10th ANNUAL
CARDIOVASCULAR SCIENCES COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM
STUDENT RESEARCH DAY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2009
FITZGERALD BLDG – 150 COLLEGE STREET, ROOM 103
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
GENERAL INFORMATION
OBJECTIVES
The Annual Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program Student Research Day has been organized
to bring together students from across the University of Toronto. The aim is to provide a time for our
trainees to share their research plans and results with each other in a non-competitive forum and provide
a rich, fertile environment for collaboration. Each session will focus either on initial research project
proposals given by our junior students or advanced projects with results given by our more senior
students. It is hoped that discussion will promote an exchange of ideas and research direction. The
afternoon session will have a “non-science” component in which invited guest speakers will share their life
and career experiences.
REGISTRATION
All Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program trainees are required to attend. Cardiovascular PostDoctoral trainees are also welcome and must RSVP to the CSCP office by telephone (416-978-0746) or
e-mail cv.program@utoronto.ca (please indicate your supervisor, department, telephone) by February 9,
2009.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
8:30-9:10
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:10-9:15
Welcoming Remarks – Dr. Wittnich
9:15-11:15
Session I*
11:15-11:25
Certificate Presentation to successfully completed CSCP students over the past year.
Awards Presentation**
Bigelow Book Prize (2009)
Lorne Phenix Graduate Award (2008)
11:25-12:40
Lunch (Complimentary)
12:40-1:35
Guest Speakers:
Dr. Michelle Bendeck, Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine &
Pathbiology, University of Toronto
Dr. John Parker, Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Toronto,
Physician-in-Chief, University Health Network and Program Medical Director, Peter
Munk Cardiac Program
1:35-1:45
Break
1:45-3:15
Session II*
3:15
Closing
PLANNING COMMITTEE:
Co-Chairs:
Victoria Simpson/Laura Voicu
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Our Research Day would not have been possible without the hard work of the Planning Committee and
an educational grant provided from the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Thank you to all.
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS*
SESSION I: Chair -- Emma O’Donnell
9:15
9:30
9:45
10:00
10:15
10:30
10:45
11:00
Kumar Perampaladas (MSc – Department of Pharmacology)
Effects of Rosiglitazone on nitrate-induced endothelial dysfunction
Jenna Adleman (MSc – Institute of Medical Science)
Vascular reactivity reserve and resting tonus in retinal arterioles of healthy subjects
Sonya Hui (MSc – Department of Physiology)
Targeting calcium-sensitive mechanisms of cell cycle progression for development of novel antiproliferative vascular therapies
Sam Tirgari (MSc – Department of Physiology)
Characterizing the role of RGS5 in arterial vasculature
Carly Spragg (MSc – Department of Exercise Sciences)
Post-exercise hypotension and blood pressure's circadian rhythm in pre-hypertensive older adults
Shawn Lacombe (MSc - Department of Exercise Sciences)
Interval exercise and post-exercise hypotension
Megan Thompson (MSc – Institute of Medical Science)
Epigenetic influences on placental function in maternal diabetes
Laura Voicu (MSc – Department of Physiology)
Mechanisms of renal injury following cardiopulmonary bypass: The role of hypoxia
SESSION 2: Chair -- Mitesh Badiwala
1:45
2:00
2:15
2:30
2:45
3:00
Melanie Henriques (MSc – Department of Physiology)
Human neutrophil peptides: A novel agonist of platelet activation and aggregation
Luke Tan (MSc – Department of Physiology)
Sex differences in newborn heart responses to hyperoxia
Laura Banks (MSc – Department of Exercise Sciences)
Left and right ventricular function following prolonged exercise
Talha Farid (MSc – Institute of Medical Science)
ATP sensitive potassium channels and ventricular fibrillation
Mike Sellan (MSc – Department of Physiology)
Iron-overload causes sinus bradycardia due to a reduction in firing rate of pacemaker cells in the
sinoatrial node
Mark Moon (MSc – Department of Physiology)
The role of Mindin post myocardial infarction
AWARDS**
Bigelow Book Prize - This award, consisting of two books written by Dr. W.G. Bigelow entitled “Cold
Hearts” and “Mysterious Heparin”, was established in 1995 by the Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative
Program to recognize and honor a pioneer clinician and scientist in the field of cardiovascular sciences.
The recipient of this award will have sustained academic scientific excellence, had innovative
experimental approaches, made original discoveries and had good scientific productivity. The recipient
will also exemplify the personal traits of Dr. Bigelow, including drive, curiosity and scientific integrity.
Lorne Phenix Graduate Award - This award, consisting of a cash prize and certificate, is awarded to a
graduate student on the basis of research and academic excellence. First preference will be given to a
full-time graduate student doing cardiovascular research related to women. Second preference will be
given to a full-time graduate student doing cardiovascular research.
These awards are given in every year that a qualified student is identified.