By Michelle Jaffee
Over 180 neuroscientists and trainees from across the U.S. and abroad discussed the latest research findings in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, frontotemporal dementia and related disorders at the University of Florida-hosted 5th International Research Conference on Neurodegenerative Diseases July 9-12, co-sponsored by the MBI.
“It was a fantastic showcase of the strengths in neuroscience and neurodegeneration research at the UF College of Medicine and a fantastic opportunity for our trainees, many of whom were awarded prizes for their presentations,” said conference chair Gemma Casadesus, Ph.D., a UF professor of pharmacology and therapeutics.
Among the scientific sessions, topics included AI, breathing control, aging and traumatic brain injury, all in the context of risk factors for neurodegeneration and diagnostic and biomarker tools for early detection — all areas of strength at UF.
Sponsored by the Global Association for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases, the meeting featured 96 speakers and 37 posters presented by trainees, and 60 participants were UF faculty members, trainees or students. Keynote presentations were given by trailblazers in the field: Chiara Zurzolo, M.D., Ph.D., of the Pasteur Institute in Paris; Leonard Petrucelli, Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville; and Don Cleveland, Ph.D., of the University of California San Diego, who was awarded the Lifetime Research & Mentoring Award.
