Does the idea of a networking reception make you want to stick with people you already know? You’re not alone — but these events are a valuable chance to meet new colleagues, build professional relationships, and find future collaborators.

Join us for this one-hour crash course designed to help you navigate conference networking with confidence. You'll learn how to:

1. Make a strong and memorable first impression

2. Identify the right people to approach

3. Ask thoughtful questions that spark meaningful conversations

4. Follow up effectively to turn new contacts into lasting connections

Whether you're attending your first conference or your tenth, this session will help you get more from every interaction.

About the Speaker: Gillian Robertson is a dynamic facilitator and coach with a career dedicated to helping individuals excel in their careers and navigate professional success. Drawing on extensive experience in recruitment, onboarding, talent management, and performance management, she knows the "secret sauce" to putting your best foot forward in any workplace.

With over seven years of coaching and training job seekers, Gillian is an expert in networking and personal branding. As a proud, born-and-raised Calgarian, she has firsthand knowledge of the city’s key industries and understands the nuances of how work gets done. Gillian loves designing and leading impactful programs that empower individuals to develop their skills, build confidence, and achieve their full potential. Connect with Gillian on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliankrobertson/.

Curious about how startups are shaping the future of brain health? In this interactive webinar, meet the CEOs of three companies innovating in the fields of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), stroke, and dementia. They’ll share their personal journeys, company missions, and the challenges and breakthroughs they've encountered along the way. Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, research translation, or health innovation, this session will offer real-world insights and inspiration.

Company 1: Stroke.AI Inc.

Craig Doram is the co-founder and CEO of Stroke.AI Inc. He is also the Director of Business Operations for the Calgary Stroke Program and its Stroke Clinical Trials Group at the UofC. He is an engineer, climber, coffee snob, x-coffee roaster, x-climbing gym owner, and generally just a crazy human who likes disrupting things.

Stroke.ai has a mission to improve lives by transforming the technology of monitoring body movement. We are developing a clinically validated IoT solution utilizing proprietary hardware and a machine learning enabled platform for use in stroke

Company 2: blueBell Village

Andrew Karesa is a member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and a proud husband and father of two young sons.

After witnessing how his family coped to support his grandmother with her Alzheimer's diagnosis, Andrew realized he needed to take action. This inspired the creation of blueBell Village, aimed at Restoring the Personhood and Independence of those living with dementia™. With blueBell, Andrew has seen lives transformed for both individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, and he is passionate about fostering a world where care is tailored to each individual’s needs.

Additionally, he is pursuing his doctorate at the University of Calgary, focusing his research on Indigenous entrepreneurship in the health sector. Andrew also holds an MBA from the University of Alberta. Before founding blueBell Village, he worked as a practicing engineer in the energy sector.

blueBell Village is an Indigenous-led organization reimagining dementia care by restoring the personhood and independence of those living with dementia. Rooted in lived experience and guided by Indigenous values, we focus on personalized, culturally appropriate support for both individuals and caregivers. Our digital tool, blueBell Connect, enables centralized communication among care teams, both formal and informal, while delivering tailored, evidence-informed care suggestions. By integrating community-driven knowledge with clinical best practices, we help families navigate dementia care with clarity, dignity, and cultural safety.

Company 3: Brain Care Technologies

Greg McGillis, PEng, MEng is an electrical and biomedical engineer. After 25 years in instrumentation, automation and control, he returned to university (University of Toronto) for a Masters in BioMedical Engineering. He started Brain Care Technologies to develop a solution to help detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia earlier, monitor treatment response and predict progression.

Greg and his team are developing a unique neurotechnology solution to detect changes in brain function incident to cognitive impairment. It will be a combination electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) medical device to provide biomarkers of MCI and dementia earlier, with greater accuracy, convenience, and clarity than alternative solutions. In addition to early detection, it will monitor treatment response and predict progression.

Presenter: Ali Rezaei (left)
Paper: Exploring cognitive related microstructural alterations in normal appearing white matter and deep gray matter for Small Vessel Disease: A Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping study
Learning Objectives:

1. Understanding the role of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and deep gray matter in cognition

2. Applications of quantitative susceptibility mapping in small vessel disease and relevant interpretations.

About the speaker:
Ali is a both PhD candidate in the Physics Department at Concordia University in the Quantitative Physiology Lab (QPI Lab) under supervision of Dr. Claudine Gauthier, and a VAST scholar. His area of research is MRI physics and quantitative MRI methods, specifically Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM). Ali completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s in the Biomedical Engineering department of Amirkabir University of Tehran, Iran. He worked on left ventricle mechanical characteristics analysis using MRI during his Master’s, before shifting to brain imaging for his PhD. Ali enjoys talking to people, especially his peers, about various subjects from science to politics, and is happy to connect at any time.

Presenter: Matthew Rozak (right)

Paper: Brain capillary pericytes exert a substantial but slow influence on blood flow

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the distinct location and function of unique mural cells with an emphasis on the dynamics of capillary constriction and their contribution to vascular tone regulation in vivo. 

2. Appreciate key controversies underlying whether or not capillary pericytes are contractile.

3. Develop familiarity with invivo methods for examining blood flow at the capillary level with multiphoton excitation microscopy. 

About the speaker:
Matthew Rozak is a 6th-year PhD student in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. He previously completed his Honours B.Sc. in Biological Physics at the University of Toronto. His current research focuses on developing imaging methods and analysis pipelines for characterizing microvascular coordination from 3D microscopy images.

This interactive online workshop introduces participants to systems thinking as a powerful tool for understanding the complex factors that influence vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Through guided activities and real-world examples, attendees will explore how biological, social, and healthcare system-level factors interact to impact brain health outcomes. Participants will gain practical strategies for applying systems thinking to their own research, clinical practice, or advocacy work related to cognitive health.

This workshop will serve as a direct lead in to the micro hack-a-thon that we will be doing together at the VAST conference.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Define systems thinking and explain its relevance to understanding vascular cognitive impairment.

2. Use the Iceberg Model to analyze underlying structures and mental models that contribute to surface-level problems in VCI.

About the Speaker:

Joanne Nowak is Senior Innovation Manager at the Social Innovation Hub at Innovate Calgary. She supports social innovators to scale their impact by exploring sustainable pathways for their ideas — from launching new ventures, creating non-profits with blended finance models, to building strategic partnerships.

She also leads the Hub’s impact measurement and evaluation efforts, helping ventures define, track, and communicate their impact. Joanne holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Toronto, where her research focused on systems, social change, and inequality.

Her career and experience spans roles across universities, government, and non-profits in Canada and the United States, including Global Affairs Canada, Oxfam Canada, and the University of California Santa Barbara. Joanne brings this cross-sector experience to help innovators navigate complexity, scale what works, and create transformative social change.

Falls Conference Events
Organized by the Gait & Brain Lab and the CIHR Institutes of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis and the Institute of Aging Joined by The Brain Health Care (BHCare) Training Platform

Register here.

Tune in for the YouTube live stream.

Guest Speaker:  Stephen R. Lord PhD
Scientia Professor
University of New South Wales
Neuroscience Research Australia

Professor Stephen Lord is a Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales and a Senior Principal Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) in Sydney, Australia. A globally recognized expert in balance, gait, and falls in older adults, he has published over 500 research papers on applied physiology, instability, falls in aging in clinical populations with balance impairments. He focuses on identifying psychological, sensorimotor, and balance-related risk factors for falls and developing effective fall prevention strategies.

His work has been instrumental in shaping fall-risk assessment methods used by researchers and clinicians worldwide. He was also a key contributor to the development of the World Falls Guidelines, which provide evidence-based recommendations for fall prevention and management on a global scale. Currently, his projects explore cognitive-motor interventions and innovative technologies to reduce fall risk, particularly in high-risk groups such as individuals with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia, stroke, and dizziness disorders. Professor Lord’s contributions continue to influence policy and practice, helping to advance fall prevention research and improve the health and well-being of older adults.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Examine the role of exercise in enhancing cognition and balance in older adults

2. Explore current exercise interventions, based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), that integrate cognitive and physical training to prevent falls.

3. Recognize the types, frequency, and intensity of exercise for effective fall prevention.     

Agenda:

2:45 pm - Welcome Remarks
2:50 pm: - Dr. M. Montero-Odasso: “Exercises as Holy Grail for Brain Health and Falls Prevention”.
3:00 pm - Professor Stephen R. Lord - Lecture: “The Role of Exercise on Cognition and Falls” and “Questions & Answers”.
4:00 pm - Round Table Discussion: “Implementation of the World Falls Guidelines in Australia. Successes & Challenges.”
4:45 pm - Adjourn

Acknowledgements

Gait and Brain Lab and the Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, at the Schulich School of

Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Wolfe Research Professorship on Aging, and CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, CIHR Institute of Aging

Presenter: Christine Seo (left)
Paper: Sex Difference in Aerobic Exercise Efficacy to Improve Cognition in Older Adults with Vascular Cognitive Impairment: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Learning objectives:

1. Understand the effects of aerobic training (AT) on executive functions in older adults with subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI)

2. Understand sex differences in the effects of AT in older adults with SIVCI

3. Discuss the significance of research that allows for more personalized exercise recommendations to maximize benefits amongst older adults

About the Speaker:
Christine is a second-year MSc student in Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia (UBC).  Prior to starting her MSc, she has completed a BSc in Behavioural Neuroscience at UBC and worked full-time as a research assistant withing the Aging, Mobility and Cognitive Health lab at UBC, where she is currently completing her MSc, then as the clinic and research coordinator of the Vancouver General Hospital's Falls Prevention Clinic.  Christine's MSc research focuses on the effect of resistance training on structural MRI outcomes (i.e., regional brain volumes) in older adults with subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment.  

Recording

Presenter: Jaiden Kuchinka (right)
Paper: Implications of Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease in Canada’s Indigenous Population
Learning Objectives:

This presentation will examine a study that investigated the PAR of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) associated with modifiable risk factors among Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in Canada. While the paper focuses primarily on individual-level modifiable factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, and educational attainment, this discussion will extend beyond these findings to examine the wider social determinants of health that disproportionately impact dementia prevalence among Indigenous populations.  

1. Understand some of the modifiable risk factors that affect AD in Indigenous vs Non-Indigenous populations in Canada

2. Understand the importance on identifying wider social factors that impact populations and not just modifiable risk factors at the individual level

About the Speaker:
Jaiden Kuchinka is an Indigenous Master's student in the Department of Community Health Sciences specializing in population and public health at the University of Calgary. Her current research aims to establish what is needed to create adaptable and culturally informed spaces that provide Indigenous-centred dementia care, setting a standard for engaging with communities in a manner that respects and addresses their unique needs.

Recording

Speaker: Sarah Gagliano Taliun

In this seminar we will describe the concept of Mendelian randomization and how to carry out this study design through the use of examples.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the concept of a Mendelian randomization study to the general public

2. Understand the appropriate contexts for using Mendelian randomization

3. List the assumptions central to Mendelian randomization and interpret results

About the Speaker:

Bio: Sarah Gagliano Taliun is an FRQS Junior 2 Assistant Professor at the Departments of medicine and neurosciences at the Université de Montréal. She leads a computational research group located at the Research Centre of the Montreal Heart Institute. Dr. Gagliano Taliun completed her PhD at the University of Toronto, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan before starting her own lab in Montreal in late 2020. Her research group uses computational tools and approaches to identify and better understand genetic factors contributing to complex human traits, primarily neurodegenerative disorders.

Speaker: Camille Beaudoin

This webinar will provide an overview and demo of the data access workflow in LORIS and relevant modules. Attendees will gain an understanding of LORIS and the CCNA data currently being released, as well as learn how to effectively use the software. The session will give researchers the proper tools to start using the Compass-ND and Can-Thumbs Up data by teaching them how to request an account, complete a data access request form, use the LORIS data dictionary, and make queries in the DQT. Additionally, participants will explore the different data release pathways, including the data release module, DQT, and ProFTPD server.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the purpose and structure of LORIS as it pertains to CCNA.
• Learn how to request an account and submit a data access request.
• Utilize the data dictionary and DQT.
• Navigate the data release modules effectively.

Who I am:
Camille is a research software developer who has been working on LORIS for the Canadian Consortium of Neurodegeneration and Aging (CCNA) for 6 years. She manages the CCNA database on LORIS and is dedicated to providing accessible software for studies and researchers alike.

Presenter: Natalia Docteur (left)

Learning objectives:

• Understand increased dementia risk in adults with ADHD

• Explain how white matter hyperintensity burden contributes to cognitive impairment

• Discuss cognitive vulnerability to vascular brain pathology in later-life ADHD

Paper: Vascular Burden Moderates the Relationship Between ADHD and Cognition in Older Adults

Natalia is a second-year PhD student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary. She completed her Hons. B.Sc. in Psychology and Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto and worked as a Research Analyst at the Sunnybrook Research Institute and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health prior to starting graduate school. Her current research investigates relationships between white matter microstructure, cardiovascular risk factors, and cognition in adults with ADHD. Clinically, Natalia specializes in the neuropsychological assessment and diagnosis of older adults with brain disorders (e.g., dementia, traumatic brain injury) presenting with comorbid psychopathology.

Recording

Presenter: Kate McKay (right)

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the background research on executive functioning across the lifespan and the potential roles of white-matter hyperintensities and white-matter connectivity on the relationship between age and executive functioning. 

2. Discuss the paper’s methods for testing complex models of the relationships between these variables.

3. Discuss the findings of the paper and future research directions. 

Kate is a postdoctoral researcher in cognitive psychology at the University of Calgary. She completed her PhD in cognitive psychology at the University of Queensland in 2024. Her current research investigates ADHD across the lifespan.  

Paper: The effect of vascular health factors on white matter microstructure mediates age-related differences in executive function performance

Recording

VAST program manager Liam Harrison will be leading this interactive workshop focused on science communication. Attendees will learn about different avenues where they can practice and develop their science communication skills, and will participate in activities that encourage them to reflect on how effectively they communicate their science. Tips and tricks will be contextualized against different practical examples including presentations and infographics.

Attendees are asked to come to the workshop with a sample of their scientific writing - it could be a couple sentences detailing their research focus, or it could be an excerpt from a paper or abstract they’ve written or contributed to.

Biography: Liam completed his BSC in Biology from St. Mary's University (Calgary), and his Master's in Biomedical Technology from the University of Calgary. He is currently a student in the University of Calgary's Precision Health Program where his studies focus on the role that innovation and entrepreneurship play in the development of new health technologies. Liam has spent time working in Calgary's innovation ecosystem, learning about and supporting a variety of innovators as they work towards developing new solutions to challenges faced in Alberta and beyond.

Recording

Speakers: Dr. Isabelle Vedel (left) and Dr. Claire Godard-Sebillotte (right)

We will present our results on care and health services use disparities in QC and ON in persons with dementia across sex, rurality, socio-economic status.

Bios:

Claire is an Assistant Prof at the McGill Division of Geriatrics, and a junior scientist at the McGill University Health Centre  Research Institute. Her research focuses on improving the care of older adults with health equity emphasis.

Isabelle is an Associate Professor at the Department of Family Medicine at McGill University, and an investigator at the Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital. Her research focuses on partnering with patients, caregivers, organizations, clinicians, and researchers to produce knowledge that could improve the quality of care for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Recording

Mentorship is defined as the influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor. A mentor may help with exploring careers, setting goals, building a network, and identifying useful resources. Our goal is to match trainees where applicable (and wanted) with academic faculty (i.e., a VAST co-investigator or collaborator), a senior peer mentor, and/or a non-academic mentor (i.e., industry/non-profit/community partner, clinician). In order to facilitate matches based on expectations upon time, career goals, and professional interests, please fill out the registration survey. You can learn more on the mentorship program here.

Effective mentorship relationships have clear expectations and communication. This session will cover general guidance for setting up a mentee-mentor relationship and what could be discussed at your first meetings, and we will review some of the benefits of mentorship for both mentees and mentors.

Join us for a couple of short presentations on professional development opportunities that could support progress on your career journey:  

1. From Dylan Guan - He’s a member of the VAST network and is also a ISTAART Ambassador. Dylan will be sharing some opportunities in dementia research for Canadian trainees, including insights into the upcoming Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto, the association’s global network ISTAART (free membership for students), and the ISTAART Ambassador volunteer program (recruiting for 2025-26). It’s a fantastic chance to learn more about how you can enhance your career, connect with global experts, and engage with the vibrant dementia research community. 

2. From Nadia Lachman (Amplitude Ventures) and Eric Desjardins (Pre-Amp) - Both will be sharing information about the Pre-Amp Fellowship. This three-month program connects PhD candidates, postdocs and MDs that are passionate about life sciences with Amplitude Ventures to explore cutting-edge biotech concepts and launch tomorrow’s leading health science companies.

Please contact Liam Harrison (liam.harrison1@ucalgary.ca) if you are interested in watching a recording of either of these presentations.

There’s a plethora of careers out there, some of which you might not even be aware of. You might be interested in continuing further academic training in pursuit of a career in academia, or you might be interested in exploring opportunities outside of the university. Tune in to hear about some career paths that could follow your academic pursuits. There are no right answers, but lots of options – how exciting!

A panel consisting of Joy Guedia, Luca Pisterzi, Patrice Lindsay, and Matthew Sacheli will shed some light on their own career journeys and then we will split into breakout rooms, providing you with the opportunity to learn even more about their different career paths. 

Please contact Liam Harrison (liam.harrison1@ucalgary.ca) if you are interested in watching a recording of this session.

Presenter: Dylan Guan, MD/PhD Student, University of Calgary (left)

• Learning Objectives:

• Identify which vascular risk factors are linked to dementia

• Review the evidence surrounding each vascular risk factor linked to dementia

• Understand the methods used to calculate and interpret population attributable fractions for each vascular risk factor

• Take a closer read: Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission - The Lancet

• Dylan Guan is an MD/PhD student at the University of Calgary. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, with a major in Neuroscience and minors in Physiology and Psychology. Dylan has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship, Alzheimer’s Society Research Program Doctoral Award, Hotchkiss Brain Institute Harley Hotchkiss Doctoral Scholarship in Neuroscience, and Vascular Training Platform (VAST) Doctoral Award. He has published >15 peer-reviewed journal articles, presented >35 conference abstracts at various national and international conferences, and was an invited speaker for events hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Canada, Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART), Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), and VAST. Dylan’s research focuses on identifying and better understanding signs of Alzheimer’s disease prior to the onset of dementia.

Recording

Presenter: Sotaro Hirai, PhD Candidate in Neuroscience, University of Calgary (right)

• Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the method used to assess cerebral blood flow changes

  • Understand one mechanism by which cerebral blood flow control is impaired in Alzheimer’s disease and how it may be rescue

• Take a closer read: Inhibiting Ca2+ channels in Alzheimer’s disease model mice relaxes pericytes, improves cerebral blood flow and reduces immune cell stalling and hypoxia

• Sotaro is a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary, co-supervised by Dr.Minh Dang Nguyen and Dr.Grant Gordon. He completed his Honours Bachelor in Science at the University of Toronto with majors in Computational Biology and Immunology, and a minor in Computer Science. His current research delves into how the dysfunction in brain endothelial cells may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease pathology by using microscopy and molecular biology techniques.

Recording

Speakers: Dr. Bojana Stefanovic (Sunnybrook) and Dr. Steffany Bennett (UOttawa, VAST EDI Champion)

This workshop will discuss various individual actions aimed at creating a more meritocratic academia. We will review communication strategies for responding to common tropes, interrupting bias and being an effective ally. We will practice these strategies based on scenarios inspired by past interactions in academic research.

Learning objectives:

• Practice responding to common tropes.

• Learn effective bias interruptors.

• Become a better ally.

Who we are:
Stef is a Professor of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of Ottawa. Her lab works on ways to block the pathological changes in brain lipid metabolism in pediatric and geriatric neurodegenerative diseases.
Bojana is a Professor of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist and Director of the Physical Sciences at Sunnybrook. Her lab studies neurovascular deficits via in situ neuroimaging in experimental models of ischemic stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease, and brain trauma.

Intellectual Property 101 – Understanding your Assets and How to Protect Them

Speaker: Suzanne B. Sjovold, LLB, Ph.D.

This introductory intellectual property (IP) seminar will cover the fundamentals of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs. Trainees will learn to identify different forms of IP, understand their legal protections, and explore their strategic importance in business. By the end of the session, trainees will be able to apply basic IP principles to know the difference between a patent and a trademark, how best to protect their copyright, and when to keep a trade secret. 

Biography:

Suzanne combines her technical background in Neuroscience with 15 years of Intellectual Property experience to effectively develop and manage her clients’ IP assets.

As a registered patent and trademark agent, Suzanne provides clients with legal opinions on patentability, trademark registration, freedom-to-operate, due diligence analysis, and IP portfolio management. Suzanne’s clients include a broad range of early-stage and established companies and post-secondary institutions.

Suzanne grew up in Lethbridge and attended the University of Lethbridge, earning a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. After completing her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Alberta, Suzanne attended law school at the U of A with an aim to practice intellectual property, bridging the gap between the scientific and legal spheres.

Recording

Introduction to qMRLab: An Open-Source Tool for Quantitative MR Image Analysis

Speaker: Mathieu Boudreau, PhD

In this seminar, viewers will introduce qMRLab, an open-source software designed for quantitative MR image analysis. The primary goal with qMRLab is to provide the research community with an intuitive tool for data fitting, plotting, simulation, and protocol optimization across various quantitative MRI models. The seminar will also feature examples from a quantitative MRI mOOC (mini Open Online Course) being developed at NeuroPoly, which leverages the NeuroLibre platform for interactive and reproducible preprints. This course aims to enhance participants' understanding of qMRLab’s applications in research.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the key features and capabilities of qMRLab.

• Learn how to apply qMRLab for data analysis in your own research projects.

• Explore the modular framework of qMRLab and learn how to contribute new modules.

• Gain insights into using the NeuroLibre platform for interactive and reproducible research.

Biography :

Mathieu Boudreau, PhD, is a Research Associate at Polytechnique Montreal, specializing in the development of quantitative MRI techniques for neurological and respiratory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and emphysema. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Boudreau has contributed to advancing the field of MRI through open-source software development, scientific outreach, and innovative research methodologies. His work at the intersection of physics, medical imaging, and biomedical engineering has led to the creation of tools that empower researchers to conduct more accurate and reproducible studies. In addition to his research, Dr. Boudreau serves as Deputy Editor for Scientific Outreach of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (MRM) and Lead Editor for MRM Highlights, which features interviews with authors of MRM publications that demonstrate strong reproducible research practices.

Recording

Advances in Blood Biomarkers of Vascular Amyloid Beta

Speaker: Eric E. Smith

Biography :

Dr. Smith is a Professor of Neurology and the holder of the Kathy Taylor Chair in Vascular Dementia at the University of Calgary. He chairs the Executive Committee of the VAST Health Research Training Program. He uses neuroimaging data from cohort studies and epidemiological studies to identify signs of cerebral small vessel diseases and how they contribute to cognitive decline and dementia.

Recording

Consider checking out one or both of these interesting seminars:

Improvements in fMRI Precision and Fidelity in Time and Space (view on vimeo) - 10-11am ET

Speaker: Peter Bandettini, PhD

Abstract: Since its inception, fMRI has shown a steady progression in precision, interpretability, and applicability due to improvements in acquisition and processing methods, as well as a wide range of multi-modal experiments demonstrating the relationship between the fMRI signal and other measures, including behavior. In this lecture, I will discuss this and show recent work from my lab highlighting the challenges, our approaches, and our applications of whole-brain, ultra-high resolution, cortical depth resolved fMRI. I will also demonstrate our recent work probing the spatial and temporal characteristics of spontaneous fMRI fluctuations as well as the unique advantages of high-speed, event-related decoding. Lastly, I will show preliminary and perhaps hopeful simultaneous EEG/fMRI studies that aim to use fMRI for direct detection of transient neuronal activity.

Recording

Update on biofluid-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative dementias  - 2-3pm ET

Speaker: Henrik Zetterberg, MD, PhD

• 12-1230 ET: VAST Introduction/Refresh

• 1230-1 ET: Liam Harrison - Introduction to Innovation & Innovation Ecosystems

• 1-130 ET: Trainee Committee Nominations

During this session we will give a quick introduction/refresher on VAST. This will be followed by the first seminar of the semester, delivered by VAST’s program manager, Liam Harrison. He’ll be speaking on the topics of innovation and innovation ecosystems and links to work done throughout the VAST network. Lastly, for those interested in participating in the VAST Trainee Committee, stick around till the end where we will discuss roles and nominate candidates to participate!

Recording: VAST Introduction and Updates
Recording: RISE LMS Demo
Recording: Introduction to Innovation & Innovation Ecosystems - Liam Harrison
Recording: Information about Trainee Committee

Presenter: Hayley Casey (MSc student in Clinical Psychology (Neuropsychology Stream), University of Victoria)

The objective of this Journal Club is to learn more about dementia within Indigenous populations, which has been limited in the past. This study examines the relationship between memory loss within a population of Indigenous Veterans and vascular risk factors.

To take a closer read: Kirkpatrick, A.C., Stoner, J.A., Donna-Ferreira, F., Malatinszky. G.C., Guthery, L.D., Scott, J., & Prodan, C.I. (2019). High rates of undiagnosed vascular cognitive impairment among American Indian veterans. GeroScience, 41(1), 69-76. doi: 10.1007/s11357-019-00055-5

View Recording

2024 VAST Summer Student Symposium

Time: August 20 12-2 pm ET

In the first part of the Symposium, we welcome Dr. Guilherme Moraes Balbim to share with us his work on how exercise programs can help stroke patient’s experience improved sleep, thereby reducing a patient’s risk of experiencing additional strokes in the future.

Keynote Speaker: Guilherme Moraes Balbim - Rise & Shine: Promoting Sleep Quality in Chronic Stroke with Exercise

Tune in for Student Presentations:

1. Esther Dazogbo - Establish whether the circulating lipidome can be used to monitor the extent and progression cerebral amyloidangiopathy (CAA) associated with cognitive decline

2. Bhavana Gill - Cerebrospinal Fluid Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack

3. Georgia Polomski - Towards Clinical Applications of fNIRS: Improving Reproducibility

4. Milla Shakleva - Analyzing Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Cardiovascular Risks Factors (CVRF) Using Arterial Spin Labeling

5. Mckenna Stuart - Utilizing a Fluorescent Tracer to Investigate Murine Cerebrovascular Impairments in Neurotrauma and Associated Dementia

6. Ibadat Warring - Longitudinal Associations Between Vascular Risk Factors and Mild Behavioral Impairment

VAST Summer Program:

The VAST Summer Program encompasses a series of workshops and seminars targeted to undergraduate trainees in the field of VCI to help with overall VCI knowledge, research skills, and networking. While targeted to undergraduates, all are welcome to attend. This series is coordinated by our VAST Trainee Curriculum Committee members. We'd encourage everyone to invite trainees in their labs. Sessions are organized biweekly for Tuesdays beginning at 4pm eastern time / 2pm mountain time / 1pm pacific time. The series will finish with our annual Summer Student Symposium at the end of August (date TBD but save Aug 20 at 12-3pm eastern in your calendar)! All trainees who attend at least 4 of the sessions, as well as the symposium, will be awarded a certificate of completion. All trainees are welcome to sign up and attend the program.

View Recording

Presentation Skills Workshop

Speaker: Bogna Anna Drozdowska and Zacharie Potvin-Jutras

Time: August 6 4-5 pm EDT

In the first part of this workshop, we will provide tips on how to effectively communicate your research through poster and oral presentations. In the second part, students will have an opportunity to present their own research and receive feedback from peers.   

Learning objectives:

1. Understand what makes for an eye-catching and clear poster

2. Learn how to design slides that help engage your audience and support understanding of key points

3. Gain tips for delivering a cohesive, memorable talk that holds your audience's attention throughout

4. Practice appraising others' presentations as a means to improve your own skills

Bios:

Dr. Drozdowska:

Since obtaining a master's degrees in Psychology and Brain Injury Rehabilitation, most of Dr. Drozdowska’s work and training has centred on clinical research into cerebrovascular disease, with a specific focus on vascular cognitive impairment. This topic was also at the heart of her PhD, which she completed at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. After spending several years in the UK, she moved to Canada and joined the Clinical Neurosciences Department at the University of Calgary as a Postdoctoral Associate. Her current role involves working on studies utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methods. While our lab's projects - observational studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews - seek to answer various research questions, they share a common goal to contribute to improving healthcare and, in turn, outcomes for people living with cerebrovascular disease.

Zacharie Potvin-Jutras:

Zacharie completed his undergraduate studies in Kinesiology and Clinical Exercise Physiology at Concordia University. Driven by a passion for research and brain health, he fast-tracked from a Master's degree to a PhD in Physics at Concordia University, under the supervision of Dr. Claudine Gauthier. Their lab focuses on implementing advanced quantitative MRI techniques to identify early biomarkers for various diseases and aging. His research emphasises the critical role of physical activity and exercise interventions in improving vascular brain health in aging. 

VAST Summer Program:

The VAST Summer Program encompasses a series of workshops and seminars targeted to undergraduate trainees in the field of VCI to help with overall VCI knowledge, research skills, and networking. While targeted to undergraduates, all are welcome to attend. This series is coordinated by our VAST Trainee Curriculum Committee members. We'd encourage everyone to invite trainees in their labs. Sessions are organized biweekly for Tuesdays beginning at 4pm eastern time / 2pm mountain time / 1pm pacific time. The series will finish with our annual Summer Student Symposium at the end of August (date TBD but save Aug 20 at 12-3pm eastern in your calendar)! All trainees who attend at least 4 of the sessions, as well as the symposium, will be awarded a certificate of completion. All trainees are welcome to sign up and attend the program.

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Presenter: Zacharie Potvin-Jutras (Doctoral student, Quantitative Physiology Imaging Lab, Physics Dept, Concordia University)

The objective of this Journal Club is to learn about this new method to measure cerebrovascular reactivity and its applications. Cerebrovascular reactivity is an important biomarker to vascular brain health. Resting state cerebrovascular reactivity quantifies the ability of blood vessels to vasodilate in response to a vasodilatory stimulus. The paper above describes in detail the method and a few applications.

For a detailed explanation of the method: Liu, P., Li, Y., Pinho, M., Park, D. C., Welch, B. G., & Lu, H. (2017). Cerebrovascular reactivity mapping without gas challenges. NeuroImage, 146, 320–326. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.11.054

Bio: Zacharie completed his undergraduate studies in Kinesiology and Clinical Exercise Physiology at Concordia University. Driven by a passion for research and brain health, he fast-tracked from a Master's degree to a PhD in Physics at Concordia University, under the supervision of Dr. Claudine Gauthier. Their lab focuses on implementing advanced quantitative MRI techniques to identify early biomarkers for various diseases and aging. His research emphasises the critical role of physical activity and exercise interventions in improving vascular brain health in aging.

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Data Visualization Essentials for VAST Trainees

Speaker: Dylan Guan

Time: July 23 4-5 pm EDT

Learning objectives:

1. Understand the importance of data visualization in research analysis and communication

2. Identify the various types of common data visualizations and understand when to use each one

3. Understand how to implement data visualization best practices and avoid poor practices

4. Learn how to generate basic plots in the R programming language

VAST Summer Program:

The VAST Summer Program encompasses a series of workshops and seminars targeted to undergraduate trainees in the field of VCI to help with overall VCI knowledge, research skills, and networking. While targeted to undergraduates, all are welcome to attend. This series is coordinated by our VAST Trainee Curriculum Committee members. We'd encourage everyone to invite trainees in their labs. Sessions are organized biweekly for Tuesdays beginning at 4pm eastern time / 2pm mountain time / 1pm pacific time. The series will finish with our annual Summer Student Symposium at the end of August (date TBD but save Aug 20 at 12-3pm eastern in your calendar)! All trainees who attend at least 4 of the sessions, as well as the symposium, will be awarded a certificate of completion. All trainees are welcome to sign up and attend the program.

Link to Recording

Open Brain: An introduction to open-access tools for preprocessing, analysis, and visualization of brain MRI data

Speaker: Dr. Nárlon C Boa Sorte Silva

Time: July 9 at 4-5 pm EDT

Learning objectives:

1. Learn about the most common open-access software to preprocess and analyze structural and functional MRI data, including FSL, FreeSurfer, ANTs, and Python. 

2. Learn some basic data plotting functions using R (ggseg family packages), Python (nilearn software), and ANTS. 

3. Learn tips and tricks to integrate different software and scale MRI data analysis pipeline to large datasets using scripting, containers, and clusters. 

VAST Summer Program:

The VAST Summer Program encompasses a series of workshops and seminars targeted to undergraduate trainees in the field of VCI to help with overall VCI knowledge, research skills, and networking. While targeted to undergraduates, all are welcome to attend. This series is coordinated by our VAST Trainee Curriculum Committee members. We'd encourage everyone to invite trainees in their labs. Sessions are organized biweekly for Tuesdays beginning at 4pm eastern time / 2pm mountain time / 1pm pacific time. The series will finish with our annual Summer Student Symposium at the end of August (date TBD but save Aug 20 at 12-3pm eastern in your calendar)! All trainees who attend at least 4 of the sessions, as well as the symposium, will be awarded a certificate of completion. All trainees are welcome to sign up and attend the program.

Link to Recording

Involving people with lived experience in research: perspectives from the CCNA's EPLED team and collaborators

Speakers: Ellen Snowball, Myrna Norman, Jennifer Monaghan, Laura Fitzgibbon-Collins, Dylan Guan

Moderator: Dr. Bogna Drozdowska

Time: June 25 4-5:30pm EST

Learning objectives:

1. To discuss the importance of involving the lived experience in research from start to end

2. To provide perspectives of people with lived experience and researchers on the impact this practice has had

3. To provide examples of ways to engage people with lived experience in research

More about EPLED: https://www.epled.ca/

VAST Summer Program:

The VAST Summer Program encompasses a series of workshops and seminars targeted to undergraduate trainees in the field of VCI to help with overall VCI knowledge, research skills, and networking. While targeted to undergraduates, all are welcome to attend. This series is coordinated by our VAST Trainee Curriculum Committee members. We'd encourage everyone to invite trainees in their labs. Sessions are organized biweekly for Tuesdays beginning at 4pm eastern time / 2pm mountain time / 1pm pacific time. The series will finish with our annual Summer Student Symposium at the end of August (date TBD but save Aug 20 at 12-3pm eastern in your calendar)! All trainees who attend at least 4 of the sessions, as well as the symposium, will be awarded a certificate of completion. All trainees are welcome to sign up and attend the program.

Link to recording