THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3,
1999
Krasnow Institute program earmarked in FY2000 Federal Budget Bill
The Krasnow Institute's Receptive Language Project has been earmarked for $750,000 of support in the massive Fiscal Year 2000 federal budget bill just signed by President Clinton. The project, lead by Dr. Barbara Given, has focused on the possibility of ameliorating receptive language disorders in adolescents by means of non-invasive techniques using computer games. Dr. Given and her collaborative team are engaged in work that clearly translates progress in basic neuroscience into the field of learning disabilities.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1999
Renowned Neuroscientist Speaks on Artificial Intelligence at the Krasnow
Institute
Tomaso Poggio, Whitaker Professor of Vision Sciences and Biophysics at MIT, discusses his reasearch in a lecture title "Brain and Machines: Learning to See" on Friday, November 5 at 3pm. The lecture is sponsored in part by the Society for Neuroscience's Potomac Chapter. Further information
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1999
Institute Researchers to Participate in Society for Neuroscience Meeting
Krasnow Institute scientists completed final preparations this week and prepared to depart for the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting. This year, the meeting, to be held in Miami, will bring together over 30,000 neuroscientists from around the world. Krasnow researchers will be well represented.
Krasnow Institute underwrites NPR's "All Things Considered" on Radio Station WETA
Many Capital Area residents may have noticed this week the credit given the Krasnow Institute for its underwriting of WETA's NPR progam "All Things Considered." The Institute is committed to the balanced reporting for which this news program has become famous. The underwriting campaign coincides with the Institute's participation in the Combined Federal Campaign for Federal Employees.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1999
The Mason Gazette
Krasnow Professor Receives Alzheimer's Research Award
Giorgio Ascoli, a research professor at the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, is one of five grant recipients of the 1999-2000 Alzheimer's Research Award Fund.
Ascoli's proposal, "The Effect of Dendritic Morphology on Neuronal Electrophysiology in a Lesion Model of Alzheimer's Disease," explores the hypothesis that changes of neuronal anatomy known to occur in Alzheimer's patients cause the impaired behavior of nerve cells at the basis of memory loss and dementia. His research will provide significant evidence about a basic mechanism underlying the neuronal malfunction that typifies Alzheimer's and related diseases.
Ralph Barocas, Psychology, was one of 13 members of this year's awards committee.
The Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1982 to stimulate innovative research into the causes and treatment of Alzheimer's and related diseases, as well as the social and psychological aspects of these disorders.
The competition is limited to researchers in Virginia, and is administered by the Virginia Center on Aging at Virginia Commonwealth University. Each year, faculty members are recruited from a variety of disciplines to serve on the awards committee. For more information, contact the Virginia Center on Aging at (804) 828-1525.
JUNE 25, 1999
The Krasnow Institute Board of Trustees met on June 24, 1999, and among other things created a new post-doctoral fellowship to be named in honor of Dr. Harold J. Morowitz, who served as Director of the Institute from 1994-1998. The awardee, to be named the Morowitz Fellow, will have their name inscribed on a plaque which will hang in the entrance lobby of the Institute. The Trustees felt that this would be a suitable way to honor and, at the same time, thank Dr. Morowitz for his service as Director during the Institute's critical first years. Dr. Morowitz continues on the faculty of the Institute and George Mason University while at the same time serving on the Board of Trustees.
The Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
is an approved participant in this year's Combined Federal Campaign. We
urge our federal colleagues in the Capital Area to consider designating
the Institute (7698) when they participate in this year's campaign.
Our Fairfax Lecture Series continued on October 7, 1999. Jim Trefil presented "Between Intelligent Apes and Smart Computers, Is There Anything Left for Human Beings?"
On June 11-13 ,1999, the Krasnow Institute will be the site of the Biomimetics for Network Security Workshop sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and jointly hosted by the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. The workshop's goal is to identify biologically inspired technologies that, when matured, may contribute to a significant increase in network security capability.
The first two months of 1999 have been very busy for the Institute. The Institute's Board of Trustees added five new members at their recent Board meeting. These include Ambassador Edward Braithwaite, Mrs. Virginia Pomata, Dr. Harold Morowitz, Dr. John Burris and Dr. Maurice Scherrens.
Krasnow's scientific research initiatives have also been moving forward very rapidly. The Institute recently initiated a distinguished lecturer series with George Mason University's School of Information Technology and Engineering. The next speaker in the series will be the Director of the National Library of Medicine, Dr. Donald Lindberg, who will speak at the Institute on March 30 at 3:30PM. The Institute is also planning it's next Fairfax Lecture Series event: GMU's own Jim Trefil will speak on what makes human beings unique at INOVA/Fairfax Hospital's Physician Conference Center in the fall. When more talk details are available, links will be provided from this page.
JANUARY 14, 1999
The Krasnow Institute is now a member of the Washington Board of Trade. Our joining reflects the Institute's committment
to the surrounding National Capital Area. Happy New Year to all of our
friends and colleagues. The Institute's Spring Seminar Series kicks off
on February 1, 1999, with Ivan Divac's talk on "The Prefrontal Cortex:
A Comparative Perspective" at 4:00PM in the Institute's Lecture Room.
Meanwhile, the Institute will be a very busy place in January, culminating
in the January 28 meeting of the Krasnow Board.
On Thursday, October 8, 1998, the Institute was featured in the Fairfax Section of the Washington Post.
"The Mind's The Matter At Institute; How Does the Brain Work? GMU Is Trying to Find Out," Noon. by Victoria Benning (Washington Post Staff Writer) The Washington Post 10/08/98 FINAL, Page V01.
AUGUST 1, 1998
Krasnow Institute Building Wins Design Award
The Krasnow Institute was one of three buildings to receive a merit award for exceptional architectural and site design from the 14th annual Fairfax County Exceptional Design Awards Program. The institute's architect is Dewberry Design Group Inc. in Fairfax.
The design awards program is sponsored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and administered by the County Department of Planning and Zoning and the Architectural Review Board. The purpose of the program is to recognize achievement in the total design of a building and site, and to create an awareness of outstanding planning and design projects among design professionals and the general public. The awards will be presented at a Board of Supervisors meeting this fall.