On Wednesday July 31, the Institute had the pleasure of welcoming a special group of visitors: members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and their friends and families.
The IOC is the worldwide body that oversees the strategic governance of the Olympic Games and is comprised of 105 members from 75 nations. Its responsibilities include choosing the next host country. As Paris Brain Institute is itself a global community of experts from 45 nationalities, the IOC’s visit to Paris for the 2024 Games provided the perfect opportunity for enriching international exchange on neuroscience research.
From the past to the future of neuroscience
14 guests from 9 different countries were welcomed by hosts Véronique De Kepper, member of the Institute’s Campaign Committee, and Jean Todt, the Institute’s Vice-President. They began with a guided tour of key historic sites in the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, including the Chapelle St-Louis and the ‘Pavillion des Folles’. Founded in 1612, the Pitié-Salpêtrière was home to important discoveries in neuroscience and is now Europe’s largest center for clinical neurology.
Guests moved from the past to the future of neuroscience as they were welcomed into Paris Brain Institute by its President Gérard Saillant. They took part in a program of presentations from world-leading experts including:
- Professor Alexis Brice, the Institute’s Executive Director
- Brian Lau, the Institute’s Scientific Director and Head of the ‘Experimental Neurosurgery’ team
- Dr Lara Migliaccio, a clinician and researcher specializing in Alzheimer’s disease
- Fabrizio De Vico Fallani, Head of the Nerv Lab team and a specialist in AI and brain-computer interface
There was ample opportunity for discussion, which led to some fascinating exchanges as our guests had considerable scientific knowledge. Following the presentations they took in a tour of the CENIR, the Institute’s center for neuroimaging, led by Professor Stéphane Lehéricy. The visit concluded with refreshments and enriching conversations.
Professor Gérard Saillant reflects:
We thank all our guests for their enthusiastic participation in this special international visit. Brain disorders are a worldwide issue and it is only by working together across borders that we will be able to address this global emergency. We look forward to welcoming back any IOC members and their families to Paris Brain Institute in future, and we hope that some will choose to join us on this scientific and human adventure.
Dr Lara Migliaccio added:
It’s always good for the heart and brain to meet people interested in our research! It’s motivating and beneficial for our work.
Paris Brain Institute’s Campaign Committee would like to express its heartfelt thanks to the IOC and to Mme Claudia Bach for making this visit possible.