Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

Five Café Scientifiques are planned in 2011/2012 by the Vice-President (Research) Office. The five Cafés cover hot topics of interest to the public: nutraceuticals, breast cancer, communicating health research, spinal cord injury, and diabetes. Each panel has a minimum of two CIHR-funded researchers (2011/12 time period). Audiences include: public interested in the topic and bookstore clients at the time of the event. Community organizations are represented on the panels wherever possible. Each Café is promoted to target audiences such as associations, organizations and support groups. The Cafés: Food: The answer to what ails you? Do you know which everyday foods can treat and prevent illness, speed up recovery, make you stronger and even improve your mood? Are nutraceuticals the new drugs? Breast Cancer Research: What does the future hold? A better understanding of genes and how our bodies are affected has paved the way to new and improved treatment methods for breast cancer. How can we improve the care, communication, and coping mechanisms available to patients? Telling It Like It Is: Communicating health research to the public (YOU!) Health related issues are interpreted for us by an array of media outlets, but what is science really saying about health? Is there a way to ensure academics, researchers, journalists and YOU, the public, are on the same page? Renewing Hope for Spinal Cord Injuries Most of us take our mobility for granted. What if you suffered an injury and lost that ability? How can we encourage cells and tissues to repair themselves after injury caused by spinal cord injury? Diabetes: Is resistance futile? Rising obesity rates are leading to rising diabetes rates. Health implications include high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, and even limb loss. What roles do environment, stress, heredity and diet play, and can these factors be controlled?