Oliver Sacks

In his keynotes, Oliver Sacks explains complicated neurological phenomena as a fascinating and easy to understand manner. Not only does he break down involved subjects in such a way that they can be conceptualized by a layperson, he also examines the human impact of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Sacks is a professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center. He earned his undergraduate degree in physiology and biology from The Queen's College, Oxford University in 1951 before taking up his M.A. and B.M.B.C.h. (the British equivalent of an M.D.) at the same university.

As is clearly apparent in his keynotes, Oliver Sacks is a gifted communicator. He has written numerous books; these include 'Migraine,' 'Hallucination,' and 'Awaking.' The latter was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film starring Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams.

In terms of awards and honors, Sacks is well endowed. In 2008, he was appointed as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours. He holds honorary degrees from such institutions as Oxford University, George Town University and Queens University (Ontario).