UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO NEUROSCIENCE PROGRAM Annual Report 2008-09 Director| Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS Collaborative Program in Neuroscience Director| David R. Hampson, PhD Operations & Planning| Alexander A. Velumian, PhD, DSc Program Coordinator| Frazer Howard, MEd Mission| To create an integrated neuroscience program which links and promotes the educational and research activities at the University of Toronto and its affiliated teaching hospitals and research institutes University of Toronto Neuroscience Program www.neuroscience.utoronto.ca Tel: +1 416 978 8761 [Type text] Fax: +1 416 978 8511 Table of Contents Operating Structure ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Members’ Affiliations.................................................................................................................................... 4 Executive Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Advisory Council ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Faculty Membership ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Finances ...................................................................................................................................................... 13 Research ...................................................................................................................................................... 14 Distinguished Lectureship Series ................................................................................................................ 16 UTNP Distinguished Lectureship Selection Committee .......................................................................... 17 Collaborative Program in Neuroscience ..................................................................................................... 18 Program Committee ............................................................................................................................... 18 Participating Units in the Collaborative Program ................................................................................... 19 Neuroscience Poster Day ........................................................................................................................ 19 Current Students ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Enrollment .............................................................................................................................................. 21 Graduates ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Graduate Theses ..................................................................................................................................... 23 MSc ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 PhD ...................................................................................................................................................... 24 Community Outreach .................................................................................................................................. 26 Direct support for neuroscience conferences/workshops/rounds/student groups .............................. 26 Student Awards ....................................................................................................................................... 26 Receptions............................................................................................................................................... 27 Society for Neuroscience 2008 ........................................................................................................... 27 Metro Toronto Convention Centre ..................................................................................................... 28 Brain Bee 2009 ........................................................................................................................................ 29 International Outreach ............................................................................................................................... 30 Website ....................................................................................................................................................... 32 Page | 2 University of Toronto Neuroscience Program | Annual Report 2008-09 Operating Structure Director | Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC, Collaborative Program Director | David R. FACS, is Professor and Research Hampson, PhD, is Professor in Director for the Division of the Department of Neurosurgery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Surgery and a full member of the Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and the Institute of Medical Sciences Department of Pharmacology School of Graduate Studies, Co- and Toxicology, Faculty of Director of the University of Medicine and a full member of Toronto Spine Program, Head of the School of Graduate Studies the Spinal Program at the Toronto Western Hospital, Medical Director of the Krembil Neuroscience Program and Krembil Chair in Neural Repair and Regeneration Page | 3 University of Toronto Neuroscience Program | Annual Report 2008-09 Members’ Affiliations Institutions | Departments | Institutes | Centres | Programs Page | 4 University of Toronto Neuroscience Program | Annual Report 2008-09 Executive Overview The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Toronto established the University of Toronto Neuroscience Program (UTNP) as a new academic program and appointed Professor Michael G. Fehlings as its first Director effective September 1, 2008. By creating the UTNP, the University of Toronto aspires to build a robust, integrated and collaborative academic program in neurosciences across our Departments and Faculties on campus and with its affiliated hospitals and their research institutes. The mandate of UTNP is to provide the leadership and administrative support for the development of new educational programs, the review and revision of existing undergraduate and graduate programs in the neurosciences in cooperation with the relevant departments. The ultimate goal of UTNP is to attain the highest level of interdisciplinary neuroscience education in the world. The program will also create opportunities for integrative inter-disciplinary research, enhance the visibility of the UofT neuroscience in all its aspects, and function as an instrument for increased private and government funding for research and teaching. The UTNP will help enhance the student experience at the University through various stipends, awards and student/research exchange opportunities. There will also be the ability to connect the University to the broader community in terms of public policy and outreach. The program is funded by the Academic Initiative Fund of the Faculty of Medicine of UofT. Advisory Council • representatives from key divisions, departments and programs involved in Neuroscience at UT • provide high level advice and strategic direction • 24 members Membership • 302 faculty from 39 departments/divisions (June 2009) Collaborative Graduate Program in Neuroscience • 15 participating departments and faculties • 35 graduates (22 Master’s/ 13 PhD) • 62 enrollees (44 Master’s/17 PhD) • 186 graduate students currently enrolled (June 2009) o 75 Master’s o 111 PhD • 142 Postdoctoral Fellows • 60 students presented at the Annual Poster Day Research • CIHR Strategic Training Grant in Biotherapeutics • NeuroDevNet Page | 5 University of Toronto Neuroscience Program | Annual Report 2008-09 UTNP Distinguished Lectureship Series • 10 lecturers including Raymond and Beverly Sackler Distinguished Neuroscientist Erwin Neher • Typically attended by 100-130 faculty and trainees Direct support for neuroscience conferences/workshops/rounds/student research days • Jerry Silver, 7th Tator-Turnbull Lectureship • Institute of Medical Science Student Association • Branko Kopjar, Krembil Neuroscience Centre Grand Rounds • Canadian Association of Neuroscience, Meeting 2009 • Graduate Association of Students in Physiology, Frontiers in Physiology • 4th Annual Conference in Neurons and Brain Disease • Workshop in adult neurogenesis, BRAIN Research Platform • Arnie Aberman Dinner Student Awards • BRAIN Research Day Platform Winner • 10x SfN 2008 Student Travel Award • 6x CAN 2009 Student Travel Award Receptions for UT Neuroscience community • Society for Neuroscience 2008, • Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Winter 2009 Toronto Brain Bee • 9 high schools • 25 Students • Winner went on to win 2nd Annual CIHR Canadian National Brain Bee • Winner placed 5th in International Brain Bee in Toronto August 7-9 2009 International Collaboration with University College London • UCL visit to Toronto, October 31, 2008 • UT visit to London, December 2-4, 2009 Development of new website (www.neuroscience.utoronto.ca) • Portal for UT neuroscience community • Facilitate collaborative opportunities • Augment educational activities Page | 6 University of Toronto Neuroscience