Thursday 25 March 2010

Diabetes symposium to be held Tuesday

Diabetes symposium to be held Tuesday

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is hosting a free research symposium on Tuesday, March 30, at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Main Street in Moncton.

Guest speakers include renowned diabetes researcher Dr. Derek van der Kooy, a professor in the department of molecular genetics at the University of Toronto and formerly a professor in the department of anatomy and cell biology at the same university.

van der Kooy's lab works on stem cell biology and developmental biology research projects. Some of van der Kooy's research relates to pancreatic stem cells and their potential for treatment.

Sara Robinson, a spokesperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, says van der Kooy will speak about the latest research and treatments relating to diabetes.

Other speakers at the research symposium include Dr. T. Michael Vallis, a professor in the departments of psychiatry and psychology at Dalhousie University, and Jonny White, an athlete with Type 1 diabetes who bicycled 12,000 km (7,456 miles) across Africa (top to bottom). White is now completing his Ph.D. in media psychology and produced Long Road, a three-part web documentary chronicling his journey.

Emcee for the evening is Moncton native Colin Matheson.

Robinson says the event is aimed at anyone who is touched by Type 1 diabetes or diabetes in general.

A free meal will be provided by Crowne Plaza at the symposium. A cocktail reception will be held at Crowne Plaza at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the symposium will begin around the same time. The event is expected to wrap around 9:30 p.m. Anyone can attend, but they must RSVP by calling 852-4415 or e-mailing moncton@jdrf.ca.

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