INSERM, French Institute of Health and Medical Research visits UTHSC-H
A delegation from the French Institute of Health and Medical Research, INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale), visited The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston  on February 8, 2007.  Jean-Jacques Lawrence, PhD, INSERM-representative and scientific attaché for the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C., led a delegation of officials, which included:
Jean-Jacques Lawrence, PhD INSERM – representative and scientific attaché for the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. Richard Salives, PhD INSERM-Paris, Office for Young Scientists in Charge of “Mission Chercheurs” Isabelle Porteret INSERM-Paris, coordinator of the external recruitment policy
The delegation was escorted by officials from the General Consulate of France in Houston:
Roland Hérino, PhD scientific attaché, General Consulate of France in Houston; professor Romaric Fayol deputy attaché, General Consulate of France in Houston
Dr. Hui-Ming Chang, vice president for international programs and special advisor to the president, welcomed the delegation and presented an overview of the university and UT-System. The following speakers were invited to speak on topics in relation to the delegation's visit:
Frank C. Arnett, MD Professor of internal medicine, pathology and laboratory medicine Elizabeth Bidgood chair in rheumatology and  director, Center of Research Translation in Scleroderma; executive director, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences C. Thomas Caskey, MD, FAACP Professor & chief operating officer; director-elect/ceo-elect The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, executive vice president of Molecular Medicine and Genetics Peter Davies, MD, PhD Executive vice president for research Victoria P. Knutson, PhD Assistant dean of admission, UT-GSBS Jon R. Wiener, PhD assistant dean of academic affairs, UT-GSBS
After the presentations, the delegation met with other UTHSC-H administrative members to discuss the MD/PhD degree programs, postdoctoral exchanges, general policies for postdoctoral training and possible collaborations between UTHSC-H and INSERM. The meeting included:
Brent R. King, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, FAAP Interim executive vice president and chief operating officer UTHSC-H, professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics, UT-MS John H. Byrne, PhD. June and Virgil Waggoner chair and chairman, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, UT-MS Irma Gigli, MD The Walter & Mary Mischer distinguished professor in molecular medicine and The Hans J. Muller-Eberhard (HJM-E) chair in immunology); director, Center for Immunology & Autoimmune Disease; deputy director, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine Dianna M. Milewicz, MD, PhD Director of the division of medical genetics, Department of Internal Medicine; professor, and George Bush, Sr. Chair in cardiovascular medicine Karen Adler Storthz, PhD Associate dean for research; director of advanced education; professor Department of Diagnostics Sciences, UT-DB Jiajie Zhang, PhD Professor, associate dean for research, UT-SHIS
At the UT School of Nursing, The French Institute of Health and Medical Research conducted a presentation on INSERM Biomedical Research in France. Dr. Jean-Jacques Lawrence led a presentation emphasizing current efforts by INSERM.  His key issues were INSERM’s desire to streamline the creation and evolution of research groups, improving the career tracks of industry scientists, and developing attractive programs for the recruitment of young and established scientists.
After the presentation, he opened the floor for an exchange of ideas and discussed ways to develop cooperative programs.  UTHSC-H, M.D. Anderson and Baylor College of Medicine faculty, students, and staff were able to interact with the delegation and have questions answered.
February 8, 2007
Dr. Chang gives an overview of UTHSC-H and UT-System to the INSERM delegation	(left to right) Mrs. Porteret, Dr. Lawrence, Dr. Chang
Dr. Davies meets with the delegation	Dr. Davies and delegation
Dr. Arnett meets with the delegation to discuss the Center of Research Translation in Scleroderma and the Center for Clinical & Translational Sciences	Dr. Arnett
Dr. Lawrence asks questions to Dr. Arnett	Mrs. Porteret, Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Arnett
Mrs. Porteret and Dr. Lawrence	The delegation meets with Dr. Knutson (left) and Dr. Wiener (right)
Dr. Knutson and Dr. Wiener	Dr. Knutson and Dr. Wiener discuss the UT-GSBS with the delegation.
Dr. Caskey meets with the delegation	Dr. Caskey discusses the Brown Foundation IMM with the delegation
Dr. Caskey and delegation	(left to right) Dr. Byrne, Professor Hérino, Dr. Gigli
Dr. King (left) welcomes the delegation	(left to right) Dr. King and Dr. Lawrence
(left to right) Dr. Zhang, Dr. Byrne, Dr. Davies, and Dr. Milewicz	Dr. Gigli and Dr. Lawrence discuss INSERM and UTHSC-H
(left to right) Dr. Milewicz, Dr. Storthz and Dr. Salives	Dr. Salives and Mrs. Porteret give Dr. Milewicz information about INSERM
Dr. Chang introduces the INSERM delegation at the School of Nursing	Dr. Lawrence presents INSERM
Dr. Jean-Jacques Lawrence	Dr. Richard Salives
Dr. Salives discusses recent efforts by INSERM	Dr. Lawrence answers questions from the audience
(left to right) Dr. Salives, Mrs. Porteret, and Dr. Lawrence	Mr. Fayol (left) and Professor Hérino (second from left) answer questions from audience
Faculty and students explore INSERM opportunities with the officials from the General Consulate of France	Professor Hérino (left) meets with Dr. Deborah Macfarlane
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Dr. Lawrence answers questions about INSERM with Dr. Marie-Francoise Doursout