A distinguished group of researchers from across North America will share their work during the seventh annual Muscle Health Awareness Day (MHAD7) on Friday, May 27 from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
The event, organized by York University’s David Hood, director of the Muscle Health Research Centre in the Faculty of Health, highlights recent research and discoveries by scientists working in the field of muscle health.
Throughout the day, there will be a series of lectures, graduate student poster presentations and opportunities to network. The event is held in the Life Science Building, Lobby and Rooms 101 and 103. The fee to register is $20, and includes a light breakfast, buffet lunch and coffee breaks.
This year features an exciting roster of guest speakers:
Jane Batt is a respirologist and scientist at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael’s Hospital. Her research is focused on defining the molecular mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle atrophy, and identifying novel mediators of muscle mass loss.
An associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Montreal, Yan Burelle will speak on his research that examines mitochondrial function and mitochondrial quality control mechanisms, and their roles in cardiac and skeletal muscle disease.
From the University of Ottawa is Jeff Dilworth, a senior scientist in the Regenerative Medicine Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and an associate professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, as well as the Department of Medicine. The aims of his research are to better understand the role of epigenetic regulation of stem cells, and how this influences stem cell health and function.
James Dowling is a physician in neurology and a senior scientist in genetics and genome biology at the Hospital for Sick Children, as well as an assistant professor in molecular genetics at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on the development of gene- and drug-based therapies for childhood neuromuscular diseases, such as congenital myopathies and muscular dystrophies.
Adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario Graham Fraser is interested in the study of oxygen transport and the regulation of microvascular blood flow.
Martin Gibala is a professor and chair in the Department of Kinesiology, and a member of the Exercise Metabolism Research Group, both at McMaster University. His current work focuses on the study of the metabolic adaptations to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and the role of nutrient availability to influence adaptations to exercise training.
Coming from the University of Pittsburgh, Erin Kershaw is an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology. Her current research examines the roles of glucocorticoid and lipid metabolism in the development of obesity and the metabolic syndrome.
Amira Klip is a senior scientist in cell biology at the Hospital for Sick Childrean, and a professor in biochemistry, paediatrics and physiology at the University of Toronto. Her research interests lie in unraveling the mechanisms by which muscle contraction and insulin regulate glucose uptake.
A senior scientist at the Toronto General Research Institute/University Health Network, and a professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Toronto, Ren-Ke Li’s work focuses on cell transplantation into damaged myocardial tissue for the restoration of cardiac function and tissue engineering for the repair of cardiac defects.
The event will also feature a poster competition, and abstracts for poster presentations from undergraduates, master, PhD students, as well as postdoctoral fellows, are welcome on any topic related to muscle, exercise, health or metabolism.
Deadlines for abstract submissions are Friday, May 20 at 4pm in order to be considered for a poster award; to be included in the conference, abstracts must be submitted by Monday, May 23 at 4pm.
For more information on the event, and the poster submissions, visit mhrc.info.yorku.ca/events/mhad-7.