Sep 30, 2007
Brain Fitness @ Education, Training, Health events
By: Alvaro Fernandez
In what category does Brain Fitness fit? Education, Productivity and Training, Health? Most of the interest so far has come from a Healthy Aging angle, but we are starting to see broader interest, as in the events below. After all, isn’t working on our brains relevant to all those markets?.
2 busy weeks: I am attending/Â speaking at a variety of events. I will make sure to blog at least the take-aways from the main events daily, and Caroline will also add her perspective as much as possible.
A) October 3-6th: The Aspen Health Forum at the Aspen Institute
B) October 9th: First session of my class The Science of Brain Health and Brain Fitness at the UC-Berkeley Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
C) October 10th: Teaching Brain Fitness in Your Community, workshop at an American Society on Aging (ASA) conference for health professionals
D) October 10th: Science at Work, Interview at the event The Future of Work: Amplified Individuals, Amplified Organizations, organized by the Institute for the Future
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A) October 3-6th: The Aspen Health Forum at the Aspen Institute. This promises to be a fascinating event. See below the panels I am attending-I will make sure to write some notes every day to keep you in the discussion.
Wednesday October 3rd:
Great Expectations: American Attitudes toward Personal Responsibility and Medicine
Healthcare Re-Imagined: Learning from Olympic Athletes
Thursday 4th:
The Damaged Brain: The Fight Against Neurodegeneration
The Human Element: A Candid Conversation about Pioneers of Modern Medicine Â
The Last Frontier: The Mind
Global Scientific Investment
Science Versus the Biological Clock
The Mysterious Human Heart
Friday 5th:
What’s Hot: Emerging Trends in Biotech, Pharma and Health IT
Cracking the Code: Life and Wellness in the Genomic Age
Innovation and Incentives: Can Breakthrough Science Survive Market Forces?
The New Scientific Power: The Role of Philanthropy, Patient Advocates, and Other Novel Partners in Changing Our Medical Future
The Electronic Prescription: How Information Technology Will Change the Face of Medicine
HIV and the World
Applying New Science to Global Health
Saturday 6th (I am flying back to SF on Saturday, so my notes probably won’t appear till Sunday)
Biomedical Ethics
Health, Humanity and Politics: Prospects for Reform
The Female Body
Winning the Game of Life
B) October 9th: First session my class The Science of Brain Health and Brain Fitness at the UC-Berkeley Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). We have over 35 registrants so far, with room available (think about it, if you are in the San Francisco Bay Area). A very beautiful detail I just discovered while checkling out the list of students: there are several husband & wife teams attending the class together.  First reading assignment: Ten Important Truths About Aging.
Description: Neuroscientists have shown how the human brain retains neuroplasticity (the ability to rewire itself) and neurogenesis (creation of new neurons) during its full lifetime, leading to a new understanding of what aging means. In this class, we will review the science behind some of the key concepts in this field and explore their implications on our lifestyles: neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, the Cognitive Reserve theory for healthy aging, computer-based cognitive training programs, emotional self-regulation, and the four pillars for lifelong Brain Health. We have all heard “Use it or lose it.” Latest research suggests “Use it and improve it.” Faculty: Alvaro Fernandez is CEO and co-founder of SharpBrains. He holds an M.A. in education and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. Fernandez started his career with McKinsey & Company and has participated in the launch and turnaround of several education companies, and has been teaching the class “Exercising Our Brains” at San Francisco State University Osher Lifelong Learning Center since 2005.Â
C) October 10th: Teaching Brain Fitness in Your Community, workshop at an American Society on Aging (ASA) conference for health professionals.
Description: According to the Wall Street Journal, a new wave in brain health programs for older adults is moving through the country. What are you providing in your site? This session will give you a sampling of a model brain health series that you can conduct in your site. The session will introduce you to the science of brain fitness, including many engaging brain exercises to do individually or in a group. Exercise Your Brain: New Brain Research and Implications has been taught at several different Bay Area locations including the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes.
Presenter: Alvaro Fernandez, MBA, MA, CEO and Founder, SharpBrains, San Francisco, CA .
D) October 10th: Science at Work, Interview at the event The Future of Work: Amplified Individuals, Amplified Organizations, organized by the Institute for the Future
Format: David Pescovitz, Research Director, Institute for the Future, interviews Alvaro Fernandez
Description: We are on the brink of a new “scientification” of work. Over the next decade, workplace science will more frequently draw from advances in neuroscience, biology, and mathematics, enabling design based on quantifiable information. Alvaro Fernandez, co-founder and CEO of SharpBrains, sits down with David Pescovitz to discuss how neuroscience can be used to improve productivity and thinking abilities, thus creating better workers. Immersive Missions: As Cognitive Resources Managers and Neurological Trainers, you’ll put the latest brain science to work—on yourselves!Â
As promised, you can expect a write-up of the main take-aways during every event. Neurons, get ready!
[...] Education, Training, Health events: some events I will blog about/ speak at over the next 2-weeks. [...]
[...] Brain Fitness @ Education, Training, Health events: an overview of a number of conferences and university classes with a brain fitness angle. [...]