“What the heck is biobanking… and why do we need it in the North?”

Dr. Nadine Caron, affiliate UNBC faculty member, Northern Medical Program, is hosting a community information event on the Northern Biobank Initiative Phase 2.

Led by Dr. Caron, the Northern Biobank Initiative will improve access for B.C.’s northern population to participate in, and reap the benefits of, clinical research that will focus on community-specific disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Initial areas of focus for the biobank will likely include colorectal, breast and thyroid cancer with the capability to add other complex diseases.

This evening event is open to the public.

It will include a speaker panel moderated by Dr. Geoff Payne, Interim Vice-President Research and Graduate Studies, UNBC. The panel will include speakers knowledgeable in biobanking, genomics and associated research.

PANEL PRESENTATIONS:

• “Investing in our Future... the Northern Biobank Initiative"
  Dr. Nadine Caron
  General and endocrine surgeon; affiliate UNBC faculty member, Northern Medical Program; associate professor, UBC Department of Surgery; and co-director, UBC Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health.

• “Dream a little gene of you…how cancer research can change your chemotherapy”
  Dr. Janessa Laskin
  Medical oncologist, BC Cancer Agency (Vancouver), and, clinical associate professor, UBC Department of Medicine

• "Connecting research and northern communities... is a Northern Biobank the bridge?"
  Dr. Sarah Gray
  Assistant dean and associate professor, Northern Medical Program, UNBC