Previous Fora / 2011
VÍZI, E. Szilveszter
Former President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Prof. E. Sylvester Vizi, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sci., M.HAS., is a member of many learned societies including: the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Academia Europaea (London), the Academia Scientiarum et Artium Europaea (Salzburg), the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine and the Russian Medical Academy. Prof. Vizi was the President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences since May 2002- May 2008, and is an internationally recognised leader in pharmacology and neuroscience. He has authored and/or co-authored over 450 scientific publications as well as having written or edited several books, both in his discipline and on wider scientific issues (e.g., Vizi, E.S., Science in the Future of Europe. 1994). Vizi has received several awards and prizes.
Dr. Vizi has made fundamental contributions to our understanding of the nonsynaptic chemical communication between neurons in the brain. During his three years at Oxford, he provided, in association with Sir William Paton, the first neurochemical evidence of presynaptic inhibition of transmitter release from nerve terminals via the stimulation of presynaptic heteroreceptors. His discovery of “nonsynaptic” communication in the brain, of how remote neuronal cells are able to talk and listen to each other has changed the way we think about brain function.
Vizi is an influential and progressive figure in science policy and in the dissemination of science in Europe (President of the Society for Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge (2000- ) and Hungarian Atlantic Council (2009- ). Vizi has advocated the position that scientists have two paramount obligations: to gain knowledge and to share their knowledge with the public.
One of his most important achievements, was the inception of the TV series “Mindentudás Egyeteme” (University of Knowledge for Everybody), which broadcast lectures and debates on science. Dr. Vizi and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, in a partnership with UNESCO, established the World Science Forum – Budapest, a world conference series on science, knowledge, economy and society.
ABSTRACT
11:00-13:00 18 NOVEMBER
THEMATIC SESSION II. Hungarian Academy of Sciences:“Networks”
Networks and Neurosciences
The recent advancements in scientific research into the nature of highly complex systems, the development of a global world-economy, the never seen progresses in world-wide communication and information exchange, as well as a great many evolvements in our everyday life have called the scientific world’s attention to have a closer look at, and analysis of, networks.
The networks of more than 15 billion neurons and their dynamic interactions form the basis of the activities of the human brain, the most complex and sophisticated system in the universe known to us. Networks of radiosenders and receivers, fiberoptic and electric cables, satellites and ground stations, servers of personal computers and millions of related devices form the basis of a massive global information network through which people and machines can exchange information and affect each other’s activities. Sophisticated and intricate social networks form the basis of political and social interactions within and among countries and peoples. Networks are essential and fundamental parts of our everyday life and are that of Nature.
The present thematic session will focus on the various scientific approaches developed recently in network research and the speakers will survey cutting-edge research on the mathematics of information and communication networks, the physics of natural network-based phenomena, the biology of the human brain’s networking activities and the social aspects of human network formation.