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Science meets Hollywood: Spinal cord research shares the spotlightwith Alec Baldwin

Western University’s Robarts Research Institute presents the latest in spinal cord injury research in a symposium and public forum, culminating in the presentation of the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine at the Leaders in Innovation Dinner featuring actor Alec Baldwin.

 November 16, 2012

 November 16, 2012

Science meets Hollywood on Monday, November 19th as Western University’s Robarts Research Institute presents the latest in spinal cord injury research in a symposium and public forum, culminating in the presentation of the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine at the Leaders in Innovation Dinner featuring actor Alec Baldwin.

The Public Forum on Clinical Trials in Spinal Cord Injury offers an opportunity to learn about the latest advances in spinal cord research in “lay” language from leading international spinal cord scientists.  The forum will be held from 1:00- 2:00 p.m. in the Fisher Room at the Robarts Research Institute.

The public forum is a new feature of the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine Symposium which this year focuses on research into spinal cord injury.  The forum’s panel includes the 2012 Taylor Prize winner, Reggie Edgerton of the University of California, Los Angeles; Dr. Michael Fehlings, a neurosurgeon from the University of Toronto; Sasha Rabchevsky of the University of Kentucky; Dr. Wolfram Tetzlaff who holds the Man in Motion Chair in Spinal Cord Research; and Lynn Weaver of Robarts.  The moderator is Kim Anderson-Erisman of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.  The discussion will cover everything from diet to stem cell therapy to treadmill training and electrical stimulation.

The symposium takes place in Auditorium A at University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre starting at 9:00 a.m. with opening remarks from Dr. Michael Strong, Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.  Arthur Brown of Robarts will speak in the morning session along with Tetzlaff, Rabchevsky and Fehlings.  Edgerton will present at 2:30.  He was named the 2012 recipient of the Taylor Prize for his research pioneering the rehabilitation strategy of treadmill training after a spinal cord injury and the added benefits of epidural electrical stimulation.

Both the symposium and public forum will be live-streamed at:  www.schulich.uwo.ca/schulich-live-stream

The J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine will be formally presented to Edgerton at the Leaders in Innovation Dinner which takes place at the London Convention Centre.  Cocktails are at 5:00, dinner at 6:00, with the main program starting at 7:30 p.m.  The special guest for the evening is actor Alec Baldwin who will share his life, politics and spinal cord research interests in a conversation with emcee Heather Hiscox, Anchor of CBC News: Morning, and Dean Strong.

Please note:  Photographs will be allowed during Alec Baldwin’s presentation, but no video or audio recordings.  If you plan on covering the Leaders in Innovation Dinner, please contact Kathy Wallis, Media Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 519-661-2111 ext. 81136, Kathy.wallis@schulich.uwo.ca .
Kathy Wallis

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