Neuroscience Bulletin - News: Innovation of New Generation, Exploration of Future Prospect

2023 Yangtze River Delta Neuroscience Youth Forum Concludes Successfully

Neuroscience, at the forefront of scientific exploration, unravels the mysteries of the human brain and offers hope for treating neurological conditions. To champion the advancement of neuroscience in China, the Youth Innovation Working Committee of the Shanghai Society for Neuroscience hosted the New Youth II Forum by the lakeside of Tai Lake in Huzhou from September 15th to 17th, 2023. Collaborating closely, the Anhui Society for Neuroscience, Jiangsu Society for Neuroscience, and Zhejiang Society for Neuroscience jointly organized this significant event. Themed 'Innovation of New Generation, Exploration of Future Prospect,' the conference sought to ignite the innovative spirit within the new generation. It aimed to bridge the realms of fundamental research and clinical medicine, ushering in a new era of progress in brain science.

Despite its location in the Yangtze River Delta, the forum attracted a diverse array of experts and scholars, totaling 230 participants across 13 provinces. Professor Tifei Yuan, Director of the Youth Innovation Working Committee of the Shanghai Society for Neuroscience, presented an opening ceremony. Jianming Ma, Secretary of the Party Committee of Huzhou Central Hospital, conveyed cordial greetings and high regard to all the science and technology professionals. Secretary Ma introduced the administrative framework and outlined the future development plan of Huzhou Central Hospital. Tianle Xu, Chairman of the Shanghai Society for Neuroscience, praised the forum for its role and evaluated it as "leading innovation, the cradle of elites, nurturing industry-academia collaboration, and creating possibilities." Director Zhaohui Ge of the Academic Department of the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology extended warm congratulations to the New Youth Forum and underscored the forum's commitment to cross-integration between basic and clinical research.

The forum adopted an interactive 'teaching, discussing, and questioning' model, providing dedicated platforms for young scholars, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and experts. The academic reporting session commenced with a presentation by Professor Junli Cao of Xuzhou Medical University, who shared significant breakthroughs that inspired fellow researchers. Eighteen graduate students showcased their enthusiasm and contributions to neuroscience, setting the stage for a promising future. With the motivation and intelligence the graduate students showed, we all anticipated that a new generation in China would build an even more vibrant and improving academic community with a shared future. To foster innovation in neuroscience research among young scholars, the Youth Innovation Working Committee presented awards to graduate students to recognize their contributions.

Taking a groundbreaking approach, the forum set a thought-provoking roundtable discussion, 'Strategies to expedite and enhance the growth of young scholars,' featuring four distinguished experts and four young talents. The roundtable forum concluded that enhancing foundational research and fostering original innovation by empowering the pivotal role of scientific research and establishing sustainable and enduring support mechanisms for researchers.

To foster collaboration between basic research and clinical practice, the New Youth Forum also set up a lakeside conference with the theme of pain, anesthesia, and drug addiction. Prominent leaders in the field of neuroscience in China emphasized the significance of merging fundamental research and clinical applications for pioneering outcomes. They were Professor Zhian Hu from Army Medical University, Professor Jingning Zhu from Nanjing University, Professor Zhong Chen from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Professor Yu Chen from Shanghai University, and Professor Shujia Zhu from Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology(CEBSIT). They highlighted the importance of integrating basic research and clinical practice in achieving innovative outcomes, intending to reach even more significant milestones in science and technology domains.

Embracing the sustainable ethos of 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,' the Youth Innovation Working Committee organized an excursion to Yu village in Anji following informative reports. The itinerary included visiting the Yu Village Development History Exhibition Hall, touring the beautiful tea garden scenery, and gaining insights into the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The transformations of Yu Village offered a broader perspective on ecological civilization. The notion of sustainable development extends beyond ecological and environmental preservation; it also encompasses the ecology concept of advancement of medical education.

Under the Youth Innovation Working Committee's active promotion and with support from local Neuroscience Societies (i.e., Beijing, Shaanxi, Chongqing, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui), the National Neuroscience Youth Forum was established. The upcoming conference, organized by the Chinese Neuroscience Society, will be hosted domestically in various regions, with each event focusing on a specific theme. The New Youth Forum seeks to inspire local neuroscience societies to establish youth innovation working committees and actively foster youth initiatives within the field. Outstanding Youth Forum participants may be candidates for the Chinese Society for Neuroscience's annual meetings or youth committees, promoting unity among young neuroscientists nationwide for contributions to Chinese neuroscience.

In conclusion, Professor Yuan expressed gratitude to the experts and scholars for sharing their insights, hailed the forum's role in nurturing the future of neuroscience, and appreciated the volunteers. The New Youth Forum has established collaborative innovation platforms that bridge basic sciences and clinical applications, thereby accelerating the development of neuroscience among the younger generation. As the saying goes, "The red rising sun will light up the road ahead," indicating that the torch of knowledge now passes to the young generation, lighting the path toward more extraordinary achievements.