69传媒

The 69传媒 named two of its distinguished faculty members as the recipients of the Jeanne and J.-Louis L茅vesque Research Professorships in Nutrisciences and Health. Dr. Andrew Tasker, professor of neuropharmacology at UPEI鈥檚 Atlantic Veterinary College, and Dr. Travis Saunders, assistant professor of Applied Human Sciences, will each be supported over the next three years with an annual grant of $10,000 and up to $25,000 annually to permit replacement for teaching or other duties.

鈥�69传媒is grateful for the generous and long-standing support of the Fondation J.-Louis L茅vesque, which makes possible the recognition of some of the university's most creative and productive scientists,鈥� said Dr. Robert Gilmour, Vice-President Academic and Research at UPEI. 鈥淲e are particularly pleased that we are able to support the research programs of both an established investigator, in Dr. Tasker, and an emerging investigator, in Dr. Saunders, both of whom promise to make immediate and lasting contributions to nutrisciences and health.鈥�

As a Jeanne and J.-Louis L茅vesque research professor, Dr. Andrew Tasker will continue his explorations of normal and abnormal brain function. In this role, he will examine major depression and investigate why anti-depressant medications often take weeks to become effective, and in up to 50% of cases, never become effective. Tasker will determine if ginsenosides, the active ingredients in ginseng, have the potential to improve the effectiveness of current anti-depressants.

鈥淚 am extremely grateful for the generosity of the L茅vesque family,鈥� said Dr. Tasker. 鈥淭he funding they are providing will allow me to better investigate both the neurobiological basis of depression and to evaluate a new and potentially important approach to improving the effectiveness of antidepressant therapy鈥�.

Dr. Travis Saunders鈥� research as a Jeanne and J.-Louis L茅vesque research professor will examine the relationship between sedentary behaviour and obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Recent research shows screen-based sedentary behaviour especially is associated with these negative effects. Surprisingly, these effects are not due to lack of energy expended, but due to increased food intake that results from screen-based behaviours.

鈥淲e know that screen time is linked to excess food intake, but we don't understand what is responsible for that relationship. I am thrilled and honoured to receive the L茅vesque Professorship, which will allow my students and me to investigate the links between sedentary behaviours and chronic disease,鈥� said Dr. Saunders.

The professorships are supported by the Fondation J.-Louis L茅vesque: a generous supporter of health research at universities and institutes across the country. J.-Louis L茅vesque graduated from Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University in 1934 and was awarded an honorary doctor of laws in 1964. Suzanne L茅vesque, daughter of J.-Louis and president and CEO of his namesake foundation, was awarded an honorary doctor of laws from 69传媒in 2006.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very lucky at 69传媒to have such a long and prosperous relationship with the L茅vesque family, stretching back further than even the name UPEI,鈥� said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI. 鈥淪o I feel it鈥檚 safe to say ours is a special relationship with the Fondation J.-Louis L茅veque, and that their support has helped immensely in growing UPEI鈥檚 capacity in the area of health research.鈥�

The 69传媒 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�69传媒has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 69传媒is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.