisha Daniels

Read here

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Your Brain Runs a Night Shift — And Menopause Might Shut It Down

Written by Pardis Parhizkar

Read here

Read more contributions here

Art, Poetry, and Neuroscience

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Wired for love, built for resilience. Effects of oxytocin and estrogen on brain health.

Oxytocin and estrogen are powerful modulators of the brain, influencing neural connectivity, adaptation, and protection. Oxytocin shapes social bonding, empathy, and stress responses, while estrogen supports neuronal health, cognition, mood, and synaptic plasticity. Together, they highlight the powerful connection between hormones, neural circuits, and emotional well-being.


Art by Dr. Rashmi Patil

Poona College of Pharmacy, India

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Love's Invisible Messengers


Across every language, every culture, every shore,

there lives a silent force

that no map can contain,

no border can divide,

and no heart can truly forget.



To read more, click here

Written by WWN member Mufakir Bhanain

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On an ongoing basis, please send us information you would like to include in upcoming our newsletters (such as accomplishments, announcements, job posting, original poetry or artwork, and personal viewpoints you would like to share) to: [email protected]


WWN Newsletter Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Pamela Butler

WWN Newsletter Intern: Ms. Eliza Stulman

WWN Editorial Assistant and Production Editor: Ms. Michaela de Kock

Acknowledgement: Partial funding for the WWN Newsletter is provided by the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)

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