George Connell
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enAndr茅 Picard to biomedical researchers: do a better job of making your case
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<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Andr茅 Picard to biomedical researchers: do a better job of making your case</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2016-09-16-Andre-Picard_Connell.jpg?h=9e499333&itok=q2_4QOUB 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2016-09-16-Andre-Picard_Connell.jpg?h=9e499333&itok=ay9z5Yd8 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2016-09-16-Andre-Picard_Connell.jpg?h=9e499333&itok=VA1kvIdl 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2016-09-16-Andre-Picard_Connell.jpg?h=9e499333&itok=q2_4QOUB" alt="photo of Andre Picard at lectern">
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<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>krisha</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-09-16T14:36:18-04:00" title="Friday, September 16, 2016 - 14:36" class="datetime">Fri, 09/16/2016 - 14:36</time>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>鈥淭oo much of what you do is a mystery to people,鈥� <em>The Globe and Mail</em>'s public health reporter <strong>Andr茅 Picard</strong> told an audience of University of Toronto scientists.</p>
<p>鈥淵ou can鈥檛 expect people to embrace the notion that investing in biomedical research is a good thing, if they don鈥檛 see the practical outcomes of research in their everyday lives.鈥�</p>
<p>At a dinner celebrating the 25th anniversary of the department of biochemistry鈥檚 George Connell Lectureship, Picard spoke about the future of biomedical research in Canada, Recognizing the increased difficulties in securing research funding, he admitted he might not provide any satisfactory answers.</p>
<p>鈥淚n journalism we specialize at shining the light on problems and don鈥檛 do anything about solutions, unfortunately.鈥�</p>
<p>But Picard emphasized the importance of communicating the value of science and criticized what he sees as the increasingly partisan and industry-focused nature of government investment in science. </p>
<p>鈥淭he greatest innovations in science are almost always through serendipity,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e need to create an environment in which ideas can flourish 鈥� to give scientists the time and the money to study problems, and the freedom to find solutions.鈥�</p>
<p>This realm of ideas and problem-solving was on display at the <strong>George Connell</strong> Lectureship 鈥� a tribute to the esteemed biochemistry professor and former 茄子直播 president, who made countless contributions to science, both as a researcher and as an administrator. Professor Connell died in 2015.</p>
<p>The 2016 Connell Lecturer was Molecular Genetics <a href="/news/u-t-sequence-genomes-10000-people-year-%E2%80%9Cinformation-new-oil%E2%80%9D-say-university-toronto-scientists">Professor<strong> Stephen Scherer</strong></a>, who delved into the genetics and molecular imbalances in autism and related disorders. This cross-fertilization reflects an increasing focus on scientific collaboration that reaches beyond departmental boundaries.</p>
<p>鈥淣othing would please George more than these fascinating lectures,鈥� said <strong>Sheila Connell</strong>, the wife of late Professor George Connell. Much of Professor Connell鈥檚 family attended the event 鈥� including three of his children, <strong>Thomas</strong>, <strong>Caroline</strong>, and <strong>Meg</strong>, as well as members of their families. </p>
<p>鈥淗e was a fundamental scientist at the leading edge of the field, and his work is still cited to this day,鈥� said Biochemistry Department Chair <strong>Justin Nodwell</strong>. 鈥淎s the linchpin event of this department, this is a fitting tribute to Dr. Connell.鈥�</p>
<p>Balancing out the worrying trends in biomedical research described by Picard, Nodwell spoke optimistically about how scientists from biochemistry, molecular genetics and laboratory medicine and pathobiology are preparing to move into a new collaborative and open-concept research space in the West Tower of MaRS this fall.</p>
<p>鈥淐ountless big discoveries have come from the interfaces between disciplines,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e bringing together top minds in infectious diseases on one floor and in genetic models of disease on another. While we鈥檝e been working together over the past years, this is the first time we鈥檒l be interacting with such high frequency.鈥� </p>
<p>And perhaps this increased integration will serve to find answers, and to demonstrate just how valuable biomedical research is to society. </p>
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Fri, 16 Sep 2016 18:36:18 +0000krisha100437 at