International Society for Neurochemistry
Encyclopedia
The International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) is a professional society
for neurochemists and neuroscientists throughout the world.
. As the field became more popular, scientists recognized that an international association would be useful in helping to propagate research among themselves. In 1962, Jordi Folch Pi
and Heinrich Waelesch proposed the formation of a Provisional Organizing Committee to such a society. The committee eventually came into being in 1963 and had an international membership composed of scientists in the field. Preliminary statues were drafted in 1965 and finalized in 1967 as the Articles of Association of the ISN. At its creation, the society had 226 members.
The ISN began by organizing international and satellite meetings. In 1980, it began offering travel grants for young scientists to attend its meetings. Since that time, it has increased the number of awards it offers, funding travel grants as well as training programs, research in developing countries, and small, specialized medical conferences.
, the American Society for Neurochemistry
, or the Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry.
currently published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Awards to individuals are overseen by the Travel Grants Committee. The ISN Travel Award Program allows young scientists to attend the ISN Biennial Meeting. The Young Scientist Lectureship Awards allow up to two young scientists to attend the Biennial Meeting and present a thirty-minute lecture on a subject in their speciality.
The ISN also supports research symposia through the ISN Conference Committee (ISN-CC). The committee funds small medical conferences that focus on recent research topics and that have an international focus among their attendees. Also under the jurisdiction of the Conference Committee is the ISN Schools Initiative, which schools in different areas of the world that train neurochemists.
Learned society
A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...
for neurochemists and neuroscientists throughout the world.
History
The idea of an organization like the ISN began in the mid-1950s as scientists began to devote more attention to the discipline of neurochemistryNeurochemistry
Neurochemistry is the specific study of neurochemicals, which include neurotransmitters and other molecules such as neuro-active drugs that influence neuron function. This principle closely examines the manner in which these neurochemicals influence the network of neural operation...
. As the field became more popular, scientists recognized that an international association would be useful in helping to propagate research among themselves. In 1962, Jordi Folch Pi
Jordi Folch Pi
Jordi Folch Pi was a Catalan biochemist at Harvard University who is recognized universally as one of the founders of the field of structural chemistry of complex lipids and as a leader in the development of Neurochemistry as a distinct discipline within the Neurosciences...
and Heinrich Waelesch proposed the formation of a Provisional Organizing Committee to such a society. The committee eventually came into being in 1963 and had an international membership composed of scientists in the field. Preliminary statues were drafted in 1965 and finalized in 1967 as the Articles of Association of the ISN. At its creation, the society had 226 members.
The ISN began by organizing international and satellite meetings. In 1980, it began offering travel grants for young scientists to attend its meetings. Since that time, it has increased the number of awards it offers, funding travel grants as well as training programs, research in developing countries, and small, specialized medical conferences.
Mission statement
The mission of the International Society for Neurochemistry is to:- facilitate the worldwide advancement of neurochemistry and related neuroscienceNeuroscienceNeuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
disciplines - foster the education and development of neurochemists, particularly of young and emerging investigators
- disseminate information about neurochemistry and neurochemists' activities throughout the world
Annual meeting
The society holds an bi-annual meeting, which generally is organized in collaboration with a regional society, either the European Society for NeurochemistryEuropean Society for Neurochemistry
The European Society for Neurochemistry is a professional society for neurochemists and neuroscientists from Europe whose research concerns the role and interactions of small molecules in the function, and pathology of the nervous system.-History:...
, the American Society for Neurochemistry
American Society for Neurochemistry
The American Society for Neurochemistry is a professional society for neurochemists and neuroscientists from North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean, whose research concerns the role and interactions of small molecules in the development, growth, function, and pathology of the nervous...
, or the Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry.
Publications
The official journal of the ISN is the Journal of NeurochemistryJournal of Neurochemistry
The Journal of Neurochemistry is a peer-reviewed scientific journal established by the International Society for Neurochemistry in 1956. The journal covers a variety of subjects within the field of neuroscience, but focuses in particular on the "molecular and cellular aspects of the nervous system,...
currently published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Awards
The ISN funds various efforts to improve scientists' understanding of neurochemistry. The Committee for Aid and Education in Neurochemistry (CAEN) supports research endeavours conducted by young scientists or scientists from countries which offer limited support for neurochemical research. In the past, the committee has funded proposals for a variety of purposes, including visits to other laboratories, purchase of research equipment, and participation in scientific workshops.Awards to individuals are overseen by the Travel Grants Committee. The ISN Travel Award Program allows young scientists to attend the ISN Biennial Meeting. The Young Scientist Lectureship Awards allow up to two young scientists to attend the Biennial Meeting and present a thirty-minute lecture on a subject in their speciality.
The ISN also supports research symposia through the ISN Conference Committee (ISN-CC). The committee funds small medical conferences that focus on recent research topics and that have an international focus among their attendees. Also under the jurisdiction of the Conference Committee is the ISN Schools Initiative, which schools in different areas of the world that train neurochemists.