SPEAKERS & PRESENTATIONS
KEY NOTE SPEAKER
Alessio Fasano
Dr. Alessio Fasano, a professor of medicine, pediatrics and physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, also serves as a Co-Director of the University of Maryland School of Medicine for Celiac Research, and director of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at the University of Maryland Hospital for Children.
Dr. Fasano is recognized as an international authority on celiac disease. His pilot epidemiological studies in the United States have changed the pre-concept on celiac disease being a rare disorder in our country. In addition to investigating the prevalence of celiac disease, Dr. Fasano is working to develop more sensitive non-invasive techniques for diagnosing the disease. Dr. Fasano received his M.D. from the University of Naples.
In 1995 he organized the first international meeting on celiac disease in U.S.A. The same year he was appointed member of the Board of Directors of the Digestive Disease National Coalition as the representative of the American Celiac Society. In 1996, together with Dr. Horvath, Dr. Fasano established the Center for Celiac Research at University of Maryland, the first National center in which clinical care, diagnostic support, education, and basic and clinical science research on celiac disease are offered together by the same institution.
Because of his expertise, commitment, and achievement in celiac research, Dr. Fasano was able to obtain the organization of the 9th International Symposium on celiac disease that was held for the first time in U.S.A. in August 2000. He co-chaired the Section on celiac disease at the 13th International Histocompatibility Workshop that was held in Seattle in 2001.
From the Clan Thompson website www.clanthompson.com
Presentation Downloadable as PDF files:
Mohsin Rashid, MBBS, MEd, FRCP(C)
Dr. Rashid is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology & Nutrition and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University.
Dr Rashid is also a Member, Professional Advisory Board
Canadian Celiac Association and Medical Advisor to the CCA Halifax Chapter
Presentation Downloadable as a PDF file:
Dr. Samuel Godefroy, Research Scientist
Sir Frederick Banting Research Centre, Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada
Field of research
Food Allergens - Development and implementation of Analytical methods to identify and quantify allergens in processed foods
Description of ongoing projects
Development of immuno-chemical based methodologies for the detection and quantification of undeclared allergens in processed foods (peanut, Hazelnut, almond, walnuts, crustaceans etc..)
Development of confirmatory techniques by Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry for the identification of protein/peptide markers of allergens in foods
Inter-laboratory validation of allergen methodologies and technology transfer to laboratories of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for implementation.
Development of reference materials for allergens (database of allergenic proteins, standards of protein markers, proficiency testing samples)
Motivation and experience
Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry,
Chemical Engineer (Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Paris, France);
Experience in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Immunochemistry,
Adjunct Professor in European and Canadian institutions;
North-American and European Networks of Collaboration focusing on the development of rapid methodologies applied to the determination of food additives and contaminants
Presentation Downloadable as a PDF file:
Dr. Connie Switzer
Doctor Connie M. Switzer, MD, FRCPC, FRCPC
Connie Switzer is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Grey Nun’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. She is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta in the Division of Gastroenterology and Site Leader for Gastroenterology at the Grey Nun’s Hospital. She is interested in all luminal gastrointestinal diseases with particular expertise in inflammatory bowel and Celiac Disease.
Connie was born and grew up in Edson, Alberta. She studied Pharmacy and then Medicine at the University of Alberta completing her MD with First Class Honors.
Connie completed her Fellowships in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She was the first Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at the University of Alberta.
Connie is the Chair of the Canadian Celiac Association Professional Advisory Board and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medallion for her work with the Association.
Connie has a keen interest in adult education and has developed many educational programs for Family Physicians and Gastroenterologists. She is the Chair of the MOCERT Committee of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Examination Board in Gastroenterology.
Connie shares her life with her husband, Alan, and their children and grandchildren.
Presentation Downloadable as a PDF file:
Shelley Case RD
A registered dietitian, Shelley Case is a leading North American nutrition expert on celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. She is a member of the Medical Advisory Boards of the Celiac Disease Foundation and Gluten Intolerance Group in the United States and the Professional Advisory Board of the Canadian Celiac Association.
Shelley is a frequent guest on television and radio, including the NBC Today Show. A popular speaker, she has delivered numerous lectures and workshops at national and regional medical, dietetic, celiac and food industry conferences throughout the USA and Canada, including the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Celiac Disease, American Dietetic Association annual conference and Natural Products Food Expo conferences.
She is the author of many articles on celiac disease and the gluten-free diet in leading publications such as Gastroenterology, Pediatrics, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics and Today’s Dietitian. In addition, she co-authored the celiac section in the Manual of Clinical Dietetics (6th edition) by the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada, and has contributed to a variety of other resources.
In recognition of Shelley’s major contributions to the celiac community and dedication to educating health professionals and individuals with celiac disease in Canada and the United States, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal.
Shelley earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Saskatchewan and completed her Dietetic Internship at the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Over the past 25 years, Shelley has helped thousands of people improve their eating habits and manage a variety of disease conditions through good nutrition. Currently, she has her own nutrition consulting company that offers a variety of services to individuals, health organizations and businesses.
Professionally, Shelley is a member of the Dietitians of Canada, Saskatchewan Dietitians Association and American Dietetic Association, as well as the Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Dietitians in Business and Communications and the Medical Nutrition Practice Groups of the American Dietetic Association. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Living Without magazine.
Dr. Anisha Lakhani, B.ScPharm, Pharm D
Dr. Anisha Lakhani is a clinical Assistant Professor at UBC, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Use Evaluation Coordinator, Fraser Health.
Dr Lakhani has been in practice as a hospital pharmacist for over 20 years and has clinical experience in general surgery, intensive care, renal dialysis and medicine. She has undertaken several research projects relating to the use of drugs in gastrointestinal diseases, infectious diseases and various other diseases. She delivers lectures on gastrointestinal related topics at the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the graduate and undergraduate programs and has published several articles including, Gluten: Dietary Devil? Pharmacy Practice August 2007.
Presentation Downloadable as a PDF file:
Dr. Art Hister
Dr. Art Hister is the guest speaker at our Conference Banquet on Saturday night. Dr. Hister is uniquely qualified, he is that fortuitous combination of celiac/physician/media personality.
Dr. Art Hister graduated from McGill University in 1970, and moved to Vancouver in 1971 to become the first full-time physician with the Pine Free Clinic, the first Canadian clinic established to deal exclusively with transient youth.
Currently, Dr. Hister hosts the national radio call-in show House Calls with Dr. Art Hister heard on the Corus Radio Network across western Canada, he is a daily health analyst on the Morning News on Global TV in BC, he is a daily contributor to The Morning News with Philip Till heard on CKNW Newstalk 980 in the Lower Mainland of BC, he is the resident health analyst for Up All Night on BBC 5 (yes, the BBC!), he is a health columnist for BC Global TV, Noon News and Weekend News, he is a guest host and a bi-weekly contributor for The Fanny Kiefer Show on Shaw Cable TV in BC, and he is the producer/host of Health Matters and Back to Health seen on Shaw Cable stations across western Canada.
Dr. Hister is the author of 2 Canadian bestsellers, Midlife Man and Dr. Art Hister’s Guide to a Longer and Healthier Life, as well as numerous articles for publications such as Reader’s Digest, The Globe and Mail, and the Medical Post.
Dr. Hister has served on many boards including the founding board of Co-op Radio, the Vancouver International Film Festival, CKNW Orphans Fund, the Vancouver Holocaust Society, Kids Up Front, the Camp Miriam Building Fund, and CHILD (a society dedicated to eliminating bowel and liver diseases in children).
Currently, he is the honorary chairman of the BC Alzheimer’s Society annual Walk for Memories, and has recently won a Volunteer of the Year Award from the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Dr. Hister has been married for 37 years to Phyllis Simon, co-owner of Vancouver Kidsbooks, North America’s largest children’s bookstore, and is the obnoxiously proud father of Jonah and Tim.
Donna Washburn P.H.Ec. & Heather Butt P.H.Ec.
Donna & Heather, both professional home economists with honors food science degrees, are acknowledged experts in the field of gluten-free recipe development and bread machine baking. They met while college professors in the field of foods and nutrition and began their business, Quality Professional Services. Previous to becoming best-selling cookbook authors they worked for many manufacturers of small appliances developing recipes for bread machines, operated a call center for a yeast company and became spokespersons for yeast and flour companies.
Working together in their test kitchen they enjoy the added challenge of developing recipes for gluten-free products that are nutritious and as close to wheat as possible in both flavor and texture. They strive to provide recipes the whole family will find enjoyable.
Gluten-Free Cookbooks
“Complete Gluten-Free Cookbook” (Robert Rose Inc.) 2007
“The Best Gluten-Free Family Cookbook” (Robert Rose Inc) 2005
“125 Best Gluten-Free Recipes” (Robert Rose Inc) 2003
