The Best CSA Conference Woman in Science: Science will address a lifestyle-changing pandemic
Professor Marlene Cristina Neves Rosa, who was named the best woman in science, at the recently held international conference of the Montenegrin Sports Academy, for the first time participated in a traditional scientific gathering that brings together about 200 scientists from around the world each year. Admittedly, in its first online edition, a professor from the University of Leiria, Portugal, took part in this conference from her home, due to the COVID 19 situation.
The research she conducts always considers studies applied to health in fragile population with chronic disease. We talked with her about the scientific work in the time of the pandemic, the collaboration with colleagues from other countries, as well as her impressions and the award received at the MSA conference.
UoM: What draw the attention of colleagues at the Montenegrin Sports Academy Conference to award you as the best women in science?
ROSE: It was the first time that I attended the Montenegrin Sports Academy Online Conference, but I found its objectives and themes very current and significant for the population we work with daily. The study we presented described results from the implementation of traditional games in an elderly population with Parkinson's disease, measuring the impact for caregivers. For the project we led, the recognition of our work through the attribution of the Female Award allowed us to reinforce its credibility at an international level. We are very proud of this recognition, which we believe was attributed due to our mission and investigation dedicated to innovation in caring for the most fragile elderly.
UoM: What is it that, in these times of global isolation, is your attention in the field of scientific work at your University?
ROSE: At this time, we are redefining our strategy to develop psychomotor stimulation programs, mainly using online consulting methodologies. Our project (www.agilidades.pt) has not stopped but certainty faces a new phase. Our days are spent in restructuring these new online consulting strategies for chronically ill patients, with a special focus on people with dementia and Parkinson's disease, as well as their caregivers.
UoM: What has been the experience of online communication with colleagues in comparison to previous years at this conference?
ROSE: The communication of research papers using online tools proved to be a promising strategy for sharing science, bringing some cost benefits to participants. Although the current circumstances required this adaptation, it seems to me that the face-to-face format at conferences and congresses can bring benefits to the networking, useful for the formation of teams and sharing of knowledge and expertise.
UoM: How do you see next year's MSA conference, will there be some scientific reviews and papers related to the COVID 19 virus in the next issue?
ROSE: The COVID-19 pandemic is having a worldwide impact and changing people's lifestyles, as well as their family dynamics, jobs and even future professional perspectives. All of these changes will have an impact on people's quality of life and health and this should be studied. Specifically for groups at risk, new models to stimulate physical activity practice are essential. Thus, at the next MSA conference, I believe that a considerable number of scientific presentations related to the pandemic should be submitted, and their presentation may generate new and important knowledge in the area.
UoM: Why are significant events like MSA conference for science?
Events such as the MSA conference are fundamental to generate moments of discussion between researchers with concerns in the area of physical activity, health and well-being. If these moments do not happen, the research projects taking place in the different countries, led by different institutions, are unlikely to be scrutinised in such an intervening way. As a result, the quality of science improved in the specific MSA Conference topic.