2022 Canadian Spinal Cord Injury Research Meeting

Welcome Remarks

Dear colleagues,                

I would like to extend a warm welcome to join us for the 2022 Canadian Spinal Cord Injury Research Meeting. The meeting is the next in a series of biennial meetings that Drs. Wolfram Tetzlaff and Karim Fouad initiated in 2006.

This long-awaited meeting after few years of pandemic will allow us to see everyone in person, catch-up with old friends and foster new collaborations. More importantly, CSCIRM provides the opportunity for SCI researchers to connect with clinicians, people living with SCI, industry and stakeholders.

For the 2022 meeting, we have planned an exciting scientific program. We will keep a format that is designed to maximize the exchange between research groups and feature three invited speakers. Our international featured speaker this year will be Dr. Murray Blackmore, a leading basic science researcher in spinal cord regeneration at Marquette University. We will also feature Dr. Vanessa Noonan who is a clinician/scientist and Research Director of the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute working on translational research projects towards implementing best practices to improve SCI care. We are also pleased to host Mr. Barry Munro, a leading philanthropist and advocate for increased consumer focus and participation.

We are excited for July, and hope to see you all in Winnipeg!

Sincerely,

Soheila Karimi, Chair and Organizer of the 2022 CSCIRM
Professor, University of Manitoba

Agenda

Final agenda now available! CLICK HERE

Sunday July 10

WELCOME RECEPTION: SOCIAL AND DINNER
17:00-21:00 Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0R3

Monday July 11

Theatre A-BMSB, University of Manitoba

8:20–8:45 OPENING & WELCOME REMARKS

Soheila Karimi, PhD – Professor, University of Manitoba
Karim Fouad, PhD – Professor, University of Alberta

8:45-10:00 NEUROMODULATION/LOCOMOTION

8:45-9:00 – Ying Zhang, PhD Professor, Dalhousie University
Functional involvement of V3 interneurons in different locomotor tasks

9:00-9:15 – Keith Fenrich, PhD Assistant Professor, University of Alberta
V3 neurons – a major player in epidural spinal cord stimulation?

9:15-9:30 – Marina Martinez, PhD Associate Professor, Université de Montreal
Neuromodulation/locomotion: Neuroprosthetic approaches to facilitate locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury, from animals to humans

9:30-9:45 – Katinka Stecina, PhD Associate Professor, University of Manitoba
Mature spinal interneural networks controlling walking

9:45-10:00 – Abel Torres Epsin, PhD Assistant Adjunct Professor, University of California, San Francisco
Data science, Big Data and Machine learning for SCI

10:05–10:35 BREAK – REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED | JBH Atrium

10:35–11:45 POST DOCTORAL FELLOWS PRESENTATIONS

10:35-10:50 – Alex Laliberte, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Ottawa
A novel optogenetic mouse model of hindlimb spasticity after spinal cord injury

10:50-11:05 – Trevor Barss, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Alberta
Neuromodulation of sensorimotor circuitry across multiple segments of the spinal cord with transcutaneous stimulation

11:05-11:20 – Anuprita Kanitkar, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Manitoba
Development of a Mechatronic gaming device for community-based rehabilitation of hand-arm function of people with spinal cord injuries

11:20-11:35 – Sandeep Sharma, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Calgary
Medial zona incerta inhibitory neurons promote exploratory locomotor behavior via inhibition of cuneiform nucleus glutamatergic neurons

11:50–13:00 LUNCH – PROVIDED | JBH Atrium

13:00-14:00 PLENARY LECTURE

Murray Blackmore, PhD, Associate Professor, Marquette University
Gene Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury: Opportunities and Challenges

14:00-15:00 DATA BLITZ- TOP GRADUATE STUDENTS ABSTRACTS

14:00-14:10 – Brittney Smaila, PhD Student, University of British Columbia
Hypoxia mimicry for nervous system regeneration

14:10-14:20 – Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini, PhD Student, University of Manitoba
Targeting CSPG/LAR/PTPσ axis enhances neuronal replacement and synaptogenesis by engrafted human neural precursor cells and improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury

14:20-14:30 – Adam Doelman, PhD Student, University of British Columbia
Assessment of Bladder Function After Spinal Cord Injury Using a Novel Pressure Measurement Device

14:30-14:40 – Narges Karimi, PhD Student, Université Laval
Contribution and plasticity of glutamatergic neurons of the gigantocellular reticular nucleus to locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury

14:40-14:50 – Camila Chacon, MSc Student University of Manitoba
Sympathetic preganglionic innervation from lumbar V3 spinal neurons involved in locomotion

14:50-15:00 – Hyo Joon Park, PhD Student University of British Columbia
The Effects of Oral Ketone Esters on the NLRP3 inflammasome after SCI

15:00-15:30 BREAK- REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED | JBH Atrium

15:30-16:15 – Open Data Commons
Karim Fouad, PhD, Professor, University of Alberta

16:15-17:30 FORMAL POSTER SESSION (with judging)
Joe Doupe Atrium, University of Manitoba

All presenters are required to be present by their posters if they want to be considered for judging. Posters will be on display throughout the conference.

18:00 to 21:00 GALA DINNER – Included in the registration
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Garden and Buhler Hall, 85 Israel Asper Way Winnipeg, MB R3C 0L5

Tuesday July 12

Theatre A-BMSB, University of Manitoba

8:30-10:00 PROTECTION, REGENERATION, REPAIR

8:30-8:45 – Ben Lindsey, PhD Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba
Exploiting the zebrafish model to gain insight towards the process of successful spinal cord repair

8:45-9:00 – Andrea Mothe, PhD Scientist, University Health Network
Delayed administration of elezanumab, a human anti-RGMa neutralizing monoclonal antibody, to promote repair for cervical spinal cord injury

9:00-9:15 – Valerie Verge, PhD Professor, University of Saskatchewan
Acute Intermittent Hypoxia and as novel non-invasive strategy to promote CNS and PNS repair

9:15-9:30 – Brett Hilton, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association
An active vesicle priming machinery suppresses axon regeneration upon adult CNS injury

9:30-9:45 – Eftekhar Eftekharpour, PhD Associate Professor, University of Manitoba
Lysosomal targeting as a neuroprotective strategy for SCI.

9:45-10:00 – Wolfram Tetzlaff, MD, PhD Professor, University of British Columbia
Metabolic treatment strategies for SCI

10:00–10:30 MORNING BREAK – REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED | JBH Atrium

10:30-11:10 CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCI

10:30-10:50 – Eve Tsai, MD, PhD, FRCSC, CIP Associate Professor, University of Ottawa
Improving the Clinical Translation of Spinal Cord Injury Research

10:50-11:10 – Michael Fehlings, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, Professor, University of Toronto
Next generation engineered neural stem cells for chronic cervical spinal cord injury: A translational pathway

11:15-12:00 AUTONOMICS AND SCI

11:15- 11:30 – Aaron Philips, PhD Assistant Professor, University of Calgary
Spinal cord stimulation and autonomic control, our journey from mechanism to man

11:30-11:45 – Jeremy Chopek, PhD Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba
Sympathetic nervous system activation from lumbar locomotor networks

11:45-12:00 – Kristine Cowley, PhD Associate Professor, University of Manitoba
Integration between motor and sympathetic autonomic systems at the afferent, intraspinal and brainstem levels

12:00–13:15 LUNCH – PROVIDED | JBH Atrium

13:15-13:30 – Jacquie Ripat, PhD, O.T. Reg. Associate Professor, University of Manitoba
Provision of Essential Medical and Technology Supplies and Services for those living with SCI in Canada: A study of disparities

13:30-14:15 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Barry Munro, B.A., LLB. Chief Development Officer – Canadian Spinal Research Organization, Director / Treasurer, North American SCI Consortium
SCI Community Engagement in Research: Practical Tips and Resources to build a Partnership

14:15–15:00 PLENARY LECTURE
Vanessa Noonan, PT, PhD, Director, Research & Best Practice, Praxis Spinal Cord Institute Implementation
Changing Epidemiology of SCI: Implications for Research and Care.

15:00–15:30 POSTER AWARDS AND CLOSING REMARKS
Soheila Karimi and Karim Fouad

Registration:

Faculty, scientists, clinicians, industry professionals:  $250
Students (graduate, undergraduate and medical), residents, postdoctoral fellows, research associates and technicians: $60

Registration includes all agenda events as listed.

Hotels

Canada Inns Destination Centre Health Sciences Centre – $146 per night
Group identification: # Canadian Spinal Cord Injury
Recommended for students (graduate, undergraduate and medical), residents, postdoctoral fellows, research associates and technicians

Inn at the Forks – $164 per night
Group identification: Canadian Spinal Cord Injury Meeting or #510278
Recommended for faculty, scientists, clinicians, industry professionals

Onsite Health & Safety Measures

Please note that the health and safety of all who attend CSCIRM  2022 is a priority for us.

All conference delegates must adhere to the following terms and conditions while attending. By registering for the event you are agreeing to the terms below. If you are registering on behalf of another it is your responsibility to ensure that the person attending is aware of these terms and accepts them, and by completing the registration you are warranting that you have made the attendee aware of these terms and that they understand and have accepted these terms.

1. All registered attendees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to entry into the event. All registered attendees will be asked to present proof of full vaccination prior to entry into the event. Access will be denied if proper proof of full vaccination is not provided.Accepted forms of proof: (Note: Proof of vaccination must match Attendee’s name)
   – Copy of an official certificate from your Country/State/Province
   – Photo of the official certificate
   – Digital PDF or document of official certificate on mobile device
2. We recommend physical distancing to be maintained whenever possible during the event and on University of Manitoba grounds. The wearing of KN95 masks is required if distancing cannot be maintained or 3-ply if distancing is possible. Participants should fit their mask properly. Masks can only be removed when you are eating, drinking or taking medication.
3. Hand sanitizer and wipes are provided for the participants.

Liability

The Meeting organizers cannot accept liability for injuries or losses arising from accidents or other situations during or as a consequence of attending the 2022 CSCIRM. In the unlikely event that the meeting is cancelled, travel and accommodation cost will not be refunded by the organizers.

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact Soheila.Karimi@umanitoba.ca.