Sam Laprade
Moderator and Introduction
Sam loves to connect people! As an award-winning radio broadcaster, author and professional fundraiser Sam works closely with the community to give a voice to new ideas, tough topics, and philanthropy. Sam’s extensive experience, for over three decades, in media, fundraising and municipal politics has created an impressive network of community and business leaders. Over a 35-year period Ms. Laprade has raised money for important charities in her community such as: The Ottawa Hospital Foundation and the Ottawa Mission Foundation.
Combining her love of philanthropy and talents as a broadcaster, Sam created and hosts of “An Hour to Give” on Rogers tv Ottawa and Country 101.1. This show, in its seventh season, highlights volunteerism and philanthropy. Sam is an engaging, inspiring international speaker who takes audiences on a journey during her presentations. From emotional issues to stand-up comedy, she leaves them on their feet cheering.
Heather Keller , RD PhD FDC FCAHS FCNS
Dr. Heather Keller is a Professor at the University of Waterloo and the Schlegel Research Chair in Nutrition and Aging. Her research focuses on improving nutrition, health and quality of life for older adults, including people living with dementia and those in long-term care. She studies factors that influence food intake, nutrition and the mealtime experience and develops practical approaches and interventions to improve food intake, the experience of eating and overall well-being as we age.
Catherine Lebel
Dr. Catherine Lebel is a Professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Calgary and Director of the Child Brain & Mental Health Program at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Her research uses brain imaging to understand how children’s brains develop and how brain development is influenced by factors such as the environment, stress and developmental disorders. Her work aims to improve our understanding of brain development and support earlier identification of developmental challenges.
Aravind Ganesh
Dr. Aravind Ganesh is an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary and a vascular and cognitive neurologist. His research focuses on stroke and cognitive health, including understanding how stroke and related conditions develop, how they can be prevented and treated, and how they affect cognition and behaviour. He combines clinical research with his work in stroke and dementia care, engaging patients, caregivers, and physicians in cohort studies, clinical trials, and interviews. A key component of his work has been the development of automated, AI-based tools to analyze brain scans and predict relevant risks and outcomes in a personalized way.
Zachary Kaminsky
Dr. Zachary Kaminsky is the DIFD Mach-Gaensslen Chair in Suicide Prevention Research at The Royal and an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa, with additional appointments at Carleton University and Johns Hopkins University. His research examines how biological and environmental factors contribute to mental illness and suicide risk, including the role of epigenetics and changes in gene expression. He also uses data science and artificial intelligence to explore new ways of identifying risk and connecting people with support.
Maiya Geddes
Dr. Maiya Geddes is a cognitive neurologist, Killam Scholar and Associate Professor at McGill University, where she leads a research program at the Montreal Neurological Institute. Her research is at the intersection of motivation and brain health in aging and Alzheimer’s disease, and uses brain imaging, technology, behavioural techniques and clinical trial design. Her goal is to better understand why some people maintain cognitive and motivational health as they age and to develop new approaches to brain-heart disease prevention.
Yves De Koninck
Dr. Yves De Koninck is Professor of Psychiatry & Neuroscience and of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care at Université Laval, and Director of the CERVO Research Centre. His research explores how the nervous system processes pain and how changes in the brain and spinal cord contribute to chronic pain. His work combines neuroscience, electrophysiology and cutting-edge optical technologies to better understand pain and develop new approaches to treatment.
Marie-Eve Paquet
Dr. Marie-Eve Paquet is Associate Professor of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care at Université Laval and works in the field of cellular and molecular neuroscience. She leads the Canadian Optogenetics and Vectorology Foundry, where her team develops tools for delivering genes into cells and studying the nervous system. Her research and technical expertise support the development of new molecular and optical tools for neuroscience research.
Kirk Neff
Kirk Neff is an award-winning Canadian cinematographer and director of photography whose career spans more than three decades in television news and documentary filmmaking. He has worked with major Canadian News Programs and Organizations like CTV News, W5, CBC’s The Fifth Estate and The Nature of Things, earning recognition for his cinematography and visual storytelling.
Behind the camera, Kirk lived with essential tremors from childhood, a condition that increasingly threatened the steady hands his career depended upon. After undergoing two deep brain stimulation procedures at Toronto Western Hospital at age 55, he is now tremor-free.
Kirk’s journey is also one of remarkable physical transformation. He lost more than 75 pounds and went on to become a gold and silver medalist at the Radical Body Transformation event held at Toronto Pro SuperShow, Canada’s Largest Bodybuilding event and fitness expo. Today, he shares his story to demonstrate how determination, medical innovation and the courage to change can transform both the body and the life behind it.