University of Toronto
Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program
ANNUAL REPORT
2001 – 2002
FitzGerald Bldg., 150 College Street, Room 83D, Toronto ON M5S 3E2
Tel: 416/978-0746Fax: 416/946-5713E-mail:
Web site:
CONTENTS
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
MISSION STATEMENT
COLLABORATING DEPARTMENTS
COMMITTEES
- Executive
- Program
- Student
COURSES OFFERED
PROGRAM SPONSORED ACTIVITIES
- Annual Student Research Day
- Debate Night
- Human Biology Job Fair
- Summer Activities
AWARDS
- Medtronic Travel Award
- Bigelow Book Prize
- Lorne Phenix Graduate Award
- Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Funds (OSOTF) Award
- Life Sciences Committee Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships
ADVERTISING MATERIAL
FUTURE DIRECTION
STUDENTS
- Currently Enrolled
- Convocated/Follow-Up
- Awards
FACULTY
- Members
- Awards and Honors
- Peer Reviewed Funding
PUBLICATIONS
- Students
- Faculty
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program (CSCP) was officially established and recognized by Governing Council of the University of Toronto in 1992 and underwent its 7-year review in 1999 where it received a resounding endorsement from the Ontario Council of Graduate Schools. Cardiovascular sciences has a rich and illustrious history at the University of Toronto. Some achievements include contributions to the discovery of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), the first clinical use of heparin and more recently the use of gene therapy to treat heart disease. Faculty were among the first to perform successful open heart surgery and implement the use of hypothermia to protect hearts during surgery. In order to further encourage graduate training in such a rich environment, the CSCP was created as an interdisciplinary graduate training program which also crosses departments and Faculties, thus permitting cross-fertilization of our student trainees. As each year passes I believe that the Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program becomes a more important link for the students. I am proud to present this Annual Report which summarizes the achievements of the Program and its students and faculty over the past academic year.
Students
In this academic year we had 26 Masters and 14 PhD trainees active in the Program (see graph below). We also had a number of our trainees who completed and convocated. The PhD category was counterbalanced by new recruits while at the MSc level enrolment exceeded the convocated numbers. This is a reflection of initiatives focused in promoting more student activities and available funding.
The recently established Student Committee has strived to inform and guide trainees in the Program. Specifically, their mandate is to (1) enhance trainee interaction through the organization of both academic and social events and (2) to provide trainees with the tools to make informed decisions about their graduate work in the form of mentoring and course assessments. They continue to organize a very successful “Annual Student Research Day”, hold various social functions, and launched their inaugural “Debate Night” that was well attended by various faculty and students. It was a lively night and kudos to the students on such an exciting event.
Our annual student interviews continue to show a high degree of satisfaction with the Program. The increase in events targeted specifically for students resulted in more effective student participation. The postgraduate follow-up illustrated that once again the students have gone on to pursue either academic or research careers (see Convocated section). As part of our ongoing tradition, bound copies of each graduating student’s thesis is kept in the Program office (total: 27 MSc and 13 PhD).
The student section of the web site is undergoing a revamping and we look forward to their initiatives on the web. With such an enthusiastic and diverse group of students, it should be very exciting to follow their initiatives in the upcoming year!
Events:
The Bigelow Book Prize is awarded to an outstanding Program student for sustained academic excellence, innovative experimental approaches, original discoveries and good scientific productivity. A plaque in Dr. Bigelow’s honour, mounted on the wall outside the Program office, was unveiled and a reception held on October 1, 2001. All the previous awardees and their supervisors were invited to attend and be honoured with a miniature version of the plaque presented to them by Dr. Bigelow. A number of distinguished guests and faculty and students of the Program were invited to share in this honour. Dean Naylor welcomed everyone on behalf of the Faculty of Medicine and shared his pleasure in being able to participate in the recognition of a man of such stature as Dr. Wilfred G. Bigelow. Dr. Umberto de Boni, Associate Dean, Division IV, brought greetings from the School of Graduate Studies, then Dr. Ronald Baird, a personal friend and colleague of Dr. Bigelow’s, gave an overview of the life of this famous surgeon, scientist, and Canadian. It was clear to all who attended that Dr. Bigelow is a roll model to all scientists and clinicians no matter what the specialty.
Education:
Due to their ongoing popularity, the MSC 3060/3061/3062/3063 courses have now been assigned new joint listing designations “JCV” and approved by the School of Graduate Studies. Ongoing and frequent review of these courses continues to ensure that leading edge technologies and research foci are represented. This is considered critical if they are to continue to serve as our flagship courses for our trainees. Enrolment continues to be strong in these courses and their popularity is reflected in the strong reviews by the students.
The Program also has an established reputation in the area of Continuing Medical Education, usually partnering with industry. This year, we hosted the first “Debate Night”, a venue to discuss contentious issues relevant to both our students and faculty. We anticipate holding a few of these throughout each academic year.
Financial:
Over the years the Collaborative Program has been very successful in raising an endowment as well as funds for student travel, bursaries and other student related activity. For example, the Medtronic Travel Award makes it possible for students to attend scientific meetings and present their work and the OSOTF bursary provides much needed financial relief to deserving students. These funds are available on an annual basis to help those with demonstrated academic and research excellence that are in financial need. Major corporate sponsors such as Merck Frosst Canada & Co., and Solvay Pharma, are to be recognised, once again, for their outstanding annual support of education in the cardiovascular sciences at the University of Toronto.
Despite these successes, it is clear that to ensure the Program’s long-term stability, stable infrastructure for the day-to-day operations is absolutely critical and to that end, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine recommended the creation of a task force to review and make recommendations on its future. This task force consisted of representatives familiar with the Program but not necessarily intimately involved to ensure an unbiased review of its past activities and future direction. I am pleased to report that the task force resoundingly endorsed the Program and clearly identified and agreed with its value-added for the graduate students interested in the field of cardiovascular sciences. It is heartwarming to realize that the Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program is highly regarded across the campus. Its interdisciplinary nature and the fact that faculty and student research crosses the pillars of the CIHR as well as the departments across the Faculty of Medicine makes this a truly model program at the University of Toronto. All agreed that it did need to have a stable infrastructure support to permit it to continue to develop and grow and a number of suggestions and initiatives were proposed. In order to position the Program to be as successful as possible in this venture it would be important for the participating groups to provide some financial support. This would serve to indicate to potential donors that this is an extremely important initiative at the University. Over the upcoming academic year, we will be addressing the Programs infrastructure stability.
Summary:
As you continue to read through this report, you will see that it has undergone some modification and a change in its look to reflect the tremendous growth that has occurred. I would like to thank Miss Victoria Simpson, our Business Officer, for her hard work and contribution that has made the Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program the success it is today.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our faculty and students for another successful year and to those individuals who have continued to provide both moral and tangible support for this Program.
Dr. Carin Wittnich, O.Ont.
Director, CSCP
Professor of Surgery & Physiology
Northrop Frye Scholar
MISSION STATEMENT
“The Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program, approved by the University and Ontario Council on Graduate Studies in 1992, and listed in the calendar of the School of Graduate Studies, exists to give formal, organized expression to cardiovascular studies and research at the graduate level. It builds on the strengths of all participating academic units, and other agencies, to enhance the visibility of cardiovascular studies and to facilitate collaborative, interdisciplinary training and research.”
The above mission is achieved by advertising and promoting the importance of, and opportunities in, cardiovascular studies, by making known the results of such studies, by recruitment of excellent students, and by coordinating the graduate collaborative program in cooperation with the academic units in which they are registered. Students in this collaborative program must fulfill the requirements of their home units as well as the Program. Upon graduation the notation “Specialization in Cardiovascular Sciences” will appear on the student’s academic transcript and the Program will present the student with a certificate and gift.
COLLABORATING FACULTIES
Medicine
Physical Education and Health
COLLABORATING GRADUATE UNITS
Department of Exercise Sciences
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology
Department of Medical Biophysics
Department of Pharmacology
Department of Physiology
Department of Public Health Sciences
Department of Rehabilitation Science
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
Institute of Medical Science
SUPPORTING CLINICAL DEPARTMENTS
Department of Anaesthesia
Department of Medicine
Department of Surgery
COMMITTEES
Executive
The Executive Committee consists of 4 members of the Program Committee representing as wide a range of disciplines as possible and includes the Director. The Executive Committee provides student counselling, screens applicants, provides advice and acts as a Steering Committee.
Dr. C. Wittnich (Chair)
Dr. M. Rand (Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology)
Dr. S. Thomas (Exercise Sciences)
Dr. R. Weisel (Institute of Medical Science)
Program
The Program Committee consists of a representative from each collaborating department as well as two student representatives. It administers the Program, selects the Director, and generally meets twice per year.
Dr. C. Wittnich (Chair)
Dr. L. Adamson (Physiology)
Dr. D. Brooks (Rehabilitation Science)
Dr. D. Mazer (Anaesthesia)
Dr. R.I. Ogilvie (Pharmacology)
Dr. M. Ojha (Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering)
Dr. M. Rand (Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology)
Dr. S. Thomas (Exercise Sciences)
Dr. R.D. Weisel (Institute of Medical Science)
Dr. G. Wright (Medical Biophysics)
Nathalie Lapointe (Sr. Student Representative)
Renee Suen (Jr. Student Representative)
Student
The Student Committee was set up by the students and consists of the two student representatives from the Program Committee (who act as Co-Chairs) and 2 student members. They meet and oversee all student activities of the Program.
Ms. Nathalie Lapointe (Chair)
Ms. Renee Suen (Co-Chair)
Ms. Nesime Askin (Member)
Ms. Sonja Reichert (Member)
COURSES OFFERED
BME1448HCardiovascular Fluid Mechanics (BME)
EXS5508HCardiovascular Disease and Exercise (EXS)
JCV3060H*Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular Sciences – Molecular Biology & Heart Signal
Transduction (IMS/PSL)
JCV3061H*Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular Sciences – Hormones in the Cardiovascular
System (IMS/PSL)
JCV3062H*Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular Sciences – Heart Function (IMS/PSL)
JCV3063H*Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular Sciences – Vascular (IMS/PSL)
JEB1365HUltrasound: Theory and Applications in Biology and Medicine (BME)
JTC1331HBiomaterials Science (BME)
LMP1015HVascular Pathobiology (LMP)
LMP1504HBiochemistry, Molecular Biology of Cardiovascular Diseases (LMP)
PSL1038HVolume, Electrolyte and Pressure Regulation in Body Fluid Compartments (PSL)
PSL1060HDevelopmental Cardiovascular Physiology (PSL)
PSL1462HMolecular Aspects of Cardiac Function (PSL)
* Core Courses for PhD Trainees
Suggested Courses (Considered valuable but does not fulfill Program requirements)
CHL5201Introducing Biostatistics for Students in Biological Sciences (CHL)
LMP1404SCellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (LMP)
PSL1052HFundamentals on Ion Channel Function (PSL)
PROGRAM SPONSORED ACTIVITIES
Annual Student Research Day
On Wednesday, February 27, 2002, the Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program held its 3rd Annual Student Research Day in the Medical Sciences Bldg. This was a fun filled day that was attended by CSCP trainees and faculty. Trainees began the day by giving a ten minute talk related to their research, followed by a question/answer period as below.
SESSION I: Chair – Renee Suen
Asim Cheema (PhD – Institute of Medical Science)
“Adenoviral Mediated Decorin Overexpression Inhibits Intimal Hyperplasia in a Rabbit Angioplasty Model”
Roland Leung (MSc – Institute of Medical Science)
“Persistence of Procoagulant Surface Expression by Activated Platelets”
Carol Kolb (MSc – Physiology)
“Effects of Gestational Age and Ultrasound Frequency on the Echogenicity of Structures in the Developing Mouse Embryo”
Shathiyah Kulandavelu (MSc – Physiology)
“Maternal Cardiovascular Changes During Pregnancy in eNOS Knockout Mice”
Sonja Reichert (MSc – Exercise Sciences)
“Effects of Combined Resistance and Aerobic Training on Muscular Strength, Blood Flow and Aerobic Power in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease”
Paul Fedak (PhD – Institute of Medical Science)
“Unraveling Aortic Dilatation in Patients with Congenital Aortic Valve Malformations: A Novel Mechanism”
SESSION II: Chair – Sonja Reichert
Renee Suen (MSc – Institute of Medical Science)
“Role of Endothelin-1 in Accelerated Atherosclerosis and Aortic Aneurysm Formation”
Li Yang (PhD – Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology)
“Conditional Cardiac Endothelin-1 Over Expression in Transgenic Mice Causes Myocardial Hypertrophy and Inflammation”
Jennifer Sarjeant (MSc – Institute of Medical Science)
“The Role of Apolipoprotein D in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation”
Anjum Khan (MSc – Institute of Medical Science)
“Atrial Remodeling in Congestive Heart Failure”
Neelesh Jain (MSc – Institute of Medical Science)
“The Role of NF-kB in Human Atherosclerosis”
Nataly Kogan (MSc – Physiology)
“Substance P in the Cardiovascular Actions of ‘New Pressor Protein’ (NPP)”
Sandra Merklinger (MSc – Institute of Medical Science)
“MMP Inhibition and b3 Blockade Induce the Regression of Pulmonary Vascular Disease in Organ Culture”
In the afternoon trainees were given valuable advice from Drs. Gary Webb and Bill Williams who also shared with the students how they began their research/clinical careers. This session was followed by a discussion period in which students had an opportunity to discuss the trials and tribulations of living a life devoted to education and research with these highly respected and successful clinicians. The day concluded with a wine and cheese reception where students and faculty mixed and mingled, after which most of the students continued their interactions at a student planned social event.
The Student Research Day met with resounding success. This day would not have been possible without the efforts of the Planning Committee: Nesime Askin (Chair), Sonja Reichert and Renee Suen (Co-Chairs) and Nathalie Lapointe (Member). Congratulations on a job well done!
Debate Night
The Student Committee organized this exciting event for the cardiovascular community at the University of Toronto. The goal of this event was to provide graduate students with the chance to learn and form their own opinions in delicate subject matters that challenge the scientific community and to provide an opportunity for the faculty to voice their point-of-view. The topic of the inaugural debate was “Be It Resolved that the Impact Factors is an Important Determinant of Success in Research”. The debate was moderated by Dr. Peter Liu, who introduced the protagonist, Dr. Jean Rouleau, and the antagonist, Dr. Dan Osmond. Both debaters passionately made their case. Despite their eloquence the vote was split fairly even, certainly showing the controversy that this issue raises and the fixed views held by those in attendance. With the success of this event, we look forward to organizing future debates.
Lecture Series
For this academic year the lecture series was focused in the two main areas of “Molecular Biology & Heart Signal Transduction” and “Hormones in the Cardiovascular System”. A number of interesting speakers contributed their time and knowledge. Both these areas were covered from the perspective of whole body and organ to the molecular level including genetics, with a particular emphasis on bridging basic science and clinical approaches to these areas.
Human Biology Student Union Career Fair
The Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Program participated in the Human Biology Undergraduate Student Association Career Fair on November 15, 2001. Various graduate programs had displays and students in the Collaborative Program manned a table and provided information to interested future graduate students.
Summer Seminar Series
The Collaborative Program ran another very successful summer program. Applicants included undergraduate and medical school students from the University of Toronto as well as other universities. The Program provided a number of summer scholarships to help students who were unable to procure funding. Over the course of the summer, seminars were presented by graduate students currently enrolled in the Program and covered a range of topics with both clinical and basic science relevance (see below). The purpose of the seminar series is to provide a common and relaxed forum for presentation of timely topics and a review of basic science. As well, the summer students were given the opportunity to present their summer work. An “end-of-summer” luncheon was held for both faculty and students. This highly successful program is enjoyed by all who participate.