Heart vs. Mind: What makes us human?

Join us for an enlightening discussion that is sure to inspire and inform.

David Paterson is Professor of Physiology at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Merton College. He is a graduate of the University of Otago (NZ) and The University of Western Australia, which awarded him a Hackett Scholarship to New College (University of Oxford).

As a young scholar, he won the Rolleston Memorial Prize for best doctoral thesis in the biological and physiological sciences, before going on to become a widely acclaimed cardiac neurobiologist. He is best known for his work linking the nervous system to heart rhythm, featured in the 2012 BBC Four documentary, Heart v Mind: What Makes Us Human?

Since 2016, Professor Paterson has been Head of the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics at Oxford (ranked first in the world). He has played a major role in academic publishing, serving as Editor-in-Chief of Experimental Physiology (2008-11) and The Journal of Physiology (2011-16). In 2020, he was elected President of the Physiological Society of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Professor Paterson is the European lead on the USD$8m transatlantic network of excellence grant in cardiovascular science, focused on neuromodulation therapy and diagnostics for cardiac arrhythmia. He is an elected Member of Academia Europaea (Academy of Europe) and an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Society of New Zealand.

This event will be moderated by Livia Hool, Wesfarmers, UWA - Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Chair in Cardiovascular Research. Livia is recognised internationally as a leading cardiovascular electrophysiologist, making significant contributions to our understanding of the mechanisms of sudden cardiac death and cardiomyopathy.

Co-hosted by Forrest Research Foundation, the event will be lead and hosted by Lucy Furfaro, Forrest Alumnus and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leadership Fellow, UWA.

Date: Fri 15 Dec 2023

Time: 17.30 AWST

Location: Forrest Research Foundation, Forrest Hall 1, 21 Hackett Drive, Crawley WA 6009

Parking: Along Hackett Drive and within grounds of UWA, free after 5pm

Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the philosophy and biology of the human heart. Reserve your spot today!

Guests will be invited to stay for drinks and networking on conclusion of the formalities.

This event is a collaboration between UWA Public Policy Institute and Forrest Research Foundation