Frontiers Forum Deep Dive series

Linking individual stress to societal and planetary health

9 April 2024

At this event on 9 April 2024, renowned scientists explored links among stress, inflammation, cognition, and behavior—and how these may spread and scale, with potentially far-reaching consequences.  


Speakers

  • Yoram Vodovotz

    Prof Yoram Vodovotz

    University of Pittsburgh, USA
    Read bio

  • Dr David L. Katz

    Tangelo, USA
    Read bio

  • Prof Paul Verschure

    Radboud University, the Netherlands
    Read bio

  • Prof Julia Arciero

    Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, USA
    Read bio

  • Prof David Almeida

    The Pennsylvania State University, USA
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  • Prof Jennifer Steel

    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA
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Insights from modeling a multiscale inflammatory map

This event built on a radical hypothesis published in Frontiers in Science, in which inflammation connects stressors affecting individuals to impaired decision-making at scale.  

The article authors and other experts outlined this hypothesis, explored how it can be tested using mathematical models, and discussed steps for reducing stress and building resilience in individuals and societies. 

Agenda


A multiscale inflammatory map | Introduction

Prof Yoram Vodovotz


Charting a path forward

Lifestyle and the environment

Dr David Katz


Prof Paul Verschure

Implications for neuroscience


Prof Julia Arciero

Mathematical modeling


Panel discussion

Audience Q&A


Speaker and contributor bios

  • Yoram Vodovotz

    Professor of Surgery, Immunology, Computational and Systems Biology, Bioengineering, Communications Science and Disorders, and Clinical and Translational Science
    University of Pittsburgh, USA

    Prof. Yoram Vodovotz's groundbreaking work navigates the intricate matrix of computational and systems biology approaches to inflammation in multiple disease states, such as sepsis/trauma, wound healing, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer. As Director of the Center for Inflammation and Regeneration Modeling at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, he leads this work with the ultimate goal of rational inflammation reprogramming.

    Yoram is a co-founder and past President of the Society for Complex Acute Illness, and a co-founder of Immunetrics, Inc., a company commercializing mathematical modeling work.

  • David L. Katz

    Past President
    American College of Lifestyle Medicine, USA

    A specialist in preventive and lifestyle medicine, Dr David L. Katz is the President and Founder of the non-profit True Health Initiative and Chief Medical Officer of Tangelo. With expertise in nutrition, preventive medicine, and epidemiology he has dedicated his career to advocating for a longer, healthy life highlighting the health benefits of a plant-based diet, and its anti-inflammatory effects.

    He is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine, co-author of How to Eat – a 2021 IACP Awards finalist – and has an extensive media portfolio having written for the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

  • Paul Verschure

    Professor of Neurophysics
    Radboud University, Netherlands

    Prof Paul Verschure is a neuroengineering expert striving to find a unified theory of mind, brain, and body using synthetic methods such as brain modeling, robotics, and virtual reality characters to test and apply this theory and develop cognitive technologies to improve quality of life.

    He is a project consultant for the European Commission championing neuroinformatics within research frameworks. He has won several awards, including the 2022 European Innovation Council Award.

  • Julia Arciero

    Professor of Mathematical Sciences
    Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, USA

    Prof Julia Arciero’s research in applied mathematics involves the development and analysis of ordinary and partial differential equation models of physiological phenomena including blood flow regulation, the immune response, inflammation, and cell migration.

    She is currently collaborating with Prof Yoram Vodovotz to develop two mathematical models that incorporate the effects of the inflammatory response to bacterial sepsis and to stress and lifestyle interventions – offering new ways to understand and tackle these health concerns.

  • David Almeida

    Professor of Human Development
    The Pennsylvania State University, USA

    As a life-span developmental psychologist, Professor David Almeida examines the effects of biological and self-reported indicators of stress on health, with particular interest in ageing. He is the creator of the Daily Inventory of Stressful Experiences – a revolutionary way to look at life stressors and improve our understanding of the impacts stress has on our lives.

    David’s current research priorities include (MIDUS) – the biggest study in the U.S. tracking people's daily activities and health over time, and QUINCE – exploring innovative ways to understand how daily stress affects sleep and physical activity.

  • Jennifer Steel

    Professor of Surgery, Psychiatry, and Psychology
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA

    Prof Jennifer Steel’s research explores how mind and behavior affect disease progression, with a focus on how the body's biology and genes determine this. Jennifer is Director of the Center for Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, and Professor of Surgery, Psychiatry, and Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh.

    Her research interests include the formulation of collaborative care interventions to manage cancer-related symptoms, to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. She is a Fellow of the Society for Behavioral Medicine.