Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases

11/18/2025

Congratulations to the Altier Lab, who in collaboration with the Nasser and McCoy Labs, has been awarded a Weston Family Foundation grant to advance research into ulcerative colitis. This project will explore how specific features of post-inflammatory dysbiosis contribute to chronic visceral pain and fatigue in patients with UC.

This important work brings us one step closer to understanding and eventually improving the long-term wellbeing of those living with inflammatory bowel disease.



University of Calgary University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine Charbonneau Cancer Institute Hotchkiss Brain Institute - HBI

11/13/2025

Canada has officially lost its measles-elimination status after more than a year of continuous transmission. Provinces like Alberta are shouldering the most cases, raising urgent questions about access, public-trust and immunization systems. It’s a reminder that vaccine-preventable diseases don’t stay “solved”: we all need to stay alert, stay informed and protect our communities.

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/canada-loses-measles-free-status-with-outbreak-passing-one-year-mark/ar-AA1Qa3Q6

• https://globalnews.ca/news/11520521/alberta-measles-elimination-status/


University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine

Alberta’s measles outbreaks have sickened nearly 2,000 people – almost all unvaccinated – since March and killed an infant who contracted the disease in the womb.

11/13/2025

Canada has officially lost its measles-elimination status after more than a year of continuous transmission. Provinces like Alberta are shouldering the most cases, raising urgent questions about access, public-trust and immunization systems. It’s a reminder that vaccine-preventable diseases don’t stay “solved”: we all need to stay alert, stay informed and protect our communities.

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/canada-loses-measles-free-status-with-outbreak-passing-one-year-mark/ar-AA1Qa3Q6

• https://globalnews.ca/news/11520521/alberta-measles-elimination-status/

Alberta’s measles outbreaks have sickened nearly 2,000 people – almost all unvaccinated – since March and killed an infant who contracted the disease in the womb.

11/10/2025

We had a fantastic time at our Mini-Medical School lecture on November 3rd!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an inspiring day of learning and connection. It was incredible seeing so much curiosity and excitement in action after presentations by Drs. Cora Constantinescu and Craig Jenne.

If you’ve missed this lecture and would like to listen to the podcast, find the link here:
https://snyder.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/1/Mini%20Med%20School/Series%2011/Mini-Med-2025_Nov-3.mp3

University of Calgary University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine

11/07/2025

Cheers to Parker Volk, a PhD student at University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine, who has been named the winner of the 2025 National Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Showcase!

Parker’s presentation on tapeworm research captivated audiences across the country, transforming complex science into a compelling national narrative.

After winning University of Calgary’s 3MT Competition and placing in the Western Regionals, Parker took the national stage in Ottawa to represent the next generation of Canadian researchers.

11/06/2025

We are excited to welcome Dr. Jayne Danska, PhD, as the 2025 Dr. David M. Kovitz Visiting Professorship Lecture speaker.

November 20, 2025 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Clara Christie | Reception to follow in HMRB (12:00 – 1:15 pm)

Dr. Danska is a professor in the Departments of Immunology and Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto and Associate Chief of Research, Faculty Development and Diversity at the SickKids Research Institute. Her research explores the mechanisms driving immune system diseases and how this knowledge can improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

She will present on “Origins of Autoimmunity: Genes, S*x, and Microbes.”

Open to all faculty, staff, and trainees!

RSVP here: https://events.ucalgary.ca/snyder/event/502637-2025-dr-david-m-kovitz-visiting-professorship
Faculty meeting sign-up: https://doodle.com/sign-up-sheet/participate/c9ade7de-c0c3-474a-a97a-3f5613de03da/select
Trainee/postdoc roundtable sign-up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1MqqSgbBYwEt-8xHFWm6IIRVm8H7Q3qy6g-EUwCsOsL9Vzg/viewform

University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine University of Calgary

10/27/2025

Could parasitic worms hold the key to fighting inflammation?

It sounds wild but PhD candidate Parker Volk is studying how these tiny creatures might actually help us.

By understanding how parasitic worms calm the immune system to survive inside a host, researchers are uncovering new ways to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s.

Read more about this and the parasitology program: https://www.ucalgary.ca/news/how-parasitic-worms-could-change-future-inflammation-research

University of Calgary University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine

PhD student Parker Volk’s fascination with parasites leads to national recognition and the prestige of representing UCalgary at the 2025 Three Minute Thesis national showcase

10/09/2025

Want to better understand chronic diseases, infections and the impact of health misinformation?

Join us on Monday, November 3, 2025, from 6:30–8:00 PM (MT) — online or in person at UCalgary's Foothills Campus.

This session’s topic: "Health Misinformation"

Featuring experts: Dr. Cora Constantinescu – Pediatric infectious disease specialist, vaccine hesitancy researcher
Dr. Craig Jenne – Immunology expert, critical care researcher

You don’t need a medical degree to attend — just a curious mind!
FREE and open to the public! Register now: https://snyder.ucalgary.ca/mini-med/series-eleven

University of Calgary University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine

Join us on October 6th for an eye-opening hybrid public lecture that explores the medicinal power of your microbiome. Learn how living cells and microbes are being harnessed to treat disease, from developing microbial therapies to boosting immune function.

10/07/2025

We had an amazing kickoff to Mini-Medical School Series Eleven on Oct 6! Dr. Kathy McCoy and Dr. Braedon McDonald explored “The Medicinal Power of Your Microbiome”: how microbes are unlocking new frontiers in medicine.

From a full house to thoughtful questions from our hybrid audience, it was an inspiring night of science and community. Take a look at some great moments from the event!

10/07/2025

Where HIV Hides: New Study

Researchers, including Guido van Marle, have made a major discovery about how HIV hides in the body; not just in one place, but in different tissues in different ways, including the brain, blood and gut.

Read more about how rare tissue samples are unlocking new hope in HIV research:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/rare-tissue-samples-reveal-where-hiv-hides-in-different-parts-of-body/ar-AA1NXIXt


University of Calgary University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine

Researchers at Western and the University of Calgary have discovered how HIV hides in different parts of the body by embedding itself into the DNA of cells in a tissue-specific manner, offering new insights into why the virus is so difficult to eliminate and cure—even decades after infection and t...

10/06/2025

Dr. Craig Jenne warns that Alberta’s measles outbreak was almost inevitable; with vaccine rates far below the ~95% needed for herd immunity, the virus is now spreading quite easily. “We need reminders that the vaccine works, it’s safe, and that measles itself is dangerous — this is not a simple rite of passage,” says Dr. Jenne.

Read more here: https://thewalrus.ca/how-alberta-became-the-epicentre-of-canadas-measles-outbreak/
https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7649692?feature=random
https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/alberta-baby-dies-from-measles/

An Alberta baby, born prematurely after its mother contracted measles during pregnancy has died, government officials announced Thursday.

10/01/2025

We were proud to take part in the AUS CAN Symposium: Frontiers in Neuro Microbial Interactions, a vibrant two-day event in Melbourne bringing together leading researchers from Australia and Canada.

In partnership with The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute - HBI and the Snyder Institute, the symposium fostered exciting international collaboration at the intersection of neuroscience and microbiology.

A big thank you to all the speakers, attendees and organisers for making it such an inspiring exchange of ideas. Here's to continued partnership and discovery!

University of Calgary University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine