Bringing brain science to Basel
From left: Ambassador Ifat Reshef, Prof. Rony Paz, and Swiss Society Chair Eric Stupp.
IN November 2021, the European Committee of theWeizmann Institute of Science(ECWIS) invited Prof. Rony
Paz from the Department of Brain Sciences to join several special events in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The first
was the “Weizmann Lecture” in Zürich on November 24, an annual event hosted by the Swiss Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute, and led by Eric Stupp, Chair of the Swiss Society. Prof. Paz served as the keynote speaker, with more than 150 guests in attendance.
Mr. Stupp introduced Mrs. Ifat Reshef, Israel’s new Ambassador to Switzerland, who shared a few words commending the Weizmann Institute. He then discussed the recently established Swiss Society Center for Research on Perception and Action, a pillar of the Azrieli Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences, Weizmann’s neuroscience flagship. Prof. Paz gave a wide-ranging lecture on the Azrieli Institute, which will promote the full spectrum of neuroscience research—from basic studies to translational work of high clinical relevance—and foster collaborative projects across disciplines.
The following day, Prof. Paz headed to Basel to speak at the annual Year-End Event of the Weizmann Young European Network (WYEN). Launched in 2017, this gathering is hosted in a different country in Europe each year. The 2021 program began with a musical performance by Theater Basel and the Basel Music Academy, followed by opening remarks from WYEN Board Member, Dr. Sanja Tomovska, and Mr. Zohar Menshes, Executive Vice President of ECWIS.
Prof. Paz delivered his keynote speech on the neural mechanisms of cognition and emotion, followed by presentations from various speakers from industry and academia who discussed issues related to aging and longevity. Dr. Christian Tidona, the outgoing Chair of WYEN, provided closing remarks, after which guests were able to mingle and network.
On November 26, Prof. Paz continued on to Vaduz, Liechtenstein, where he spoke at a lunch hosted by the Liechtenstein Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute. Mrs. Rita Kieber-Beck, Chair of the Liechtenstein Society of Friends, gave welcoming remarks, and Zohar Menshes shared an overview of recent updates from the Weizmann campus in Rehovot. Members and supporters of the Swiss Society and the Liechtenstein Society expressed tremendous gratitude and appreciation for Prof. Paz in making the trip to Europe—in light of ever-changing COVID-related restrictions—to share fascinating research and insights
