Free screening of The Sea Inside in series Science in the Cinema
(Edmonton, Alberta) Edmontonians are invited to enjoy an afternoon of free popcorn, a movie and a discussion with medical experts. On Saturday, March 13, 2010, Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions is presenting The Sea Inside at 4 p.m. at the Garneau Theatre, 8712 – 109 Street.
A Spanish film with English subtitles, this Academy Award winning movie focuses on the true story of Ramon Sampedro, a quadriplegic who fought a 30 year campaign to win the right to end his life with dignity.
The film will be introduced by Vivian Mushahwar, PhD, a senior scholar supported by Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions (funded by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Endowment Fund) and Laura Shanner, PhD, a bioethicist in the University of Alberta School of Public Health. Following the movie presentation, these two experts will lead a discussion of the bioethical issues raised in the movie and the latest developments in spinal cord research and healthcare.
Laura Shanner, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of Public Health and jointly appointed to the John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre at U of A. Her research career in ethics, law and policy has taken her to the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States. Besides teaching health ethics in clinical, policy, public health and management contexts, she has been an expert consultant for Health Canada in developing policy on reproductive and genetic medicine.
Vivian Mushahwar, PhD, an associate professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at U of A, is a neuroscientist who is co-leading an Alberta-wide team that is designing neural devices to help restore function for people with devastating brain and spinal injuries. Her team is now pilot-testing form-fitting garments to stimulate muscles and prevent pressure ulcers for people in wheelchairs, as well as new devices to help people with spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and ALS to stand and walk.
“This Science in the Cinema program is part of our ongoing focus on science education, inviting people around the province – especially young people – to enjoy an afternoon at the movies and to learn about on-the-ground research in Alberta,” says Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions CEO Jacques Magnan, PhD. “Our thanks go out to the scientists who are sharing their considerable expertise with Albertans.”
Media contact: Karen Thomas, Media Specialist, 1.877.423.5727 x225,
Nancy Whelan, Education Community Outreach Manager, , 1.877.423.5727 x260, 1.403.471.7541 (cellular ‐ not for publication).