PALM BEACH, Fla. (December 13, 2012) – Nearly 100 guests
attended a private reception at the Palm Beach home of
Yvonne and Nasser Kazeminy
on Dec. 4 to learn more about the scientific research and
achievements at the newly named
Max Planck Florida Institute
for Neuroscience. The event was part of the grand
opening ceremonies for the new 100,000 sq. ft. research
center in Jupiter. Nasser Kazeminy serves on the Institute’s
board of trustees. Dr.
Peter Gruss, president of Germany’s Max Planck Society and
Dr. David Fitzpatrick,
scientific director and CEO of the Max Planck Florida
Institute welcomed the group. Research Group Leader
Dr. McLean Bolton
shared her reason for choosing the field of neuroscience
and discussed her research focused on brain circuitry
related to understanding schizophrenia.
Dr. Axel Ullrich
of the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany concluded the evening with a
presentation on his team’s exciting findings in the field of
molecular biology and cancer treatments.
Guests in attendance included
German State Secretary Cornelia Quennet-Thielen;
German Counsel General
Countess Eva Kendeffy;
Jeff and Katy Amling;
Kenneth and Blair Beall;
Mark Cook;
Alex and Renate Dreyfoos;
George Elmore;
Howard and Patricia
Lester; Gary
Lickle; Hillie
Mahoney;
George Michel;
Mike and Barbara Mitrione;
Greg Novak;
Ahmed and Shari Toufanian;
Wally and Betsy Turner;
Greg and Bettina Young;
and Mariette DiChristina,
Editor In Chief of
Scientific American.
“This is an important and historic week for both the Max
Planck Society and the State of
Florida,” said
Dr. Fitzpatrick. “We have created a research environment
where we are limited not by laboratory walls or even the
laws of physics. We are limited only by the furthest reaches
of our mind. This institute will attract not only the best
in the field of neuroscience from around the world,
generating opportunities to create pathways to medical
breakthroughs that had once been little more than science
fiction.”
The nonprofit Max Planck Florida Foundation supports the
Institute’s scientific research as well as its educational
programs by attaining private philanthropic support from
individuals, corporations, and foundations across the United States
and with organizing and coordinating all fundraising
programs.
For more information, visit
www.mpffoundation.org.