Arvin Gouw, 2004
Student researchers go to Austria
The Seventh Symposium on Neurobiology and Neuroendocrinology of Aging was held at the Kloster Mehrerau monastery in Bregenz, Austria on 18–23 July 2004. The symposium was well-attended by Cal student researchers from the lab of CREA's Dr. Paola Timiras. Students presented posters on topics including organ cryopreservation, curcumin's ability to promote neural cell growth, the effects of growth factors on neuroglial cells, and the relationship of aging and calorie restriction to endocrine activity.
The Symposium was attended by nine undergraduate students from the University of California, Berkeley, including: Taiyi Diana Kuo, Jenny Lam, Jennifer Lau, Lauren Wu (graduated with honors May 2004), Arvin Gouw, Elaine Thung (graduated with honors May 2004), Irene Thung, and Huayi Zhang, all from the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. There was also Garrett Chinn, who graduated in Bioengineering, May 2004. Mr. Farzin Yaghmaie and Mr. Omar Saeed were undergraduates at the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Yaghmaie also received an M.A. in Endocrinology from UCB. They are currently both attending medical school.
The students' participation in the meeting was supported in part by the Symposium budget and in part by summer fellowships from an NIA AG19145-03 grant to Dr. Timiras.
Abstracts and photos from Bregenz
- Cryopreservation of Syrian Hamster — Taiyi Diana Kuo
- Curcumin Affects Proliferation and Maturation of Neuroglia; Influence of Dose and Duration of Administration — Jenny Lam, Jennifer Lau, Lauren Wu
- A New Role for Neuroglia: Neurogenesis: The Role of Growth Factors in the Growth and Differentiation of Neuroglia — Garrett Chinn, Arvin Gouw, Elaine Thung, Irene Thung, Huayi Zhang
- A Survey of Estrogen Receptor-Alpha Immunoreactivity in the Hypothalamus of Young, Old, and Old-Calorie Restricted Female B6D2F1 Mice — Farzin Yaghmaie
Student Experiences
"The Symposium was enlightening because I was able to listen to scientists from around the world speak about a universal phenomenon — aging. It was also great to get feedback on our project from more experienced researchers. The stay in Bregenz was fantastic — we took walks along the lake, hiked up a mountain, and ate kebabs almost every day."
"Attending the International Symposium on the Neurobiology and Neuroendocrinology of Aging this year in Bregenz, Austria was both a privilege and a pleasure. The symposium had an intimate and supportive atmosphere — all the better to share ideas and make new friends and colleagues. Discussions and talks ranged from broad overviews of the current state of a particular field (good for undergraduates such as myself) to exciting discoveries (a possible new estrogen receptor 'X'). The symposium organizing committee was made up of warm, gracious individuals who wanted us to learn as well as have the opportunity to have fun and take part of the day to experience a bit of Europe. Dr. Timiras and the Center for Research and Education on Aging gave many students like me a great opportunity to experience a close, collaborative environment of distinguished academics, nurturing our scientific interests and cultural education."