Huskie Trek Talks spotlight bold ideas, creative work and community‑driven research emerging from NIU. Modeled after TED‑style presentations, the annual program sponsored by NIU Foundation brings forward concise, high‑impact talks from faculty, staff and students whose work reflects the ingenuity and “Huskie spirit” that define NIU.
The 2026 Trek Talks highlighted 10 projects, including Jamie Mayer, a professor of speech-language pathology, who was selected to present “Two Generations, One Goal: Keeping Our Minds Healthy.”
“I loved being able to share what I do in more of a storytelling format versus the research-based presentations I’m used to giving,” Mayer said, “and to do so in front of an audience including administrators and Foundation members was just such a unique and incredible opportunity.”
Mayer, the principal investigator for the Brain Resilience Through Active Communication and Engagement (BRACE) Lab at NIU, shared information on a program she oversees that pairs NIU students with older adults in senior living communities to build brain health through interactive activities that strengthen mental resilience and social connection.
Grant funds totaling $90,000 were provided by the NIU Foundation Board of Directors and its grants
committee, the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships and award sponsor Molex. Following her talk, Mayer received a $5,000 grant award that will help her to continue to grow her Brain Health program, reaching more older adults both locally and more broadly.
“Brain health during the aging process is just so vitally important, and we have made so much progress in understanding how to maximize this,” Mayer said. “Now we just need to leverage our resources as a university to share this knowledge with others.”
Huskie Trek Talks showcase NIU’s commitments to expanding transformational experiences, inspiring discovery and innovation and fortifying our future.
“It was also a wonderful way to learn about the huge variety of innovative projects happening at NIU,” Mayer said. “I’m so proud to be part of our university and what it represents!”
Learn more about Huskie Trek Talks at niu.edu/research-innovation/huskie-trek-talks.
