Faculty and students from the School of Science of XJTLU attended two important international neuroscience conferences and delivered speeches

17 Oct 2024

Professors, students and staff members of the School of Science at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) successfully participated in two important international neuroscience conferences in September. The first event was a 3-day International Triangle Neuroscience-2024 Conference. It was held on September 23-25 and took place consecutively in the cities of Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Suzhou, and was organized and supported by three universities, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (ZCMU), Jiaxing University College of Medicine (JUCM) and the School of Science, XJTLU.

These three cities, known for their rich cultural heritage and scientific advancements, provided an ideal backdrop for fostering collegial collaboration, knowledge exchange, and cutting-edge innovation in neuroscience research. The conference was co-chaired by esteemed Professor Alan Kaluev, a faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and a member of the European Academy. Speakers represented 16 institutions, 8 countries and 3 continents, and included 4 members of the European Academy, 2 members of Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as Professor Minyan Wang (a plenary speaker), Assistant Professor Lee Wei Lim, and researcher LongEn Yang from the School of Science and Professor Claire Zhang of the Academy of Pharmacy at XJTLU.

The conference attracted significant attention and was well attended by more than 30 XJTLU UG, MRes and PhD students, serving as a unique innovative platform for leading neuroscientists, researchers, and students to converge and share their latest findings, methodologies, and insights. This exchange of knowledge is crucial for advancing the frontiers of neuroscience, driving interdisciplinary collaborations, and addressing key challenges in the field. Bringing together participants from Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Suzhou, as well as international delegates, this conference facilitated the cross-pollination of ideas and approaches, ultimately enriching the global neuroscience landscape.

Immediately following the first event, professors, students and staff members of the School of Science at XJTLU successfully participated in the 17th Annual International Conference of Chinese Neuroscience Society (CNS-2024), held in Suzhou Sept 26-29, 2024. This major annual neuroscience event attracted over 5000 delegates from all over the world, and its extensive scientific program included nearly 50 symposia on different topics of neuroscience. Professor Alan Kaluev, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science at XJTLU, chaired the symposium on Zebrafish Neuroscience, with 6 highly recognized speakers from China, Russia, Japan, Poland and Armenia. The conference was well attended by XJTLU professors, staff and students. By engaging with leading experts and peers from around the world, they were able to gain valuable insights into the latest advancements in neuroscience research, cutting-edge methodologies, and emerging trends in this exciting field.

Participation in an international neuroscience conference of this caliber also fosters a global perspective, allowing the XJTLU delegates and especially the students to appreciate the diversity of research approaches and scientific cultures, as well as to increase the overall visibility of XJTLU as a leading international research-led university. Exposure to a wide range of research topics and interdisciplinary collaborations can inspire the students and scientists to consider new research directions and innovative thinking. Additionally, they also benefited from attending keynote lectures, workshops, and panel discussions, which can broaden their knowledge and enhance their critical thinking skills.

During the CNS-2024, Professor Alan Kaluev had a working meeting with the Society’s Vice President, Professor Zhiqing Xu, and warmly invited him to visit our XJTLU campus. During the zebrafish symposium chaired by Professor Kaluev, an exhibition displaying the best five (5) zebrafish artworks made by XJTLU staff and students in traditional Chinese style with calligraphy, was also put forth for the delegates to enjoy.

These two major scholarly events (International Triangle Neuroscience-2024 Conference and the 17th Annual International Conference of Chinese Neuroscience Society 2024) provided the rapidly growing School of Science and XJTLU neuroscience community with excellent networking opportunities, potentially leading to collaborative research projects. It also increased XJTLU’s international standing, serving as an important transformative experience, enriching XJTLU students’ academic journey and contributing to their development and growth as future scientific leaders in the field.

Material:Professor Alan Kaluev, Longen Yang
Review:Professor John Moraros, Dr Lifeng Ding

17 Oct 2024