Canada, France, Ireland, USA and Bolivia

10-20th July 2024 at the

High Altitude Pulmonary and Pathology Institute (HAPPI-IPPA)
THE BEST HIGH-ALTITUDE RESEARCH FACILITY IN THE WORLD, located in the “Capital of Hypoxia”, La Paz, Bolivia 3,500masl.

The High Altitude Pulmonary and Pathology Institute celebrating 54 years of creation on July 9th, 2024, was the hosting Institution for the Bolivia High-Altitude Research Expedition, a scientific event with the special collaboration from the Bolivian Navy (Armada). The international team, composed of 16 Principal Investigators and 28 PhD and Post-Doc students, arrived at 4:00 pm at the Airport in La Paz, Bolivia (4,100m). They set up all their equipment in the different laboratories on floor 1 (auditorium and the auditorium large annex room -1 project), on the 6th floor (2 labs – 3 projects), and on the 7th floor (2 projects). The cafeteria provided the breakfast, lunch, and dinner services with a gradual taste bud adaptation to Bolivian tasty natural food.

The Expedition was headed by Richard Wilson (University of Calgary) and Trevor Day (Mount Royal University) and sponsored in large part by UCalgary’s Brain Create NSERC Training Program, A University of Calgary Transdisciplinary Connector Award, and an HBI Rebecca Hotchkiss International Scholar Exchange grant. Initially conceived in Sept 2023, research teams from across Canada, France, Ireland, and the USA quickly joined in. It had a unique, original, innovative concept of scientific collaboration between top-line researchers with leading-edge technology in a very friendly and harmonic environment where the human touch allowed extraordinary success!! 

Integrative physiological, metabolic, and microbiota responses to rapid ascent and residence at high altitude.

LOCAL HOST/COLLABORATOR

Prof. Dr. Gustavo Zubieta (MD), High Altitude Pulmonary and Pathology Institute (HAPPI-IPPA), La Paz, Bolivia

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS/ORGANIZERS (alphabetical by last name):

Dr. Trevor Day (PhD, Mount Royal University and University of Calgary, Canada)

Dr. Richard Wilson (PhD), University of Calgary, Canada

It was 10 days of intensive work in the diferent laboratories and a recording of massive amount of data regarding Adaptation to High Altitude.

See the AMAZING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ACTIVITIES in all the building HERE. Video courtesy of the French Team: Claire, Maxime and Marie-Noelle. Copyright Maxime Patout!!

 

 

Richard Wilson contributed the following beautiful photos and hilarious poetic comments!

And then the testing days:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maxime pulmonary function testing. Foto courtesy of Marie-Noelle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natalia being tested in Glen Foster’s lab.

 

Polysomnography preparation by Clara. Foto courtesy of Marie-Noelle.

 

 

 

The cafeteria was a place of food enjoyment and scientific discussions enjoying the incredible winter sun in La Paz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symposium

 

High Altitude and Brain Symposium – La Paz, Bolivia
July 11 – 19, 2024

 

 

Sponsored by the Rebecca Hotchkiss International Scholar Exchange (RHISE) Program and a University of Calgary Transdisciplinary Connector Award.

 

 

Organizer:  Richard Wilson (Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary)

 

Distinguished Chair and Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Eileen Hasser (University of Missouri)

 

 

This symposium ran in the evenings during an HBI-led expedition to La Paz, Bolivia to explore the effects of high altitude on the nervous system involving 14 PIs from 5 countries and 30 trainees. Days were filled with intensive experiments; the symposium occurred in the evenings, immediately after dinner. In addition to the 44 expedition participants, we invited South American scientists to the symposium each evening. A major goal was to increase networks between Canada, USA, France, Ireland, Bolivia and other South American countries, and plan future scientific collaborations. July 14 was set aside for sight-seeing. The Symposium Program was as follows:

 

 

July 10: Opening Night

 

 

• • 6:00 pm – 6:10 pm: Opening Remarks and Introductions by Dr. Richard Wilson

• • 6:10 pm – 7:00 pm: KEYNOTE: Dr. Gustavo Zubieta-Calleja (Head of the High Altitude Pulmonary and Pathology Institute, La Paz, Bolivia)

 

 

• • Topic: “Adaptation to high altitude: a positive physiological and molecular stimulus enhancing better possibilities of survival and its projection to future space travel and space colonies”

 

July 11: Research Day 1

 

 

• • 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Dr. Jane Shearer (UCalgary, Canada)

 

 

• • Topic: “The highs and lows of eating on the brain”

 

 

• • 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Dr. Marie-Claire Arrieta (UCalgary, Canada)

 

 

• • Topic: “A bug’s life at high altitude”

 

July 12: Research Day 2

 

 

• • 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Dr. Ken O’Halloran (University of Cork, Ireland)

 

 

• • Topic: “Pouring a pint at high altitude: how the brain regulates blood flow”

 

 

• • 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Dr. Christopher Wilson (University of Loma Linda, USA)

     

    • • Topic “The (non-linear) dynamics of life at high altitude when breathing stops”

     

 

July 13: Research Day 3

 

 

• • 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Dr. Glen Foster (UBC-O, Canada)

 

 

• • Topic: “How the brain feels muscles burn at altitude”

 

 

• • 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Dr. Jacquie Baker (HBI, Canada)

     

    • • Topic: “Keeping the brain pumped when standing in the clouds”

     

 

July 14: Free day

 

July 15: Research Day 4

 

 

• • 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm Dr Marina Sartori gave a talk on the first night alongside Claire and Jane: title “Burning mitochondria in low oxygen”. 
    • •  

• • 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Dr. Trevor Day (MRU, Canada)

 

 

• • Topic: “Acid (bicarbonate, the kidneys and Mount Everest) on the brain”

 

July 16: Research Day 5

 

 

• • 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Dr. Marie Noëlle Fiamma (University of Sorbonne, France)

 

 

• • Topic: “Be happy and breathe, the role of serotonin in central sleep apnea”

 

 

• • 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Dr. Daniel Keir (Western, Canada)

 

 

• • Topic: “Peripheral (David) vs Central (Goliath) respiratory chemoreceptors: are there winners at altitude?”

 

July 17: Research Day 6

 

 

• • 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Dr. Nicholas Strzalkowski (MRU, Canada)

 

 

• • Topic: “Stepping on the mountain – how the nervous system finds balance”

• 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Dr. Maxime Patout (University of Sorbonne, France)

• • Topic: “Starving for air in an air famine”

July 18: Research Day 7

 

• •   7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Dr. Ricardo Ramos (Hospital san Juan de Dios, La Paz, Bolivia”

• • Topic: “Coca tea for high altitude effects”

• • 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Dr. Kevin Cummings (University of Missouri, USA)

     

    • • Topic: “Orexin high – the role of neuropeptides in sensing brain oxygen”

• 8:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Dr. Eileen Hasser (University of Missouri, USA)

   

  • • Topic: “Hypothalamus: putting the head ganglia on a mountain tops”

July 19: Closing Night

 

• • 8:00 pm – 8:15 pm: Closing Remarks by Dr. Trevor Day (MRU)

 

Dr. Eileen Hasser Chairing the Symposium

 

Dr. Richard Wilson, University of Calgary, Canada.

Symposium in the IPPA auditorium.

 

Closing dinner and celebration at the “Club de Oficiales Navales”!!
With the great support of the Bolivian Armada Educational Dept.

 

Natalia Zubieta De Urioste agradeciendo al CONTRALMIRANTE
Alberto Pio Loza Machaca

Recognition to CONTRALMIRANTE Alberto Pio Loza Machaca

CAPITÁN DE NAVÍO DAEN.
Freddy Pozo Rodríguez receiving a gratitude gift from Trevor Day.

Ing. Bruce Fernandez received a gratitude gift from Trevor Day.

Discurso de clausura del

CONTRALMIRANTE Alberto Pio Loza Machaca a nombre del señor Comandante de la Armada VICEALMIRANTE Renán Winsor Guardia Ramírez

El Ing. Bruce Fernandez entregando un reconocimiento al CAPITÁN DE NAVÍO DAEN.
Víctor Hugo Valdivia Romero

Caporales dancing for the scientists

 

The monolito gift for the PIs!!

 

 And then the scientist showing their musical talents!!!

Daniel signing, Chris and Maxime playing the guitars!! Great music!!

What a musical talent in Science! Clara singing, Chris and Maxime guitars!!

 

The list of PhD and Post-Doc students that did great work!

Natalia Zubieta De Urioste University of Calgary, Canada
Maggie Tu-Wood University of Missouri, USA
Tony Marullo University College Cork, Ireland
Jane Shearer University of Calgary, Canada
Clara Bianquis Sorbonne Université Paris, France
Ben Thompson Waterloo University, Canada
Ben MacKenzie Mount Royal University, Canada
Katherine Taylor University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), Canada
Jamie Keess University of Calgary, Canada 
Rashmin University of Calgary, Canada
Nasimi Guluzade Western University, Canada
James Baker University of Calgary, Canada
Rodion Isakovich  Mount Royal University, Canada 
Minal Ahuja Mount Royal University, Canada
Jessica Dickenson University of Calgary/Mount Royal University , Canada
Nicole Johnson Mount Royal University, Canada
Megan Lance  University of British Columbia , Canada
Luany Saldana University of Calgary, Canada
Leah Mann Waterloo University, Canada
Jou-Chung (Victoria) Chang  Waterloo University, Canada
Michael Maxwell University College Cork, Ireland
Amy O Donoghue University college Cork, Ireland 
Scott Thrall University of British Columbia (UBC)
Jack Leacy University College Cork, Ireland
Luany Saldana University of Calgary, Canada
Ben Murphy University College Cork, Ireland
Nasimi Guluzade Western University, Canada
Ben Murphy University College Cork, Ireland
Oghene fejiro Erome University of Calgary, Canada
Amna Mount Royal University, Canada