Hungry for Change
Don’t expect a fancy feast at the Hungry for Change Gala. Only one person of every eight will get more than their money’s worth at the annual fundraiser on March 6, organized by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry students to support the Huruma Children’s Home in Kenya and the Global Health Funding Committee.
Guests will enjoy a meal prepared by Michael’s, however one lucky person will receive a signature entrée – demonstrating the contrast in what’s available to the world’s citizens.
The gala begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Great Hall and University of Ottawa assistant professor Kevin Pottie will be speaking about immigrant and refugee health. The event also includes a silent auction and performances by the Schulich Jazz Band and Vocal Meds. For tickets visit: www.schulich.uwo.ca/Affiliates/HFC/Hungry_for_Change/GALA.html. Robarts paper a ‘must read’
A paper published in Neuroimage in December by Robarts imaging scientists Ravi Menon and Stefan Everling has since been rated as a “must read” in the field of neuroscience on the peer review website Faculty of 1000 Biology. The arms-length online research service highlights and reviews the most interesting papers published in the biological sciences, based on the recommendations of more than 2,300 selected leading researchers, including Nobel, Lasker and Gairdner laureates. The “must read” score is typically assigned to the top one per cent of papers published in a field. Biotech invention to be launched
A novel therapy for treating dysphagia invented at The University of Western Ontario has been licensed to Trudell Medical International (TMI) for development and world-wide distribution. Dysphagia is a debilitating swallowing impairment that affects about 17 million North Americans, and is most common among the elderly. The therapy system was developed by Faculty of Health Sciences professor Ruth Martin, former graduate student Julie Theurer, and colleagues at Western’s School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The system directs computer-controlled streams of air pulses to the back of the mouth to evoke swallowing. It is currently undergoing clinical testing. Long road to communicating
School of Communication Sciences and Disorders professor Richard Seewald is among the co-editors of a new handbook mapping the milestones of language and literacy development for infants up to five years old. The Canadian Language & Literacy Research Network, hosted at The University of Western Ontario, has published the evidence-based Handbook of Language and Literacy Development: A Roadmap from 0 to 60 Months, which is intended for researchers, parents and caregivers. The handbook maps children’s development in the areas of: auditory, narrative, reading, speech-language, spelling and writing, social-emotional, vision, computer use, children’s literature and numeracy. www.theroadmap.ca.
Two V-Day shows
The Women’s Issues Network is taking the stage for “A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer” and the “Vagina Monologues” presentations this week in support of the global V-Day movements to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day also increases awareness, raises money and encourages existing anti-violence organizations to continue their efforts. The show will be on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. in Conron Hall, University College. “Vagina Monologues” can be seen Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 each or $25 to see both productions, and are available at InfoSource. All proceeds benefit the Sexual Assault Centre London and Changing Ways Women’s Community House. vdaywestern@gmail.com.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week
The profile of eating disorders is being raised in coming days with an Eating Disorders Awareness breakfast on Friday, 7-9 a.m., and establishment of information booths in the UCC atrium Feb. 9-13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hope’s Garden, a support and resource centre, is presenting the third breakfast, with a panel discussion featuring psychologist and author Kathy Berg and others. Tickets are $40. Visit Infosource, the UCC campus meal plan office or call Hope’s Garden at 519-434-7721.
