The Saban Research Institute 2012 Annual Symposium
"Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: The Developing Mind"
On December 14, 2012, The Saban Research Institute explored growing evidence that the earliest physical, environmental and emotional childhood experiences impact the developing brain and can have varied and lifelong effects on health. The Symposium convened a diverse group of nationally recognized experts and honored Cheryl Saban, PhD, Haim Saban and The Saban Family Foundation for a decade of building healthier futures through The Saban Research Institute. The event also honored Floyd H. Gilles’ 50-year commitment to improving the lives of children by searching for innovative cures for neurodevelopmental diseases, including the announcement of a new annual event in his honor, the Floyd H. Gilles Annual Lecture in Neuroscience Research.
Message from the Director, The Saban Research Institute
A growing body of research suggests that the earliest physical, environmental and emotional childhood experiences impact the developing brain and can have varied and lifelong effects on health. Given the complexities of the brain and the many possible influences, a broad but unified approach for investigation, assessment and care is required to significantly advance pediatrics and child health.
This multidisciplinary approach to “the developing mind” has deep roots at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and USC. Today’s honoree, Floyd H. Gilles, MD, was named head of the Children’s Brain Center at Children’s Hospital in 1999. This newly formed center, which brought together 12 medical disciplines in addition to creating a new research program in Developmental Neuroscience as a joint venture with USC, would in 2006 become the foundation for the Institute for the Developing Mind.
The Institute for the Developing Mind continues the collaboration between Children’s Hospital and USC and is dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological differences through clinical care informed by innovative translational research.
For decades, Gilles has recognized and advocated for the importance of this integrated vision of research and clinical care. Today we are advancing his vision as we strive to understand the interplay of genetics, molecular biology and neuroscience and their effects on autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental issues.
As we convene this diverse group of nationally recognized experts on the neurodevelopmental origins of health and disease, I ask you to be aware of the unique opportunity we have been presented to change the course of lives and to help children maximize their potential.
I am pleased to extend my sincerest gratitude to the many philanthropists with us today and to those who could not attend. Your commitment to the health and well-being of children is a vital part of our many successes and our future goals.
This year I would especially like to acknowledge Cheryl Saban, PhD, Haim Saban and The Saban Family Foundation as we approach the 10th anniversary of their transformational gift that resulted in the naming of The Saban Research Institute. I would personally like to thank them for their vision and commitment to transformative research devoted to children. Their philanthropic leadership will continue to have a profound impact on our quest for hope and brighter futures for children.
