Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases

12/12/2025

What an incredible day!

Our community came together on December 10th for a full day of learning, sharing and celebrating.

Inspiring oral presentations, energetic chalk talks and a vibrant trainee poster session were followed by a fun holiday party. Thank you to everyone who joined in and made the event such a success!

12/11/2025

Proud to celebrate an inspiring year of progress with our international research partners at the Cu***ng Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics at the The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne.

Australia–Canada symposium strengthens UCalgary's partnership with The University of Melbourne, with opportunities for collaborative research in infectious diseases, immunology and the microbiome https://bit.ly/494C6gv

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

12/11/2025

Congratulations, Dr. Richard Leigh, MBChB, PhD, for winning the 2026 Distinguished Lecture Award in Respiratory Sciences from the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS)!

Dr. Richard Leigh, MBChB, PhD, is the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Lecture Award in Respiratory Sciences from the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS)! 👏🏼

The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of respiratory science.

As well as being the Cu***ng School of Medicine’s senior associate dean of Faculty Affairs, Dr. Leigh is a clinician-scientist focused on improving the understanding and treatment of asthma.

Dr. Leigh will present the 2026 CTS Distinguished Lecture, Airway Remodeling in Asthma: Causes, Consequences and Potential Treatments, at the Canadian Respiratory Conference in Calgary on April 17, 2026.

Congratulations Dr. Leigh!

Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases

12/08/2025

Proud to share a deep dive into the work happening at Snyder Institute’s Human Organoid Innovation Hub (HOIH): a resource advancing precision medicine through human-relevant models.

From breakthroughs in intestinal biology to new insights into rare cystic fibrosis variants, HOIH is showing how organoids can directly inform therapy development and clinical decision-making.

Read more about how this collaborative hub is shaping the future of biomedical research: https://news.ucalgary.ca/news/human-organoid-innovation-hub-advancing-precision-medicine-through-human-relevant-models

University of Calgary University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine Blanca Callejas Justin Chun Lab

At the University of Calgary’s Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, the Human Organoid Innovation Hub (HOIH) is transforming how scientists study human health. By using patient-derived tissues and stem cell technologies, HOIH creates miniature, lab-grown versions of human organs called organoids...

12/04/2025

On December 1, over 1000 people tuned into our Mini-Medical School lecture on “Gut Motility Problems Up and Down: From Gastroparesis to Irritable Bowel Syndrome”.

From understanding normal gut function to exploring conditions like gastroparesis and IBS, Dr. Yasmin Nasser and Dr. Chris Andrews delivered eye-opening sessions packed with knowledge, science and strategies for improving digestive health.

Swipe through to see highlights from the event!

Don’t miss your chance to learn directly from leading medical researchers and clinicians. Our next lecture is on January 12th!

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

11/27/2025

Introducing the Snyder Spotlight Series!

We’re excited to kick off a new video series highlighting the incredible science happening across the Snyder Institute. Today’s feature takes you inside the Chadee Lab.

From innovative approaches to tackling chronic disease to discoveries that shape the future of health, this series brings you closer to the people and projects driving impactful research. Give us your feedback on what you’d like to see more of or what questions you have about the work happening here.

If you want your lab featured next, reach out to snyderadmin@ucalgary.ca

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

11/26/2025

Explore the potential of living medicines in the battle against cancer in the latest episode of Calgary Eyeopener!

Dr. Kathy McCoy offers an insightful discussion on innovative treatments, focusing on TCells and microbes in cancer therapy.

Listen in here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-5-calgary-eyeopener/clip/16183604-living-medicine

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

11/26/2025

Explore the potential of living medicines in the battle against cancer in the latest episode of Calgary Eyeopener!

Dr. Kathy McCoy offers an insightful discussion on innovative treatments, focusing on TCells and microbes in cancer therapy.

Listen in here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-5-calgary-eyeopener/clip/16183604-living-medicine

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

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