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UM Professor Amishi Jha to Speak at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting


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    Amishi Jha, associate professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Miami, will present her research on improving attention with mindfulness training at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 23-27.

    The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

    “It is an honor to have this opportunity to share our research with an international audience of individuals who have the influence and interest to promote positive change in the world. As a scientist, it is thrilling to see the efforts of my lab contribute to a global conversation on how to best improve health and wellness,” said Jha. “My intension is to convey that just as physical exercise is critical for our body’s health, mental exercises, such as mindfulness training to promote present-moment focus, are necessary for our psychological and brain health.”

    Jha will lead two discussions. The first will review the fundamental factors that underpin resilience in individuals, organizations, and societies. The second discussion, led with Buddhist monk and philosopher Mattheiu Ricard, will explore what has been discovered about human nature that science and technology cannot replicate.

    Jha will also present at the IdeasLabs series, which allows thought leaders to present their ideas on how to bring change to the world.

    Since her arrival at UM in 2010, Jha, backed by grants from the U.S. Department of Defense, has focused on how to build resilience in high stress groups using mindfulness training techniques. The training techniques she researches are inspired by the contemplative traditions of the East and are used actively in over 250 medical centers worldwide to improve physical and psychological health.

    At UM, Jha is the director of contemplative neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010 with Scott Roger of the UM School of Law in 2010. Together with Rogers, she is working to expand opportunities for people in the UM community and South Florida to learn mindfulness techniques and attend lectures on cutting-edge research findings. Learn more about her ongoing research at www.attention.psy.miami.edu or follow her on Twitter: @amishijha. See a video of her speaking about her work by clicking here.

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