DAY OF ITALIAN RESEARCH 2024
GENIO VAGANTE
Wandering Genius
THE CULTURE OF INNOVATION
MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARDIAC SURGERY: AN INNOVATIVE OPTION TO TREAT COMPLEX HEART DISEASE
Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri
Associate Professor of Surgery | University of Toronto
Director of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery | St. Michael’s Hospital
Surgical Director of the Structural Heart Program | St. Michael’s Hospital
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ENGINEERING AND MEDICINE IN VALVULAR HEART DISEASE
Dr. Terry Peters
Scientist | Robarts Research Institute
Professor, Medical Imaging, Medical Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering | Western University
Embark on groundbreaking presentations by Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri and Dr. Terry Peters. Dr. Bisleri unveils Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery: An Innovative Option for Complex Heart Disease, revolutionizing treatment outcomes and recovery. Dr. Peters presents Bridging Engineering and Medicine in Valvular Heart Disease – an enlightening exploration of interdisciplinary strategies shaping the future of cardiovascular health, at the intersection of medicine and engineering. Dr. Emilia Luca, Chair of AIRIcerca, will moderate the conversation.
Presented by the Embassy of Italy in Canada, the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto, AIRIcerca (Association of Italian Researchers).
Tuesday, May 14 | 6:30PM
ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA
496 Huron St | Toronto ON
FREE EVENT | REGISTRATION REQUIRED
ABOUT DR. GIANLUIGI BISLERI
Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri is Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and Director of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery as well as Surgical Director of the Structural Heart Program at St. Michael’s Hospital.
He is a distinguished cardiac surgeon known nationally and internationally for his expertise in minimally invasive and hybrid cardiac surgery. With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Bisleri has made significant contributions to the field of cardiac surgery, particularly in the treatment of mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation.
Dr. Bisleri completed his medical education in Italy first, at the University of Brescia, and then at the University of Padua, followed by advanced training in cardiac surgery and research at internationally renowned institutions such Columbia University in New York. He has a strong academic background, with numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.
His innovative work focuses on the development and refinement of minimally invasive techniques for cardiac surgery, including hybrid approaches that combine surgical and catheter-based interventions. Dr. Bisleri is dedicated to advancing patient care through his clinical practice, research, and teaching activities.
Currently, Dr. Bisleri serves in a leadership role at St. Michael’s Hospital, where he continues to innovate and inspire the next generation of cardiac surgeons. He developed the first Minimally Invasive Cardiac Program in Toronto, and he is recognized for his commitment to excellence in patient care, research, and education, making him a respected figure in the field of cardiac surgery.
ABOUT DR. TERRY M. PETERS
Prof. Terry Peters is a visionary engineer whose pioneering work in medical imaging and image-guided interventions has revolutionized the field of healthcare. With a career spanning over three decades, Peters has consistently pushed the boundaries of technology to improve patient outcomes and enhance the practice of medicine.
He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Canterbury, NZ. Following an initial position at McGill University, Prof. Peters joined the Robarts Institute at Western University in London, Ontario, where he established the laboratory for Virtual Augmentation and Simulation for Surgery and Therapy (VASST Lab): its focus is in the development of advanced imaging techniques, image analysis algorithms, computer-assisted interventions and tools that enable clinicians to visualize and treat diseases with unprecedented precision.
As a highly respected researcher and educator, he has mentored numerous students and collaborators, shaping the future of medical technology. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the prestigious MICCAI Society Enduring Impact Award.
His work has not only advanced the field of healthcare but has also inspired a new generation of engineers and clinicians to innovate for the betterment of patient care.
ABOUT DR. EMILIA LUCA
Dr. Emilia Luca is a Research Associate in the Hearing & Balance Regeneration Lab at Sunnybrook Research Institute, led by Dr. Alain Dabdoub. She spearheads a translational research project to develop biological solutions for regenerating human inner ear cells, including sensory cells. Dr. Luca’s research is focused on identifying gene regulatory networks and epigenetic switches that could serve as therapeutic targets for hearing and balance disorders. She holds a PhD from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, as well as a Master’s degree cum laude in Proteomics and Functional Genomics. Dr. Luca has been actively involved in scientific outreach since 2018, co-founding and chairing the AIRIcerca Toronto Chapter.
