UofT Talks Presents
UofT Talks
A Gairdner Foundation Event
UofT Talks is excited to host an engaging and thought-provoking symposium on Food Science at the esteemed Innis Town Hall. Prepare to be captivated as we bring together four distinguished experts from the Toronto community, each delivering insightful talks that delve into the fascinating world of food science. Our speakers will explore a diverse range of captivating topics, including personalized nutrition, the social and environmental impact of our food choices, and the intriguing connection between food and brain development, function, and mental health. You will have the chance to engage in a stimulating panel discussion where our speakers will converge to exchange ideas and shed light on the intricacies of this vital field.
Join us after the panel discussion for an opportunity to interact with our speakers, participate in interactive workshops, and cap off the event with a delightful dinner. We welcome all members of the Toronto community who share an interest in the latest research and innovations in food science. For those unable to attend in person, we offer a virtual option via Zoom, ensuring accessibility for all. This event promises to be an enlightening experience that will broaden your understanding of the profound influence of food on our lives. Don’t miss this chance to connect with leading experts and gain insights into how food science is shaping our understanding of nutrition and health.
Panel
1. Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy
Title: Professor and Associate Chair of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy is a Professor and Associate Chair of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto, and held a Canada Research Chair in Nutrigenomics. He is also the founder of Nutrigenomix Inc. and serves as the company’s Chief Science Officer.
Dr. El-Sohemy obtained his PhD from the University of Toronto and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and has given more than 300 invited talks around the world. His research has garnered considerable media attention over the past 20 years and he is the recipient of several awards for excellence in research by the American College of Nutrition, the Canadian Society for Nutrition and the American Nutrition Association.
2. Dr. Karen Davison
Title: Researcher, Institute for Life Course & Aging at the University of Toronto
Karen Davison is a researcher and works in clinical dietetics practice with individuals diagnosed with mental and cognitive health conditions including traumatic brain injuries.
As a health educator, practitioner, and researcher, Karen has been involved with several initiatives that have advanced health practice among diverse populations. She is alumna of two Canadian Institutes for Health Research fellowship programs and recipient of Popular Science’s Magazine Clinical Leader Recognition Award. She also received a Dietitians of Canada Peer Recognition Award for her work in nutrition and mental health. Karen is currently an Academic Editor for PLoS One, an inductee in the College of New Scholars, Scientists, and Artists of the Royal Society of Canada, and elected member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society. Her research interests include nutrition and its relationships with physical, mental, and cognitive health including interventions that may be used to improve chronic disease prevention and management.
3. Dr. P. Ravi Selvaganapathy
Title: Distinguished Engineering Professor in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University
Dr. P. Ravi Selvaganapathy is a Distinguished Engineering Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University. Previously, he was the Canada Research Chair in Biomicrofluidics. His research interests are in microfluidic devices for environmental and medical diagnostics, drug discovery, artificial organs, and tissue engineering.
He has more than 20 years of extensive experience in micromanufacturing, microfluidics, and materials development which has resulted in ~170 journal publications, 70 conference publications, 35 invited talks, and 8 patents. Over the past decade, his research group has developed several biofabrication technologies, some of which have been applied to produce cultured meat composed of skeletal muscle and fat cells. He has received the first tri-agency funding in the field of cultured meat in Canada through the New Frontiers program.
4. Dr. Sarah Elton
Title: Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Sarah Elton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Toronto Metropolitan University and is the founding director of the Food Health Ecosystems Lab. She also holds an appointment at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, where she completed her Ph.D. in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences (2019).
Dr. Elton and her team research the human-ecosystems-health nexus in three contexts: produce supply chains, urban gardens, and the human gut microbiome. In 2021, Dr. Elton won an inaugural Gairdner Foundation Early Career Investigator Award. She is the author of several award-winning books including Consumed: Food for a Finite Planet.
Moderator
Dr. Denis Collier
Title: Registered Dietician and Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Denis Collier attended Memorial University of Newfoundland where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialty in dietetics. He has been registered with the College of Dietitians of Ontario since 2002. In 2003 he obtained a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Lakehead University where he earned the designation a Certified Exercise Physiologist.
In his private practice, he has offered nutrition consulting services to organizations such as Hockey Canada’s national women’s developmental program and the Athlete’s Village 20 of the Toronto Pan Am Games. He has since taught dozens of courses at Humber College, the University of Guelph-Humber and the University of Toronto.
Interactive Workshops
More information coming soon!
Join us in-person or virtually!
Innis College, 2 Sussex Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 1J5
Zoom link: coming soon!
Dinner
This year, we have 3 great options from imPerfect Fresh Eats:
Option 1: Char Chicken Bowl (gluten-free, halal)
Base: Forbidden black rice
Protein: Char Chicken
Toppings: Avocado, sweet potato mash, corn, edamame, & crispy onions
Dressing: Garlic avocado aioli & hot sauce
Options 2: Chipotle Grain Bowl (gluten-free, halal)
Base: Forbidden Black rice and spinach
Protein: Chipotle chicken
Toppings: tomatoes, cucumber, sweet corn, beets, alfalfa sprouts, sweet potato mash, crispy onions, taro chips
Dressing: Chipotle ranch
Options 3: Hungry Buddha Bowl (vegan)
Base: Spinach, black rice, sweet potato noodles
Protein: Lemongrass tofu & Seasonal Mushrooms
Toppings: Sweet potato mash, tomatoes, sprouts, edamame, peppers, onions, & crispy onions with ginger carrot dressing. Vegan
*General Admission ticket includes dinner
Schedule
6:00-6:30 PM: Registration & Networking
6:30-6:40 PM: Introduction
6:40-7:30 PM: Speaker Presentations
7:35-8:15 PM: Dinner and Interactive Workshops & Networking
8:15-9:15 PM: Moderated Panel Discussion
9:17-9:25 PM: Closing Remarks
Attendee Package
Subscribe to get notified of future events:
UofT Talks 