I have long been interested in the science of biologicals (organic chemicals that occur naturally in biological systems) as therapeutic agents. Over the years there have been many such stories–probably the strongest evidence is found in the fish oil story within the context of cardiovascular disease. But here (click on the link above) is a new/old wrinkle: turmeric (think mustard and Indian food) as a preventative for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Jim

Today we commence the Krasnow interview portion of the simultaneous searches that are underway for junior-level faculty neuroscience positions at George Mason. I’m really looking forward to spending some time with the first of our candidates.

There are also some potential opportunities for more senior investigators here given the new expansion space and I’d informally urge individuals who may be interested to contact me directly.

Jim

The Chronicle flames the new US government grants portal. Lots of good points in my opinion.

Jim

The picture is of the Layne Kalbfleisch’s talk–the last scientific talk of Day 2.

We ended the first day of the retreat with a lively discussion about
the definition of “mind”. What’s difficult of course is to approach
something that is so clearly ultimately dependent upon introspection
(we’re really only sure that we ourselves have a mind) with a data-
driven, hypothesis testing approach. I brought up the notion that
practically we need to consider mind operationally: what it will take
to build machines that can pass the Turing Test. Or to be more
specific: what will be inside those machines that will allow them to
manifest mind.

This morning, we are beginning with a talk on the study of Stroke
using brain imaging methodologies and crucially computational
approaches to modeling blood flow non-invasively. This is a very
exciting project that is an on-going collaboration between Inova
Fairfax Hospital and our own Juan Cebral. We’ll go till about noon
today with a series of talks and then go into a session with just the
PI’s to discuss the Krasnow scientific program writ large.

Jim

I’m live blogging from the 3rd Annual Krasnow Scientific Retreat. As with previous years, this is the time during the year when the entire Krasnow scientific family (PI’s, trainees and staff) gather off-site to hear short talks on all of the Institute’s scientific programs. This year the theme is “mind” ( as preparation for our upcoming Decade of the Mind Symposium), but frankly we’re beginning at the level of origin of life work funded by the NSF and over the next two days will be working our way towards higher cognition.

I find this retreat incredibly useful because it not only informs me about each research group’s latest research findings, but also because it enables me to see overall where the actual scientific intersections in the Institute’s overall science portfolio.

But if I find the retreat useful, I think it’s even more useful for our scientific staff because it provides the seed corn for future collaborations.

Jim

Kudos to Jane Wendelin for being named Mason Employee of the Month for January. Jane runs our business operations and we’re all very very proud of her accomplishments.

The gentleman giving her the award is George Mason President Alan G. Merten.

Jim

Some great advice for junior faculty on how to manage in the upwards direction.

Jim

Of course referring to Galileo’s metaphor.

The money quote:

But the image of the book of nature can haunt us today. One reason is that it implies the existence of an ultimate coherent truth – a complete text or “final theory”. While many scientists may believe this, it is ultimately only a belief, and it is far likelier that we will endlessly find more in nature as our concepts and technology continue to evolve. Furthermore, the image suggests that the “text” of the book of nature has a divine origin. The idea that the world was the oeuvre of a superhuman author was the precursor of the idea that it was the engineering project of an intelligent designer. This implication has led some contemporary sociologists of science to succumb to the temptation of characterizing scientists as behaving, and seeking to behave, in a priest-like manner.

The most important lesson to be found in Galileo’s image is the need to keep developing and revising the metaphors with which we speak about science.

Very good point and kudos’s to Robert P. Crease at Stony Brook.

Jim

Must have close to a record: Phoenix to BWI in 3 hrs and 15 min. I guess the pilot must have not had to pay for the gas or there was an incredible tail wind. In any case, the editorial board meeting was very useful. One area that we’re looking at going is into publishing “position papers”. So what’s a position paper you may ask? Well, around the table we had different ideas–and I’ve certainly got my own. One aspect of a position paper is that it points the way to a future research direction and often includes some primary data. Another is that is generally a bit more speculative that the discussion section of a regular research paper. But I’ve certainly got to think about it more.

Here in Arlington, it’s warmer than it was in Phoenix. In fact, walking the dogs this morning, I felt nothing so much as like my native LA’s climate had moved inside the beltway. It’s certainly local warming, if not global.

Jim

I promised late last year to put up a preliminary announcement of our
major event for this semester. Hence…

Over May 21 & 22, 2007, the Institute will host a national “Decade of
the Mind” Symposium. “Decade of the Mind” will launch what is
anticipated to be the starting point of a ten-year research
initiative that will focus on the study of the mind from an
interdisciplinary perspective that includes neuroscience, cognitive
science, computer science, computational social sciences,
computational biology and psychology. Eight speakers (listed below)
have been confirmed to speak over the two-day period. The speakers
will also participate in the finalizing of the “manifesto” document
that will present the future scope and goals for the “Decade of
Mind”. Not insignificantly, the symposium will add to the
celebratory atmosphere at the Institute surrounding the completion of
laboratory expansion wing.

I am proud to announce the extraordinary group of “Decade of the
Mind” symposium guest speakers:
George Bekey (USC)
Floyd Bloom (Neurome, Inc.)
Patricia Churchland (UCSD)
John Holland (UMich)
Nancy Kanwisher (MIT)
Gordon Shepherd (YALE)
Vernon Smith (GMU)
Giulio Tononi (UWisc)

As the program and logistical details for the “Decade of the Mind”
Symposium become finalized, they will be posted on the Institute's
“News and Events” web page.

Jim