Speakers

Timothy Caulfield

Professor of Health Law & Science Policy | Author of Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?

Professor Timothy Caulfield is an unrivalled communicator who debunks myths and assumptions about innovation in the health sector — from research on stem cells to diets to alternative medicine — for the benefit of the public and decision-makers. He is a Canada Research Chair in health law and policy, a professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and a research director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta.

Over the past several years, Caulfield has been involved in a variety of interdisciplinary research endeavours that have allowed him to publish more than 350 articles and book chapters. His research focuses on topics like stem cells, genetics, research ethics, and the public representations of science and health policy issues. The recipient of numerous academic and writing awards, Caulfield is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Caulfield also writes frequently for the popular press on a range of health and science policy issues and is the author of two national bestsellers: The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness and Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash. His most recent book is The Vaccination Picture. He is also the host and co-producer of the award-winning, hit documentary TV show, A User’s Guide to Cheating Death, which has been shown in over 60 countries and is currently streaming on Netflix.

Edmond S. Chan MD, FRCPC

Dr. Chan is a certified practicing Pediatric Allergist, UBC Clinical Associate Professor, and Head of the Division of Allergy & Immunology in the Department of Pediatrics at BC Children’s Hospital. He leads a clinical research program dedicated to multiple aspects of food allergy and eosinophilic esophagitis. He is on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; and on the Executive of the Allergy Section of the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Moshe Ben-Shoshan MD, MSc

Dr. Ben-Shoshan is a physician in the division of Allergy/Immunology at Montreal Children’s Hospital. Among other accomplishments, he has established the largest cross-Canada registries that collect data on the diagnosis and management of food allergy, anaphylaxis, drug allergy, and primary immunodeficiencies; and his research has resulted in more than 90 published manuscripts. His research interests include anaphylaxis, chronic urticaria and immunodeficiency.

Samara Carroll

Registered social worker and food allergy counsellor

Samara Carroll has been living with food allergy since she was two years old. She knows what it’s like to navigate the daily stress of food allergy, and understand the importance of finding a balance between remaining vigilant and enjoying life.

Samara has her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto, as well as an MA from York University. She is a registered social worker who has worked with children and families in clinical and community settings for more than 10 years. In her private practice, Carroll Counselling, she counsels children, teenagers and families to manage food allergy related anxiety. She also has an 11 month old baby.

Linda Herbert, PhD

Linda Jones Herbert, PhD, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology & Behavioral Health at Children’s National Hospital and an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dr. Herbert is the Director of Research and Clinical Services for the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Children’s National. She is an NIH-funded clinical researcher whose research interests include the identification of medical and psychosocial factors related to adjustment to food allergies and the development of clinical interventions that support patients with food allergy and their caregivers.