Kamila Markram Gives Inspiring Talk on Open Science
Geneva, March 8, 2019: The American International Club (AIC) hosted an enlightening presentation by Dr. Kamila Markram, as part of its celebration of International Women’s Day. Dr. Markram is the co-founder and CEO of Frontiers Media SA, as well as a neuroscientist and autism researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). Frontiers Media is a leading Open Science platform, which makes scientific research accessible to all for the benefit of humanity.
Dr. Markram showed billions of lives had been saved over the past two centuries from scientific contributions ranging from sanitary improvements to vaccines to improved farming methods. To continue to reap the benefits of science, however, the scientific publishing ecosystem needs to change.
Currently, a large majority of scientific research is not open to the public. Each scientific publisher charges access fees to users that effectively block even large institutions such as Harvard University from accessing all available research. Frontiers Open Science solution grants free access to all users, while charging a reasonable one-time fee to the researchers themselves. Frontier’s solution i) is 60% less expensive than the current closed publishing system, ii) provides a more transparent peer review process, iii) utilizes artificial intelligence data analysis to provide higher-quality peer review with much faster turnaround times, and most importantly, iv) gives access to all so that humanity can fully benefit from these scientific breakthroughs.
Looking towards the future, Dr. Markram posed four challenges that need to be solved: 1) have Healthy Lives by eradicating disease through artificial intelligence that accelerates drug discovery and enhances diagnostics; 2) Feed All People on the Planet by producing more food with less resources; 3) Consume Less Energy by improving energy conversion efficiency and wasting less energy; and 4) inhabit a Healthy Planet by polluting less, moving to clean energy, and sustainable food production. Dr. Markram noted that open access to scientific innovation and research will help enable us to meet these challenges.
AIC Vice-President, Paige Holt, provided an insightful perspective on gender balance and openness in our society. Ms. Holt stated that the AIC’s charter and mission is to be open to all, and sees the Club achieving even greater gender balance in the future.
AIC President, Ed Schneider, closed-out this well-attended event by thanking Dr. Markram, and presenting her with a special gift – an exquisite portrait of Dr. Markram by artist Sema Jonsson.