Journal of IiME Volume 8 Issue 1 Our programme has always been planned so as to move the field forward and not just provide one presentation after another without thinking how they might join together or lead the field forward. This year we are very pleased to announce the presence a number of new presenters such as Professors Angela Vincent, Jonathan Edwards, Maureen Hanson, Jonas Blomberg and Drs Saul Berkowitz and Julian Blanco. We welcome again Professors Simon Carding, Mady Hornig, Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, James Baraniuk, Julia Newton and Drs Amolak Bansal and Andy Kogelnik. It is a positive thing that we are able to interest researchers from outside the field of ME. The conference agenda is at the back of the Journal. We feel this is perhaps the best conference yet – reflecting a maturity which is beginning to develop in the field of ME research. We have at last managed to mainstream ME research – thus attracting new researchers, new funding and forcing established organisations into action in order not to appear outdated and redundant. Much of this change has been caused by patients – and although that should have been unnecessary it is, on all accounts, a salutary achievement showing courage, resilience and determination. May 2014 Dr Ian Gibson, former cancer researcher and Dean of Biological Sciences at UEA and MP, will be chairing this year’s conference. Dr Gibson has been instrumental in helping Invest in ME initiate negotiations to set up an examinations and research facility in Norwich using the excellent resources the Norwich Research Park has on offer. The conference is focal point for research and networking but there is a great deal of work behind the scenes. At the Invest in ME conferences there always seems to be a happy mixture of wanting, needing to learn, optimism and hope that things will improve. At the conference there will be researchers, clinicians, nurses, patient groups and patients, advocates and, we always hope, a sprinkling of politicians, journalists and others whom Invest in ME self-fund. The people working for and with Invest in ME are advocates of better education regarding ME. The IiME conference is not only a platform for proper, high-quality science – it is also a platform for the hopes of millions of people around the world. Let the Science Do The Talking. Enjoy the Journal. Enjoy the conference. Our Sponsors for IIMEC9 Invest in ME wish to thank the following organisations for helping by sponsoring the 9th Invest in ME International ME Conference 2014. Both organisations are fellow members of the European ME Alliance. The Irish ME Trust Norges ME Forening The Irish ME Trust has sponsored a speaker at all of our conferences and we would like to thank them for their continued support. Norway's ME Association (Norges ME Forening) is sponsoring the IIMEC9 conference. Norges ME Forening has been a long standing supporter of IiME we are very grateful for this kind donation. Invest in ME (Charity Nr. 1114035) www.investinme.org Page 8 of 52
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