Community Corner
🌱 How a UVA scientist is helping rewire Down syndrome brain circuits
Coming up: Matthew O'Donnell on the University of Virginia Patch calendar
Hello University of Virginia! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a UVA scientist is helping rewire Down syndrome brain circuits
- How did a former chem major end up leading 700 MBAs?
- How a late-night road-rage clash ended at UVA Medical Center
Also on today's calendar: Beethovens - Friday 10am and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in University of Virginiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in University of Virginiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Rain and drizzle in the p.m., with a high of 50 and low of 42 degrees.
- Friday: Windy with clouds and sun, temps: high: 58, low: 27.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 50 and low of 41 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Scientists rewired down syndrome brain circuits by restoring a missing molecule (sciencedaily.com) — A UVA School of Medicine neuroscientist is helping pioneer a potential new way to improve brain function in Down syndrome by restoring a key molecule called pleiotrophin, at least in mouse models. Working with colleagues from the Salk Institute, she showed that targeting astrocytes in adult brains can boost synapses and plasticity, and she’s continuing this promising research at UVA Health’s Brain Institute and BIG Center. 
2. Meet Alexa Bartels: UVA Darden's Student Association President (virginia.edu) — UVA Darden students may recognize Alexa Bartels, Class of 2026, as the energetic president of the Darden Student Association helping shape daily life on Grounds. After studying chemistry at UVA and working in pharmaceutical manufacturing, she returned to Charlottesville to lead 700 MBA classmates with a collaborative, hands-on style rooted in empathy and community-building.
3. Waynesboro man arrested after alleged road rage, stabbing that hospitalized woman (whsv.com) — A woman from nearby Augusta County was hospitalized at the University of Virginia Medical Center after an alleged road-rage stabbing in Waynesboro, highlighting a serious violent incident affecting residents who rely on UVA’s regional trauma care. Police say a 59-year-old Waynesboro man was arrested, charged with aggravated malicious wounding, and is being held without bond pending a court appearance.
4. Q&A: How is the Netflix hit series ‘Stranger Things' predicting the future of streaming? (virginia.edu) — A UVA Darden School of Business professor is using the runaway success of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” to explain how so‑called “superstar series” shape the future of streaming. His new study looks at how analytics, audience demand and release strategies like staggered season drops help platforms grow subscribers and keep viewers hooked, offering insight into a fast-changing media landscape from right here at UVA.
5. Professors sound alarm on research grant cuts, calling it ‘crisis situation' at UVA (29news.com) — Major federal grant cuts are hitting University of Virginia research labs hard, with $74 million in terminated funding already forcing hiring freezes and threatening local jobs and medical breakthroughs. UVA faculty and staff describe a growing “crisis situation” for students’ research opportunities, long-term brain drain, and Charlottesville’s role in future medical advances, while campus organizers urge the community to push university leadership to fight back.
📸 Around University of Virginia
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🗓 Upcoming Events in University of Virginia
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Matthew O'Donnell
The Whiskey Jar, 227 W Main St, Charlottesville
7:30 pm
Thursday December 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Albemarle/Charlottesville Chapter Meeting
Friends Quaker Meeting , 1104 Forest St. , Charlottesville
6:30 pm - Wise County Chapter Meeting
Mountain Movement Hub , 113 E 4th St S , Big Stone Gap
6:30 pm - Beethovens - Friday 10am
Musicology , 2220 Ivy Rd Suite 404 , Charlottesville
10:00 am - Festive Bubbles
Birch + Bloom , 540 Massie Rd , Charlottesville
4:00 pm - Christmas at The Paramount
The Paramount Theater , 215 E Main St , Charlottesville
2:30 pm - Shakey Graves
The Jefferson Theater , 110 E Main St , Charlottesville
7:00 pm - Jon Spear (solo)
Glass House Winery & Brewery , 5898 Free Union Rd , Free Union
2:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
📣 University of Virginia Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM!
🗓 Events Nearby
- BWRT Holiday Luncheon
Amy Yang Photography Studio , 609 E Market St #110 , Charlottesville
12:30 pm - Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting
Charlottesville Public Meetings -
5:30 pm - Wise County Chapter Meeting
Virginia Organizing Mountain Movement Hub, 113 E 4th St S, Big Stone Gap, VA, 24219, United States
6:30 pm - Albemarle/Charlottesville Chapter Meeting
Virginia Organizing Friends Quaker Meeting, 1104 Forest St., Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
6:30 pm
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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Ok University of Virginia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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