Many thanks to The University of Rochester, Neuroscience Graduate Program for sharing a photo on FB and @keanulatino for tweeting the link. The following was posted with the photo.
Maria and her husband Ethan recently met Keanu Reeves while he was filming a movie in Puerto Rico. Ethan was hired as an extra in the film, and he and Maria were invited to a wrap party, where they met Keanu. Ethan introduced Maria as a neuroscientist (he plays one in his new film), and Maria explained to Keanu that she studies fear and avoidance in rats. Keanu then started naming the brain regions involved in fear! Maria was both surprised and impressed by his knowledge. The following Monday, Ethan was working on the set one last time as an extra, and Keanu asked Ethan some science-related questions. Ethan replied that he was unsure but that his wife would have a better answer for him and asked Keanu if he would like to talk to her on the phone about it. “Yeah, let’s do that!” he said. So Ethan called the lab and without hesitation said, “Maria, Keanu wants to ask you some questions about neuroscience. Here he is!” and handed the phone to Keanu. Stunned, Maria quickly gathered herself to answer his questions. What a once in a lifetime experience!