2019 SIMMS/MANN INSTITUTE THINK TANK
The Simms/Mann Institute Think Tank is an annual convening of leading neuroscientists from around the world who present to, and engage with, a select group of 500 stakeholders who can directly impact policy and practice in early child development.
Researchers showcase cutting-edge science related to children ages 0-3 for leaders from fields including education, medicine, business and philanthropy, who can immediately incorporate the research in their work with children, families and communities.
The Think Tank is also an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of leaders in the field of 0-3. At the Think Tank, the Institute presents Whole Child Awards to leaders in community leadership, medicine and education; as well as honors Simms/Mann Institute Fellows.
2019 Think Tank Theme
Rituals, Routines & Body Rhythms: The Simple and Profound Impacts of When We Eat, Sleep, and Play for Health Across the Lifespan
2019 SPEAKERS & PRESENTATION TOPICS
(click on the topic to see a video of the presentation)
- Pat Levitt, PhD, Simms/Mann Chair in Developmental Neurogenetics at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the WM Keck Provost Professor of Neurogenetics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
- MODERATOR: Conversation with Jill Heinerth
- Satchin Panda, PhD, Professor at the Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, and author of the book “The Circadian Code”
- PRESENTATION: The Circadian Code
- Jodi Mindell, PhD, Associate Director of the Sleep Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Professor of Psychology at Saint Joseph’s University and of Pediatrics (Psychology) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
- PRESENTATION: Power of Bedtime Routines: Sleep and Beyond
- Wendy Slusser, MD, MS, Associate Vice Provost for the Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA and HS Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the Schools of Medicine and Public Health at UCLA, and Co-Founder and Medical Director of the UCLA Fit for Healthy Weight program
- Nathan Fox, PhD, Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
- Jill Heinerth, Canadian cave diver, underwater explorer, writer, photographer, and filmmaker. First Explorer in Residence for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, recipient of Canada’s prestigious Polar Medal, and a Fellow of the International Scuba Divers Hall of Fame.
- PRESENTATION: Into the Planet
- Susan Kaiser Greenland, Author, speaker & leader in teaching mindfulness and meditation to children, teens, and families
- PRESENTATION: Everyday Freedom
- Assal Habibi, PhD, Assistant Research Professor of Psychology at the Brain and Creativity Institute at University of Southern California
- Ruth Feldman, PhD, Simms/Mann Professor of Developmental Social Neuroscience and Director at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzlia with a joint appointment at Yale University Child Study Center.
- Fernando Martinez, MD, Regents’ Professor and Director of the Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center at the University of Arizona in Tucson
2019 WHOLE CHILD AWARD WINNERS
The Simms/Mann Institute is proud to announce the 2019 Whole Child Awards to honor leaders who pursue a whole child approach in their work. This year, the Simms/Mann Institute expanded the Whole Child Award to honor extraordinary individuals from a variety of sectors. Specifically, we looked for individuals who made a significant impact in the zero to three space as medical clinicians (OB/GYNs, pediatricians, or nurses), nonprofit/community leaders, or educational champions
Our 2019 Whole Child Award Winners are:
VISIONARY
Samuel Meisels, EdD, Expert on early childhood assessment and child development and Founding Executive Director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska.
MEDICINE
David Schonfeld, MD, Developmental-behavioral Pediatrician in General Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (NCSCB). He holds a joint appointment at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
COMMUNITY
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, Stanley and Debra Lefkowitz Faculty Fellow in Psychology at Temple University and is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Director of Temple University’s Infant Language Laboratory.