The Canadian Association for Neuroscience, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Science World have teamed up to present latest neuroscience research to the public.

Approximately 700 leading neuroscientists from across Canada and around the world will be in Vancouver from May 24 to 27 for the 9th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN). The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) has partnered with CAN and Science World British Columbia to host a series of events on May 23 to engage the public with the newest in brain health research.

“This year’s Annual Meeting is an exciting one for us,” says Dr. Kurt Haas, a researcher at DMCBH and Chair of the CAN 2015 Scientific Program Committee. “We’re doing more public outreach, and really trying to capitalize on the public’s interest in neuroscience.”

Public events will take place on Saturday, May 23 at TELUS World of Science in Vancouver.

CAN Public Talks

  • May 23, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
  • Free, open to the general public. Space is limited, please RSVP.

The Canadian Association for Neuroscience is bringing together two experts to deliver public lectures that will highlight how our brain works in health and disease.

Dr. Janet Werker, Professor at the Department of Psychology of the University of British Columbia, Canada Research Chair in Psychology, and Director of the Infant Study Centre at UBC, will provide insight on how the brains of babies work, with a lecture titled: “Understanding the foundations of language development by studying the infant brain.”

Dr. Jon Stoessl, Professor & Head of Neurology at the University of British Columbia, Co-Director of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Canada Research Chair in Parkinson’s disease will discuss how diseases like Parkinson’s affect brain function, in lecture titled “The Clinic as Laboratory: Lessons from Parkinson’s.”

Café Scientifique

  • May 23, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
  • Free, open to the general public. Space is limited, please RSVP.

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, after Alzheimer’s disease. It affects both the motor and non-motor functions of over 100,000 Canadians and 6.3 million people worldwide. Join a panel of experts from the PD research and care community for discussion, debate and dessert, as we explore the latest research and developments with professionals working toward improving treatment and finding a cure.

Expert Panelists

  • Martin McKeown, Clinical Neurologist at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Director, Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre
  • Austen Milnerwood, Researcher at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Head, Translational Neuroscience, Centre for Applied Neurogenetics
  • Noel MacDonald, Caregiver and co-founder of Porridge for Parkinson’s

The event will be moderated by Emily Wight, Communications Manager at DMCBH.

Meet a Scientist

  • May 23, all day
  • With admission to TELUS World of Science

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at DMCBH and the University of British Columbia will be interacting with guests of TELUS World of Science throughout the Centre. Students have designed family friendly demonstrations and activities based on their neuroscience research. Come ask a question, meet a scientist and learn a little more about the human brain!