Inaugural Science Atlantic Nutrition and Foods Conference

Welcome to the Science Atlantic Nutrition and Foods Committee Inaugural Conference Website! 

Science Atlantic Nutrition and Foods Committee was founded in 2016 (by its current members) and will be hosting its inaugural conference on February 28th - March 1st, 2019 at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia (SAC Multi-purpose Room). You can find a map of Mount Saint Vincent University Campus here.

Registration for the Inaugural Science Atlantic Nutrition and Foods Conference is now open! Please click on this link to register for the conference, pay the fees and/ or submit an abstract. 

Delegates are welcome to attend even if they do not have original research to present. See below for our exciting conference schedule.

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Learning Breakfast

Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: Then and Now 

Presented by Andrew Samis, MD, PhD

In today’s world one can find studies, guidelines, and popular press articles both espousing the benefits of reduced saturated fat as a means of reducing cardiovascular disease, as well as advocating that saturated fat is unrelated to heart attack and stroke or in some cases even beneficial in preventing these diseases.
It comes as no surprise that these strongly expressed opposing viewpoints create a sense of confusion. But what is the evidence? This presentation takes a step-by-step historical approach to review how the concept of reducing dietary fat became world-wide public policy, starting in the early 1900’s until today.

With an evidenced-based approach, the consumption of dietary fat and its relationship to cardiovascular disease is being reevaluated, as will specific dietary elements such as cholesterol, dairy saturated fat, butter, and eggs. Current food guidelines are reviewed, including the recent Heart and Stroke Foundation position statement on saturated fat which shifts away from an isolated macronutrient-restrictive approach towards a food-based paradigm.

Learning objectives:

· To understand the history of dietary guidelines advising lowering total dietary fat and saturated fat

· To review some of the evidence relating to specific dietary components and cardiovascular disease

· To discuss what we should tell our patients about a healthy diet and cardiovascular risk from an evidenced-based perspective

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Knowledge Mobilization Upskilling Workshop

Designing Effective Education Materials (Infographics)

Facilitated by Kaitlin Roke, PhD, Flora Wang, PhD, Shannan Grant, PDt/RD, MSc, PhD

Learning objectives:

• Enhance knowledge about infographics 
• Enhance skills to create graphic representations of data 
• Build skill using Infographic tools for nutrition and foods information dissemination
• Work to make scientific concepts target audience appropriate 
• Provide insight into the education tool development process 
• Create a draft of an infographic!

Click here to open the conference program

Awards

There will be two award categories at the inaugural Science Atlantic Nutrition and Foods Conference, held at Mount Saint Vincent University. To be considered, applicants must submit their abstract by the deadline, February 1, 2019.

For more information about awards (except for travel awards), please contact Conference Chair Dr. Shannan Grant at Shannan.grant2@msvu.ca. Please contact us at science.atlantic2019@msvu.ca if you have any questions about travel awards.

1) General Undergraduate Awards

These awards are presented to undergraduate students who have demonstrated outstanding research and presentation skills. The research must significantly advance the discipline of food science or nutrition. The contribution may be applied or fundamental in nature, and must advance science or improve human condition. The awards consist of a cash prize and a letter of commendation. Both oral and poster presentations are eligible.

Eligibility Criteria:
• Abstract (statement of problem, objective, and principal findings)
• Presentation (clarity, visual aids, and organization)
• Scientific merit (experimental design, innovative approach, and interpretation of the data)
• Overall knowledge and response to questions
• Demonstrate potential to pursue graduate studies and research

1st Place: $200
2nd Place: $125
3rd Place: $75

2) Clara Jefferson Award

Clara Jefferson was a student within the School of Home Economics at Acadia University (’48). In 2010, Mrs. Clara Jefferson, a longtime Acadia supporter, received a Doctor of Civil Laws. In 2018, Mrs. Jefferson donated her historic cookbook collection to the Acadia University Archives, and it will benefit students for years to come.
This award will be presented to an undergraduate research student who significantly advances the discipline of food science and nutrition. The award consists of a $300 prize and a letter of commendation.

Eligibility Criteria:
• Presentation (clarity, visual aids and organization)
• Scientific merit (experimental design, innovative approach, and interpretation of the results)
• Overall knowledge and response to question

3) General Graduate Awards

These awards are presented to graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding research and presentation skills. The research must significantly advance the discipline of food science or nutrition. The contribution may be applied or fundamental in nature, and must advance science or improve human condition. The awards consist of a cash prize and a letter of commendation. Both oral and poster presentations are eligible. Both oral and poster presentations are eligible.

Eligibility Criteria:
• Abstract (statement of problem, objective, and principal findings)
• Presentation (clarity, visual aids, and organization)
• Scientific merit (experimental design, innovative approach, and interpretation of the data)
• Overall knowledge and response to questions
• Demonstrate potential to pursue graduate studies and research

1st Place: $200
2nd Place: $125
3rd Place: $75

4) Science Communication Award

The Science Atlantic Science Communication Award is offered at each of the annual Science Atlantic sponsored student conferences. The prize is awarded to the student who is best able to communicate a science topic to his or her peers. The award consists of a cash prize ($200), a letter of commendation and an opportunity to work collaboratively with the Atlantic Student Research Journal team to write and publish an article about their research.

Eligibility Criteria:
• Abstract (statement of problem, objective, and principal findings)
• Presentation (clarity, visual aids and organization) including either an oral presentation with a question and answer period or a poster presentation with an informal (one on one with a judge) question and answer)
• Scientific merit (experimental design, innovative approach, and interpretation of the data)
• Overall knowledge and response to questions

Judging

Each conference organizing committee determines the judging committee membership. Some committees involve non-competing students, some have a ballot vote of all conference attendees, and some are professors in the discipline. The judging committee has the right to withhold an award in any competition. If there are fewer than three students eligible to compete for this award at any conference, the award may not be disbursed. The decision of the judges is final.

 

Travel Awards

Two travel awards ($500) are available for trainees registered for the Science Atlantic Nutrition Conference in Halifax on February 28 to March 1, 2019.

In order to be eligible for a travel award, applicants should be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student from one of the institutions participating in Science Atlantic Nutrition Conference. Applicants must have submitted an abstract. Late applications will not be considered.
Eligible expenses include travel and accommodation. Travel expenses can be claimed for gas mileage $0.37 per km or bus, train, ferry or airfare (economy class) or their combination. The accommodation cost cannot exceed the rate of $114 per night (plus tax). The cost of taxi, tolls, bridges are eligible as well. The reimbursed cost of travel cannot exceed the travel award.

The application for travel award must include the following components:
1. A two-page CV/ resume
2. The abstract
3. Reference letter from supervisor or faculty from sponsoring institution
4. 500 word cover letter explaining why attending the conference is important to you

Applications for travel award should be submitted to science.atlantic2019@msvu.ca by February 1, 2019. All applicants will be notified via email about the results of the competition by February 11, 2019.

Please contact us at science.atlantic2019@msvu.ca if you have any questions about travel awards. All questions about any other awards (except for travel awards) should be sent directly to Conference Chair Dr. Shannan Grant at Shannan.grant2@msvu.ca.

Accommodations

Delegates for Science Atlantic's Nutrition and Food Conference, at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, can reserve under our group booking at Château Bedford Hotel and Suites.

Rooms will cost $114.00 CAN per night (+ tax). This rate includes breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi and local phone. In order to book a room, please contact the hotel directly and mention Science Atlantic Nutrition & Foods. 

Sponsors

Potential sponsors (not listed here) interested in contributing to our event, please email shannan.grant2@msvu.ca.