Through the
continued generous support of the M. R. Bauer Foundation,
the M. R. Bauer Colloquium Series at the Volen National
Center for Complex Systems has completed its third year.
The 1996-97 Colloquium Series included presentations on
topics ranging from the role of potassium channels in
the nervous system to the way the brain directs physical
resources in the function of working memory. Guest lecturers
came from New York, Maryland, Virginia, and California
to speak at the Volen Center.
The Bauer Foundation
also supported the 1997 Volen Center Annual Retreat, which
was again held in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Approximately
125 faculty, staff, researchers and graduate students,
came together for discussions, lectures, and informal
talks. This year, the focus was on a blend of activities
within the Center. Dr. Marilyn Albert, from the Massachusetts
General Hospital's Department of Psychiatry/Gerontology,
was our guest keynote speaker. I was pleased to have the
opportunity to make a presentation as well, the first
time I have spoken at a Volen Center Retreat.
The value of
the Bauer Colloquium Series and Annual Retreat is considerable;
these opportunities for scientists from different disciplines
to come together to discuss their work, as well as to
hear presentations by their colleagues from other institutions,
create an enriching atmosphere. Especially for younger
scientists–the students, postdoctoral trainees, and
junior faculty–these activities challenge participants
to reconsider what they know from new perspectives.
In closing,
I would like to mention that I am stepping down as director
of the Volen National Center for Complex Systems, a position
I have held in conjunction with my teaching and research
since the Center was established in 1989. It is my pleasure
to introduce Professor of Biology Laurence F. Abbott as
the next director. Professor Abbott received his Ph.D.
from Brandeis in 1977, and has taught here since 1979.
His primary research area is the mathematical modeling
and analysis of neurons and neural networks.
It has been
a privilege to lead the Volen Center and watch it grow
into a flourishing research and training environment.
It is time for a new director, from a different discipline,
to lead this interdisciplinary community of scientists.
I look forward to concentrating more fully on my own research
and to seeing what new horizons the Volen Center approaches
under Larry Abbott's leadership.
Irwin B.
Levitan
Nancy
Lurie Marks Professor of Developmental Neuroscience
Director, Volen National Center for Complex Systems
