Media Advisory - Science Without Borders - Developing-world scientists at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

VANCOUVER, Feb. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Recent history has shown that dire situations can be reversed thanks to science. Vaccines helped defeat smallpox, the green revolution averted famine in Asia, and innovation has lifted millions of people out of poverty in countries such as China, Brazil and India.  In the spirit of harnessing scientific for innovative and lasting solutions for the developing world, Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) will be at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Vancouver, February 16-20, 2012.  IDRC participation will showcase the ways in which Canadian and developing-world scientists are working to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient societies.

IDRC partners will be on the ground at the AAAS to discuss issues ranging from how modelling HIV/AIDs can predict and prevent transmission pathways of other diseases like pandemic influenza and West Nile virus; how the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)'s quest for that continent's Einstein is shaping the next generation of Africa's brightest minds; and the renewed interest and investment in science and innovation in the Islamic World.

Meet the scientists - Dr. Nelson Sewankambo, an IDRC-supported researcher who was among the first African scientists to make the link between AIDS and Slim disease in the early 1980s; Canada's John Lavis, who works to turn health research into public policy; Canada's Jianhong Wu and China's Yiming Shao, scientists who are trying to control infectious diseases with models and math; Naser Faruqui, Director of Science and Innovation at IDRC, responsible for the Atlas of Islamic World Science and Innovation; and IDRC's collaborating officer on the Atlas of Islamic World Science and Innovation; IDRC's David O'Brien, who works to improve North-South scientific collaborations.

Journalists and the public can join in the conversation through Twitter (#IDRC and #AAAS) and Facebook. IDRC staff and IDRC-supported researchers from China, Uganda, South Africa, and Canada are available for interviews.

For more information, visit www.idrc.ca/events-aaas.

About IDRC
A key part of Canada's aid program since 1970, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring choice and change to those who need it most.

Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé / ([phone] / [email protected] / @IDRC_CRDI