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Neuroscience For Kids

Real Genius is Awarded
By Ellen Kuwana
September 24, 2008

How would like to receive $100,000 each year for the next five years? You can - all you have to do is be a "genius," as the awards from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation are informally known.

The money is to recognize outstanding work by young (well, relatively young, most recipients are in their 30s and older) people at a "pivotal point" in their career. All different people get the awards. This year, nine scientists (of a total of 25 awardees) received a phone call to tell them they were geniuses.

"The idea is to pick exceptionally creative people at an important moment in their career and give them the financial freedom to pursue their work," said Jonathan Fanton, president of the MacArthur Foundation, as reported in the Boston Globe newspaper.

Let's meet the two genius neuroscientists, who are both women:

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