Department of Biology, Mount Royal University – Sensory Feedback in Dystonia Muscle sensory feedback is thought to contribute to dystonia, however this has not been investigated directly. Dr. Strzalkowski’s research group believes that abnormal sensory feedback from specialized muscle receptors contributes to the involuntary dystonic muscle contractions and is associated with botulinum toxin treatment outcomes. Dr.…
Arneet Saltzman, PhD
Department of Cell and Systems Biology University of Toronto Investigating the role of heterochromatin readers in genome stability Chromosomes consist of DNA packaged with proteins to form chromatin. The organization of our DNA into chromatin is important for controlling which genes are active or inactive, and for preserving the integrity of the genome during cell…
Daiva Nielsen, PhD
Department of Human NutritionMcGill University Characterization of the workplace food environment in Montreal Canada: New directions for gene-environment interaction and health research The retail food environment is acknowledged to play a significant role in public health and while previous studies have examined the role of the food environment around one’s residence, the food environment around…
Benoit Laurent, PhD
Department of BiochemistryUniversité de Sherbrooke Deciphering the epigenetic regulation of alternative splicing in neurons Aging can reduce the birth of new neurons, a process called neurogenesis. The challenge is to prevent our neurons from dying in old age and keep growing new ones in order to stave off neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Laurent’s research project aims…
Mahsa Jessri, PhD
Department of Food, Nutrition, and Health, University of British Columbia Dietary Patterns and Food Policies: Measuring the Impact on Health With the dramatic increase in life expectancy that occurred during the 20th century, we can be more optimistic than ever that good health is both achievable and sustainable. Unlike smoking, whose contribution to death and…
Andrea Bombak, PhD
Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick Intersections of Weight Stigma in New Brunswick Weight stigma affects risk for stress, diabetes, and heart disease. Little research has explored how people facing other stigmas (like racism, ageism, or classism) are affected by weight stigma. Place also affects health by making it easier or more difficult to access…
Lindsay Bodell, PhD
Department of PsychologyWestern University Negative Affect and Reward Processing in Individuals with Binge Eating Binge eating is defined by consuming a large amount of food over a short time period and feeling out of control while eating. This behavior is a key feature of eating disorders, affects approximately 10% of the population, and is associated…
