Workshop on Autism Spectrum Disorders
July 31 - August 6, 2017
Application Deadline: May 31, 2017
Instructors:
James McPartland, Yale University
Sergiu Pasca, Stanford University
Jeremy Veenstra-Vander Weele, Columbia University
See the
roll of honor - who's taken the course in the past
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders with complex phenotypes defined by a triad of symptoms that include disrupted social abilities, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and restricted interests with repetitive behaviors. Co-occurring neurological and medical conditions often occur in this disorder. The underlying etiology remains a mystery, but ASD is one of the most highly heritable of neuropsychiatric disorders. This workshop will examine dimensions of ASD on various levels, including sessions on characteristics of the Clinical Syndrome, the neuropathology, imaging, and cognitive neuroscience studies that implicate Circuits and Systems involved in ASD, the current state of findings from Human Genetics, concepts regarding the Developmental Neurobiological basis, the use of Experimental Models, and current Etiological Theories & Hypotheses of ASD.
In addition to learning about the most recent research in these areas, we will explore and debate controversial topics and challenges of basic assumptions in the field. An exceptional faculty with diverse interests will bring the most up-to-date results and theories to the students, making this workshop a valuable resource for young researchers starting out in this fast-moving and expansive field. Not only will it help them build the foundation for their future research, it will also introduce them to many potential collaborators working to understand ASD from different disciplines. The workshop will have hands-on exercises to complement the featured intense lecture sessions. Most importantly, students also will have free-time for reading, informal discussions and recreation on the beautiful campus of the Banbury Center, which includes a beach, a pool and tennis courts.
Please note that selection criteria for attendance at the workshop will be similar to that for regular Cold Spring Harbor courses. Limited financial support is available but will not influence the selection process. Students are expected to stay for the duration of the course. The workshop will begin on the morning of July 31 (students are requested to arrive on the afternoon or evening of July 30) and end by lunchtime on August 6. The workshop will be held at the Laboratory’s Banbury Conference Center located on the north shore of Long Island.
Confirmed 2017 Speakers:
Frances Champagne, Columbia University
Geraldine Dawson, Duke University Medical Center
Éric Fombonne, Oregon Health & Science University
Daniel Geschwind, University of California, Los Angeles
Takao Hensch, Harvard University
Connie Kasari, University of California, Los Angeles
Cathy Lord, Weill Cornell Medical College/ New York Presbyterian Hospital
Declan Murphy, King's College London, UK
Craig Powell, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Bernardo Sabatini, Harvard Medical School
Mustafa Sahin, Harvard Medical School/Boston Children's Hospital
Cindy Schumann, University of California Davis MIND Institute
Nenad Sestan, Yale University Medical School
Alison Singer, Autism Science Foundation
Sarah Spence, Harvard University/ Boston Children's Hospital
Beth Stevens, Harvard Medical School/ Boston Children's Hospital
The course will be held at the Laboratory’s Banbury Conference Center located on the north shore of Long Island. All participants stay within walking distance of the Center, close to tennis court, pool and private beach.
Support & Stipends
Major support provided by the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation
Stipends are available to offset tuition costs as follows:
Interdisciplinary Fellowships (transitioning from outside biology) & Scholarships (transitioning from other biological disciplines) (Helmsley Charitable Trust)
International applicants (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)
Please indicate your eligibility for funding in your stipend request submitted when you apply to the course. Stipend requests do not affect selection decisions made by the instructors.
Cost (including board and lodging): $2,655
This button links to a short form which confirms your interest in the course. No fees are due until you have completed the full application process and are accepted into the course.
Students accepted into the course should plan to arrive by early evening on Sunday July 30 and plan to depart in the morning of Sunday August 6.