SRNT Europe Annual Meeting 2003, Padua, Italy

By Judith S. Gordon
The Fifth Annual Meeting of SRNT Europe was held in Italy in November. I had the pleasure of attending this conference, which was organized by Stefano Nardini, Renzo Zuin, Lorenzo Cima, Sabino Liceto, Bruno Paccagnella, and Luigi Pavan. Over 250 participants from at least 15 countries were in attendance.

The opening conference and welcome reception was held in the Aula Magna (Great Hall) of the Palazzo Bò, Padova University. It was awe-inspiring to be seated in the Aula Magna. Between the 15th and 18th centuries the Aula Magna was the “great school of the leggisti (jurists)”. Galileo taught here, and his desk (“Cattedra”) is still in an adjoining room. Coats of arms representing Rectors of the two Universities of scholars (Law and Arts), line the walls and create an atmosphere of reverence. After addresses by Karl Fagerström and Stefano Nardini, J. P. Zellweger, MD, gave a thoughprovoking lecture on “NRT for smoking cessation and reduction in toxin intake from cigarettes in health and disease.”

The conference presentations and poster sessions were held at the Fidia Farmaceutici Auditorium, in Abano Terme. Participants were able to choose from a pre-conference post-graduate course and presentations by more than 40 speakers from 13 countries. The Scientific Committee, consisting of David Balfour, Anil Batra, Christian Chiamulera, Carlos Jimenez-Ruiz, Eva Kralikova, Jacques Le Houezec, Jacques Prignot, Philip Tønnesen, and Giovanni Viegi did a masterful job of organizing a program that included both basic science and clinical research.

There were more than 50 oral presentations ranging from the genetics of pulmonary diseases and tobacco smoking to the tobacco cessation treatment of cardiac patients to raising funds for research on nicotine and tobacco. The sessions brought together researchers and clinicians from around the globe, and raised spirited discussions and intellectual queries.

In addition to the stimulating conference, the city of Padua was a delight. The streets were alive well into the night with students from the University. The cultural and religious history of the city was evident in the abundance of beautiful cathedrals (including the Basilica di Sant’ Antonio) and architecture spanning eight centuries. The food was wonderful, of course, whether from a chic restaurant or corner market.

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet SRNT Europe members (many of whom are not able to attend the Annual Meeting in the United States) and to renew old acquaintances. The conference and its venue made this a unique experience that I will not soon forget!

-- Judith S. Gordon, Ph.D., is Research Scientist at the Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, Oregon,