Trauma and stress shape our brains, but they also shape our systems. From clinics to courtrooms, the science of stress is transforming how we understand vulnerability, recovery, responsibility, and justice.

​Join us at Harvard Law School for a cross-campus, interdisciplinary conversation bringing together leaders in neurobiology, psychiatry, neurosurgery, neuroethics, and neurolaw to explore how cutting-edge brain science is reshaping society.

​The Science of Susceptibility: Dr. Nathaniel Harnett will share innovative research on why some are more vulnerable to stress-related disorders, including how systemic factors like inequity and racism leave unique neural signatures.

​The Clinical & Legal Frontiers: The panel discussion will bridge the gap between lab and life, discussing how these findings transform psychiatric care, neurosurgery, and the legal system.

Panelists

• ​Nathaniel Harnett PhD, Director of the Neurobiology of Affective and Traumatic Experience Lab at McLean Hospital, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School
• ​David Silbersweig MD, Stanley Cobb Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Chairman Emeritus for Department of Psychiatry at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• ​Theresa Williamson MD, Neurosurgeon at Brown University and Co-Director of the Neurotech Justice Accelerator (NJAM)
• ​Judge (Ret.) Nancy Gertner, Senior Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School and renowned legal expert
• ​Moderated by Francis Shen JD, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer at MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior and Director of the NJAM Neurolaw Program