Southeast Asian Neutroscience Network (SEAN3) Follow-Up Yangon and Naypydaw, Myanmar October 2016
Southeast Asian Nutritional Neuroscience Network has been created through COACh to help educate nutritionists, doctors, policy makers and young mothers about how chronic malnutrition affects brain development from conception through the first two years of life, and research and interventions that are necessary to reduce the neurocognitive impact. This visit by COACh Director Richmond was to reconnect with participants from that workshop held in Laung Prabang, Laos last March, namely Dr. May Khin Than, Director of the Nutrition Center and Dr. Lwin Mar Hlaing, Assistant Director of the Nutrition Research Section of the National Nutrition Centre (NNC), both of the Department of Public Health Ministry of Health and Sports in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
And big thanks to Kira Mitre and Dr. Ma Myo Aye from the US Embassy who helped facilitate the visit to Yangon and Naypyidaw.
COACh in Myanmar: In the Midst of Exciting Changes Myanmar August 2016
This has been COACh's first visit to Myanmar to learn more about the country and discuss possible scientific collaborations. A big thanks to Ambassador Scot Marciel for hosting a wonderful reception for me at his residence in Yangon. Attending the reception were community members working in science and engineering fields. It was superb.
A big shout out to the Geek Girls whom with COACh Director Richmond and told her about the new companies that they have started and their aspirations for success. They have formed a network of other tech oriented young women that are using their technical skills to start companies and contribute to the new opportunities that are coming with the political changes in the country.
She also met with a group of more senior women that are leading a network of Women Entrepreneurs comprised of over 2000 members in Myanmar. It is clear in meeting with both groups that women are going to be major players in building the new economy in the country. Women comprise over 80% of the scientists in Myanmar!
Thanks also to the Yangon University for giving COACh's Richmond the opportunity to speak to a large group of their faculty and students about being a scientist in the US. They have a wonderful group of faculty in the chemistry department that I also got to meet.
Richmond also had a chance to visit with many people working to reduce the childhood stunting epidemic in Myanmar through intervention methods and also so great social media and app tools being developed to reach that critical first 1000 days of life of the baby and pregnancy of the mother. You are all inspiring! As I have written about earlier in Laos and Cambodia, childhood stunting affects over 30% of the children in the country.
Special thanks to Joseph Povolini from the US Embassy who organized the visit.
