Bringing together top scientists from the United States and Israel, “Accelerating U.S. – Israel Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Collaborations,” is scheduled for September 11-12, 2012 at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. The conference is jointly sponsored by three major U.S. – Israeli foundations: BSF (U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation), BIRD (U.S.-Israel Binational Industrial Research Foundation), and the USISTF (U.S.-Israel Science & Technology Foundation). Sponsored is provided by the Neurotechnology Industry Organization,The National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel, and Mintz Levin.
Focusing on neuroscience and neurotechnology collaborations between the United States and Israel, a conference highlight will be a special video presentation “The Vision of Neurotechnology” by Israeli President Shimon Peres, an outspoken advocate for brain research. President Peres believes that such research will uncover possibilities today that sound like science fiction, yet hold enormous potential for effective treatment of a variety of brain disorders. President Peres is committed to furthering neuroscience research by bringing together the best minds of the world to work collaboratively with Israeli researchers in this important area of science.
“Brain research is an area which has gained great momentum in the last several years and Israel is among the leaders of this exciting field, and among the very few countries that have reached the commercialization of its academic neurological and brain research,” said Dr. Yair Rotstein, Executive Director at BSF.
The conference will showcase cutting-edge technologies, and research and development underway in the United States and Israel. Leading scientists from both the academic and industrial sectors will share research updates on a variety of topics including memory and brain training, brain-inspired computing technology and brain machine interface, trauma and stroke, brain cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Featuring leading experts in the field of neurology who will share recent breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders and how bi-national cooperation plays a key role in advancing brain research, session speakers include:
- The Honorable Patrick Kennedy, former U.S. Representative for Rhode Island’s 1st congressional district
- The Honorable Michael B. Oren, Israeli ambassador to the U.S.
- Dr. Steven Hyman, Director of the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
- Colonel Geoffrey Ling, M.D., Ph.D., Defense Sciences Office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
- Dr. Jeffrey S. Nye, MD, PhD, VP and Global Head, Neuroscience External Innovation, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of J&J
- Mr. Zack Lynch, Executive Director at the Neurotechnology Industry Organization (NIO).
The conference will conclude with an intimate reception at the Israeli Embassy featuring Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Co-Chair of the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus.
