Page 14 - Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre Annual Report 2023 to 2024

SCIENTIFIC RETRA Gathering of Minds: The 2023 BTRC Scientific Retreat
The BTRC Scientific Retreat, held from
October 18-20, 2023, at the stunning Killarney
Mountain Lodge, was a memorable event
that brought together over 100 Labatt Brain
Tumour Research Centre members. Nestled
amidst Northern Ontario’s breathtaking
autumn scenery, the retreat provided a unique
and inspiring setting for scientific discussion,
collaboration, and camaraderie.
highlighting cutting-edge research
developments, innovative methodologies, and
emerging therapeutic strategies to combat
brain tumours. A separate session featured
17 posters, offering valuable insights and
sparking thoughtful research discussions.
Over two intensive yet enjoyable days,
attendees engaged with 49 presentations
by Principal Investigators and trainees,
Two distinguished keynote speakers further
enriched the retreat experience. Denise
Bebenek, founder of Meagan’s HUG,
delivered a heartfelt keynote sharing her
profound personal journey with her daughter
Meagan, who bravely battled Diffuse Intrinsic
Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Meagan’s passing
ignited Denise’s tireless advocacy for brain
tumour research, deeply moving the audience
and reinforcing the importance and urgency
of our collective mission.
The second keynote, delivered by Dr. Antonio
Iavarone, was the 11th annual Mike and
Dianne Traynor Lecture. Dr. Iavarone’s talk,
“Next Generation Multi-omics Classification and
MORE THAN
100
Students, postdoctoral fellows,
research associates, technicians,
and Principal Investigators attended
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IMAGINE 2023-24