V. Wee Yong:

Appointments Special Distinctions & National / International Activities Conference Invitations Other Academic Talks Service to th Community Current / Past Administrative Responsibilities at the University of Calgary Past Trainees

Dr. V. Wee Yong is a Professor in the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Oncology at The University of Calgary.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and started his faculty appointment at the Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, in 1989.  Dr. Yong relocated to Calgary in 1996.  Dr. Yong’s research interests lie in the area of neuroimmunology, neuroprotection and CNS regeneration.  His scientific projects have been guided by 3 diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury and malignant gliomas.  Dr. Yong has published over 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts and his research has been translated into clinical trials in MS and spinal cord injury.  Dr. Yong co-directs the MS Program of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary.  In 2003, Dr. Yong was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Year Medallion for volunteer activities on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.  In 2004, Dr. Yong assumed the position of Canada Research Chair in Neuroimmunology.  Dr. Yong currently chairs the Medical Advisory Committee of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and he sits on the International Advisory Board of the International Society of Neuroimmunology. 

Publications:

See link in side bar

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Appointments:

1986 – 1988:               Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics,

University of British Columbia

1989 – 1994:               Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery,

McGill University

1994 – 1996:               Associate Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery,

McGill University , with tenure

1996 – 2001:               Associate Professor, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary

2001 – present:          Professor, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary

2009 – present:          Director, Alberta Regional Research and Training Centre, endMS Network of the MS Society of Canada , 2009 - present

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SPECIAL DISTINCTIONS

Scholar. Medical Research Council of Canada , 1989 – 1994

Scholar. Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec, 1989 – 1994

Senior Scholar, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, 1998 ‑ 2003

Scientist, Canadian Institutes for Health Research, 1998 – 2003

Cochrane Distinguished Achievement Award for excellence in research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary , 2000

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada 2000 National Certificate of Merit.  This award is given to one individual for “outstanding contribution in furthering the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada on a national basis”.

Awardee, Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Year Medallion, Canada , for Multiple Sclerosis activities, 2002

Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Neuroimmunology, 2004 - present

Medical Scientist, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, 2005 - 2009

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada 2007 National Certificate of Merit.  This award is given to one individual for “outstanding contribution in furthering the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada on a national basis”.

“Compelling Calgarian”.  I am one of 20 Calgarians honored by the Calgary Herald (main Calgary newspaper in a city of 1.1 million) on New Year’s Day, 2008, for various successes

“U make a difference” award, University of Calgary , 2009

OTHER SCHOLARLY NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES (past 5 years)

1.      Chair, Medical Advisory Committee, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, 2007 – present (the first basic scientist to head this committee)

2.      Elected member, International Advisory Board of the International Society of Neuroimmunology, 2007-2012

3.      Councilor, American Society of Neurochemistry, 2009 - present

4.      Editorial board member of the journal GLIA, 2001 – present

5.      Editorial board member of the Journal of Neuroscience Research, 2001 – present

6.      Editorial board member of the Journal of Neuroimmunology, 2005 – present

7.      Scientific Advisory Board, Osprey Pharmaceuticals, San Francisco , 2005 – present

8.      Scientific Advisory Board, JustBio, Boston , 2008 - present

9.      Member, Medical Advisory Committee, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, 1999 – present

10.  Member, National Multiple Sclerosis Society (USA) task force on “Overcoming the glial scar”.  This is an international task force to determine whether glial scar is an impediment to axonal regeneration or remyelination.  2009 - present

11.  Chair, Organising committee, National meeting of the MS Society of Canada ’s grantees and trainees (240 participants), Banff , Dec 10-13, 2007

12.  Committee review panel, The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Capital Health Emerging Research Teams grant program, Capital Health Edmonton and the University of Alberta , 2007

13.  Member,  Senior Research Programs Advisory Committee, National Multiple Sclerosis Society ( USA ), 2002 – 2007

14.  Director, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Interdisciplinary Health Research Team Program on: Matrix metalloproteinases in multiple sclerosis: Environmental influence, biology, pathology and therapeutic strategies. There are 14 other investigators in this program (Jack Antel, Amit Bar-Or, Pierre Duquette, Dylan Edwards, Peter Forsyth, Charlie Hao, Paul Kubes, Luanne Metz, Ross Mitchell, Trevor Owens, Scott Patten, Jim Peeling, Christopher Power and Steven Robbins).   The award is a total of $989,650 per annum for the whole team, from 2001 – 2006.  $119,863 is awarded for equipment in 2001

15.  Member of the Steering Committee, MS-CORE (Multiple Sclerosis Cooperative Research Group) Neuroprotective Pilot Study Working Group (an international group coordinated by Dr. Steven Schwid, University of Rochester, on evaluating neuroprotective agents in MS) – 2005 - 2007

16.  Member, Scientific and Medical Research Funding Working group, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Nov 28-30, 2006

17.  Member, Neuroscience B Grants Review Panel, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 2003 – 2006

18.  Member, Special Review Committee of the Repair Initiative of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society , USA , 2005

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CURRENT/PAST ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

1.      Co-Leader, MS Program of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 2003 – present

2.      Chair, Awards and Recognition Committee, Faculty of Medicine, 2008 – present

3.      Committee member, University of Calgary ’s Prizes and Awards Advisory Committee, 2008 - present

4.      Chair, Expert Advisory Committee, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 2004 – 2007.  This expert advisory for the Institute is comprised of Drs. Christian Fibiger (Vice President and Global head, Neuroscience, Amgen), Allen Hauser (Professor, Columbia University), King Li (Chair of Radiology, Methodist Hospital System, Houston), Pierre Magistretti (Director of the Centre for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Lausanne), Joseph Martin (Dean, Harvard Medical School), Richard Murphy (President, Salk Institute), Charles Tator (Professor, University of Toronto) and Li-Huei Tsai (Professor, Harvard Medical school)    

5.      Member, Executive Committee, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 2004 – 2007

6.      Chair, Organizing committee, Department of Clinical Neurosciences Research Day, April 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003

7.      Chair, Organising Committee, Hotchkiss Brain Institute Research Day, March 12, 2004

8.      Chair, Research Committee, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, 1999 – 2003

9.      Committee member, Alberta Heritage Lectureship Award, Faculty of Medicine, 2003 – 2005

10.  Search Committee, Headship, Division of Neurosurgery, 2003

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Conference invitations

1.      Faculty, Update on Multiple Sclerosis Course (Coordinator: A Miller), American Academy of Neurology , Honolulu , March 30, 2003.  My presentation: MS Pathology and therapeutics: New scientific insights

2.      Faculty, American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists, April 10-12, 2003 , Scottsdale , Arizona .  My presentation topic: New insights in MS.

3.      Coordinator and Speaker, Symposium on MMPs in the nervous system, at the 34^th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neurochemistry, NewPort, CA, May 3-8, 2003.  My presentation topic: Complexities of MMPs in the CNS.

4.      Speaker, NIH Workshop on Glial Inflammation in HIV-1 and Chronic Degenerative Diseases, Washington , December 7 – 10, 2003 .  My presentation topic: MMPs – Detrimental and Beneficial Aspects.

5.      Invited participant, 1^st International Campaign for cures of spinal cord injury paralysis (ICCP) workshop, Vancouver , Feb 20-21, 2004

6.      Invited participant, NIH Workshop on Biomarkers in MS, Washington , April 14 – 16, 2004

7.      Faculty, Second Course on Molecular mechanisms of Brain Tumors, Sponsored by the American Brain Tumor Association, May 12-16, 2004 .  My presentation topic: Chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases in malignant gliomas. 

8.      Faculty, Neurobiology Review Course, June 8, during the 39^th Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences, Calgary , June 8 – 12, 2004 .  My presentation topic: Neuroimmunology of CNS pathology and regeneration

9.      Faculty, Multiple Sclerosis Symposium, June 12, during the 39^th Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences, Calgary , June 8 – 12, 2004 .  My presentation topic: Immunopathogenesis of MS and evaluating potential environmental toxins

10.  Speaker, Symposium on Degradation and repair of myelin: Role of proteases and complement, American Society for Neurochemistry meeting, New York , August 13-19, 2004

11.  Speaker, Keystone Symposium on: Central nervous system inflammation: mechanisms, consequences and therapeutic strategies, Jan 11-15, 2005 , Snowbird, Utah .  My presentation topic: Matrix metalloproteinases

12.  Symposium speaker, American Society for Neurochemistry, Madison , June 26-29, 2005, on: The promise of minocycline in neurology

13.  Symposium speaker, sponsored by UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , New Jersey , Neuroprotective Strategies for Multiple Sclerosis, May 21, 2005.   My topic: Immunpathology and beneficial neuroinflammation

14.  Symposium Speaker, 28^th Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology, St. John’s , July 2-5, 2005 , on: Neuroinflammation in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases: Friend and foe

15.  Speaker, Gordon Research Conference on MMPs, Big Sky, Montana , Aug 28 – Sept 2, 2005 .  My presentation topic: MMPs in MS and spinal cord injury: Pathology and repair

16.  Co-chair and speaker, Minisymposium on MMPs: Mediators of CNS pathology and regeneration, at the Society for Neuroscience, Nov 12- 16.  My presentation title: Metalloproteinases mediate repair in the CNS

17.  Speaker, Charcot MS Symposium on Treatment Strategies in MS, Lisbon , Nov 16-18, 2005 .  My topic: Emerging MS treatment: Minocycline

18.  Speaker, International symposium on Rare Neuroimmunologic disorders, July 20-22, 2006 , Baltimore .  My topic: MMPs and their interactions in the inflamed micro-environment

19.  Discussant, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, USA ’s symposium on Stem cells in MS, San Francisco , Jan 16-19, 2007

20.  Special speaker from outside the ALS field, at the 3^rd Annual ALS Society of Canada meeting, March 23, 2007, Toronto

21.  Speaker, New Jersey School of Medicine international symposium, May 13-15, 2007, on Neuroprotection in MS

22.  Co-chair and speaker, Symposium on neuroinflammation, First Canadian Association of Neuroscience meeting, Toronto , May 23-25, 2007  My subject: Beneficial neuroinflammation

23.  Speaker, Symposium on Current Status of clinical and basic research in multiple sclerosis, USC Kerk School of Medicine, August 4, 2007, Newport Beach, CA.  My subject: Modulating the microenvironment for remyelination.

24.  Speaker, Myelin satellite symposium of the International Society of Neurochemistry, Chichen Itza , Mexico , Aug 18, 2007, on: Harnessing beneficial inflammation for remyelination

25.  Speaker, Symposium on Neuronal signaling by extracellular metalloproteases, International Society of Neurochemistry, Cancun , Aug 19-24, 2007

26.  Panelist, one of 6 North American experts on panel to discuss neuroprotection and repair in multiple sclerosis, Dallas, Feb 29 – March 2, 2008

27.  Speaker, 7^th International Teva and Sanofi-Aventis Symposium, Vienna , May 23-24, 2008, on: Prospects of repair in MS

28.  Chair and speaker, in Symposium on “Common or contrasting mechanisms of neurodegeneration across diseases and the implications for neuroprotection”, Second Canadian Association of Neuroscience meeting, Montreal , May 25-29, 2008  My subject: Inflammation as determinants of injury and protection in multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions

29.  Symposium speaker on MS, Annual Meeting of the American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists, October 27, 2008, on: Current understanding of MS immunopathogenesis and what this means for therapy

30.  Symposium speaker, Keystone Symposium on MS, Santa Fe , Jan 21-25, 2009, on: EMMPRIN: A new regulator of neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis

31.  Keynote speaker, 4th MS-Expert Workshop in Helsinki , Finland ,  February 6, 2009, on: Prospects of neuroprotection and repair in MS

32.  Roundtable discussant and speaker, in roundtable on “Multiple Sclerosis disease modifying therapies: Mechanisms of action and practical implications”, organised through UMDNJ–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ and Bioscience Communications, US, February 28 – March 1 2009.  My presentation topic: The interplay of the immune system with the CNS

33.  Symposium speaker, CNSF, Halifax, June 12, 2009 on Immunopathogenesis of
MS"  

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Other Academic Talks

1.      Grand Rounds, Oregon Health Sciences University , Portland , Oregon , Feb 4, 2004, on: Neuroinflammation and neuroprotection: new concepts and therapeutics in MS

2.      Speaker, Grand Rounds, University of Iowa , February 10, 2004 , on: Neuroinflammation and neuroprotection: new concepts and therapeutics in MS.

3.      Speaker, Grand Rounds, University of New Mexico , Albuquerque, February 27, 2004 , on: Neuroinflammation and neuroprotection: new concepts and therapeutics in MS.

4.      Special speaker and consultant, Serono Meeting on MMP inhibitors in neurological diseases, Geneva , March 2, 2004

5.      Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, Trillum Hospital , Mississauga , April 30, 2004 , on: Progress in MS research and therapy

6.      Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, University of Texas , Houston, May 14, 2004 , on: An update on MS pathogenesis and therapies

7.      Speaker, Mellen Center , Cleveland Clinic, August 18, 2004 , on: Novel considerations of MS pathogenesis and therapies

8.      Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, Eire , August 18, 2004 , on: Neuroinflammation and neuroprotection in MS

9.      Speaker, Cell Biology seminar series, University of Alabama , Birmingham , on: Matrix metalloproteinases in pathology and regeneration of the CNS, Sept 8,, 2004

10.  Faculty, University of South Florida symposium on Neuroprotection: Defining a clinical strategy in neurodegenerative disease, Sept 18, 2004 .  My topic: The role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of MS and in neuroprotection

11.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, Mayo Clinic, Fort Lauderdale , Oct 21, 2004 , on: Novel considerations of MS pathogenesis and therapies

12.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, George Washington University , Georgetown , Nov 3, 2004 . on: Novel considerations of MS pathogenesis and therapies

13.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, John Hopkins University , Nov 4, 2004 on: Novel considerations of MS pathogenesis and therapies

14.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, Michigan State University, Dec 16, 2004 , on: Progress in MS Research and Treatment

15.  Speaker, Neurology Osteopathic Residency Organisation, Michigan State University , Dec 17, 2004 , on: Neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis

16.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, Wake Forest University , Feb 8, 2005 , on: Progress in MS Research and Treatment

17.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, University of North Carolina , Chapel. Hill, Feb 8, 2005 , on: Progress in MS Research and Treatment

18.  Seminar Speaker, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Feb 24, 2005 , on: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): Mediators of CNS pathology and regeneration

19.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, Jacobs MS Center, University of Buffalo, Rochester, March 10, 2005, on: Emerging concepts and treatment in MS

20.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, Ohio State University , Columbus, April 5, 2005 , on: Emerging concepts and treatment in MS

21.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, University of Alabama , Birmingham , April 26, 2005 , on: Emerging concepts and treatment in MS

22.  Biochemistry seminar speaker, University of South Florida , Tampa , on: Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs): Mediators of CNS pathology and regeneration, April 27, 2005

23.  CME Speaker, University of South Florida , on: Progress in MS Research and Treatment, April 27, 2005

24.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, RUSH University , June 16, 2005, on: Treatment strategies in MS

25.  Speaker, Orange County Neurological Society, California , July 2, 2005 , on: The promise of minocycline in neurology

26.  Seminar speaker, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal , September 15, 2005 , on: Neuroprotection and regeneration in multiple sclerosis

27.  Grand Rounds, University of Sherbrooke , Quebec , September 16, 2005 , on: Neuroprotection and regeneration in multiple sclerosis

28.  CME Speaker, Second Annual Neuroprotection Meeting: Defining a clinical strategy in neurodegenerative disease, Oct 22-23, 2005, Sonoma , California , CME program organized through University of South Florida

29.  Speaker, Medicine Grand Rounds, Fairview General Hospital (Cleveland Clinic), Cleveland, Feb 13, 2006, on: Neuroprotection and regeneration in neurological diseases: MS as a prototype

30.  Speaker, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto , Feb 22, 2006 , on: Immunology of MS and the impact of therapies

31.  Speaker, Visiting Scholar Seminar Series, Neuroinflammation Training Program, McGill University, March 21, 2006, on: MMPs in pathology and regeneration of the nervous system

32.  Speaker, McMaster University , March 24, 2006 , Promoting beneficial aspects of neuroinflammation for CNS recovery

33.  CME Speaker, Providence , Rhode Island , April 24, 2006, on The two faces of multiple sclerosis: Inflammatory and degenerative

34.  CME Speaker, Worschester , Massachusetts , April 24, 2006, on The two faces of multiple sclerosis: Inflammatory and degenerative

35.  Speaker, Montreal Neurological Institute, June 19, 2006 , on: Modulating neuroinflammation: Bench to bedside and back

36.  CME Speaker, Portland , Maine , Sept 11, 2006, on The two faces of multiple sclerosis: Inflammatory and degenerative

37.  CME Speaker, Boston , Massachusetts , Sept 12, 2006, on The two faces of multiple sclerosis: Inflammatory and degenerative

38.  Neurology Grand Rounds, Louisiana State University , Shrewport, Oct 13, 2006, on: Modulating inflammation to promote neurological recovery: Bench to bedside and back

39.  Neurology Grand Rounds, Queen’s University, Kingston , Oct 26, 2006 , on: Modulating inflammation to promote neurological recovery: Bench to bedside and back

40.  Neurology Grand Rounds, University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Oct 27, 2006 , on: Modulating inflammation to promote neurological recovery: Bench to bedside and back

41.  CME Speaker, in CME program in Inflammation and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis as evidenced by MRI: Implications for current and future therapies, Oct 28, 2006, Chicago .  My presentation topic: Immunology of multiple sclerosis

42.  Special invited speaker, St. Michael Hospital ’s MS Research Day, Nov 25, 2006 , on: Neuroprotection and repair in MS

43.  Seminar speaker, Novartis symposium, Basel , March 13, 2007, on: Matrix metalloproteinases in MS

44.  Speaker, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, February 12, 2007, on: Managing the microenvironment of demyelinating lesions to enhance repair

45.  Seminar Speaker, Neuroimmunology Group, University of California , San Francisco , May 11, 2007: Repair of the nervous system

46.  Neurology Grand Rounds speaker, UCLA VA Hospital, Los Angeles ., August 3, 2007, on: Multiple Sclerosis, Focus on Neuroprotection and Repair

47.  Seminar Speaker, The Neural Systems and Plasticity Research Group, University of Saskatchewan , Aug 9, 2007, on: Managing the microenvironment for remyelination

48.  CME Speaker, Louisville , Kentucky , September 24, 2007, on: Multiple Sclerosis, Focus on Neuroprotection and Repair

49.  Speaker, Neurology/Neurosurgery Grand Rounds Speaker, University of Louisville , Sept 25, 2007, on: Modulating neuroinflammation for neurological recovery: Bench to bedside and back

50.  CME Speaker, Lexington , Kentucky , September 25, 2007, on: Multiple Sclerosis, Focus on Neuroprotection and Repair

51.  Speaker. MS Clinical Rounds, University of Calgary , Oct 3 2007 on: Current understanding of MS immunopathogenesis and what this means for therapy

52.  Speaker, Department of Neurological Sciences Grand Rounds, University of Nebraska , Omaha , Nov 1, 2007, on: Modulating neuroinflammation with minocycline for neurological recovery: Bench to bedside and back     

53.  CME program, Tuscaloosa , Alabama , March 10, 2008, on: Multiple Sclerosis, Focus on Neuroprotection and Repair

54.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, March 11, 2008, University of Alabama , Birmingham , on: Modulating neuroinflammation and conferring neuroprotection with minocycline: Bench to bedside and back

55.  CME Speaker, Nashville , Tennessee , March 12, 2008, on: Multiple Sclerosis, Focus on Neuroprotection and Repair

56.  Speaker, University of Alberta , March 20, 2008, on: Inflammation-induced repair of the CNS

57.  CME Speaker, Charleston West Virginia, May 13, 2008, on: Multiple Sclerosis, Focus on Neuroprotection and Repair

58.  CME Speaker, Knoxville , Tennessee , May 14, 2008, on: Multiple Sclerosis, Focus on Neuroprotection and Repair

59.  Speaker, Program organized by the MS Association of America, Denver, Colorado, June 26, 2008, on: Research Update in the field of Multiple Sclerosis

60.  Speaker, Residency program, St. John West Shore Hospital , Cleveland , July 14, 2008, on: Neuroimmunology in the neurological sciences

61.  CME Speaker, Cleveland, July 16, 2008, on: Multiple Sclerosis, Focus on Neuroprotection and Repair

62.  Speaker, Halifax, July 24, 2008, on: Inflammation-induced repair of the CNS

63.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, UT Southwestern Medical School, Dallas , Sept 3 2008, on: The challenge and promise of minocycline in neurology”

64.  Speaker, MS Group seminar, Southwestern Medical School , Dallas , Sept 3 2008, on: Repair in MS

65.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, University of Saskatoon , Sept 10 2008, on: Update on research in multiple sclerosis

66.  CME Speaker in “Advanced Imaging Techniques in Multiple Sclerosis: A Gaze into the Future” symposium, Oct 24 2008.  My presentation topic is: Linking Immunology and MRI: Implications for Better Interpretation of Clinical Trials in MS

67.  Seminar speaker, MS Clinical Rounds, University of Calgary , Nov 5 2008, on: The continuing promises and challenges of minocycline in the neurological sciences, University of Calgary

68.  Speaker, Neurology Grand Rounds, Louisianna State University , Shreveport , Dec 12 2008, on: Bench to bedside: Minocycline in the neurological sciences

69.  Seminar speaker, University of Montreal , Jan 17 2009, on: Using an old drug for neurological recovery: The story of minocycline and translational research

70.  Seminar Speaker, Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen , March 31, 2009, on: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and EMMPRIN in MS

71.  Seminar Speaker, University of Utah Brain Research Institute, April 2 2009, on: Inflammation promotes both injury and recovery from neurological insults

72.  Seminar Speaker, University of Utah MS group, April 2 2009, on: Prospects for neuroprotection in MS

73.  Neuroscience Rounds, Trillium Hospital , Toronto , April 17 2009, on: Towards promoting repair in multiple sclerosis

74.  Seminar speaker, Immunopathogenesis of MS and what this means for MS medications, Michigan Institute of Neurological Disorders, Detroit , May 5 2009

75.  Seminar Speaker, Detroit , May 6, 2009, on: Prospects of inducing neural repair in  MS

76.  Speaker, Grand Rounds, University of South Florida , Tampa , May 15 2009 on: Update in Multiple Sclerosis

77.  Speaker, Grand Rounds, Department of Clinical Neurosciences grand round, University of Calgary , May 22 2009, on: An update of minocycline in spinal cord injury

78.  Speaker, Institute of Inflammation , Infection and Immunity, University of Calgary , May 25 2009, on: Inflammation promotes both injury and recovery from neurological insults

79.  Speaker, MS Workshop, University of British Columbia , June 5 2009, on: Inducing repair in the CNS: Taking basic research through to clinical trials

80.  Speaker, Brain Research Centre Research Day, University of British Columbia , June 6 2009, on: Inflammation a double-edged sword in the pathophysiology of MS

81.  Speaker, University of Alberta , June 23 2009, on EMMPRIN-mediated neuroinflammation in MS

82.    Speaker and consultant, Bayer, Science and MRI of Neuroprotection Expert Advisory Board,  July 24 2009, Berlin

83.    Speaker and consultant, Teva Neuroscience Advisory Board, Pittsburgh , August 7 2009.

Note that many speaking engagements for Teva Neuroscience have not been recorded

84.  Speaker, Grand Rounds, University of Sacramento , October 1, 2009, on: Prospects of Remyelination & Repair in MS

85.  Speaker, Neuroimmunology Journal Club, University of California at San Francisco , October 2 2009, on: Jumping on the Vitamin D band-wagon in MS:  Novel insights into mechanisms

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Service to the Community

1.      Talk to the community of Grand Prairie , Alberta , on: Progress in MS Research, February 13, 2004

2.      Keynote speaker, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Saskatchewan Division Annual General Meeting,  May 27, 2004 , on: Progress in MS Research

3.      Keynote speaker, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Calgary Chapter Annual General Meeting,  Nov 8, 2004

4.      Keynote speaker, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada series on Living well with MS: Medical Research and Hope, at:

       West Island Montreal - May 12, 2005  

       Newmarket/Richmond Hill, Ontario   - May 13, 2005  

       Winnipeg - May 14, 2005

       Edmonton - May 25, 2005

       Victoria - May 28, 2005

       Hamilton , Ontario - Oct 14, 2005

       Dartmouth , NS – Oct 15, 2005

       Hull – Oct 16, 2005

       Saskatoon – Nov 23, 2005

       Vancouver – Nov 30, 2005

       North Bay , Ontario – April 22, 2006

       Penticton , BC - May 6, 2006

       Grand Prarie , Alberta – May 7, 2006

       Monteregui , Quebec - May 27, 2006

       London , Ontario - May 28, 2006

       Sydney , Nova Scotia – Sept 19, 2006

       Blanville , Quebec – Sept 20, 2006

       Brandon , Manitoba – Nov 13, 2006

       Regina , Saskatchewan – Nov 14, 2006

       Calgary , Alberta – Nov 15, 2006

       Kamloops , BC (April 17, 2007)

       Ottawa , Ontario (June 12, 2007)

       St. John’s , Newfoundland (June 13, 2007)

Keynote speaker, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Calgary Chapter Annual General Meeting,  Nov 22, 2007, on An outstanding year of progress in MS research

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Past Trainees

1.      William Couldwell, 1989 ‑ 1991, Ph.D. degree, obtained 1991. Source of support: MRC Centennial Fellowship. Current Position: Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah

2.      Robert Moumdjian, 1989 ‑ 1991, M.Sc. degree, obtained 1991. Source of support: Jeanne Timmins Fellowship. Current Position: Associate Professor, University of Montreal

3.      Jason CB Cheung, 1989, Summer Student Source of support: McGill Medical Student Research Program. Current Position: Ophthalmologist, Washington

4.      Joon H. Uhm, 1989, Winter Student; also 1990, Summer Student. Also: Neurology Resident on 6 months Basic Science Rotation, 1994 – 1995. Current Position: Staff, Mayo Clinic, Rochester

5.      Amit Bar‑Or, 1991, Winter Student. Source of support: McGill Medical Student Research Program. Current Position: Assistant Professor, McGill University

6.      Garnet Fraser, 1991, Summer Student, Source of support: FRSQ. Last known Position: Final Year Medical Student, Queen's University

7.      Paul Noble, 1990 ‑ 1992, Neurology Resident on Basic Science Rotation. Current Position: Neurologist in private practice, Montreal

8.      Erin Wright, 1991, Summer Student; also 1991, Winter Student. Source of support: McGill Medical Student Research Program. Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Western Ontario

9.      Trevor Tejada‑Berges, 1991 ‑ 1993, M. Sc. Degree. Source of support: Supervisor's grant. Current position: Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brown University and Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island

10.  Jolanda Turley, 1992 and 1993, Summer Student.  Source of support for 1992: Supervisor's MRC Grant.  Source of support for 1993: Challenge 1993, Current position: Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Services, University of Toronto

11.  Anthony Brade, 1993, Summer Student. Source of support: McGill Medical Student Research Program. Current position: Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto

12.  Gordon Baltuch, 1991 ‑ 1994, Ph.D. degree. Source of support: MRC Fellowship. Current Position: Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania

13.  Vijayabalan Balasingam, 1991 ‑ 1995, M.D./Ph.D. degree. Source of support: National Centre of Excellence.  Current Position: Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery, University of Montreal

14.  Olaf Stuve, from 1995 ‑ 1996, Postdoctoral Fellow. Source of support: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft  (German equivalent of MRC). Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Dallas

15.  Alexis Armour, May ‑ August, 1995, Summer student. Source of support: University of Toronto Medical Student Bursary Program and MRC. Last known position: Plastic Surgery Resident, University of Toronto

16.  Tarek Boutros, 1993 ‑ 1997, M.Sc. degree. Source of support: Berlex Laboratories. Current Position: Research Technician, McGill University

17.  Nora Dooley, 1991 ‑ 1998, Ph.D. degree. Source of support: FCAR and NCE. Current Position: Housewife

18.  Jack Vecil, 1998, Neurosurgery Resident on 6 months Basic Science Rotation.  Current position: Neurooncology clinical fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center

19.  Luke Oh, 1994 - 1999, Ph.D. degree.  Source of support: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.  Current position: Scientist, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

20.  Sophie Chabot ( B.Sc. McGill University ), 1995 – 2000, Ph.D. degree. Source of support: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.  Current position: Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

21.  Veronika Brundula ( B.Sc. Simon Bolivar University , Venezuela ), from 1998 - 2000, M.Sc. degree.  Current position: WHO, Venezuela

22.  Shannon Corley (B.Sc. University of Victoria), from 1998 - 2000, M.Sc. degree.  Last known position: Scuba diving instructor

23.  Uma Ladiwala (M.D. India), from 1999 - 2000, Postdoctoral fellow.  Current position: Research Scientist, India

24.  Arnaud Besson ( M.Sc Grenoble University , France ), 1997 - 2001, Ph.D. degree. Source of support: National Cancer Instutute of Canada and AHFMR.  Current position: Assistant Professor, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse , France

25.  Leonie Moorhouse‑Herx ( B.Sc. McGill University ), from September 1997, MD/Ph.D. candidate. Source of support: MRC MD/PhD Studentship and AHFMR.  PhD obtained in 2001.  Current position: Neurology resident, University of Calgary

26.  Le Duc (B.Sc. University of Waterloo), 1999 –2001, M.Sc. degree.  Source of support: NSERC studentship and AHFMR.  Current position: Resident, Radiology, University of Alberta

27.  Charlotte Verhaege, Medical Student from the University of Alberta , for 3 months summer studentship, 2001.  Current position: Neurology resident, University of Alberta

28.  Jennifer Takahashi, Neurology Resident at the University of Calgary , for 6 months laboratory basic research program, from July 2001.  Current position: Neurologist, British Columbia

29.  Yan Zhou ( Ph.D. Justus Liebig University , Giessen ), from 2000 - 2002, Postdoctoral fellow.  Source of support: AHFMR.  Current position: Scientist, Vaccine Centre, University of Saskatoon

30.  Andrew Weaver (B.Sc. University of Victoria), 2001 – 2003, M.Sc. degree.  Current position: Medical School , University of Calgary

31.  Hui Li, (MD China), Neurosurgery resident on basic science rotation in my lab, January – April 2004.  Current position: Neurosurgery resident, University of Calgary

32.  Peter Larsen ( M.Sc. Odense University ), Ph.D. degree. Source of support: Danish Academy of Science, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.  Current position: Postdoctoral fellow, Odense University , Denmark  

33.  Jennifer Larsen nee Wells (PhD, Memorial University ), 2000 - 2004, Postdoctoral fellow.  Source of support: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.  Current position: Scientist, Lundbeck, Copenhagen , Denmark

34.  Fabrizio Giuliani (Neurologist, University of Bari , Italy ), from 2001-2004, Postdoctoral fellow.  Source of support: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.  Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Alberta , Edmonton  

35.  Tiona Toduruk (PhD, University of Calgary ), May 2003 – Nov 2005, Postdoctoral fellow.  Source of support: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and Neuroscience Foundation Canada . Current Position: Researcher, Comox Environmental Agency, Calgary

36.  Jennifer Ah-Sue (BSc, Queen’s University), M.Sc. degree, Dec, 2005.  Current position: Medical Student, Cork University , Ireland

37.  Rana Zabad (Neurologist, Wayne State University ), from 2002 - 2005, Clinical Fellow.  Source of support: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and Biogen Canada .  Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska

38.  Angela Janke (MD, Germany ), from August 2004 - 2006, Clinical Fellow.  Current position: Fellow, University of Toronto

39.  Tiffany Rice (B.Sc. University of Calgary), Ph.D. degree, July 2006. Source of support: National Science and Engineering Research Corporation and Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.  Current position: Medical school, University of Calgary  

40.  Erin Ferral, 4^th Year Neurology resident on 6 month research rotation, from Oct 2006.  Current position: Basic science and clinical fellow, McGill University

41.  Jing Zhang, PhD, Research Associate in glioma biology, from July 2006 – April 2008.  Current position: Research Associate, University of Western Ontario

42.  Trina Johnson (PhD, University of Calgary ), July 2007 – March 2008, Postdoctoral fellow.  Source of support: Supervisor grant. Current position: Postdoctoral fellow, Jack Antel Laboratory, McGill University

43.  Angelika Goncalves DaSilva (BSc, Carlton University ), Sept 2003 – June 2008, Ph.D. degree.  Source of support: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.  Current position: Postdoctoral fellow

44.  Shuhong Liu, PhD, Research Associate in molecular biology, from August 2005 – July 2008.  Current position: Research Staff, Calgary Laboratory Services

45.  Viktor Sikhar (PhD, University of Saskatchewan ), from Nov 2004, Postdoctoral fellow. Source of support: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.  Current position: Surgical resident, University of Saskatoon

46.  Dave Stirling (PhD, University of British Columbia ), March 2006 – June 2008, Postdoctoral fellow.  Source of support: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.  Current position: Postdoctoral fellow, Peter Stys Laboratory, University of Calgary

47.  Jian- Qiang Lu , MD , Neuropathology resident.  I mentored his basic science projects from 2007 – 2009.  Current position” Assistant Professor and staff pathologist, University of Alberta