Plenary Lectures List
Dr. David Streeten was an international authority on disorders of the adrenal gland, endocrine causes of hypertension, and autonomic and orthostatic disorders of the circulation. His interest in dysautonomia led him to establish, along with others, the American Autonomic Society, of which he was a President. He was a role model for patient-oriented researchers. His desire to help patients helped guide his clinical investigations for over 40 years.
— Taken from: Moses AM & Weinstock RS. In Memoriam: David H. P. Streeten. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 86(2): 471-472, 2001.
“I first met Dr. Streeten at the first AAS meeting I attended in 1992 `{`…`}`. I sat down with him at breakfast once to discuss a case, and he gave his full attention. One had the impression that he would have given you all the time in the world, and he thought deeply about clinical questions. `{`…`}` It’s people like him, in addition to the subject itself, that drew me to the field.”
– Dr. William Cheshire, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Streeten Plenary Lectures
Robertson
Dr. David Robertson founded the first center of excellence focused on autonomic disorders in 1979 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Dr. Robertson was a founding member of the American Autonomic Society, with the first informal meeting of the Society in his living room in Nashville in 1990. When the Society was formally incorporated, he became the first President of the American Autonomic Society in 1992.
He has had a highly distinguished scientific career with many important contributions to the study of autonomic disorders, including orthostatic hypotension and postural tachycardia syndrome. Perhaps most important to his legacy, Dr. Robertson trained several generations of autonomic researchers and clinicians, many of whom lead other autonomic centers around the world. Dr. Robertson was a mentor not only to those who spent time with him at Vanderbilt, but to many physicians and scientists from across the United States and beyond its shores. Dr. Robertson was also known for his kindness and support.
To honor the legacy of Dr. David Robertson, the American Autonomic Society created the David Robertson Lecture in Autonomic Disorders and an associated Robertson Fund in 2018. These continue as an annual tribute to this giant upon whose shoulders we stand.
Robertson Plenary Lectures
MSA
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is characterized by systemic autonomic dysfunction likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental exposures. With no known cure, MSA is the focus of autonomic researchers across the globe. To increase recognition for MSA as an autonomic disorder, and the scientists who relentlessly search for novel treatments, the American Autonomic Society established the MSA Plenary Lecture in 2017.
MSA Plenary Lectures
Low
Dr. Phillip Low is a pioneer in autonomic neuroscience with well over 500 peer-reviewed publications and many seminal discoveries. He has been at the forefront of autonomic testing for 50 years and led the Autonomic Reflex Laboratory at Mayo Clinic for 20 years. Dr. Low is credited with establishing the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) and is a past president of the American Autonomic Society. He has also mentored over 50 physicians and scientists who are now leaders in autonomic neuroscience.
“Phillip Low took me under his wings and taught me everything I know today about autonomic testing, autonomic disorders, and how to be a successful researcher.”
– Dr. Wolfgang Singer, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN