MedTalks: Think Well, Live Well – Brain Health for Life

Wednesday, February 11th, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM PST (via Zoom)

Keeping our minds strong, sharp, and active as we age involves all of our bodily systems. In this webinar, participants will learn what the latest research and social systems reveal when experts from medicine, nursing, dentistry, nutrition, and psychology share their insights into brain health and aging. Discover how you can support and improve your cognitive well-being for lasting mental vibrancy and lifelong vitality. Register below!

Register

Title: Age-Related Decline in Postural Stability: Investigating the Influence of Proprioception 

Speaker: Kenzie MacKinnon, PhD Student, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University

Date: Tuesday, February, 10th, 2026

Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm  

Location: Tupper 3H-1 [IN-PERSON meeting]

Description: In the aging population, fall related injuries costs the Canadian health millions of dollars annually. This is due to an increased locomotor instability with age. One of the contributing factors to this age-related instability is a decline in proprioceptive sensation in the legs. My project is exploring if this phenomena is apparent in the aging mouse. I am looking at how stability changes when proprioceptive information is acutely ablated from reaching the spinal cord at multiple ages and how that is reflected in kinematic derived measures for stability.

Seminar Series: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar

Dr. Adam Johnston

Associate Professor, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University. Profile

Monday February 9, 2026
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Location

Theatre A and Room 102 DMNB

Topic: Photoreceptor degeneration has heterogeneous effects on functional retinal ganglion cell types

Author(s): Nadine Dyszkant, Jonathan Oesterle, Yongrong Qiu, Merle Harrer, Timm Schubert, Dominic Gonschorek and Thomas Euler

DOI: doi/10.1113/JP287643

Presented by: Dr Melina Agosto

Location: G36, Tupper Building (beside MedIT office)

Contact/RSVP: Delaney

In celebration of George Munro - Dalhousie's 'Great Benefactor', the first Friday of February is a holiday at Dalhousie - a much-appreciated mid-winter break for students, staff, and faculty.

Read more about George Munro here

Learn about Dr. Ilie’s work in transformative cancer care, as well as her inspiring career and personal story!
🎤 Dr. Gabriela Ilie
📍 Life Science Center (LSC) room P4620
📆 February 5th
⏰ 11:30am - 1:00pm

Title: Imaging Signatures of Seizures vs. Epilepsy: Distinguishing Acute and Chronic Network Alterations in Humans

Speaker: Dr. Theodor Rüber, MD, Head of the Translational Neuroimaging Group at the Department of Epileptology, Bonn University, Germany 

Date: Tuesday, February, 3rd, 2026

Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm  

Location: Tupper 3H-1 [IN-PERSON meeting]

Description: TBV

Title: Gut Feelings and Healthy Aging: Roles of Parents, Chromatin, Microbiota, and Amyloid-β" 

Speaker: Dr. Ian Weaver

Date/Time: Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 9:30am

Discover how Dungeons & Dragons transformed one school’s sense of community and student wellbeing. Join UK librarian and author Lucas Maxwell (MLIS’07) for an inspiring talk on storytelling, inclusion, and the power of play in education.

Abstract: Lucas Maxwell has been running Dungeons & Dragons in the high school library he manages in London, UK, for over seven years. During that time he’s observed and written about the mental health benefits the game has had for both students and staff alike.

After speaking to a wide variety of mental health professionals in both the UK and North America, it became clear that the game has therapeutic benefits that not only create a sense of community in and around the school, but also builds important social and interpersonal skills.

It also helps struggling students engage with reading and creativity and has helped Maxwell with his own wellbeing and mental health.  In this presentation, Maxwell will discuss how he started the game with only five student players and how it blossomed into a school-wide phenomenon that led to his students developing D&D sessions for neurodivergent youth in literary festivals around London and in one of the largest libraries in the world.

Speaker Bio: Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, Lucas Maxwell grew up on Nintendo, comic books and Dungeons & Dragons. He has been working in libraries for over fifteen years and is passionate about providing safe and welcoming library spaces for everyone.

In 2017 he was named the UK’s School Librarian of the Year and in 2024 he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to libraries. His debut Young Adult novel, A Million Tiny Missiles All At Once, will be published by Chicken House Books in April 2026. He is proud to be a neurodivergent writer and grateful to be adding his voice to the world of literature. He currently resides in the UK with his amazing family and Biscuit the chocolate lab.

Register Here

Learn more about the Dalhousie Horrocks National Leadership Fund

Consider donating to the fund and supporting future student leaders in information

Seminar Series: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar

Dr. Yan Lu

Assistant Professor, Metabolic Medicine Center, Zhejiang University. Profile

A fresh look on butyrate in immunometabolism - Gut Derived Butyrate reprograms macrophage metabolism to establish lipid droplet-mediated immune tolerance

Monday February 2, 2026
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Location

Theatre A and Room 102 DMNB

January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month

This month is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time to learn more about dementia and reduce the stigma that surrounds it. Many Canadians worry about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, yet fear and uncertainty often stop people from seeking information or support.

This year’s Forget No One campaign encourages open conversations so individuals and families can get support earlier, and no one has to face dementia alone.

Throughout January, Nova Scotians are encouraged to learn more, support dementia-friendly communities, and take part in the National Day of Action on January 28 to raise awareness and show solidarity.

Learn more about Awareness Month on Alzheimer Society’s website here.

Toronto Rehabilitation Institute’s 18th Annual Brain Injury Conference: Controversies and Challenges in Brain Injury

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE:

Toronto Rehab invites you to the 18th Annual Brain Injury Conference, themed Controversies and Challenges in Brain Injury. This one-day event features leading experts Carmela Tartaglia, Jeff Kutcher, Sarah Lidstone, and Abe Snaiderman, along with interactive workshops on post-traumatic headaches, movement disorders, and legal issues in brain injury cases. Join us for insightful presentations, practical strategies, and valuable networking opportunities with peers and sponsors.

KEY DATES:

Registration Opens: September 5, 2025

Early Registration Rates Expire: January 5, 2026

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Email: conferences@uhn.ca  

Website: https://events.myconferencesuite.com/BrainInjury2026 

Alzheimer Society Day of Action

Join Alzheimer Society on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 to show your support and combat stigma by sharing messages of support and engaging in dialogue around dementia. Be sure to use the hashtag #ForgetNoOne and tag @alzheimerns.

Together, we can replace silence with support and stigma with hope, ensuring no one faces dementia alone today and a future without dementia tomorrow.

Speaker: Kenzie MacKinnon, PhD Student, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University

Date: Tuesday, January, 27th, 2026

Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm  

Location: Tupper 3H-1  [IN-PERSON meeting]

Description:

Join the Department of Pharmacology, at 9:30-10:30am on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to attend Dr. Melissa O'Brien's seminar on 'Studying Circuits and Sex: ? A Translational Approach to Understand Migraine.'

Seminar Synopsis: Migraine is a common neurological disorder that affects approximately 15% of the global population and 25% of reproductive-aged women. Importantly, clear sex-differences exist in migraine whereby both prevalence and intensity are greater in females. Recently research has also identified sex-specific responses to migraine treatments. While sex hormones, such as estrogen, have been shown to contribute to some of these differences, a deeper understanding of migraine circuitry and neuroendocrine involvement in migraine is required. This seminar will focus on how translational research can be used to improve our understanding of migraine pathophysiology and identify novel pharmacological targets for its treatment.

Contact for virtual link: Dr. Jason McDougall
jason.mcadougall@dal.ca
Seminar Coordinator
Department of Pharmacology

Seminar Series: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar

Dr. Jessica Garb

Associate Professor, Department of Biological Science, University of Massachusetts Lowell. Profile

Spider silk proteins through an evolutionary lens: diverse biomaterial opportunities

Monday January 26, 2026
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Location

Theatre A and Room 102 DMNB

The Graduate & Professional Program Fair is your opportunity to explore graduate study at Dalhousie and start shaping your next step. Open to current students from any university, working professionals, and anyone interested in learning more about graduate studies at Dal, the Fair brings together faculty, advisors, and current students to help you explore a wide range of programs and pathways.

Whether you’re finishing your undergrad, recently graduated, or building your career, you’ll get practical guidance on applications, funding, and career outcomes in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. Attend in person or join virtually to ask questions, make connections, and find a graduate path that fits where you want to go next.

Audience
Alumni, Current students, Faculty and staff, International students, Open to the public, Prospective students

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Bruce Earhard Memorial Lecture and Undergraduate Awards Day (Dr. Ralph Redden, St. Francis Xavier University)

Date and time: January 22, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: Lecture room P4260, Life Sciences Centre Psychology Tower

Light reception to follow.

On behalf of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), we invite you to submit a session proposal for Neuroscience 2026, taking place November 14–18 in Washington, D.C.

SfN is committed to fostering a rich intellectual community where neuroscience researchers can thrive, exchange ideas, and share their latest discoveries. Our program at Neuroscience 2025 was a strong reflection of these values, and we aim to build on that success in 2026.

To expand participation and enhance accessibility, we encourage neuroscientists from all backgrounds and career stages to submit a proposal for a Neuroscience 2026 session or event by Wednesday, January 21, 5 p.m. EST.

The success of the annual meeting lies in the range of perspectives and experiences represented. As we look forward to Neuroscience 2026, the Program Committee and Professional Development Committee are keen to provide programming and professional development activities that resonate across the neuroscience community. Our goal is to ensure that all neuroscientists feel connected to one another and to the excitement of scientific discovery.

We hope you will consider contributing to this dynamic program and helping advance the field of neuroscience. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at program@sfn.org. 

Topic: Overview on rehabilitation research trends from the World Stroke Congress, held in Barcelona, October 2025.

Authors: n/a

DOI: n/a

Presented by: Fola Akpan, Physiotherapist with the ESSD team and research coordinator with Nova Scotia Health. 

Location/Platform: Teams

Contact ABINetwork@nshealth.ca for link or more information

Community Health and Epidemiology’s Seminar Series

January 8th features Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie.

Can we improve disease-specific outcomes in multiple sclerosis by treating comorbidity?

Synopsis: Many attempts to predict outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) have focused on the characteristics at presentation, such as relapse localization or age at symptom onset, however these factors have only limited predicted value. Other characteristics of the individual, such as socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, genetic factors, health behaviors and comorbid conditions also influence outcomes.

Physical and psychiatric comorbid conditions are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) from the time of MS symptom onset and increase in prevalence with age and disease duration. Depression, anxiety disorders, hypertension and hyperlipidemia are among the most prevalent conditions affecting people with MS, and are associated with adverse outcomes. This raises the question as to whether targeting comorbidities could be a novel strategy to improve MS-specific outcomes.

Bio: Ruth Ann Marrie is a Professor of Medicine and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University. She received her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her medical degree from Dalhousie University, both with Distinction. She completed neurology training at McGill University. This was followed by a fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis at the Cleveland Clinic, supported by a Sylvia Lawry Physician Fellowship Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Subsequently, she obtained a PhD in Epidemiology from Case Western Reserve University. Presently, she serves as the Vice Chair of the Scientific Steering Committee for the International Progressive MS Alliance. She is the former Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee for MS Canada, former Chair of the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in MS and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. In 2023 she was awarded the Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Research. Her research aims to understand the influence of comorbid diseases on a range of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related health outcomes. Other areas of research interest include etiologic factors for MS, patient-reported outcomes, and prodromal MS.

Contact che@dal.ca

Topic: Molecular mechanism establishing the OFF pathway in vision

Author(s): Florentina Soto , Chin-I Lin, Andrew Jo1, Ssu-Yu Chou, Ellen G. Harding, Philip A. Ruzycki, Gail K. Seabold, Ronald S. Petralia & Daniel Kerschensteiner

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59046-0

Presented by: Robyn McGowan

Location: TBC

Contact/RSVP: Delaney

January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month

This month is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time to learn more about dementia and reduce the stigma that surrounds it. Many Canadians worry about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, yet fear and uncertainty often stop people from seeking information or support.

This year’s Forget No One campaign encourages open conversations so individuals and families can get support earlier, and no one has to face dementia alone.

Throughout January, Nova Scotians are encouraged to learn more, support dementia-friendly communities, and take part in the National Day of Action on January 28 to raise awareness and show solidarity.

Learn more about Awareness Month on Alzheimer Society’s website here.

Title: Ontogeny of the spinal cord dorsal horn

Speaker: Dr R. Brian Roome, Ph.D, Postdoctoral Fellow at National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral fellow at Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, McGill University

Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm  

Location: 3H-01 Tupper Building

Abstract: “The dorsal horn of the mammalian spinal cord is organized into laminae where each layer is populated by different neuron types, has unique circuit connections, and plays specialized roles in behavior. An outstanding question is how this organization emerges during development from an apparently homogeneous pool of neural progenitors. Here, we show that dorsal neurons are

diversified by time, with families of related cell types born as temporal cohorts, and by a spatial-molecular gradient that specifies individual cell types. Excitatory neurons settle into a chronotopic arrangement that transforms their progressive birthdates into anatomical order and is required to establish proper laminae. We identified essential ontogenetic principles that shape dorsal progenitors into the diverse cell types and structure that subserve sensorimotor function.”

BIANS Holiday Gathering ☃️❄️

BIANS is excited to invite you and your whole family to our Holiday Party on December 5th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Discovery Centre!

Enjoy a fun, welcoming evening with:

• Delicious snacks

• A low sensory environment designed for comfort

• Exciting games and activities

• Fantastic prizes to be won

Best of all — this event is completely FREE!

Bring your loved ones and celebrate the season with us in a relaxed, inclusive space where everyone can have fun and feel supported.

We can’t wait to see you there!