Those who were with us at TEDxKraków 2011 surely remember Professor Jerzy Vetulani very well – he’s not someone who is easily overlooked! For those of you who weren’t there, you can read all about him here, or better yet, watch his talk from last year.
Jerzy is a neuroscientist, neuropsychopharmacologist, biochemist, a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Polish Academy of Learning, one of Poland’s most frequently-cited scientists, a popular blogger, author, former performer at the famous Piwnica pod Baranami cabaret and founder of a secret society for bug collectors (1946). He’s passionate about the role of the brain and is devoted to popularising the field of neurobiology. And judging by the crowds who regularly turn up to hear him speak, whether at the popular “Gadajacy Pies” open mic nights or at his day-time lectures to students, it’s clear he has a talent for it.
Jerzy’s academic interests include the study of the mechanisms of depression, addiction and memory. He recommends plenty of Scrabble-playing and crossword-solving as good preparation for old age.
A much-loved speaker at TEDxKrakow in 2011, it seems that the feeling was mutual – he arranged his schedule around our conference this year. Last year, he spoke about two prominent human emotions: empathy and aggression. So what’s the topic this year? Well, it’s so new he’s still working on it so you’ll just have to tune in to this year’s TEDxKraków to find out!