Fourth International Scientific Meeting 4-7 February 2010, Israel

GOING OUT WITH A BANG!!!!!

After almost four years of penny-pinching and being careful with the NASCENT budget I was happy to go ahead and authorise the organisation of the last NASCENT winter school and International Meeting in Israel. Everyone had been very positive and enthusiastic when the idea was first proposed, back in July 2009, by the 'always proactive' and 'super-keen' NASCENT Deputy Coordinator (for the non-initiated that is Karsten) and fully supported by Levi, who was going to be the local host. I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for all researchers to see each other again and present all their excellent work and also, for the ESRs, to get that additional extra motivation and energy to finish their PhD thesis. Despite being involved with the organisation and aware of  all the details, I was not yet prepared for the magnificent event that our Host Team put together. Levi and his A team were terrific and the chosen venue proved to be a big success. Unfortunately not all of the NASCENT members (past and present) were able to attend, due to unavoidable circumstances, but they were all terribly missed. The Meeting provided an excellent opportunity to report on the final progres of the project, with all ESRs giving top presentations. Our invited speaker, Prof. Shabat, from Tel-Aviv University, gave a superb key-note lecture that everyone truly enjoyed. The trip to Masada, with everyone wearing their NASCENT t-shirts, provided a unique photo opportunity shown above and this was followed by what can only be described as the 'best ever' NASCENT Gala Dinner! It was a truly special meeting and there was a bit of sadness in everyone, as the group parted at the end of the Meeting, but I am sure that the memories of this last NASCENT event will stay with everyone for a very long time!!!

Dr Marina Resmini