with
Eleanor Fish, University of Toronto
Newly emerging viral infections represent
a significant threat to human health. Three major influenza
pandemics in the last century together killed more people
than any other natural disaster or war. More recently, SARS
emerged in China and spread rapidly to 30 countries, causing
over 800 deaths. In the wings lurks H5N1, a highly pathogenic
influenza virus that many believe to be an increasing pandemic
threat.
Dr. Eleanor Fish, a leading immunologist at
the University of Toronto, will talk about the risk that
emerging diseases pose for Canada as well as research advances
that suggest new avenues to help our bodies defend themselves.
These findings stress the importance of understanding the
human ‘host’ in devising strategies that can
work effectively under the time and economic constraints
imposed by a pandemic. Dr. Fish will also introduce a new
pharmacoecomic model for drug development, in which Canada
has the potential to take a leadership role.
Dr. Fish is a professor of immunology at the
University of Toronto. She is director of the University
Health Network’s Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research
Centre and heads the Network’s Division of Cell &
Molecular Biology at the Toronto General Research Institute.
She is known internationally for her work on cell signalling
proteins (cytokines) and in particular their roles in host-pathogen
interactions and in autoimmune disease.
Organized by: The Partnership Group for Science and Engineering
(PAGSE)
Sponsored by:
--the Speaker of the Senate
--the Speaker of the House of Commons
--Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2008 from 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Place: Room 200, West Block, Parliament Hill
Cost: No charge to Members of the House of Commons, Senators
and Media. All others $15
Registration: Please register by contacting Donna Boag,
PAGSE Coordinator: 613-991-6369, pagse@rsc.ca
Registration Deadline: Monday March 3rd
