NMHI Research Day 2026 

NMHI Research Day 2026 showcases innovation and the future of brain and mental health research.

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | Edmonton, AB

The Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute (NMHI) at the University of Alberta welcomed researchers, trainees, clinicians, and community partners to the Lister Centre for its annual Research Day—an engaging showcase of discovery, collaboration, and the next generation of neuroscience innovation.

With more than 240 attendees, the event highlighted the institute’s growing impact and the strength of its research community, bringing together expertise across neurodegeneration, mental health, systems neuroscience, and clinical translation.

Advancing Neurodegeneration Research

Centered on the theme “Advancing Neurodegeneration Research: From Mechanisms to Patient Impact,” this year’s program emphasized the continuum from fundamental discovery to real-world application.

The day opened with plenary talks from Dr. Maria Ioannou and Dr. Matthew Macauley, who shared new insights into lipid biology and immune mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease—areas rapidly reshaping understanding of neurodegenerative disorders.

A keynote address by internationally renowned neurologist Dr. David Holtzman further underscored the global relevance of NMHI research, highlighting the role of APOE and immune responses in Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions.

 

Trainee Research at the Forefront

A cornerstone of NMHI Research Day is its strong focus on trainees. Through poster sessions and a competitive oral presentation program, trainees presented cutting-edge research spanning neurodegenerative disease, neuroimmunology, mental health, and emerging therapeutic approaches. The oral presentations, moderated by Dr. Kelvin Jones and Dr. Mahesh Kate, featured top-ranked abstracts and showcased the depth and diversity of emerging research talent at NMHI.

Poster sessions were organized into four broad themes—Injury & Repair, Neurodegeneration & Cellular Pathology, Cognition, Behaviour & Systems Neuroscience, and Sensory & Physiological Regulation—reflecting the full spectrum of NMHI research. Together, they highlighted work ranging from spinal cord injury and stroke to molecular drivers of disease, as well as studies in memory, mental health, pain, and sleep.

These sessions created a highly interactive environment for trainees to share findings, exchange ideas, and build interdisciplinary connections.

 

From Bench to Patient Impact

Bridging research and real-world application, featured speaker Dr. Pamela Valentine, President and CEO of MS Canada, shared her journey as a neuroscientist and research leader. Her talk emphasized the importance of translating discovery into meaningful improvements in care and outcomes for people living with neurological conditions.

A panel discussion with leading clinicians and researchers further explored how scientific advances can be integrated into patient care, reinforcing NMHI’s commitment to impact beyond the laboratory.

 

Recognizing Excellence and Contribution

The day concluded with awards recognizing outstanding research achievements and contributions to the NMHI community.

Dr. Kelvin Jones was recognized for his outstanding contribution to the NMHI Graduate Education Program, highlighting his leadership and dedication to mentoring the next generation of neuroscientists.

Building Community and Looking Ahead

 

Beyond the scientific program, NMHI Research Day reinforced the importance of community—bringing together researchers, trainees, funders, and partners to share ideas and build collaborations.

The event concluded with a networking reception, providing an opportunity to connect, reflect, and spark future initiatives as NMHI continues to advance research in brain and mental health.

As NMHI continues to expand its reach and impact, Research Day remains a key moment to celebrate progress while looking ahead to the discoveries that will shape the future of brain and mental health.