Annual Brain Awareness Week highlights U of L neuroscience research

caroline.zentner — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 18:44:43 +0000

Everyone is invited to learn more about the world-renowned brain research being done at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) during Brain Awareness Week, March 9 to 14.

Dr. Robbin Gibb, a U of L professor of neuroscience, will present this year’s public talk, addressing the importance of brain development in the preschool years. Gibb will discuss research into training the preschool brain for success in school and beyond through simple play activities. This free lecture is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at the Yates Memorial Centre.

Dr. Robbin Gibb will discuss brain development in the early years during her public talk.

On Saturday, March 14, the CCBN will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors are invited to step inside to find out more about the cutting edge research being done and the discoveries being made in southern Alberta. The open house includes tours of the labs, the chance to meet CCBN scientists and an activity room for children to engage in educational brain-related activities.

“We encourage people of all ages to participate in this year’s Brain Awareness Week,” says Dr. Artur Luczak, a professor and neuroscience researcher at the CCBN and one of the organizers of Brain Awareness Week. “Research being done here in Lethbridge covers a wide range of neuroscience topics, including memory, stroke, brain diseases, how the brain has evolved in different species, and brain development over the lifespan.”

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) activities are organized by the Lethbridge Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience. BAW is a global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research.

Coinciding with BAW is a public talk on the evening of Wednesday, March 11 by Jay Ingram, former host of CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks and Discovery Channel Canada’s Daily Planet, titled The Alzheimer’s Mystery. Beginning at 7 p.m. at The Galt Museum, Ingram will talk about the research being done in Alberta to understand Alzheimer’s disease. The CCBN’s Dr. Rob Sutherland is an invited guest and will be available for the public discussion.

Hotchkiss leaves legacy gift

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:20:26 +0000

Just as his life left an everlasting, positive impact on Calgarians, Albertans and beyond, the late Dr. Harley Hotchkiss's (LLD '07) $1 million gift to support brain research will leave a permanent legacy at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The gift will move forward important research at the U of L's Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neuroscience (CCBN). A permanent endowment that will carry Dr. Hotchkiss's name will support research conducted by the CCBN's world-leading researchers.

"My father was proud of his association with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, through the Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neuroscience, for several reasons," says Brenda Mackie, Hotchkiss's daughter. " He had a lifelong love of learning, and he understood that solid medical research leads to better patient outcomes and a healthier population. He strongly believed in giving back to the community."

Hotchkiss is well known for the many contributions he made in the area of brain research. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary's Hotchkiss Brain Institute was named in his honour.

"He was proud of the vision of collaboration between the Universities of Lethbridge, Calgary and Alberta. This gift to the U of L is a testament to his respect and admiration for the research being conducted there," says Mackie.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Mike Mahon says Dr. Hotchkiss's extraordinary gift will advance the important work being conducted by CCBN researchers in the areas of brain injury, Alzheimer's Disease, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, stroke and many others.

"We are honoured to receive this very significant gift," says Mahon. "U of L researchers have contributed greatly to understanding the brain. These discoveries are making a real difference in people's lives and will be the base of significant future findings and treatments."

In addition to direct support for research, the endowment will also support a speaker series carrying Dr. Hotchkiss's name, which will bring prominent speakers to Alberta and provide enhanced learning and interaction opportunities with students and researchers.

"Over the years, Harley Hotchkiss has been a very significant supporter of neuroscience research and education in Alberta, and at the CCBN in particular," says Dr. Rob Sutherland, Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at the U of L. "As researchers look to diversify support for basic research, gifts such as this from the Hotchkiss family become essential in enabling us to conduct the basic brain research and training that will bring about new discoveries that will lead to tomorrow's treatments for brain diseases."

The gift to the U of L is consistent with the encouragement Dr. Hotchkiss gave others about being involved in their communities. In his 2007 Honorary Degree address at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge convocation ceremonies, he stated, "At the end of the road you will look back on how you lived your life and how you treated others. Be a contributor, and wherever you can, leave things a little better."

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Annual Brain Awareness Week highlights U of L neuroscience research

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Hotchkiss leaves legacy gift

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