Health e-News

Dr. Donald Sheppard appointed Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Donald Sheppard to the position of Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Faculty of Medicine, McGill University. As Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dr. Sheppard will build on the department’s successes in emerging areas such as pathogen virulence mechanisms, microbiome, and innate immune responses and help generate new knowledge in understanding pathogenesis resulting from infection and immunological processes, with the aim of ultimately translating these into novel treatments, diagnostic tools and vaccines to improve human health locally and globally.
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Fred Andermann 1930-2019

Dr. Frederick Andermann, one of Canada’s most distinguished neurologists, passed away quietly on June 16, 2019 in Montreal at the age of 88.

Funeral service from Paperman & Sons 3888 Rue Jean-Talon Ouest on Wednesday, June 19 at 11:30am. Burial at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim 1250 chemin de la Foret, Outremont. Shiva at his home. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Frederick Andermann Clinical and Research Fellowship in Epileptology and EEG at McGill University (514-398-2529) to continue his legacy of training epilepsy specialists worldwide.
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Demetra Kafantaris appointed Executive Director, Administration and Operations, McGill Faculty of Medicine

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Demetra Kafantaris to the position of Executive Director, Administration and Operations, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, effective June 17, 2019. This appointment is the outcome of an extensive recruitment effort involving several outstanding candidates, both internal and external.
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Highlights from the May 23, 2019, Board of Governors meeting

On May 23, 2019, McGill’s Board of Governors held its fifth meeting of the 2018-2019 governance year. The full minutes of the meeting’s open session will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting, on October 3, 2019. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting’s important discussions, decisions and developments.
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The 2019 Edition of the Prognosis is here!

The Prognosis, McGill’s student-led global health journal has released its 8th edition under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Anna de Waal. This year, seven peer-reviewed articles were selected for publication. The topics range from Universal Health Care in Thailand to Tuberculosis in Nunavut.
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Four burning questions for Alan C. Evans

Dr. Alan Evans, Scientific Director of McGill’s Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives, is a researcher specializing in neuroinformatics. He was recently honoured with the 2019 Glass Brain award for pioneering work in neuroimaging, the technologies we rely on to navigate, analyze and better understand the human brain. In this interview with the McGill Reporter, Evans discusses the path that led him to the field of neuroscience; the importance of open science and big data; and the future of neuroinformatics research.
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Centre of Genomics and Policy celebrates 10 years

On June 13, 2019, the Centre of Genomics and Policy  (CGP) celebrated its 10th anniversary at McGill University. Since June 2009, the CGP has been located at the McGill University/Genome Quebec Innovation Centre and works at the crossroads of law, medicine, science and public policy.
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Focus on McGill Nursing Faculty: Irene Sarasua

Our dedicated faculty members are the heartbeat of the Ingram School of Nursing. Learn more about McGill Nursing educators via Focus on McGill Nursing Faculty. In this edition, Irene Sarasua, RN, shares her passion for perinatal and women’s health. Prior to joining the School, Irene was Clinical Nurse Specialist in Maternal-Child Health and subsequently Head Nurse of the Family Birthing Centre and Antepartum Units of the Jewish General Hospital. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and holds Canadian Nurses Association certification in Perinatal Nursing.
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Researchers unlock mysteries of complex microRNA oncogenes

A new collaborative study, led by researchers at McGill University’s Goodman Cancer Research Centre (GCRC), and published in the journal Molecular Cell, uncovered novel functions for polycistronic microRNAs and showed how cancers such as lymphoma twist these functions to reorganize the information networks that control gene expression.
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McGill researchers reveal how protein mutation is involved in rare brain development disorder

Researchers at McGill University focusing on the intellectual disability aspect of Christianson Syndrome, have shown for the first time how a specific mutant form of the SLC9A6 encoding gene for the NHE6 protein affects the ability of neurons to form and strengthen connections. The findings, which the researchers hope could eventually lead to new treatments for patients, are published online in the journal Neurobiology of Disease.
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Gut bacteria associated with chronic widespread pain for first time

Scientists have found a correlation between a disease involving chronic pain and alterations in the gut microbiome. In a paper published today in the journal Pain, a Montreal-based research team has shown, for the first time, that there are alterations in the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tracts of people with fibromyalgia. Approximately 20 different species of bacteria were found in either greater or are lesser quantities in the microbiomes of participants suffering from the disease than in the healthy control group.
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Dr. Eugene Bereza steps down as Director of the MUHC Centre for Applied Ethics, receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Eugene Bereza has recently stepped down from his position as Director of the MUHC Centre for Applied Ethics, remaining part of the CAE team as ethics consultant on a part-time basis. In recognition of his leadership and innovation in biomedical ethics at the local, national and international levels over the last three decades, Dr. Bereza was awarded the Canadian Bioethics SocietyLifetime Achievement Award on May 24, 2019.
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Alan Evans honoured for his lifetime contribution to the field of neuroimaging

The Organization for Human Brain Mapping, the largest international scientific society for neuroimaging-based brain research, has honoured Prof. Alan C. Evans with its Glass Brain Award. The award, presented to Evans at the 2019 OHBM congress in Rome, recognizes lifetime achievement in the use of brain mapping to make significant discoveries about the human brain.
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Students take lead on interprofessional healthcare education

Fresh off the heels of their 2019 McGill Interprofessionalism Research Symposium on March 20, the McGill Association of Students in Healthcare are already planning for next academic year. The 2019 symposium saw students from a range of disciplines present posters and oral presentations along with a panel discussion about mental health.
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