Newswise — New York, NY, October 9, 2014 - The Child Mind Institute (childmind.org) presented On the Shoulders of Giants, an annual scientific symposium featuring Dr. Pasko Rakic, the recipient of the 2014 Child Mind Institute Distinguished Scientist Award. Dr. Rakic presented his outstanding work on neuronal migration and the development of the cerebral cortex in the human brain. The event highlighted his research as well as how he has influenced subsequent generations of neuroscientists.
Over the years Dr. Rakic has made discoveries that provide explanations for the development of a variety of congenital malformations, including childhood epilepsy, as well as new insight into the possible developmental origin of disorders of higher brain functions, such as autism, schizophrenia and certain forms of mental retardation.
“I am confident that Dr. Rakic’s continuing work will lead to new interventions that could revolutionize the treatment and prevention of brain-based disease,” said Dr. Harold Koplewicz, president of the Child Mind Institute. “This isn’t always true of basic science, but Pasko has always been a visionary and clearly anticipated the collaborative culture in neuroscience that we hope will transform psychiatry.”
Presentations were also made by Dr. Rakic’s protégé Dr. Nenad Sestan, professor of neurobiology and psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine; and his colleague Dr. Matthew State, professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and a member of the Child Mind Institute’s Scientific Research Council. Dr. Sestan presented National Identity and Connectivity and Dr. State concluded with Gene Discovery, Brain Development, and a New Frontier in Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders. Over 100 of Dr. Rakic’s colleagues attended the symposium celebrating his scientific contribution.
In keeping with the symposium’s focus on inspiring the next generation of researchers, the Child Mind Institute also presented its annual Rising Scientist Awards to ten exceptional high school seniors from the New York City metropolitan area who have demonstrated exceptional promise and an interest in neuroscience. For more information on the 2014 Child Mind Institute Rising Scientists Awards please visit: childmind.org/risingscientists
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About the Child Mind InstituteThe Child Mind Institute is dedicated to transforming mental health care for children everywhere. Founded by Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz and Brooke Garber Neidich, our organization is committed to finding more effective treatments for childhood psychiatric and learning disorders, building the science of healthy brain development, and empowering children and their families with help, hope, and answers.
The Child Mind Institute's commitment to open science and interdisciplinary collaboration in children's mental health research accelerates breakthroughs in clinical intervention. To learn more, visit http://www.childmind.org/en/rising-scientist-award/.
About the Distinguished Scientist Award:Each year the Child Mind Institute's Scientific Research Council, comprised of 12 leading scientists from ten nationally renowned academic institutions, selects an exceptional researcher for the Child Mind Institute Distinguished Scientist Award. The award honors outstanding contributions to clinical or basic science in child and adolescent psychiatry, psychology, or developmental neuroscience. The On the Shoulders of Giants scientific symposium focuses on how their research, and the Distinguished Scientists themselves, has influenced subsequent generations of researchers. Past honorees include NIDA director Nora Volkow, MD, Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel, MD, Judith Rapoport, MD, and Jerome Kagan, PhD.
On the Shoulders of Giants and the annual Child Mind Institute Distinguished Scientist Award are made possible by the generous support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
Press Contact:Child Mind Institute 646-625-4341[email protected]
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