6th Annual National Conference of Association of Physiologists of India 2019
Department of Physiology, JSS Medical College, a constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, organized 6th Annual National Conference of Association of Physiologists of India, ASSOPICON 2019, from 11th to 14th September 2019 at JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru.
Association of Physiologists of India always aims to advance the understanding of Physiology by bringing together scientists in the field of Physiology from different parts of the country and from outside the country, by facilitating the integration of research directed at all levels of biological organization, and by encouraging clinical and translational research and the application of new scientific knowledge to develop improved health care.
Physiology is the scientific study of the functions and mechanisms which work within a living system. The specialty also creates a venue for better understanding of organ functions. This being a basic medical science helps in laying a foundation to learn Medicine. To signify the importance of deeper understanding of Physiology and its application in clinical care, the conference was organized with the theme “FATHOMING PHYSIOLOGY: AN INSIGHT”. Deeper understanding of recent advances in Physiology is also required for better clinical outcomes as Physiology forms the basis of treatment. Approximately 150 delegates from different parts of India participated in the conference.
The conference was inaugurated on 12th September 2019 at 10.30 am. The occasion was graced by His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sutturu Srikshetra, Chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research. Dr.S.Chandrashekar Shetty, Vice-Chancellor, Adichunchanagiri University was Chief Guest. Dr.C.G.Betsurmath, Executive Secretary, JSS Mahavidyapeetha; Dr.Suresh B, Pro-Chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research; Dr.H.Basavana Gowdappa, Vice-Chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research; Dr.Narsingh Verma, President, ASSOPI; Dr.G.K.Pal, General Secretary, ASSOPI; Dr.S.B.Deshpande, immediate past President, ASSOPI; Dr.Rajalakshmi R and Dr.Rajeshwari L, were present on the occasion.
Inauguration programme started with Invocation by Ms.Poojitha and Ms.Athira. Dr.Rajalakshmi R, Organizing Chairman, welcomed the dignitaries and gathering. The conference was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the Chief Guest. Dr.S.Chandrashekar Shetty addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of basic medical science in Medicine. He mentioned that Medical College should have scientists from various subjects and also about immense possibilities of research in Medical College. He said breakthrough in genomics and proteomics will help in knowing the diseases and drug response. He also stressed on importance of innovation, technology and electronic devices in medical education and research. Dr.C.G.Betsurmath released the Souvenir and addressed the gathering. He mentioned that the organizers have rightly touched up on the topics which are need of the hour and less commonly discussed in the conferences and scientific forums. He told medical artificial intelligence, stem cell therapy, biomedical engineering and operating with robotics which is a reality of present health makes 21st Century an extra ordinary one. He insisted that from October 2nd 2019, all the higher education institutions should be made plastic free as per UGC directions. Dr.G.K.Pal presented the annual report of ASSOPI and announced the ASSOPI awards. Awards were presented by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries. Presidential address was delivered by Dr.Narsingh Verma where he mentioned about opportunities for Physiologists in academics and research. His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji rendered the Benediction. His Holiness said Fathoming Physiology: An Insight justifies there is no end to Science. His Holiness mentioned that Physiology as a branch of Medicine may be least ambitious as said by few, but none can deny it is the building block for modern medicine and it is the core discipline area to medical and health sciences. His Holiness mentioned time for doubling the knowledge took about 50 years in 1950s, 7 years in 1980s, 3.5 years in 1990s and by 2020, it will be about 78 days; so Doctors need to be updated with recent advances in their fields. Swamiji mentioned that about a dozen of Nobel prizes awarded to Physiologists which reflects the contribution of Physiologists to modern medicine. Swamiji enlightened the gathering with Sri Allamaprabhu’s Vachana which explains the objective of Science and blessed the gathering. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr.Rajeshwari L, Organizing Secretary. Programme concluded with National Anthem.
Dr.Rajalakshmi R, Professor and Head of Physiology was the Organizing Chairman; Dr.Rajeshwari L was the Organizing Secretary; Dr.Bharath T was the Joint Organizing Secretary of the Conference. The conference which was spread across four days aimed to shed light on the topics of current perspective and less commonly discussed in the conferences and scientific forums. The conference disseminated the knowledge of learned scholars from within and outside the country through plenary lectures, symposia, panel discussions, invited guest lectures, free presentations by eminent national and international resource faculty. Three relevant pre-conference workshops were organized on 11th September 2019.
To reinforce the importance of animal models in basic medical research, a workshop on Behavioral and cognitive assessment in rodents was organized. To impress up on the benefits of healthy life style, exercise and to impart hands on training to the participants to assess cardiopulmonary responses to exercise, a workshop on exercise physiology was organized. Biostatistics is one of the fundamental pillars of research in the field of medicine. A person who is well learned about Biostatistics will be a better researcher in due course and would be able to critically analyze research articles available. To provide an opportunity to all young researchers to understand Biostatistics better, hands on workshop on basics of statistical analysis using SPSS software was organized.
Stem cell research has picked up pace across the world and there has been attempts to treat many diseases with stem cell therapy. The research in the field of stem cell has much potential and needs to be explored. Organizers had arranged a session stem cell research by a renowned researcher who is working on stem cells to enlighten the learned audience with the recent advances in stem cell research
Topics like Cognition, Gastro Intestinal and Metabolic Syndrome, recent advances in Hematology, Immunology, Genomics & Proteomics, Chronomedicine were deliberated upon in the conference.
Panel discussion on “Physiology in India-opportunities and challenges” was organized as not many students are opting for post-graduation in Physiology due to lack of career prospects. The panel discussion by eminent panelists came out with effective solution to the problems faced the Physiologists and to make the subject more appealing to the students. Panel discussion on managing, mentoring and monitoring the students of present day was required as there is change in attitude of present day students. Orienting them to the field of medicine is a Herculean task. Most of the faculty across the country was facing a similar difficult situation with respect to managing and mentoring the Gen Z students. Delegates got valuable inputs from this panel discussion regarding managing the students.
Stress has been inseparable from any individual’s life. Person who learns to cope up with stress better will be able to lead a healthy life both physically and mentally. Lecture on how to cope up stress better by an eminent Psychiatrist provided an insight on different modalities of stress management and helped the delegates to manage stress better. The role of Yoga in stress management was also being elaborated in the symposia on Yoga and stress.
Valedictory function was organized on 14th September 2019 at 1 pm. Dr.P.A.Kushalappa, Director Academics, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research; Dr.S.B.Deshpande, immediate past President of ASSOPI, Dr.Suma M.N, Vice Principal JSS Medical College, Mr.Satish Chandra, Administrative Officer, JSS Medical College, Dr.Vidya C.S, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Karnataka Medical Council Observer were present. Prizes were awarded to winners of Oral and Poster presentations in post graduate and faculty categories on the occasion.