Canadian Psychological Association For Cameron Norman
Program - NI Mtg 2015 v10 (High Quality Print)
1. Du 26 au 28 janvier 2015
Centre de congrès et de villégiature Atlantica
Île aux Chênes, Nouvelle-Écosse
January 26-28, 2015
Atlantica Resort & Conference Centre
Oak Island, Nova Scotia
Institutdelanutrition,du
métabolismeetdudiabète
Réuniondesnouveauxchercheurs
InstituteofNutrition,
MetabolismandDiabetes
NewInvestigatorMeeting
4. Page 4
WELCOME MESSAGE
Welcome from Philip Sherman, Scientific Director
Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD)
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2015 INMD New Investigator Meeting.This meeting brings together
Canadian researchers at an early stage of their independent academic careers with established researchers and partners
from across the INMD mandate areas, for what we intend to be a lively and interactiveWorkshop.
The primary objective of this New Investigator Meeting is to provide practical information that will assist meeting
participants in strengthening their research careers through sessions with a focus on partnership building, career
planning, knowledge translation, grant writing, and patient and citizen engagement.
Another important aspect of this meeting is to provide participants with an opportunity to make connections with other
New Investigators, more established researchers, and representatives from partner organizations who are participating as
speakers, facilitators, and poster judges throughout the program.
It is a time of change at CIHR, but this change will not paralyze the research enterprise in Canada. Rather, it should provide
greater incentive to sharpen our research and grant writing skills, and to stretch further to meet the challenges and
opportunities that the future holds for us.
I wish to sincerely thank INMD partner organizations for participating in this meeting. Our partners provide valuable
insights by acting as speakers, chairing panels, and critiquing poster presentations as well as interacting with New
Investigators more informally throughout the course of the meeting.
I look forward to a dynamic meeting that is full of opportunities to make connections, and to learn from one another.
Enjoy, learn, bond, and schmooze!
Philip M. Sherman, MD, FRCPC
5. Page 5
MOT DE BIENVENUE
Mot de bienvenue de Philip Sherman, Directeur scientifique
Institut de la nutrition, du métabolisme et du diabète (INMD)
Je suis très heureux de vous accueillir à la réunion des nouveaux chercheurs de l’INMD de 2015. Cette réunion, qui se veut
un atelier dynamique et interactif, rassemble des chercheurs canadiens en début de carrière universitaire indépendante,
ainsi que des chercheurs établis et des partenaires dans des domaines relevant du mandat de l’INMD.
L’objectif premier de cette réunion est de diffuser de l’information pratique qui aidera les participants à consolider leur
carrière en recherche par des séances portant sur l’établissement de partenariats, la planification de carrière, l’application
des connaissances, l’art de préparer des demandes de subventions, ainsi que l’engagement des patients et des citoyens.
Autre aspect important, la réunion fournit aux participants l’occasion de tisser des liens avec d’autres nouveaux chercheurs
de même qu’avec des chercheurs établis et des représentants des partenaires qui y participent à titre de conférenciers,
d’animateurs et de juges d’affiches.
Les IRSC vivent une ère de changements, mais ces changements ne paralyseront pas l’entreprise de recherche au Canada.
Ils devraient plutôt nous inciter davantage à perfectionner nos aptitudes de rédaction de projets de recherche et de
demandes de subventions et à en faire plus pour relever les défis et saisir les occasions qui se présenteront à nous dans le
futur.
Je tiens à remercier sincèrement nos partenaires de l’INMD de participer à cette réunion. Ils nous apportent une précieuse
contribution en agissant comme conférenciers, animateurs de groupes de discussion et critiques de présentations par
affiches et en échangeant individuellement de manière décontractée avec les nouveaux chercheurs tout au long de la
réunion.
Je suis certain que nous aurons une réunion dynamique, remplie d’occasions de nouer des relations, d’apprendre les uns
des autres et de s’amuser.
Profitez-en pour faire un brin de causette!
Philip M. Sherman, MD, FRCPC
6. Page 6
MEETING OBJECTIVES
1. Enhance participants’success in obtaining future grant funding.
2. Build bridges between researchers from different areas and themes.
3. Provide participants with additional skills to translate knowledge
and build partnerships.
4. Inspire and encourage participants through mentorship from
distinguished researchers.
7. Page 7
OBJECTIFS DE LA RÉUNION
1. Améliorer les chances d’obtenir des subventions pour les
participants.
2. Établir des liens entre les chercheurs de différents domaines et
thèmes.
3. Augmenter les compétences des participants en application des
connaissances et dans l’établissement de partenariats.
4. Inspirer et encourager les participants en leur offrant des possibilités
de mentorat auprès de chercheurs canadiens distingués.
8. Page 8
MEETING AGENDA
Monday, January 26, 2015
6:30 PM Dinner and Opening Remarks
Dr. Philip Sherman, Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Nutrition,
Metabolism, and Diabetes (INMD)
Dr. Stephanie Atkinson, Chair, INMD Institute Advisory Board
8:00 PM Keynote Presentation
Dr. Hertzel Gerstein (McMaster University)
SearchingforAnswerstoClinicallyImportantResearch
Questions–WhyTaketheJourney?
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
7:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM CIHR 101
Dr. Philip Sherman (CIHR-INMD)
9:00 AM
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
LaVista Dining Room
5:30 PM Registration and Reception Bluenose Reception
Making Research Matter: KnowledgeTranslation and Beyond -
Panel presentations
Dr. Neale Ridgeway (Dalhousie University)
Dr. Alison Duncan (University of Guelph)
Making Research Matter: KnowledgeTranslation and Beyond -
Overview and Icebreaker
Facilitator: Ms. Kiera Keown (CIHR, KnowledgeTranslation)
9:35 AM
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
9. Page 9
MEETING AGENDA
11:00 AM Poster Judging (Part I) and Networking
Judges:
Dr. Robert Bertolo (Memorial University)
Dr. François Boudreau (Sherbrooke University)
Dr. Christopher Rose (University of Montreal)
Dr. Alison Duncan (University of Guelph)
Ms. Aida Fernandes (Crohn’s and Colitis Canada)
Mr. Paul Shay (Kidney Foundation of Canada)
Dr. Stephanie Atkinson (McMaster University)
Dr. Jan Hux (Canadian Diabetes Association)
Ms. RosaVenuta (CIHR, Citizen and Patient Engagement)
Ms. Kiera Keown (CIHR, KnowledgeTranslation)
Mahone
12:45 PM Lunch LaVista Dining Room
10:05 AM Making Research Matter: KT and Beyond - Breakout Sessions
HowtowriteaKTPlan
Facilitators
Group A: Dr. Doug Manuel (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute)
Group B: Dr. Robert Bertolo (Memorial University)
Group C: Dr. Alison Duncan (University of Guelph)
Group D: Dr. Christopher Rose (University of Montreal)
10:35 AM Making Research Matter: KT and Beyond - Structured Report Back
11:45 AM Citizen Engagement - Setting Research Priorities and
Demonstrating Accountability
Chair: Ms. RosaVenuta (CIHR, Citizen and Patient Engagement)
Panelists:
Mr. Paul Shay (Kidney Foundation of Canada)
Dr. Anthony Otley (Dalhousie University)
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
Group A: Bluenose A
Group B: Bluenose B
Group C: Lunenburg
Group D:Tancook
10. Page 10
MEETING AGENDA
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
9 to 11PM
Physical Activity
Scottish Dancing
Dinner
PosterTrivia Game and Prizes
Celtic Music
Paul Buchanan
4:15 PM Work-Life Balance
Chair: Dr. Anthony Otley (Dalhousie University)
Panel:
Dr. Chris Kennedy (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute)
Dr. Alison Duncan (University of Guelph)
3:15 PM Building Partnerships
Chair: Dr. Jan Hux (Canadian Diabetes Association)
Panel:
Dr. Peter Jones (University of Manitoba)
Ms. Aida Fernandes (Crohn’s and Colitis Canada)
Dr. Hertzel Gerstein (McMaster University)
2:30 PM Poster Judging (Part II) and Networking Break Mahone
Bluenose B
Bluenose A
LaVista Dining Room
Fireside Lounge/Bar
1:30 PM How to Become a Successful Researcher in Academia
Chair: Dr. François Boudreau (Sherbrooke University)
Panel:
Dr. Doug Manuel (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute)
Dr. Stephanie Atkinson (McMaster University)
Dr. Neale Ridgeway (Dalhousie University)
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
11. Page 11
MEETING AGENDA
9:30 AM Mock Grant Review: Breakout Groups
Facilitators:
Group A: Dr. Chris Kennedy (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute)
Group B: Dr. François Boudreau (Sherbrooke University)
Group C: Dr. Peter Jones (University of Manitoba)
Group D: Dr. Doug Manuel (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute)
Group A: Lunenburg
Group B: Bluenose A
Group C: Bluenose B
Group D:Tancook
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
7:00 AM Breakfast LaVista Dining Room
Bluenose B8:00 AM Applying to Strategic Requests for Applications (RFA)
Chair: Dr. Christopher Rose (University of Montreal)
Panelists:
Dr. Doug Manuel (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute)
Dr. Philip Sherman (CIHR-INMD)
Ms. Aida Fernandes (Crohn’s and Colitis Canada)
10:45 AM Mock Grant Review: Report Back
11:45 AM Lunch
9:00 AM Mock Grant Review: Introduction
Panelists:
Dr. Philip Sherman (CIHR-INMD)
Dr. Chris Kennedy (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute)
11:30 AM Wrap up
Dr. Philip Sherman (CIHR-INMD)
Dr. Stephanie Atkinson (McMaster University)
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
Bluenose Foyer
12. Page 12
le lundi 26 janvier 2015
17h30 Inscription et Accueil
18h30 Souper et mot de bienvenue
Dr Philip Sherman, Directeur scientifique, Institut de la nutrition, du
métabolisme et du diabète (INMD) des IRSC
Dre Stephanie Atkinson, Présidente, Commité consultatif de l’INMD
20h00 Conférencier principal
Dr Hertzel Gerstein (Université McMaster)
Pourquoiselanceràlaquêtederéponsesauxquestionsde
rechercheimportantessurleplanclinique?
le mardi 27 janvier 2015
7h30 Déjeuner
8h30 IRSC 101
Dr Philip Sherman (IRSC-INMD)
9h00 Valoriser la recherche : application des connaissances et suivi -
Aperçu et activité brise-glace
Animatrice : Mme Kiera Keown (IRSC, Application des connaissances)
Réception Bluenose B
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
Salle à manger LaVista
9h35 Valoriser la recherche : application des connaissances et suivi -
Présentations
Dr Neale Ridgeway (Université Dalhousie)
Dre Alison Duncan (Université de Guelph)
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
ORDRE DU JOUR
13. Page 13
ORDRE DU JOUR
11h00 Évaluation des affiches par les juges (partie I) et réseautage
12h45 Dîner Salle à manger LaVista
Juges:
Dr Robert Bertolo (Université Memorial)
Dr François Boudreau (Université de Sherbrooke)
Dr Christopher Rose (Université de Montréal)
Dre Alison Duncan (Université de Guelph)
Mme Aida Fernandes (Crohn et Colite Canada)
M Paul Shay (Fondation canadienne du rein)
Dre Stephanie Atkinson (Université McMaster)
Dre Jan Hux (Association canadienne du diabète)
Mme RosaVenuta (IRSC, Engagement des patients et citoyens)
Mme Kiera Keown (IRSC, Application des connaissances)
10h05 Valoriser la recherche : application des connaissances et suivi -
Discussions en petits groupes
Commentrédigerunpland’applicationdesconnaissances
Animateurs
Groupe A: Dr Doug Manuel (Institut de recherche de l’Hôpital d’Ottawa)
Groupe B: Dr Robert Bertolo (Université Memorial)
Groupe C: Dre Alison Duncan (Université de Guelph)
Groupe D: Dr Christopher Rose (Université de Montréal)
10h35 Importance de la recherche : application des connaissances et
suivi - Compte rendu structuré
Mahone
11h45 Engagement des citoyens - Fixer des priorités de recherche et
faire preuve de responsabilité
Animatrice: Mme RosaVenuta (IRSC, Engagement des patients et
citoyens)
Panel:
M Paul Shay (Fondation canadienne du rein)
Dr Anthony Otley (Université Dalhousie)
Groupe A: Bluenose A
Groupe B: Bluenose B
Groupe C: Lunenburg
Groupe D:Tancook
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
14. Page 14
ORDRE DU JOUR
15h15 Comment établir des partenariats
Animatrice: Dre Jan Hux (Association canadienne du diabète)
Panel:
Dr Peter Jones (Université du Manitoba)
Mme Aida Fernandes (Crohn et Colite Canada)
Dr Hertzel Gerstein (Université McMaster)
14h30 Évaluation des affiches par les juges (partie II) et réseautage Mahone
Bluenose B
18h00
19h30
21h à 23h
Activité physique
Danse écossaise
Souper
Jeu-questionnaire sur les affiches et prix
Musique celtique
Paul Buchanan
16h15 Équilibre entre le travail et la vie personnelle
Animateur: Dr Anthony Otley (Université Dalhousie)
Panel:
Dr Chris Kennedy (Institut de recherche de l’Hôpital d’Ottawa)
Dre Alison Duncan (Université de Guelph)
Bluenose A
Salle à manger LaVista
Bar/Lounge Fireside
13h30 Comment réussir en tant que chercheur en milieu universitaire
Animateur: Dr François Boudreau (Université de Sherbrooke)
Panel:
Dr Doug Manuel (Institut de recherche de l’Hôpital d’Ottawa)
Dre Stephanie Atkinson (Université McMaster)
Dr Neale Ridgeway (Université Dalhousie)
Bluenose B
Bluenose B
15. Page 15
ORDRE DU JOUR
10h45 Simulation d’évaluation d’une demande de subvention :
compte rendu
9h30 Simulation d’évaluation d’une demande de subvention :
discussions en petits groupes
Animateurs:
Groupe A: Dr Chris Kennedy (Institut de recherche de l’Hôpital d’Ottawa)
Groupe B: Dr François Boudreau (Université de Sherbrooke)
Groupe C: Dr Peter Jones (Université du Manitoba)
Groupe D: Dr Doug Manuel (Institut de recherche de l’Hôpital d’Ottawa)
Bluenose B
le mercredi 28 janvier 2015
7h00 Déjeuner
8h00
Salle à manger LaVista
Bluenose BPrésenter une demande dans le cadre des appels de demandes
stratégiques
Animateur: Dr Christopher Rose (Université de Montréal)
Panel:
Dr Doug Manuel (Institut de recherche de l’Hôpital d’Ottawa)
Dr Philip Sherman (IRSC-INMD)
Mme Aida Fernandes (Crohn et Colite Canada)
11h30 Conclusion
Dr Philip Sherman (IRSC-INMD)
Dre Stephanie Atkinson (Université McMaster)
11h45 Dîner
9h00 Simulation d’évaluation d’une demande de subvention :
Introduction
Présentations:
Dr Philip Sherman (IRSC-INMD)
Dr Chris Kennedy (Institut de recherche de l’Hôpital d’Ottawa)
Bluenose B
Groupe A: Lunenburg
Groupe B: Bluenose A
Groupe C: Bluenose B
Groupe D:Tancook
Foyer Bluenose
16. Page 16
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Céline Aguer
Scientist, Nutrition and Metabolism Research Unit
Montfort Hospital Research Institute
Adjunct professor, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology
University of Ottawa
celineaguer@montfort.on.ca
Research Interests: The overarching goal of my lab is to advance the understanding of the role of environ-
mental factors on the alteration of skeletal muscle energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Our current
research projects include: 1) the identification of myokines involved in skeletal muscle metabolism defects
during type 2 diabetes and obesity; 2) the effect of persistent organic pollutants on skeletal muscle mito-
chondrial energetics and insulin sensitivity and the potential contribution of a crosstalk between skeletal
muscle and adipocytes in pollutant-induced muscle energy metabolism defects.
Dhandapani Ashok
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology
London Health Sciences Centre,Western University
Dhandapani.Ashok@lhsc.on.ca
Research Interests: I am currently pursuing the following research interests:Transient elastography for
non-invasive monitoring of childhood liver diseases, Environmental factors in inflammatory bowel disease
- collaborative project with health geography scientists and Role of dietary allergens in functional bowel
diseases in children.
Meghan B. Azad
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics & Child Health
Manitoba Institute of Child Health, University of Manitoba
meghan.azad@umanitoba.ca
Research Interests: I am broadly interested in the developmental origins of chronic disease, including
asthma, allergies, obesity and diabetes.With dual expertise in molecular biology and epidemiology, I use a
trans-disciplinary approach to bridge the traditional pillars of research. My research program incorporates
administrative database studies, human birth cohorts, and collaboration with basic scientists to establish
animal models and explore biological mechanisms.
17. Page 17
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Stephane Bourque
Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
University of Alberta
sbourque@ualberta.ca
Research Interests: One aspect of my research focuses on the programming of cardiovascular and
metabolic disease by prenatal iron deficiency. I’m also interested in age-related changes in cardiovascular
function, particularly as they relate to perioperative hypotension and sepsis.
Chantal Bémeur
Associate professor, Nutrition Department, University of Montreal
Associate researcher, Centre de recherche de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM)
chantal.bemeur@umontreal.ca
Research Interests: My research program is oriented towards the study of diseases affecting the brain
and the liver in relation with nutritional status. Precisely, I seek to elucidate potential pathogenic mecha-
nisms implicated in the development of hepatic encephalopathy (complex neuropsychiatric complication of
liver disease) and Leigh Syndrome French Canadian type (monogenic mitochondrial disease affecting the
brain and the liver).
Valerie Carson
Assistant Professor, Physical Education & Recreation Faculty
University of Alberta
vlcarson@ualberta.ca
Research Interests: The overarching purpose of my research program is to establish healthy habits of
regular physical activity and minimal sedentary behaviour among children of the early years.The overarch-
ing goal is to foster healthy growth and development, life-long healthy active living, and the maintenance
of a healthy weight status to prevent chronic diseases.
TanvirTurin Chowdhury
Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine
University of Calgary
turin.chowdhury@ucalgary.ca
Research Interests: I am an epidemiologist and health service researcher. I draw upon the background
as a clinician with a diverse set of research methodological experience and have been involved in research
projects focusing on chronic disease prevention and health promotion in Canada, Japan, and Bangladesh.
18. Page 18
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Sacha De Serres
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Laval University
Nephrologist, CHUQ - Hotel-Dieu de Quebec
sacha.deserres@crchuq.ulaval.ca
Research Interests: My work focuses on understanding the role of innate immunity in chronic kidney
allograft rejection. In addition I work on developing diagnostic tools to identify allograft rejection early by
developing cellular assays.
Russell de Souza
Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics
McMaster University
rdesouz@mcmaster.ca
Research Interests: My broad research interest is in diet and cardiovascular disease. Currently, my work
seeks to advance methodology for systematic reviews and meta-analysis and clinical trials in the field of
nutrition, with an interest in the contribution of dietary patterns and macronutrients (specifically fructose,
saturated and trans fats) to cardiovascular disease risk throughout the lifespan. I am also a co-investigator
on the INMD-funded Birth Cohort Alliance, which seeks to explore associations among maternal nutrition,
infant feeding patterns, and epigenetic/epigenomic determinants of maternal and child health; and the
Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds cohort examining neighborhood-level factors that contribute to
cardiovascular risk.
Jeffrey G. Dickhout
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Div. Nephrology
McMaster University
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
jdickhou@stjosham.on.ca
Research Interests: Dr. Dickhout’s research program is currently supported by CIHR and the Kidney
Foundation of Canada where he holds funds as Principal Investigator into endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
stress in the development of kidney disease and proteostasis in hypertension induced end organ damage.
Dr. Dickhout also conducts research into the development of new therapeutic for Acute Kidney Injury. Dr.
Dickhout is a Kidney Foundation of Canada, KRESCENT New Investigator.
19. Page 19
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Yannick Doyon
Assistant professor, Department of Molecular Medicine
Laval University
Yannick.Doyon@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Research Interests: Our laboratory works toward the development of genetic therapies to treat rare
inherited metabolic diseases affecting children.We aim to translate an innovative genome editing technol-
ogy into a novel class of human therapeutics that enables precise molecular modification of a genetic defect
in vivo.We also strive to develop genome editing tools to open new windows onto biological mechanisms
with an emphasis on proteomics.
Greg Fairn
Staff Scientist
St. Michael’s Hospital,Toronto
fairng@smh.ca
Research Interests: My lab studies lipid metabolism, biological membranes and organelle biogenesis. As
part of this work we study both vesicular and non-vesicular transport of lipids and how altered phospho-
lipid distribution impacts cell physiology.We also study membrane dynamics involved in phagocytosis and
phagosome maturation and their role in innate immunity and tissue homeostasis.
Laura Forbes
Assistant Professor, Family Relations & Applied Nutrition
University of Guelph
forbesl@uoguelph.ca
Research Interests: Dr. Forbes’research program has combined clinical and community nutrition research
methods to focus on dietary intake during key developmental periods (adolescence, pregnancy) with the
goal of preventing chronic disease, specifically, diabetes and obesity.
20. Page 20
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
John-Michael Gamble
Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy
Cross-appointment, Faculty of Medicine
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Canadian Diabetes Association Clinician Scientist
jgamble@mun.ca
Research Interests: The overarching vision of my research program is to use the principles of epide-
miology to answer fundamental questions surrounding both beneficial and adverse effects of drugs.The
current focus of my research activities is in the area of drug safety and effectiveness of recently introduced
antihyperglycemic drugs. Furthermore, I am interested in evidence-based monitoring of medications,
pharmaceutical policy evaluation, and how to best dissemination knowledge regarding drug safety and
effectiveness into clinical practice.
Tanja Gonska
Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics
University ofToronto
Clinician-Investigator
The Hospital for Sick Children
tanja.gonska@sickkids.ca
Research Interests: My main research focus is to study CFTR function and its interaction with other
epithelial channels and transporters in human epithelial tissue obtained from nasal, lung or intestinal speci-
men. Further, I develop new in vivo CFTR function tests that can be used to support CF diagnosis as well as
outcome tests for new emerging drug treatment in CF.
Morgan Fullerton
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology
University of Ottawa
morgan.fullerton@uottawa.ca
Research Interests: The main focus of our laboratory is immunometabolism.We strive to understand the
regulation and convergence of lipid metabolism and inflammation. Using unique genetic mouse models,
we aim to uncover some of the underlying mechanisms by which these processes are altered in chronic
diseases such as insulin resistance (which leads to type 2 diabetes) and atherosclerosis (which leads to heart
disease).
21. Page 21
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Line Guénette
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy
Laval University
Researcher, Population Health and Optimal Health Practices
CHU de Québec Research Centre
Chair on adherence to treatments
line.guenette@pha.ulaval.ca
Research Interests: My research interests are in the pharmacoepidemiology of chronic diseases, particu-
larly type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. I am interested in drug utilization: methods related to drug
utilization research, factors associated with non-optimal drug utilization, and interventions and policies to
improve drug utilization by patients and healthcare professionals.
Lakshman Gunaratnam
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology
Western University
ConsultantTransplant Nephrologist and Director ofTransplant Assessment Program
London Health Sciences Centre
lgunarat@uwo.ca
Research Interests: Dr. Gunaratnam’s team is studying the potential role of kidney injury molecule-1,
a protein that is expressed by the kidney tubular epithelial cells soon after injury, in regulating the innate
immune response to ischemic kidney injury. By uncovering the detailed mechanisms that enable kidney
epithelial cells to control early inflammation following transplant surgery, they hope to identify specific
therapeutic strategies to increase the lifespan of transplanted kidneys. His basic science laboratory is funded
by grants from CIHR, Kidney Foundation of Canada and AMOSO. He is also a Schulich Clinician-Scientist and a
KRESCENT/CIHR New Investigator.
Laura Gougeon
Assistant Professor, Department of Human Nutrition
St. Francis Xavier University
lgougeon@stfx.ca
Research Interests: My current research interests are in nutrition and gerontology, focusing on
community-dwelling seniors, program assessment, and healthy aging.
22. Page 22
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Prévost Jantchou
Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology, hepatology and pediatric nutrition
Sainte Justine University Hospital
University of Montreal
prevost.jantchou@umontreal.ca
Research Interests: My research focus is aimed at the dietary factors that are involved in the paths physi-
ology of inflammatory bowel disease in particular the role of vitamin D. In this instance we are working on
a study to look at whether supplementation with high dosage of vitamin D in children with Crohn’s disease
may decrease the risk of relapse and increase the quality of life.
Andrea Josse
Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology
Brock University
ajosse@brocku.ca
Research Interests: Dr. Andrea Josse’s general research area combines exercise physiology and clinical
nutrition in the context of both health and chronic disease (obesity, diabetes and heart disease), and centers
on lifestyle modification strategies and/or training regimens that manipulate diet and physical activity to
achieve a healthier body composition or beneficial metabolic outcome. She is particularly interested in using
both nutrition (protein, dairy, calcium) and exercise (resistance and aerobic - alone or in combination) to
facilitate healthy changes in body composition and bone, primarily in young and older women.
Mary E. Jung
Assistant Professor
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar
University of British Columbia
mary.jung@ubc.ca
Research Interests: Dr. Jung’s research examines the self-regulation of health behaviours, in particu-
lar, adherence to healthy dietary practices and exercise behaviour. Her primary research objectives are to
develop, test, and implement techniques to improve self-regulatory skills for individuals living with, or at
risk of developing type 2 diabetes. She uses randomized controlled trials to assess the utility of self-man-
agement interventions on improving adherence to health behaviours in this population.
23. Page 23
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Dirk Lange
Assistant Professor, Department of Urologic Sciences
University of British Columbia
dirk.lange@ubc.ca
Research Interests: My research interests are in identifying and understanding molecular mechanisms
that drive ureteral dysfunction associated with ureteral obstruction, as well as the recovery of normal
ureteral activity post-obstruction. In addition, I am interested in the role of bacteria in urology, with specific
emphasis on the prevention of device-associated urinary tract infection and the role of intestinal bacteria in
recurrent kidney stone disease.
Bruno Larrivée
Assistant Professor
Université de Montréal
bruno_larrivee@yahoo.ca
Research Interests: My laboratory studies vascular development, with particular interests in mechanisms
that direct vascular patterning and guidance. I intend to apply this knowledge to understand the patho-
physiology underlying vascular diseases.
Jonathan Little
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health and Social Development
University of British Columbia (Okanagan)
jonathan.little@ubc.ca
Research Interests: The aims of my research program are to optimize exercise and nutritional strategies
for improving metabolic health and reducing inflammation in people with pre diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
My lab uses a translational approach that includes intervention studies in humans that are complemented
by cellular and molecular approaches to improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the anti-
inflammatory effects of lifestyle interventions.
Petra Kienesberger
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dalhousie University
pkienesb@dal.ca
Research Interests: My research focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms of metabolic disorders.
Specifically, I am investigating the role of lipid metabolism and signalling in the development of obesity and
diabetes-related comorbidities.
24. Page 24
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Gavin McCormack
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences
Cumming School of Medicine
University of Calgary
gmccorma@ucalgary.ca
Research Interests: My research is concerned with the physical and social environmental determinants of
health across the lifespan. My primary research focus involves investigating the interrelationships between
neighbourhood urban form, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, diet, and weight status.
Massimiliano Paganelli
Pediatric gastroenterologist
CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal
massimiliano.paganelli@gmail.com
Research Interests: My research focuses on hepatology and cell therapy. I use stem cells for disease
modelling (with a special focus on metabolic liver diseases and viral hepatitis) and cell therapy (cell trans-
plantation for liver diseases, bioartificial liver).
Dan S. Luciani
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
University of British Columbia / Child & Family Research Institute
CDAYoung Investigator in Islet Cell Biology
dluciani@cfri.ca
Research Interests: The overall goal of my research program is to clarify the mechanisms by which the
insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cells fail and die in the pathogenesis of diabetes. A significant part of our
work is focused on pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins in the Bcl-2 family, and their involvement in the control
of mitochondria and ER-derived stress signals in beta-cells under a range of pro-diabetic conditions.
Natalia McInnes
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
McMaster University
yakubon@mcmaster.ca
Research Interests: Her research interests include remission of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, and the
relationship between dysglycemia and ectopic fat deposition.
25. Page 25
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Thomas Pulinilkunnil
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dalhousie University
tpulinil@yahoo.com
Research Interests: My research goal is to identify and characterize novel molecular and physiologi-
cal mechanisms that influence the ability of the heart to degrade, dispose and recycle cellular waste.
Therapeutic targeting of these biochemical pathways during diabetes, obesity, aging, and coronary heart
disease will improve heart function and decrease mortality.
Adam Rahman
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Western University Medical
Director, Home Parenteral Nutrition Program
St. Joseph’s Health Care & London Health Sciences Centre
anradam@gmail.com
Research Interests: His clinical and research focus is improving quality of life in patients with serious
nutritional compromise. He joinedWestern University in 2013 in the Division of Gastroenterology as a clini-
cian researcher and the Medical Director of the Home Parenteral Nutrition Program. Dr. Rahman’s expertise
is focused on nutritional interventions to improve muscle mass and function in patients with serious illness.
Christopher G.R. Perry
Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology & Health Science
York University
cperry@yorku.ca
Research Interests: 1)The role of reactive oxygen species in regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism
in skeletal muscle mitochondria. 2) Mechanisms by which mitochondrial bioenergetics influence cell death
in skeletal muscle, cardiac and diaphragm.
Carla Prado
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science
University of Alberta
CAIP Chair in Nutrition, Food and Health
carla.prado@ualberta.ca
Research Interests: Dr. Prado is interested in the study of nutritional assessment and status and most
of her research has focused on investigating the prevalence of abnormal body composition (particularly
sarcopenic obesity) and its relationship to health outcomes in different cohorts of patients.
26. Page 26
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
Kara Schick-Makaroff
Postdoctoral Fellow, Faculty of Nursing
University of Alberta
kara.schickmakaroff@ualberta.ca
Research Interests: Kara’s research focus is on health-related quality of life for people living with chronic
and life-threatening illness, particularly chronic kidney disease. Her research interests also include elec-
tronic capture of patient-reported outcomes, mixed methods research, knowledge synthesis, and ethics.
Her funding is from KRESCENT (Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and NationalTraining), a program
developed and supported by CIHR, Kidney Foundation of Canada, and Canadian Society of Nephrology.
Travis Saunders
Assistant Professor, Applied Human Sciences
University of Prince Edward Island
trsaunders@upei.ca
Research Interests: I am interested in the relationship between sedentary behaviour (e.g. sitting), physi-
cal activity, and health in both children and adults. I am particularly interested in metabolic responses to
different combinations of sedentary behaviour and physical activity.
Shirya Rashid
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine
Dalhousie University
Shirya.Rashid@Dal.Ca
Research Interests: Elucidation of the causes of impaired lipid metabolism in obesity and in high cardio-
vascular risk populations and its therapeutic applications, with a focus on the novel protein targets PCSK9
and resistin.
27. Page 27
PARTICIPANTS - New Investigators
David H. St-Pierre
Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
Université du Québec à Montréal
st-pierre.david_h@uqam.ca
Research Interests: My main research interests are dedicated towards the study of gastrointestinal (GI)
peptides and their effects on energy balance. More specifically, my research team intends to understand the
regulatory roles of selected GI peptides in the etiology of excessive lipid deposition in key metabolic organs
and tissues such as the liver and the skeletal muscle.These studies include a multidisciplinary approach
using cell, animal as well as human models. Ultimately my research intends to decipher the interrelation-
ships between endocrine regulation and nutrition in order to identify pharmacological targets or elaborate
nutritional intervention to circumvent the early steps leading to the development of obesity-related
dysfunctions in children.
Eva Szabo
Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and Department of Medicine
McMaster University
Canada Research Chair in Metabolism in Human Stem Cells and Cancer Development
Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute (SCC-RI)
szabo@mcmaster.ca
Research Interests: The main focus of my research program is to dissect the role of human adipocyte
during development of metabolic disorders, including obesity and downstream type 2 diabetes, cardiovas-
cular disease as well as neuropathy, by utilizing human adult and pluripotent stem cells for: (1) modeling
normal and disease states and (2) towards development of novel treatment strategies for these debilitating
diseases.
Mark Ungrin
Assistant Professor, Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine
University of Calgary
mdungrin@ucalgary.ca
Research Interests: My research focuses on the generation and investigation of engineered microtissues
– tissue engineering at the sub-millimeter scale.We are pursuing investigations in several areas including
diabetes, macular degeneration and peri-implantation development.
28. Page 28
PARTICIPANTS - Speakers & Partners
Stephanie Atkinson
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Associate Member, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
McMaster University
Special Professional Staff member, McMaster Children’s Hospital
satkins@mcmaster.ca
Dr. Atkinson is Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, an Associate Member in the Department of
Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario
and Special Professional Staff in McMaster Children’s Hospital. From 2007-2014 she served in the leadership
position of Associate Chair (Research) of the Department of Pediatrics. Her current research program is
focused on investigations of the environmental (nutrition), genetic and biochemical factors during fetal,
neonatal and early childhood life that are important as risk determinants for chronic diseases. This includes
a prospective, longitudinal birth cohort study to follow children to 10 years of age that focuses on early
life determinants of obesity, diabetes, and risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. She also leads a
multi-disciplinary team of researchers in the conduct of randomized clinical intervention trials of nutrition
and exercise in pregnancy designed to reduce excess gestational weight gain and to optimize maternal and
child health outcomes including bone health. Dr. Atkinson currently serves as Chair of the Institute Advisory
Board of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, Chair of the Board of Directors of the
Maternal, Infant, Child andYouth Health Research Network (MICYRN), and as a member of the Scientific
Advisory Council for Osteoporosis Canada, the Board ofTrustees of the North American International Life
Sciences Institute (Washington, DC) and the Paediatric Expert Advisory Committee of Health Products and
Food Branch of Health Canada.
Robert Bertolo
President, Canadian Nutrition Society
Professor, Department of Biochemistry
Memorial University of Newfoundland
rbertolo@mun.ca
Robert Bertolo has been with the Department of Biochemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland
since 2002. He trained at the Universities of Guelph and Alberta studying nutrition and metabolism during
development with a focus on amino acid and protein nutrition. As a Professor of Nutrition and Metabolism
and Canada Research Chair in Human Nutrition, his current research involves the neonatal use of amino
acids for growth and non-growth requirements. In particular, he is interested in how neonatal nutrition and
methyl metabolism affect programming of gene expression that can eventually lead to higher risk for devel-
oping obesity and hypertension. From a nutritional perspective, he is interested in how much methionine is
needed to maintain growth and methylation demands and which pathways take priority when nutrition is
inadequate. Dr. Bertolo also has research programs on amino acid requirements during intestinal stress such
as in parenteral feeding. He has received funding from CIHR, NSERC, CFI, hospital foundations and industry
to support this research and has served on several grants review panels in Canada and USA. Dr. Bertolo is
also actively engaged in nutrition outreach and student development and is currently the President of the
Canadian Nutrition Society.
29. Page 29
PARTICIPANTS - Speakers & Partners
François Boudreau
Vice-President-Research
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
Full Professor, Department of anatomy and cellular biology
Université de Sherbrooke
Francois.Boudreau@USherbrooke.ca
Professor François Boudreau completed his PhD in Cell biology at the University of Sherbrooke under the
supervision of Prof. Claude Asselin. He then pursued studies on regulatory mechanisms involved in intesti-
nal epithelial gene transcription at the University of Pennsylvania under the supervision of Dr. PeterTraber.
Prof. Boudreau joined the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Sherbrooke in 2003
and is currently Full Professor. He has been Director of the Cell Biology program between 2008 and 2013
and Director of the Research Digestive Diseases Division of the FRSQ-funded CRCHUS center between 2008
and 2012. He is currentlyVice-President-Research of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology.
Prof. Boudreau’s work focuses on defining the molecular mechanisms involved in gene transcription during
normal intestinal development and diseases. He has identified transcription factors that can regulate
intestinal genes and be involved in the maintenance of the intestinal epithelial functions. Three of these
transcriptional regulators (HNF4, HNF1 and NCoR1) have now been shown to be affected during colorectal
cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases or certain metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. Prof.
Boudreau’s laboratory is currently aiming to define the molecular cascades closely linked to the activity of
these regulators and the deregulated functions of the intestinal epithelium in order to identify novel targets
for pharmacological and therapeutic applications.
Alison M. Duncan
RepresentingtheCanadianFoundationforDieteticResearch
Professor and Associate Director of Research, Human Nutraceutical Research Unit
Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences
University of Guelph
amduncan@uoguelph.ca
Alison Duncan, Ph.D., R.D. is a Professor and Associate Director of Research at the Human Nutraceutical
Research Unit (HNRU), in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS) at the
University of Guelph. Following an undergraduate degree in Applied Human Nutrition from the University
of Guelph, she completed training to become a Registered Dietitian inToronto, a M.Sc. in Nutritional
Sciences from the University ofToronto and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Minnesota.
Her teaching is in the area of functional food and nutraceuticals, both at the undergraduate and graduate
level and she currently coordinates the M.Sc. coursework program in HHNS at the University of Guelph.
Her research interests relate to the biological effects of functional foods and nutraceuticals on chronic
disease-related endpoints evaluated in human intervention studies, with a particular focus on the agri-
food-health continuum. Another research interest involves the use of functional foods and natural health
products (prevalence, associated attitudes and beliefs) in healthy and clinical populations. Alison currently
serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Nutrition and in 2005, she received theYoung Canadian
Innovator Award in Agriculture, Food and Human Health.
30. Page 30
PARTICIPANTS - Speakers & Partners
Aida Fernandes
Chief Science & Education Officer
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
afernandes@crohnsandcolitis.ca
Aida Fernandes is the current Chief Science & Education Officer at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada (CCC). In her
role, Aida leads the organization’s research, patient services and advocacy programs. She is responsible for
developing and implementing the organization’s scientific and education strategy and building partnerships
that will advance basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological, and health services research in inflammatory
bowel disease.
Aida is also an Advisory Board member for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Infection
and Immunity. She has also served on a number of governing bodies in the voluntary health sector includ-
ing: Public Health Agency of Canada’s Surveillance Advisory Committee, HealthPartners, Health Charities’
Coalition of Canada Research Committee, and Canadian Genetics Coalition.
Aida holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from the University ofToronto and a Masters of Business
Administration in Non-Profit Management & Leadership fromYork University’s Schulich School of Business.
Hertzel C. Gerstein
Professor, Department of Medicine
McMaster University
Chair - McMaster Population Health Research Institute
gerstein@mcmaster.ca
Dr. Hertzel Gerstein is an Endocrinologist and Professor at McMaster University and Hamilton Health
Sciences, where he holds the Population Health Institute Chair in Diabetes Research. He is also Director
of the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Director of the Diabetes Care and Research Program and
Deputy Director of the Population Health Research Institute. He has received several honors including the
Canadian Diabetes Association’sYoung Scientist Award (1999), Frederick G. Banting Award (1999), Charles
H. Best Award (2007) and Lifetime Achievement Award (2012).
Dr. Gerstein has led the application of large simple outcome trials to people with diabetes globally, and
developed the concept of dysglycemia as an important risk factor for many of the serious health outcomes
that afflict people with an elevated glucose level regardless of diabetes status. He currently leads clinical
trials and epidemiologic studies related to: a) the prevention and therapy of diabetes and its many conse-
quences, and b) the role of dysglycemia and relative insulin insufficiency on the development of diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and other chronic conditions. His research spans over 50 coun-
tries, and has been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the National Institutes of Health,
the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Diabetes Association and Industry. Key studies in which
he has played or continues to play a major leadership role include HOPE, MICRO HOPE, ACCORD, DREAM,
EpiDREAM, ORIGIN,TIDE, ACE, ELIXA and REWIND.
Dr. Gerstein has published more than 300 papers, editorials and commentaries, mainly on diabetes-related
issues and co-edited the textbook Evidence-Based Diabetes Care. He is an Associate Editor for ACP Journal
Club, and is on the editorial board of Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology and the Journal of Diabetes. He was
the founding chair of the evidence-based committee for the CDA Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines
for the Management of Diabetes in Canada and developed their evidence-based approach.
31. Page 31
PARTICIPANTS - Speakers & Partners
Peter J. Jones
Director, Richardson Centre for Functional Foods
University of Manitoba
Peter.Jones@umanitoba.ca
Peter J. Jones, is a Canada Research Chair in Functional Foods and Nutrition, and Director of the Richardson
Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals at the University of Manitoba where his main appointment
is in the Department of Food Science with a cross-appointment in Human Nutritional Sciences. Dr Jones’
research interests cover cholesterol, fat and energy metabolism. He has applied novel stable isotope meth-
odologies to examine the response of these areas of metabolism to dietary intervention. His research group
has been active in exploring the dietary determinants which control cholesterol biosynthesis absorption and
turnover in humans, as well as how plant sterols act in functional foods as cholesterol-lowering agents. Dr.
Jones has published over 325 peer-reviewed research articles and reviews in international journals, as well
as chapters in leading nutrition textbooks.
Jan Hux
Chief Science Officer
Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA)
Jan.Hux@diabetes.ca
Dr. Hux is the Chief Science Officer at the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) where she provides scientific
and strategic input to the research, educational and communications activities of the association.
Prior to joining CDA in 2012, she was a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences
(ICES) where for over 15 years she carried out health services research in the areas of diabetes, end stage
renal disease and drug utilization. She is also a clinician with training in general internal medicine. Dr.
Hux has received research support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Diabetes
Association, Physicians’Services Incorporated and the Ontario Ministry of Health and LongTerm Care. She
is an Adjunct Professor at the University ofToronto in the Departments of Medicine and Health Policy,
Management and Evaluation and an Adjunct Scientist at ICES.
32. Page 32
PARTICIPANTS - Speakers & Partners
Christopher R.J. Kennedy
Senior Scientist, Kidney Research Centre
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Associate Professor, Departments of Medicine and CMM
University of Ottawa
ckennedy@uottawa.ca
Christopher Kennedy received his Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude) in 1992 followed by a Doctoral degree
in 1997 as an NSERC scholar under the supervision of Drs. Pierre R. Proulx and Richard L. Hébert at the
University of Ottawa. Dr. Kennedy continued his training, focussing on the role of prostaglandins in
renal disease progression as a fellow of the National Kidney Foundation in the Division of Nephrology at
Vanderbilt University, under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Breyer. In 2000, Dr. Kennedy returned to Canada
where he is a Senior Scientist within the Chronic Disease Program and Kidney Research Centre at the Ottawa
Hospital Research Institute and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine / Department of Medicine
at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Kennedy’s research program has been funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR),
the Kidney Foundation of Canada (KFOC), and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. He was a CIHR New
Investigator Scholar. He has held CIHR operating grants continuously since 2001, seeking to identify factors
such as prostaglandins and reactive oxygen species responsible for mediating damage to cells within the
kidney’s filtration barrier – known as podocytes. Such injury results in abnormal leakage of protein into the
urine. Identifying the specific factors responsible for filtration barrier injury may reveal a novel therapeutic
target for the prevention of glomerular diseases. Most recently, his work defined a critical role for a novel
NADPH oxidase isoform (Nox5) in diabetic kidney disease. Dr. Kennedy’s KFOC-funded research has shed
light on how mutations in the alpha-actinin-4 gene lead to an inherited form of a common kidney disease
- focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). This research project employs transgenic technology to repro-
duce this disease state in mice so that its progression can be better studied and novel therapies developed.
Dr. Kennedy has served as a member and is currently Scientific Officer of the CIHR Hematology Digestive
Diseases and Kidney open operating grant peer review committee.
Kiera Keown
Senior KnowledgeTranslation Advisor
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
kiera.keown@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Kiera Keown joined the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s KnowledgeTranslation Branch in the role of
Senior Advisor in early 2011.Within her current role she is responsible for the open access portfolio, institu-
tional KT support and support of end of grant reporting initiatives. Prior to joining CIHR, Kiera worked as a
KnowledgeTransfer and Exchange Associate at the Institute forWork & Health where she managed stake-
holder networks, engaged stakeholders in various research projects and disseminated research evidence
to appropriate audiences. Kiera holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Ottawa and a Master of
Science from the University of Guelph.
33. Page 33
PARTICIPANTS - Speakers & Partners
Doug Manuel
Senior Scientist, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Associate Professor, Departments of Family Medicine and Epidemiology & Community Medicine
University of Ottawa
PHAC/CIHR Chair in Applied Public Health Sciences
Senior Medical Advisor, Statistics Canada
Adjunct Scientist, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences
dmanuel@ohri.ca
Dr. Manuel is a Medical Doctor with a Masters in Epidemiology and Royal College specialization in Public
Health and Preventive Medicine. He is a Senior Scientist of Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and a Senior
Medical Advisor for Statistics Canada. He is a Clinical Scientist, C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research
Centre and Elizabeth Bruyère Research Institute and a Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and
Epidemiology and Community Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Manuel’s research uses popula-
tion data housed at Statistics Canada and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. He has worked as a
primary care physician in rural, remote and underserviced communities across Canada for over 20 years. His
current practice is atWellness Centre, the health care point of entry for refugees arriving in Ottawa.
Anthony R. Otley
Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine
Dalhousie University
Head, Division of Gastroenterology & Nutrition
IWK Health Centre
Anthony.Otley@Dal.Ca
Dr. Otley is Head, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition at the IWK Health Centre and Professor,
Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He earned his medical degree from the University ofToronto, Canada [1991], his Pediatric Speciality des-
ignation from Dalhousie University in Halifax [1996] and a Fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology from
the Hospital for Sick Children inToronto [1999]. As well, Dr. Otley received a Master of Science in Clinical
Epidemiology from University ofToronto in 2004.
Major research interests include clinical trials, and in particular the development and evaluation of outcome
measures used in pediatric clinical trials. Development of disease-specific health related quality of life
questionnaires for children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IMPACT) and Post-liverTransplant (PeLTQL)
are two examples. Other research areas include use of enteral nutrition as primary therapy in the manage-
ment of Crohn’s disease, with special interest in understanding the role the gut flora may have to play. He
is the Maritime principal investigator of the CHILD-CIHR Canadian pediatric IBD Network, and is leading the
patient engagement work for this project.
34. Page 34
PARTICIPANTS - Speakers & Partners
Neale Ridgway
Professor, Depts. of Pediatrics, and, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Atlantic Research Centre
Dalhousie University
nridgway@dal.ca
Dr. Ridgway received his BSc and MSc (1985) from Dalhousie University, and a PhD from the University of
British Columbia (1988) under the Supervision of Dr. DennisVance. Post-doctoral training was with Drs.
Goldstein and Brown in the Dept. of Molecular Genetics, University ofTexas-Southwestern Medical College.
He joined the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University in 1991 as a member of the Depts. of Pediatrics
and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and is currently the director of the Atlantic Research Centre (a
Pediatrics division). Dr. Ridgway has a long-standing interest in the fundamental role of lipids and choles-
terol in health and disease. Current CIHR- and HSF-funded research is focused on 1) transport and signaling
proteins that move lipids and cholesterol between cellular organelles and their role(s) in lipid homeostasis
and 2) how reprogramming of lipid synthesis (phospholipids in particular) contributes to carcinogenesis and
adipocyte differentiation.
Christopher Rose
RepresentingtheCanadianLiverFoundationandtheCanadianAssociationfortheStudyoftheLiver
Research Professor, Dept. Medicine, Université de Montréal
Hôpital St-Luc, CRCHUM
christopher.rose@umontreal.ca
Christopher Rose received his PhD (Biomedical Sciences) from the Université de Montréal in 2000. He
continued his research interests in Europe by pursuing post-doctoral studies in Germany (Prof. Kettenmann,
Berlin), Spain (Prof. Felipo,Valencia and Prof. Cordoba, Barcelona) and Norway (Dr.Ytrebo,Tromso). In doing
so, he was the recipient of 3 prestigious post-doctoral fellowship awards from the Alexander von Humboldt
Foundation (Germany), CIHR (Canada) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (Europe). He
is currently Associate professor in the Department of Medicine at the Université de Montréal and his labora-
tory, Hepato-Neuro, has been established at the CRCHUM since 2006. Dr. Rose has published over 50 articles,
many in high-impact journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
His research interests lie within the area of hepatic encephalopathy, a major neuropsychiatric complication
of liver disease. As much as 80% of patients with cirrhosis suffer from hepatic encephalopathy, which leads
to substantial morbidity and mortality and has a significant impact on neurological outcome following liver
transplantation, the only curative approach to this day.Translational research is the primary objective of Dr.
Rose’s laboratory and, therefore, his research program is based on a bench-to-bedside concept.Throughout
his career, Dr. Rose has vested interest in identifying the pathogenic factors and the pathophysiological
pathways involved in the development of cerebral complications associated with liver disease. Ultimately,
the ability to recognize pathogenic factors and mechanisms of the disease will lead to novel therapeutic
approaches, which in turn will improve management of patients with liver disease and enhance neurologi-
cal outcome following liver transplantation.
Dr. Rose’s laboratory is currently funded by CIHR,The Canadian Liver Foundation, and the Fonds de recher-
che du Québec en santé. In addition, Dr. Rose is currently Secretary of the International Society for Hepatic
Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism, and co-chair of the Research Committee of the Canadian
Association for the Study of the Liver.
35. Page 35
PARTICIPANTS - Speakers & Partners
Philip M. Sherman
Scientific Director
CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
sd.inmd@sickkids.ca
Philip M. Sherman, MD, FRCPC, is Professor of Paediatrics, Microbiology, & Dentistry at the Hospital for Sick
Children, University ofToronto where he has been on faculty since 1984. Phil completed medical school
at the University of Calgary in 1977 and training in pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco
(1977-1980).Training in gastroenterology and research was completed at the Hospital for Sick Children in
Toronto, and theWalter Reed Army Institute of Research inWashington, DC (1980-1984).
Phil is a Past-President of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and
Nutrition and a Past-President of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. He is the recipient of a
Canada Research Chair (tier 1) in Gastrointestinal Disease (2001-2015). His research program is funded by
support currently provided by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
(CIHR). His research interests focus on epithelial cell signal transduction responses to pathogenic, commen-
sal, and probiotic bacteria.
In October 2010, Phil was awarded the prestigious 2010 Shwachman Award from the North American
Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN).The award recognizes significant and life-
long scientific or educational contributions to the field of paediatric gastroenterology, and awardees must
also hold a record of advocacy for child digestive diseases and demonstrate exemplary service to the field.
Phil assumed the position of Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute
of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes in January, 2009.
Paul Shay
National Executive Director
Kidney Foundation of Canada (KFOC)
paul.shay@kidney.ca
Paul Shay has servedThe Kidney Foundation of Canada as National Executive Director since June 2008. He
possess over two decades of management experience leading highly-decentralized organizations.
Previous positions include:
Director, Office of Recruitment, at Université Laval
Executive Director of FIRST, an international organization promoting science and engineering
President of AFS Intercultural Programs, a leading international exchange network with branches in
over 50 countries
Executive Director for CanadaWorldYouth, which promotes international cooperation
Paul is deeply committed to strengthening voluntary and charitable organizations through his professional
and voluntary work. His community leadership has been recognized through two commemorative medals
from the Government of Canada. He served recently as Chair of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada, as
an Officer and Director of the International Federation of Kidney Foundations, and as a Member of theWorld
Kidney Day Steering Committee.
36. Page 36
PARTICIPANTS - Speakers & Partners
RosaVenuta
Project Lead, Citizen and Patient Engagement
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
rosa.venuta@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
RosaVenuta is the Project Lead for Citizen and Patient Engagement at the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research (CIHR). Since 2008, Rosa has been responsible for developing a centre of expertise to guide CIHR’s
efforts for engaging citizens and patients in a variety of capacities such as membership roles on committees
and boards, corporate and Institute strategic planning activities, in collaborative research and in its knowl-
edge translation efforts. As a partner in the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research initiative, CIHR is also
committed to implementing cross-cutting mechanisms to support the organization’s goals to meaningfully
engage patients within this multi-sectoral collaboration.
Rosa completed a double Major from Concordia University (Bachelor of Arts) in Applied Human Sciences/The
School of Community and Public Affairs and she more recently completed a certificate program in Human
Resources Management from theTelfer School of Management (Ottawa U). Before joining CIHR Rosa’s work
experience included managing volunteer programs for provincially-funded community support organiza-
tions in both Ottawa (Meals onWheels) and in Saskatoon (Home Care).
37. Page 37
PARTICIPANTS - CIHR INMD Staff
Kimberly Banks Hart
kimberly.bankshart@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Associate, Strategic Initiatives
Mary-Jo Makarchuk
mary-jo.makarchuk@sickkids.ca
Assistant Director -Toronto
Vera Ndaba
vera.ndaba@sickkids.ca
Business Officer and Event Planner
Keeley Rose
keeley.rose@sickkids.ca
Project Manager
40. CIHR - Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
Hospital for Sick Children
Banting Building, Room 207L
100 College St.,Toronto, ON M5G 1L5
CIHR - Corporate Headquarters
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9