On October 22, 2018 the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) will host the Canada Gairdner Minds that Matter symposium, allowing members of the community to rub elbows with two of Canada's top scientific minds. This annual event will showcase the works of two internationally acclaimed scholars, providing a glimpse of their pathways to success, and what the future holds in the realm of health science research and innovation.
Established in 1957, the Canada Gairdner Awards celebrate the world's leading biomedical and global health researchers through seven annual awards. Since its inception, there have been 380 recipients from 35 countries, 89 of whom have received Nobel Prizes.
The FoMD is delighted to welcome two of 2018's distinguished honorees.
Y. Eva Tan Professor in Neurotechnology
Professor, Departments of Biological Engineering and Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Media Lab and McGovern Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Recognized "for the discovery of light-gated ion channel mechanisms, and for the discovery of optogenetics, a technology that has revolutionized neuroscience," Boyden's work has opened new channels of inquiry with regard to brain cells and neurological conditions.
According to University of Alberta Pharmacology professor William (Bill) F. Colmers, the value of Boyden's work cannot be overstated.
"Boyden is a superstar. He's one of maybe three people who have done really amazing things in the field," Colmers said. "His work has been key in opening the door to optogenetics and chemogenetics, which has created exciting possibilities for understanding the nervous system. It really underscores how complicated the nervous system is and how much of the body it controls."
Emeritus Member and Director, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics
Visiting International Professor, Siriraj Center for Excellence in Stem Cell Research, Mahidol University
Visiting Professor, University of Zagreb Medical School
A key player in establishing the field of epigenetics, Solter's research career led him to "the discovery of mammalian genomic imprinting that causes parent-of-origin specific gene expression and its consequences for development and disease."
In simple terms, Solter's work has the capacity to affect approaches to developmental syndromes, cancers, neurological disorders and obesity. It also relates to development and physiology, including stem cells, core body temperature, nutrition and behaviour.
Alan Underhill, University of Alberta associate professor of experimental oncology, says "the field of epigenetics provides us with a framework to understand genome homeostasis through its control of diverse regulatory process. Because this impinges on essentially all aspects of human physiology, it has incredible capacity to guide the development of new approaches to treat disease."
Event Details
When: Monday, October 22, 2018
2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Bernard Snell Hall
University of Alberta Hospital
8440-112 Street, Edmonton
Everyone is welcome to attend.