LONGEVITY AND VIBRANCY OF THE BRAIN
March 27, 2019 - San Francisco, CA
An evening of exploration with brilliant minds
On March 27, guests joined their hosts and special neuroscientists to spotlight the latest advancements in understanding the brain and mind. In attendance were thirty scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and other creative individuals with a deep interest in neuroscience. Select wines and healthy hors d’oeuvres were served.
The featured host for the BrainMind evening was Dr. Joon Yun, longevity pioneer, Stanford radiologist, and healthcare investor. Joon spoke about cutting-edge topics in longevity and neuroscience, including his latest initiative on Capitol Hill, where he worked with policy makers to create the groundbreaking National Institute of Nutrition (New York Times OpEd here).
Neuroscientists from Stanford and UCSF, along with entrepreneurs, presented their latest work in the field. Speaker information was provided at the bottom of the invitation.
Hosts
JP Conte, Genstar Capital
Michael McCullough, BrainMind
Dr. Joon Yun, Palo Alto Investors
Hillary Thomas, Hillary Thomas Designs
Agenda
Our speakers will give short three-minute talks to introduce their work and then disperse to host intimate fireside chats where participants can dive deeper into their specific topics of interest. Given the number of talented scientists and entrepreneurs speaking, we have previously found this format to be successful and allows for open conversation.
Your co-attendees on March 27 will be as impressive as the speakers, including prominent scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and artists with a special interest in optimizing brain and mind performance. Current/previous attendees to BrainMind gatherings have included Ed Boyden (prolific neuroscientist and inventor), Mike Krieger (Co-Founder of Instagram), Vinod Khosla (Founder of Sun Microsystems), Steve Case (Founder of AOL), Tom Kalil (former Deputy Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy), Rich Diviney (creator of the Mind Gym for Seal Team 6 and other elite special forces), and others. A surprise guest will also be joining later in the evening.
Dr. Andy Josephson, the Chair of the Department of Neurology at UCSF, will also present his exciting work in neurologic diseases, science, our current grand challenges as a field, and treating difficult to diagnose inpatient neurologic conditions.
Katharina Volz will be sharing her work, using machine learning to unearth a cure for Parkinson's Disease. Neuroscientist and entrepreneur Rebecca Brachman will present her cutting-edge work on a vaccine for PTSD and depression.
Brilliant scientists Nolan Williams, Casey Halpern, and Nirao Shah from Stanford will be presenting their latest as well.
We'll begin at 7:00pm with drinks at JP and Hillary's home and talks will start at 7:30pm; delicious treats will be available throughout.
Speakers
Dr. S. Andrew Josephson specializes in neurovascular and other neurologic disorders, caring for general neurology and stroke patients in the hospital as well as in clinic. He is the founder of UCSF's Neurohospitalist Program and specializes in difficult to diagnose inpatient neurologic conditions. He serves as Chair of the Department of Neurology and is the Carmen Castro Franceschi and Gladyne K. Mitchell Neurohospitalist Distinguished Professor.
After graduating from Stanford University, Dr. Josephson earned his medical degree at Washington University in Saint Louis. He completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in neurology at UCSF, where he was chief resident. He also completed fellowships in neurovascular neurology (stroke) and behavioral neurology at UCSF and is board certified in both vascular neurology and neurocritical care.
Dr. Andy Josephson
Her primary research interest is related to brain and synaptic plasticity both in physiological and pathological conditions, with the primary aim to apply her basic findings to the cure of neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer and Parkinson Disease. In the last 15 years she focused on the understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the composition, the structural organization and the dynamic of the glutamatergic synapse. In this frame she was coordinator of one European Commission VI FP project (Synscaff) and of two VII FP projects (REPLACES, cPADS) and partner one VII FP project (SYMBAD). A total of 160 pubmed indexed papers have been published.
Professional and academic career
Laurea cum laude in Chemistry and Pharmacology Technology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Milan - 110/110 (1986)
PhD in “Pharmacology”, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of
Milan (1992)
PhD in Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of
Utrecht (1993)
Monica Di Luca
Dr. Katharina Volz is CEO and Founder of OccamzRazor. She was Stanford University's first PhD in Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, earning her degree in just two and a half years. Dr. Volz attended Germany's Biotechnology High School and was listed on Forbes 30u30 (Science). She has been awarded multiple fellowships and awards doing research in labs at 10 prestigious institutions around the world, including: Harvard, UCLA, HHMI, Ohio State, TU Graz and Stanford University.
OccamzRazor is building the first ever complete map of a disease — in this case, Parkinson’s disease. It allows us to understand how the disease works, identify biomarkers, develop new therapeutic targets and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. With this map, we will be able to navigate the intricacies of the brain and reveal new hidden connections to find the quickest path to a cure.
Dr. Katharina Volz
Dr. Williams is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Director of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab. Dr. Williams has a broad background in neuropsychiatry, completing residencies in both neurology and psychiatry.
In addition, he has specific training and clinical expertise in the development of brain stimulation methodologies under Mark George, MD. Themes of his work include (a) examining the use of spaced learning theory in the application of neurostimulation techniques, (b) development and mechanistic understanding of rapid-acting antidepressants, and (c) identifying objective biomarkers that predict neuromodulation responses in treatment-resistant neuropsychiatric conditions. He has published papers in high impact peer-reviewed journals including Brain, American Journal of Psychiatry, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
Results from his studies have gained widespread attention in journals such as Science and New England Journal of Medicine Journal Watch as well as in the popular press and have been featured in various news sources including Time, Smithsonian, and Newsweek. He started the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab in 2015.
Dr. Nolan Williams
Casey H. Halpern, MD, is Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and, by courtesy, of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University Medical Center. Dr. Halpern received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Neurological Surgery and a fellowship in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He focuses on the surgical treatment of movement disorders and epilepsy and has particular interest in minimally invasive surgical approaches, as well as neurostimulation procedures.
Dr. Halpern's lab is a collaborative and joint effort with Dr. Robert Malenka, investigating the effects of deep brain stimulation in various mouse models of human behavior related to behavioral disinhibition. Obesity is not only one of the largest public health threats in the world, but it also provides a model to examine behavioral disinhibition, manifested by impulse control disorders. In the case of obesity, these present themselves as binge eating and loss of control over eating. However, such impulse control disorders are a common clinical feature in countless neurologic and psychiatric conditions. Dr. Halpern's team of scientists are examining all aspects of translating basic science and experimental findings to the human condition.
Dr. Casey Halpern
Rael Cahn is Assistant Professor with the USC Department of Psychiatry doing research at the USC Brain and Creativity Institute. He has an MD and PhD in Neurosciences from the UC San Diego School of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program and has been conducting neuroscientific research on meditation and psychedelics since 2001. Dr. Cahn has published numerous basic neuroscience investigations of meditation and psilocybin-induced states and traits of consciousness. Dr. Cahn is currently investigating the neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying both advanced states of non-dual and narrative-free awareness in long term meditators as well as the clinical benefits of mindfulness practices relative to depression, trauma, anxiety and addiction. In addition, he is currently running a study assessing the epigenetic changes underlying the clinical efficacy of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD in collaboration with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. He is the director of the newly established USC Center for Mindfulness Science where he leads an interdisciplinary team of faculty devoted to exploring the genetic, neurophysiologic, psychological, social and clinical impact of mindfulness practices. His research enterprise over the coming years is focused on expanding clinical and neuroscientific research on the use of psychedelic medicines in tandem with contemplative practices to assess the synergistic and potentiating benefits of these two ways of accessing psychological health and well-being.
Dr. Rael Cahn
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