NEWSLETTER MEETING APRIL 16, 2014
Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise
Newsletter April 16, 2014
Attendance-
A rousing four way test this morning, sounded a bit like 16 different versions but certainly an inspiration.
We had 16 members in attendance today. Our speaker, Dr Wasserman; Guests were Jun Tallo all the way from Cebu City West in the Phillipines ( exchanged banners); Steve McGrandle; Jose Riga’s son, Frederic; Luisa , our Exchange student and three potential recruits to our club, Brandi England, Byran Dar Santos and John Bland.
Announcements-
Gary announced that Jack FM will be doing a major promotion of our Hoopathon. And also a practice for basketball will take place at Strathcona on May 28, a Wednesday at 430 (and refreshments after). We will be line up teams for the shoot-outs soon. A super meeting was held by the committee last night at Strathcona.
Happy Dollars- Ably collected by Diana
Bill wished Mr. Gillis of the Canucks , the best of luck, where ever he goes.
Abigail took her motorcycle out of winter storage.
Sonya is finally getting away, New York this weekend.
Cam mentioned that the playoffs start tonight. Being absent last week, he got stuck with Montreal. And guess what, the won their first game today.
Speaker-
Gary introduced our guest speaker, Dr, Wyeth Wasserman. He is Assistant Dean of research at UBC Faculty of medicine,, professor of Medical Genetics, and Executor Director of the Child and Family Research Institute. He specializes in the study of the human genome (DNA). He did his PhD in cancer research at the University of Wisconsin. Then pursued advanced training in the new field of Bioinformatics. He developed computer software for identifying DNA on/off switches- the special pieces of DNA in chromosomes that control which genes are active.
He is currently at the BC Children’s hospital and UBC, becoming increasingly focused on finding mutations in DNA that cause childhood disorders.
DNA contain 3 million differences of which 9 of 10 show up in unrelated people. Recent work from his lab addresses emerging challenges for personalized medicine, including the creation of software for analyzing, interpreting and delivering DNA sequence data to clinicians to access and interpret patient genetic profiles. He has published over 75 peer-reviewed papers but managed to make this difficult topic more understandable to us non- scientific types. After many questions, Abigail thanked the Doctor.
REMINDER-
Next week’s meeting is at our regular Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, and we will have a business meeting. On the 30th of April, we will have our RYLA students review the RYLA sessions which they attended.
Thought For The Day
"when one door of happiness closes another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us" Helen Keller