Oct. 30 symposium on enabling technologies for aged |
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26 October 2004 ATTENTION: Health and science writers and editors, weekend editors |
Contact:
By Dan Mogulof, Media Relations
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WHAT
"From the Lab to the Home: Enabling Technology for the Aging Population," a day-long public symposium that will explore, through demonstration and discussion, emerging technologies and new research efforts aimed at the health and welfare needs of an aging population.
Sponsored by UC Berkeley's Center for Research and Education in Aging, the conference will feature prominent scientists discussing questions ranging from the practical - "How will wireless sensor networks support independent living?" - to the theoretical ? "Why do we age?"
WHEN
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30
WHERE
Valley Life Sciences Building, Room 2050, UC Berkeley
WHO
Participants will include:
George Brooks, UC Berkeley professor of integrative biology, who will discuss the role of physical activity in aging and new information about "satellite" cells found in human muscle, a potential reservoir of personal stem cells.
Judith Campisi, senior scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, who explores the basic mechanism of aging and the challenges facing efforts to extend human longevity.
Michael West, president and CEO, Advanced Cell Technology, who is a controversial scientist, entrepreneur and author ("The Immortal Cell"). He will discuss his latest work on embryonic stem cells and his belief in their potential to yield new therapies for the treatment of diseases related to aging.
Eric Dishman, director and principal research scientist at Intel Proactive Health Lab and national chair of the Center for Aging Services. Dishman is leading Intel's research into aging-in-place technologies. He will demonstrate the ability of a home-based wireless sensor network to help people with mild cognitive impairment cope with everyday social situations.
William J. Jagust, UC Berkeley professor of public health, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, who will explain how brain imaging is now being used to explore the mysteries of Alzheimer's disease, and how new technologies hold out the promise of significant improvement in predictive and therapeutic efforts.
Ruzena Bajcsy, professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences and director of the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) at UC Berkeley. Bajscy will discuss her work on new electronic means to monitor elderly individuals so that they can remain efficient in their home environment.