Several Ohio Judges Participate in National Science Seminar at Johns Hopkins University
National Judges’ Science School part of the ASTAR Program
More than 30 Ohio judges will join judges from around the country at the National Judges' Science School, Oct. 5 through Oct. 7 at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md. The seminar is part of the Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource (ASTAR) Program – a national program designed to prepare judges to preside over cases involving complex scientific issues.
Titled “Neuroscience and Bio-Behavior Technologies,” the seminar features renowned presenters and topics exploring the complexities of the human brain, including brain development, the influence of alcohol on brain function, genes in the brain, and neuroimaging.
“This valuable training provides our judges with the knowledge they need to preside over complex cases involving the interrelated issues of science and law,” said Supreme Court of Ohio Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer, who serves on ASTAR's national board. “Through their participation in this program, these judges are leading the way nationally to a better understanding of scientific issues that impact our society and our courtrooms.”
Chief Justice Moyer as well as several of Ohio's ASTAR fellows will serve as presenters and moderators on several seminar panels. Other notable presenters include: Dr. Chi V. Dang, a professor and vice dean at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences; and Dr. Solomon H. Snyder, professor and director emeritus of the department of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and winner of the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research and the National Medal of Science.
Ohio has 15 judges in its current ASTAR class who were selected by the Supreme Court to participate in the program. Another class of 20 judges has completed two years in the program and acquired 120 hours of training to become fellows.
The national seminar at Johns Hopkins, which will be attended by more than 200 judges, is funded by a federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Ohio, along with Maryland, has helped spearhead ASTAR, which offers standardized training to judges around the country to handle the increasing volume of complex, high-tech cases on court dockets. Throughout the year, the judges participate in sessions focused on scientific issues, such as forensics, agricultural science, reproductive medicine and computer science.
Learn more about the ASTAR program at http://einshac.org/.