Author: trainitright

FitSpirit and Scotiabank empower Canadian girls to stick with sports

 

Scotiabank donates $1 million to FitSpirit to help build teenage girls' confidence through physical activity

TORONTO, May 8, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Canadian not-for-profit FitSpirit announced the Scotiabank FitSpirit Celebration in Toronto. The Celebration is the culmination of FitSpirit's 10-week program where participating young women run a five or 10 kilometre race, encouraging them to push their limits while having fun being active.

For more than ten years, FitSpirit has inspired teenage girls to rediscover their love of physical activity through fun challenges and programs that foster an empowering environment. Past programs have included school-based running programs, motivational speaker events and student-run charitable fundraisers.

"FitSpirit's work is incredibly important for the future of Canadian girls' physical and mental health," says Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, official spokesperson for FitSpirit. "By encouraging participants to stay active and have fun at a young age, we are empowering them to put their health and wellness first as they mature into adults."

To help support the important work of FitSpirit, Scotiabank is donating $1 million, becoming the title sponsor of the FitSpirit Celebrations. Scotiabank's support will result in an increased number and size of Celebration events in Canada, enabling even more young women to celebrate their accomplishments through sport.

"We understand that staying active is an integral part of young women's physical, mental and emotional health," says Claudine Labelle, Founder and President of FitSpirit. "If girls commit to an active lifestyle in their teenage years, they are more likely to continue to be active in adulthood. The best way to encourage them is to provide a safe and supportive space to pursue the fun of physical activity."

Research shows that half of Canadian girls feel pressure to please others and appear "perfect" when they hit puberty, resulting in them taking on less challenges and avoiding new things.i This coincides with many young women abandoning athletics and other physical activities in high school. By the time they graduate, nine out of 10 girls fail to meet Canadian exercise standards. FitSpirit knows this trend can be reversed by encouraging young women to build their self-esteem and confidence.

"At Scotiabank we are passionate about helping young people reach their infinite potential," says Gillian Riley, Executive Vice-President, Canadian Commercial Banking, Scotiabank. "We believe our donation to FitSpirit is an investment in the long-term security, stability and growth of our communities. We hope our support will help inspire girls to stay involved with sport, gaining further confidence, skills and resources to support their success."

Scotiabank FitSpirit 2018 Celebrations will take place in the following locations:

  • Toronto (May 8)
  • Gatineau (May 10)
  • Montreal (May 15)
  • Quebec (May 17)
  • Rimouski (May 29)
  • Sudbury (June 3)
  • Rouyn-Noranda (June 3)

For more information about the Celebrations, please visit www.fitspirit.ca/participate/celebrations.

About FitSpirit
Founded in 2007 by Claudine Labelle, FitSpirit's mission is to help Canadian girls discover the benefits and fun of being physically active. To do this, FitSpirit partners with schools and community organizations to provide a variety of activities to girls aged 12 to 17 that get them moving and keep them physically active over the long term. It offers tools and services within a holistic approach based on flexible, individualized support to help schools engage girls through physical activities tailored to their challenges and their lives. Supervised by school representatives and FitSpirit ambassadors (athletes-speakers, kinesiologists, mentors), the girls live a rewarding experience in a relaxed atmosphere. No competition, no concern for performance: the only goal is to have fun trying new physical activities.

Scotiabank
At Scotiabank, we aim to support organizations that are committed to helping young people reach their infinite potential. Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success. Together with our employees, the Bank supports causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2017, Scotiabank contributed more than $80 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 24 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of over $923 billion (as at January 31, 2018), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @Scotiabank.

i Source: Key Canadian Always Confidence & Puberty Wave V Study https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8160351-always-like-a-girl/

Protecting Kidneys from Obesity

University of Houston Researcher Activates Kidney Cell to Protect It

HOUSTON, May 7 – UH professor of pharmacology Tahir Hussain has received $1.6M from the National Institutes of Health to examine a kidney cell that could prevent damage from inflammation caused by obesity. The targeted cells express a protein called the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R), which recently has been indicated to have anti-inflammatory and reno protective actions. Hussain says, if activated, the AT2R will protect against chronic and acute kidney injury.

He will study the impact of inflammation in kidneys with the active the AT2R as well as kidneys with no AT2R.

“What I’m proposing in this grant is that certain cells in the kidney can protect the kidney itself,” said Hussain.

Inherently in the body the expression of AT2R is low. “It’s weak,” said Hussain, “but because we know it has anti-inflammatory activity, we want to pump it up.” To strengthen it, Hussain will use a drug that binds to it and activates it.

Obesity brings on inflammation

One-third of the US population is obese, and the annual cost to manage/treat obesity-associated disorders is estimated by NIH to be as high as $125 billion. These disorders include chronic as well as acute kidney injury (AKI). Chronic kidney injury is the result of progressive loss of kidney function leading to irreversible damage, while AKI occurs as an abrupt loss of kidney function and usually is reversible. In both processes, inflammation plays a significant role in the initiation and maintenance of the injury.

“Obesity is associated with low grade chronic inflammation in the body,” said Hussain. “Up to half of the body’s inflammation comes from fat cells.” While everyone has fat cells, in obese people the cells can expand to the point of bursting. When that happens, immune cells are disbursed to clean up the mess, guarding against infection and illness. That process, said Hussain, is the cause of much inflammation. The larger fat cells also release inflammatory chemicals.

In the meantime, the kidney filters 45 gallons of blood every day and some of that blood contains the inflammatory molecules. That exposure can injure the kidneys.

“Once kidney injury starts, it does not stop. You can slow it down but you cannot stop it,” said Hussain.

Hussain is hopeful that his research will one day work to stop kidney disease caused by inflammation. “Once we study and better understand the AT2R as a target, making new prevention drugs would be easy,” he said.

Hussain earlier has shown that AT2R activation with drugs promotes sodium excretion into urine, helping to lower blood pressure. This is the first time the receptor’s role will be investigated to protect kidney structure and function against injury in obese subjects.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 45,000 students.

 

Looking to Lose Weight: 5 Helpful Tips to Make Sure You are Successful

Losing weight can be difficult for you. You may have a slow metabolism, insulin resistance or simply love to snack on sugary products. There is a lot to know about losing weight, and the following are a few tips that will help you get on the right path to shedding pounds.

 

Dump the Sugar

Sugar is found in a lot of foods, but overweight people tend to get way too much of it. Typically people overlook how much sugar is in the beverages they drink, thinking that it is mostly found in junk food. By kicking the sugar habit, you will find that it is easier to get rid of unwanted pounds.

 

Up Your Healthy Fats

When you cut sugar out of your diet, the next step is to up your fats. Generally the fats you want to increase are saturated and monounsaturated fats. Since fats burn slower than sugar, you will have far more energy on a low sugar, high fat diet. You will notice cravings go away too.

 

Get off the Gluten

Wheat is a huge part of a western diet. Yet, wheat may be the cause of significant weight gain. This weight gain has sometimes been attributed to gliadin protein in wheat. Studies performed on ratshave shown that removing gluten from your diet can help to reduce fat and improve absorption of other nutrients that will make your work out sessions more productive.

 

High Intensity Interval Training

If you are looking to lose weight through exercise, then high intensity interval training (HIIT) may be your new exercise approach. Not only does this type of exercise get the benefits of a 2-hour workout in about 15-minutes, but it helps to improve blood sugar too. This means you should lose weight easier, because you are less prone to being insulin resistant.

 

Physician Supervised Weight Loss

Working with nutrition experts and physicians, something clients of weight loss programs like Chronos are doing, provides the supervision necessary to help people get rid of troubling fat. Customizing the weight loss approach with favorable meal plans and other tweaks helps you to stick with your weight loss goals. Sometimes you need the help provided by third party weight loss servicesto reach the weight loss goals you have set for yourself.

 

Weight loss is a big deal in the modern approach to health. Obesity is generally one of the greatest obstacles to living a healthy, productive lifestyle. Once your excess weight is eliminated, you will feel fit, trim and on top of your game once again.

Max Domi Partners with Contour®Diabetes to Launch a Smarter Solution to Help Support Self-Management for People with Diabetes

 

TORONTO, May 8, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Ascensia Diabetes Care announced the launch of its upgraded CONTOUR®DIABETES app in Canada, including the new My Patterns feature, which intelligently analyzes the results of blood glucose tests to provide personalized meaningful advice to help people with diabetes manage their health.

For many, diabetes is a lifelong disease that requires dedicated self-management in all aspects of life from the choices made in the kitchen to the amount of physical activity in a day. Diabetes management extends beyond receiving the correct dosage of insulin throughout the day; it's also about understanding how life choices impact blood glucose levels. The new My Patterns feature elevates diabetes self-management and empowers those living with diabetes to live a healthier and smarter lifestyle.

"I was diagnosed with diabetes at age 12 and it never stopped me from achieving my goals of being a professional hockey player. Living with diabetes is just something I've always had to be mindful of on and off the ice and I've had to make lifestyle changes to balance my career and diabetes," says Max Domi, professional hockey player with type 1 diabetes (T1D). "The new My Patterns feature on the CONTOUR®DIABETES app is a game changer, it's like I have a personal coach in my pocket – notifying me when I'm not on track and giving actionable advice on how to improve my blood glucose levels."

The new My Patterns feature on the CONTOUR®DIABETES app was developed using a behavioural science concept - Information, Motivation and Behavioural Skills model for chronic diseases. This concept was pioneered by psychologist Dr. William Fisher who's proven people with diabetes need actionable information, motivation to act and specific behavioural skills, to make changes to improve the self-management of their diabetes1. My Patterns is designed to use digital technology to help the person with diabetes with each of these aspects, and therefore support more effective self-management.

The new CONTOUR®DIABETES My Patterns feature uses test results from the meter to identify patterns in blood glucose readings, suggests possible causes of changes and provide guidance and personalized advice to help address it. It allows patients to set reminders or use structured testing plans to help improve their blood glucose readings and will track their progress to see if the pattern improves over time*.

This latest upgrade to the CONTOUR®DIABETES app provides a smarter tool that can help to make self-management of diabetes easier. The latest version of the app includes the ability to recognize 14 different patterns and use 11 different structured testing plans, with more patterns and testing plans will be added in the future. The new version will be available from today in the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).

The CONTOUR®DIABETES app is designed to seamlessly connect to the CONTOUR®NEXT ONE meter. The CONTOURNEXT ONE BGMS is also the most accurate system that has been developed by Asencia Diabetes Care to-date. Published study data has shown the CONTOURNEXT ONE BGMS to be remarkably accurate2, meeting the latest global accuracy standards, the EN ISO 15197:2015 accuracy criteria3.

About Ascensia Diabetes Care

Ascensia Diabetes Care is a global specialist diabetes care company, dedicated to helping people living with diabetes. Our mission is to empower people living with diabetes through innovative solutions that simplify and improve their lives. We use our innovation and specialist expertise in diabetes to develop high quality solutions and tools that make a positive, daily difference for people with diabetes.

Home to the world renowned CONTOUR® portfolio of blood glucose monitoring systems, our products combine advanced technology with user-friendly functionality that help people with diabetes to manage their condition. We are committed to continued research, innovation and development of new products and solutions. As a trusted partner in the diabetes community, we collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and other partners to ensure our products meet the highest standards of accuracy, precision and reliability, and that we conduct our business compliantly and with integrity.

Ascensia Diabetes Care was established in 2016 through the sale of Bayer Diabetes Care to Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. Ascensia Diabetes Care products are sold in more than 125 countries. Ascensia Diabetes Care has around 1,700 employees and operations in 31 countries.

For further information, please visit the Ascensia Diabetes Care website at: http://www.ascensia.com.

Ascensia and Contour are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Ascensia Diabetes Care. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks herein is under license. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.

About the CONTOUR®NEXT ONE Blood Glucose Monitoring System:

The CONTOUR®NEXT ONE system features an easy-to-use wireless-enabled smart meter that seamlessly connects to a smart mobile device via Bluetooth® connectivity. The meter provides immediate feedback through smartLIGHT technology and the CONTOUR®DIABETES app collects, stores and analyses patient blood glucose results received from the meter.

The app combines these results with other data recorded by the user, to provide detailed information about their condition that can help them understand how their everyday lives may impact their blood glucose readings. Through the app, users can also share the reports of their blood glucose results with their healthcare professionals, helping to create more informed and insightful discussions during their visits.

1 Fisher WA, Kohut T, Schachner H, Stenger P. The Diabetes Educator (2011) 37;1:85-94
2 Christiansen et al. Poster presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Diabetes Technology Society, October 22-24, 2015, Bethesda, Maryland
3 International Organization for Standardization (2015). In vitro diagnostic test systems—requirements for blood-glucose monitoring systems for self-testing in managing diabetes mellitus (EN ISO 15197:2015)

 

SOURCE Ascensia Diabetes Care

5 Non-Surgical Steps For Treating Your Arthritis
Arthritis afflicts 54 million U.S. adults, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

It is the leading cause of disability among U.S. adults over 55, and in many cases leads to total-joint replacements. That is a big decision – sometimes necessary, sometimes premature, says Dr. Victor Romano (www.drvictorromano.com), an orthopedist and author of Finding The Source: Maximizing Your Results – With and Without Orthopaedic Surgery.

“Total-joint replacements are wonderful and can be life-changing, but they also can wear down and become infected,” Romano says.
“The best approach for arthritis of the knee, for example, is to wait as long as possible before replacing the knee. There are several steps you can take to deal with arthritis before a surgical option. These measures, some of which you can perform without the aid of a medical professional, often can significantly lessen the pain and improve the quality of life.”

Romano recommends five steps you can take to handle arthritis before opting for surgery:

•    Wear good shoes with arch supports. With weight bearing and time, the arches in feet tend to fail. “Good shoes with arch supports improve the alignment of the feet and ultimately improve the alignment of the knees,” Romano says. “The feet and ankles act as shock absorbers for the knees.”

•    Have a daily exercise and balance program. Studies show that arthritic patients who exercise do much better than those who don’t. Romano recommends at least a 20-minute daily exercise program for all patients with arthritis. “Exercise should include stretching, aerobic activity, and strength training,” he says.

•    Use a hinged knee brace, as needed, for support.  Wear the smallest brace that makes you the most comfortable. “Do not wear the brace for everyday activities,” Romano says, “but for extra activities such as golfing, shopping or exercise. It unloads the arthritic area and allows you to pursue more pain-free activities, which you may not have been able to do otherwise.”

•    Eat nutritious foods; keep your weight under control.  Weight loss reduces the stress on your knees and increases mobility.  “Why not try an anti-inflammatory diet?” Romano says. “Sugar and processed foods cause inflammation of the arteries as well as inflammation of the joints.”

•    Improve your bone health. Improving your bone health with increased calcium intake, daily vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercises can lessen the pain of arthritis. “Should you eventually need a total joint replacement, building up your bone density will improve your chances of having a long-lasting replacement,” Romano says.

 

“Arthritis is not something that can be removed with surgery or scraped out with a scope,” Romano says. “You must listen to your joints. When you’ve tried all of these
non-surgical measures and they don’t seem to work any longer, then surgery may be your best option. If surgery is necessary, rapid and successful recovery is possible by
having optimized your physical and nutritional health beforehand.”

About Dr. Victor Romano

Dr. Victor Romano (www.drvictorromano.com) is an orthopedic surgeon in Oak Park, Ill., and the author of Finding The Source: Maximizing Your Results – With and WithoutOrthopaedic Surgery. He is board-certified in orthopedics and sports medicine with over 25 years of experience in the field. He graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and completed medical school at the University of Loyola-Chicago.

Feeling stressed? Exercise can help prepare for the ‘mental marathon’ of everyday life
When you ask people how they’re doing, a common response is ‘busy!’ Almost all of us experience a lot of pressure on a daily basis, but many of us don’t have tools to help manage feelings of stress and being overwhelmed.
The Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) Mental Health Week is May 7-13. This year the theme ‘get loud about what mental health really is’ focuses on providing the tools all Canadians need to maintain their mental health – including building self-esteem, resilience, and coping skills. Building on that theme, GoodLife Fitness is drawing attention to how physical activity can help build the mental mindset to manage stress effectively.
Exercise trains the body to handle stress
Among the many physical benefits, studies have found our bodies react to intense physical activity in the same way as they do to stress -- increasing cortisol and adrenaline production and elevating the heart rate. By activating this physical stress response through regular vigorous exercise, you can train your body to produce less cortisol and reduce your heart rate, meaning you’ll feel less stressed out.
Working out encourages mental resilience

In addition to the physical effects, Kim Lavender, vice president of team training and specialty group training with GoodLife Fitness says working out helps you establish the right mindset for mental wellness. When we make a point of exercising we’re setting goals and pushing ourselves to achieve more. This focus helps us feel more balanced and in control when faced with life’s challenges.
In team training, Lavender coaches clients to believe in themselves and visualize success, a frame of mind that can also be helpful in approaching life outside the gym.
  • Think positively: Focus your energy on positive thoughts. Work to banish self-criticism and focus on your best qualities.
  • Visualize success: Many successful athletes picture their game or race beforehand to imagine themselves performing at their best. Try doing the same with your daily responsibilities – whether it’s a meeting, a networking function, a stressful interaction.
  • Practice self-compassion: Striving for perfection can be stressful. Accept that there may be days that don’t go as planned and you don’t accomplish what you hope to. Remember that tomorrow is a new day to keep moving towards your goals.
  • Learn from your mistakes: Instead of dwelling on your mistakes, learn from them and move ahead. Follow this mantra: No failure, only feedback.
  • Rethink stress: It’s possible to channel the energy from stress in a positive direction. Studies have shown that people who believed the symptoms of stress, like increased heart rate and body temperature were positive and to help your body perform better, had little to no long-term health effects of stress.
  • Find time to recharge: Take time to rest on a regular basis, and make sure you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Your mind and body both need that time to heal and rebuild.
GoodLife Fitness coaches and personal trainers are available to talk more about fitness coaching principles and building a positive mindset. They can also suggest and demonstrate stress-busting workout ideas. We can also find a member who uses regular workouts to help manage their stressful lifestyle.

Nail Biting, Skin Picking, Hair Pulling: More Than Just Bad Habits

www.comprehendthemind.com

 


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Sometimes it can be hard to explain why we do the things we do. It is common to experience stress, anxiety or frustration in our lifetime, but what we do to cope with these things matters the most. There are times where you may catch yourself biting your nails, picking at your skin, or even avoiding physical interactions due to germs. But how far is too far? Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a NYC based neuropsychologist and Teaching Faculty Member at Columbia University Teacher’s College, gives insight on behaviors that are more dire than merely bad habits.   

 

Onychophagia (Nail Biting)

 

Nail biting is an oral compulsive habit and that can develop from stress, nervousness, or excitement. A study published this year in Scientific American puts nail biting in another realm of behavior: body-focused repetitive disorders, like scratching or patting your own hair. And it seems to tie into one particular personality type that has a higher potential for boredom, stress, and anxiety than many others: perfectionists. Excessive nail biting can lead to infections, inflammation, and even tooth problems. The usual method for beating this habit? Dr. Hafeez says, “Override your old habit with a new one by "tricking" your brain using rewards, awareness exercises, and other methods. A typical strategy is to get subjects to note whenever they feel the urge to bite their nails, a feeling called a "cue," and reward them with something else whenever they feel it, like stroking one's hands.”

 

 

Germaphobia

 

President Trump is an admitted germaphobic and has confessed that he dreads shaking hands. Germaphobia, also known as Mysophobi , is a fear of contamination and germs. This is a form of obsessive compulsive disorder. You may feel the need for excessive washing and cleaning, constantly focusing on a way to sanitize everything you come in contact with. Germaphobia can lead to irritated skin and discomfort over time. Dr. Sanam Hafeez suggests medication that moderates serotonin in the brain known as SSRIs or Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

 

Excoriation (Skin Picking)  

 

Skin picking is a repetitive “Self-grooming” behavior. This disorder can develop in two ways, through stress and after some kind of rash or minor injury. Skin picking can lead to tissue damage, infection, and even scarring. Dr. Sanam Hafeez suggests exercising as a way to distract yourself and improve your mood. “Taking care of any scars you have already with essential oils will also lessen the urge.” 

 

Trichomania (Hair Pulling)

 

Trichotillomania is a disorder that urges individuals to pull out body hair. This is usually triggered by anxiety and can provide a feeling of temporary satisfaction. “The exact cause of trichotillomania isn't known. It may be related to abnormalities in brain pathways that link areas involved in emotional regulation, movement, habit formation, and impulse control,” says Dr. Hafeez.  Excessive hair pulling from the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes can lead to patches and bald spots. ”Distract yourself with sensory toys which allow your body to focus on other things.” Adding petroleum jelly to problem areas will allow you to be less likely to put the hair because it is slippery,” says Dr. Hafeez.  The main treatment for trichotillomania is a type of behavior therapy called habit reversal training. Basically, this means replacing a bad habit with something else that's not harmful.

 

 

About the Doctor:

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. 

 

Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.

Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.com

 

 

Expert in women's reproductive health Dr. Charu Kaushic named Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity

 

OTTAWA, May 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Dr. Roderick McInnes, Acting President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and CIHR's Governing Council, announced today the appointment of Dr. Charu Kaushic as the new Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Infection and Immunity. This appointment will be effective July 1, 2018.

Dr. Kaushic is a professor of pathology and molecular medicine at McMaster University, where she is also the director of the university's Biosafety Level 3 Lab, which supports researchers working on highly infectious human pathogens.

Dr. Kaushic is a mucosal immunologist by training and her program of research is focused on women's susceptibility and immune response to HIV and the herpes virus, with the goal of developing new ways to protect women from infections using vaccines and immunotherapies.

Worldwide, women bear the heaviest burden of sexually transmitted infections, which has major implications for their health. The ultimate goal of Dr. Kaushic's work is to provide women around the world with information and choices to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

As Scientific Director, Dr. Kaushic will work with her community to identify research priorities, develop funding opportunities, build partnerships, and translate research evidence into policy and practice to improve the health of Canadians and people around the world. As a member of CIHR's leadership team, she will participate in setting and implementing CIHR's strategic direction.

Quotes

"As the new Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity, Dr. Charu Kaushic will help lead efforts to tackle some of the most pressing health issues of the day, including HIV, antimicrobial resistance, and vector-borne diseases. I know that the research community will be in excellent hands with the appointment of Dr. Kaushic, who brings to the position an impressive 15-year track record in research into immunology, HIV, and women's reproductive health."

Roderick R. McInnes, CM, MD, PhD, FRSC
Acting President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

"I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to represent and serve the infection and immunity research community. We will work collaboratively with our partners to address key health issues facing Canadians, such as chronic inflammatory conditions, global health issues of TB and HIV, and emerging threats such as antimicrobial resistance and pandemic flu. I also plan to promote STEM careers and leadership roles to young women."

Dr. Charu Kaushic
Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity

"We are delighted with Dr. Kaushic's well-deserved appointment and pleased to host the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity here at our university. This institute further enhances McMaster's reputation as a centre of ground-breaking and innovative infectious disease research."

Dr. Patrick Deane
President and Vice-Chancellor of McMaster University

Quick Facts

  • The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR-III) supports research and helps to build research capacity in the areas of infectious disease and the body's immune system.
  • CIHR-III is at the forefront of research into antimicrobial resistance, HIV, hepatitis C, Lyme disease, the microbiome, and organ transplantation.
  • III is also equipped to mobilize a rapid research response to emerging infectious diseases, as it has done with the Ebola and Zika viruses.

Associated Product: Biography

At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

 

Backgrounder: Biography of Dr. Charu Kaushic

Dr. Charu Kaushic is a professor of pathology and molecular medicine at McMaster University, where she has established her research program and taught for 15 years.

She is a scientist of the McMaster Immunology Research Centre and the Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research at the university. She has cross appointments to the obstetrics and gynecology as well as the biochemistry and biomedical sciences departments at McMaster. Dr. Kaushic is also the director of the university's Biosafety Level 3 laboratory, a central research facility which supports researchers working on highly infectious human pathogens.

Dr. Kaushic's program of research is focused on understanding various aspects of host-pathogen interaction as they relate to women's susceptibility and immune responses to the sexually transmitted viral pathogens HIV and herpes virus. Her research program covers a broad spectrum from basic research to clinical and translational projects. She has worked closely in partnership with African-Caribbean-Black community organizations for more than a decade.

Her goal is to develop gender-specific prevention and therapeutic approaches, including vaccines and immunomodulatory interventions, to address the disproportionate burden of STIs on women worldwide, and to provide women with the information and choices to make informed decisions regarding their reproductive health.

Dr. Kaushic has published more than 75 peer-reviewed publications in influential journals, including highly cited papers examining the effect of HIV on mucosal barrier functions and the role of sex hormones in regulating the susceptibility and immunity of the female genital tract to HIV and HSV-2.

She is the past recipient of a CIHR New Investigator Award, and is currently the Principal Investigator on four CIHR grants, including an HIV Mucosal Team Grant and a grant on Innovative Biomedical and Clinical HIV/AIDS Research. She also holds an Applied HIV Research Chair Award from the Ontario HIV Treatment Network.

Dr. Kaushic is an advocate for women's reproductive health and choices and is passionate about encouraging women to pursue careers in STEM.

She completed her B.Sc (Hons) and M.Sc in zoology at Delhi University and her PhD at the National Institute of Immunology in New Delhi, before completing post-doctoral training in mucosal immunology at Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire. She joined the faculty of McMaster University in 2002.

 

SOURCE Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Specialist in inherited diseases, Dr. Christopher McMaster, named Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Genetics

 

OTTAWA, May 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Dr. Roderick McInnes, Acting President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and CIHR's Governing Council, announced today the appointment of Dr. Christopher McMaster as the new Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Genetics. This appointment will be effective July 1, 2018.

Dr. McMaster is a professor and head of the Department of Pharmacology at Dalhousie University, and director of the Cheminformatics Drug Discovery Lab, which uses sophisticated software to design new drugs.

He is also the co-founder and CEO of DeNovaMed, a biotechnology company that uses computer-aided design to drive the development of new classes of antimicrobials to address the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. McMaster's research interests range from basic biochemistry and cell biology to genomics. He has identified a potential therapy for congenital sideroblastic anemia, a disease which occurs when the bone marrow fails to produce a sufficient number of healthy red blood cells. He is also developing treatments for familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, a hereditary disorder that can cause vision loss, and for inherited Parkinson's disease.

As Scientific Director, Dr. McMaster will work with his community to identify research priorities, develop funding opportunities, build partnerships, and translate research evidence into policy and practice to improve the health of Canadians and people around the world. As a member of CIHR's leadership team, he will participate in setting and implementing CIHR's strategic direction.

Quotes

"I congratulate Dr. McMaster on his appointment as Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Genetics. He has a truly outstanding record of research in the fields of biochemistry, yeast genetics, rare inherited diseases, and the development of novel drugs. I know that he is well positioned to continue IG's tradition of unwavering support for capacity-building and strengthening the many research communities that the Institute serves."

Roderick R. McInnes, CM, MD, PhD, FRSC
Acting President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

"I look forward to working with and supporting Canada's genetics community. Canada has a rich history in training and conducting world-class genetics spanning basic, translational, clinical, and outcomes research. There is substantive momentum across all areas that the IG will seek to further foster and grow."
Christopher McMaster, PhD
Incoming Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Genetics

"The appointment of Dr. McMaster to the prestigious role of Scientific Director is a testament to his significant accomplishments as a scientist and leader in his field. His innovative research has had a key role in shaping the future of genetic science in Canada and around the world, and we are proud to have a researcher of his caliber part of the Dalhousie University community."
Dr. Alice Aiken
Vice-President (Research), Dalhousie University

Quick Facts

  • The CIHR Institute of Genetics (IG) supports research on the human and model genomes and on all aspects of genetics, basic biochemistry, and cell biology related to health and disease, including the translation of knowledge into health policy and practice, and the societal implications of genetic discoveries.
  • 1 in 15 Canadians is born with a rare disease, so-called because they affect only small group of patients and families. Most of the world's 6,000 to 8,000 rare diseases are genetic.
  • IG spearheads two of CIHR's most prominent initiatives: Personalized Medicine, which is stimulating the discovery, testing, and translation of biomarkers, targets, and genomic signatures for disease prevention and treatment, and the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium, which is supporting the burgeoning field of epigenetics – the study of changes in the regulation of gene activity and expression through the interaction with environmental factors.

Associated Product: Biography

At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

Backgrounder: Biography of Dr. Christopher McMaster

Dr. Christopher McMaster is a professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology at Dalhousie University and Director of the Cheminformatics Drug Discovery Lab, which uses sophisticated software to design and then synthesize new drugs. Previous to this, he held a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Biosignalling (the study of how messages are conveyed into cells by the interaction of a signal or a chemical messenger with a receptor incorporated into the cell membrane), and was the Assistant Dean for Graduate and Post-doctoral Studies in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University.

He currently serves on the scientific advisory board for the CIHR Institute of Genetics-sponsored Rare Disease Models and Mechanisms grant that connects the infrastructure and leadership of Canada's gene discovery projects with scientific communities working with model organisms such as yeast, worms, zebra fish, fruit flies, and mice.

As a researcher, he is a recognized leader in genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology. His research is broad in interest, ranging from basic biochemistry and cell biology, to genomics to determine causal genes for human genetic diseases and drugs for their treatment, to ethical and policy considerations as the field of human genomics becomes increasingly applied to clinical diagnosis and care. He has led large research consortia including acting as Principal Investigator (PI) on a Genome Canada Large-Scale Applied Research project, co-PI on a large Canada Foundation for Innovation grant, and as PI on a large-scale Atlantic Innovation Fund project. He has identified a potential therapy, currently in Phase 2 trials, for congenital sideroblastic anemia, a disease which occurs when the bone marrow fails to produce a sufficient number of healthy red blood cells. He is also developing treatments for familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, a hereditary disorder that can cause vision loss, and for inherited Parkinson's disease.

In 2006 he co-founded DeNovaMed, Inc., a biotechnology company that specializes in using computer-aided drug design to drive the synthesis and development of truly new classes of antimicrobials. Dr. McMaster has served as President of DeNovaMed since its inception and CEO since 2015. DeNovaMed is in the final stages of preclinical development and is expecting to start a first-in-human-trial for a new class of antibiotics for the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections.

Dr. McMaster completed his B.Sc. in microbiology and Ph.D. at the University of Manitoba, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at Duke University Medical Centre.

 

SOURCE Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Sun Life Financial grows efforts to fight type 1 diabetes in Canada with title sponsorship of the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes

 

Sponsorship supports growth of type 1 diabetes research and awareness, building upon Sun Life Financial's $22 million global investment to date

TORONTO, May 3, 2018 /CNW/ - JDRF Canada is pleased to announce Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life") as the title sponsor of its longstanding signature Walk event. The newly titled Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF is the largest diabetes fundraising event in Canada which aims to drive fundraising efforts to help accelerate the pace of research and inspire Canadians to learn more about type 1 diabetes.

This partnership will continue to solidify Sun Life's already strong commitment to diabetes in Canada as part of its overall strategy of helping build healthy, sustainable communities for life. As part of the title sponsorship, Jacques Goulet, President of Sun Life Financial Canada has been named the Honorary Chair of the Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes for JDRF.

"We're proud to be named the title sponsor of JDRF's signature walk event as we deepen our commitment to diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research," said Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life Financial Canada. "This new sponsorship is a natural extension of our long history of diabetes support and our existing partnership with JDRF. I'm particularly honoured to take on the role of Honorary Chair and rally our employees, advisors, Clients and Canadians to take part in the Walk and the fight against type 1 diabetes."

Sun Life Financial is currently the presenting sponsor of the JDRF Revolution Ride to Defeat Diabetes and has been the national sponsor of the JDRF Walk since 2016.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sun Life Financial as the title sponsor of the Walk. We are aligned on our commitment to bringing greater awareness to type 1 diabetes and accelerating the pace of type 1 diabetes research," said Dave Prowten, President & CEO of JDRF Canada.

This year's Walk event will be held in over 65 cities across the country and will include a virtual Walk led by JDRF's National Spokesperson, NHL hockey star, Max Domi. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Walk, Sun Life Financial will match any online donation of $25 or more between May 3 – 18, up to a maximum of $125,000. For a complete list of locations and dates, visit jdrfwalk.ca.

Sun Life Financial is focused on helping people achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives, taking a holistic approach to supporting the well-being of our Clients, employees and communities with the end goal of helping to achieve physical, mental and financial resiliency both now and in the future. Sun Life Financial has proudly committed more than $22 million in support of diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives since announcing support of the cause in 2012.

Sun Life employees and advisors across the country will also team up with JDRF to drive fundraising efforts and raise much-needed research dollars. Goulet adds, "Sun Life employees and advisors have continually embraced diabetes as our global cause, showing their overwhelming support for local diabetes initiatives like the Walk. We look forward to connecting with employees and advisors across the country to help make the Walk a success."

About Sun Life Financial in the community
At Sun Life Financial, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life and we're proud to hold the Caring Company designation from Imagine Canada. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on two key areas: health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives through our Team Up Against Diabetes™ platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™ program. We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering over 29,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada. Read more about Sun Life Financial in the community.

About JDRF Canada
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. JDRF's goal is to progressively remove the impact of type 1 diabetes from people's lives until we achieve a world without this disease. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure type 1 diabetes. JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of type 1 diabetes research. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.ca.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted. 

Media Relations Contact:

Tara Peever McClean
Manager, Corporate Communications
T: 416-420-4707
tara.peever.mcclean@sunlife.com

Erin Whittaker
National Bilingual Communications Specialist
JDRF Canada
T: 647-459-7833
ewhittaker@jdrf.ca

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada