Parkinson Society Canada is pleased to announce the recipient of this year’s Donald Calne Lectureship is Dr. Matthew Farrer, Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics and Director of the Centre for Applied Neurogenetics in the Brain Research Centre at University of British Columbia (UBC), in Vancouver, BC.
Dr. Farrer receives this honour for his work as an ambitious researcher who has made several influential discoveries in neurogenetics and who has 271 peer-reviewed publications to his credit. He is internationally renowned for his work on the genetics of Parkinson’s disease and his contribution to the field of Parkinson’s research. Dr. Farrer is Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neurogenetics and Translational Neuroscience and the Dr. Donald Rix B.C. Leadership Chair in Genetic Medicine at UBC.
Dr. Farrer has established a Centre for Applied Neurogenetics (www.can.ubc.ca) at UBC, where he and his colleagues are working to pioneer new strategies for early detection and improved treatments for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Lewy body dementia and related movement and memory disorders.
Dr. Farrer holds a PhD in human genetics from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School, Imperial College, London, UK, and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from King’s College, London, UK. He was also a post-doctoral fellow in medical and community genetics at the Kennedy-Galton Centre of Medical and Community Genetics, St. Mark’s Hospital, Harrow, UK. Dr. Farrer was appointed to the Parkinson Society Canada Scientific Advisory Board in 2011.
Dr. Farrer’s lecture is titled, Parkinson’s progress: from molecular genetics to medications. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions afterwards.
Held annually in a different Canadian city, the Donald Calne Lecture is for members of the Parkinson’s community, including scientists. This year’s event takes place at Terminal City Club, Vancouver, BC, on the evening of Thursday, October, 18, 2012.
The Donald Calne Lectureship is a Canadian award, established in 2002, to honour Dr. Donald Calne for his outstanding service to the Parkinson’s community as Professor of Neuroscience, University of British Columbia and past chair and long-time member of the Scientific Advisory Board, Parkinson Society Canada. Each year, Parkinson Society Canada awards this lectureship to a distinguished neuroscientist of international reputation whose work is primarily in the area of Parkinson’s disease.
The Donald Calne Lecture is generously sponsored this year by Abbott Laboratories, Limited.
Past recipients are:
2010 – Dr. Stanley Fahn 2009 – Dr. Andres Lozano 2008 – Dr. J. William Langston 2007 – Dr. Anthony E. Lang 2006 – Dr. Jon Stoessl 2005 – Dr. Zbigniew Wszolek 2004 – Dr. Oleh Hornykiewicz 2003 – Dr. Yoshikuni MizunoHold the date: 2012 Donald Calne Lecture
| Date: | Thursday, October 18, 2012 |
| Time: | 5:30 p.m. |
| Location: | Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1B6 |
| Topic: | Parkinson’s progress: from molecular genetics to medications |
| Presenter: | Dr. Matthew Farrer, Professor, Department of Medical Genetics and Director, Centre for Applied Neurogenetics, Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia |