Review of the Symposium
The Third European Symposium on Aerobiology covered a diverse range of topics including traditional aspects of the subject as well as those on the leading edge of novel research. The focus was on applied Aerobiology and on collaboration, both interdisciplinary and internationally. The symposium was attended by 130 delegates from 30 countries.
A total of 45 posters were exhibited and 73 oral presentations were given. Authors of posters also gave short presentations of their work in discussion sessions.
The academic programme included the following keynote talks:
-Aerobiology:
Its uses and abuses. Prof. Jean Emberlin
-Aerobiology and Biological Weapons. Dr Alastair Hay
-Aerobiology, Allergies and Animal health. Dr Tim Nuttall
There was also the Aerobiology and Health Keynote Session sponsored by Zirtek/UCB Pharma. This included the following presentations:
-Epidemiology
of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Dr Michael Burr, University of Wales College
of Medecine, Cardiff, UK. -Trends in respiratory allergies during the
past two decades in Vienna: the influence of environmental factors. Prof.
Siegfried Jager, Clinic of Laringology, University of Vienna, Austria.
-Asthma and deprivation. Prof. Richard Lewis, Worcestershire Royal Hospital,
Worcester, UK.
The social programme included an excursion to Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, and then on to Birmingham Botanical Gardens where the delegates enjoyed a guided tour of the wonderful glasshouses followed by a candlelit dinner.
The final social event of the symposium was the Gala dinner held in the Worcester Guildhall. A superb meal was followed by prize-giving of a vacuum cleaner for the best poster, donated by Dyson Ltd., and an Elgar bowl, donated by Worcester Porcelain, for the best contribution to discussion during the symposium.
The evening finished in lively mode with a performance by local group, D'Bunni, and with most of the delegates taking to the dance floor.
The symposium rounded off with the closing ceremony to thank everyone involved with the planning and running of the event and also a presentation by Francisca Alba advertising the 11th International Palynological Congress in Granada, Spain in July 2004.
Photos of the Zirtek Session taken by Marketing at University of Worcester, Photos from Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the Gala Dinner taken by Prof. Siegfried Jager from Austria.
The next European Symposium on Aerobiology will be held in Finland, hosted by the Aerobiology group at Turku and led by Dr Auli Rantio-Lehtimaki. This will be either in 2007 or 2008, date to be confirmed.
TESA was sponsored by:
British Aerobiology Federation
Burkard
Manufacturing Co. Limited
Committees
TESA SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Chairperson: Jean Emberlin
UK Members:
Peter Burt UK
Eric Caulton UK
Julie Corden UK
Guiseppe Frenguelli Italy
Carmen Galan Spain
Siegfried Jaeger Austria
Alastair McCartney UK
Auli Rantio-Lehtimaki Finland
Eckart Schultz Germany
Caroline Simpson UK
Frits Spieksma The Netherlands
Alicja Stach Poland
Michel Thibaudon France
Local Organising
Group: Jean Emberlin
Beverley Adams-Groom
Becky Close
Sarah Hayes