2026 Trottier Public Science Symposium

Scarcely does a day go by without the emergence of some report that labels ultra- processed foods as dietary villains that undermine our health. But what exactly are they? Do they all have the same effect on our biology? And how do they differ from “junk food?” Is the processing itself the problem, or are the detrimental effects due to these foods being high in calories, sugar, and salt? Is it true that ultra-processed foods induce such intense and uncontrollable cravings that they can be said to be addictive? That’s what we’re here to find out.

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TIME: 1:30 PM ET

LOCATION: McGill Faculty Club (3450 Rue McTavish), Ballroom

Moderator: Joe Schwarcz Ph.D. CM, Director at the McGill Office for Science and Society

Participants:

• Laurette Dubé Ph.D, Emerita Professor and Distinguished James McGill Chair of Consumer and Lifestyle Psychology and Marketing at the Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University
• Yoni Freedhoff MD, Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa
• Ashley Gearhardt Ph.D, Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Clinical Science area at the University of Michigan
• Kevin Hall Ph.D, internationally renowned expert in human nutrition, metabolism, obesity, and neuroscience
• Daiva Nielsen Ph.D, Canada Research Chair in Ingestive Behaviour and Associate Professor, School of Human Nutrition at McGill University
• The Right Honourable Julie Payette C.C., C.M.M., C.D., former Governor General of Canada, former astronaut

TIME: 7 PM ET

LOCATION: McGill University, Leacock Building - Room 132 (attached to the McGill Arts Building) - 855 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2T7

Public lecture with Dr Ashley Gearhardt and Dr. Kevin Hall

Registration is mandatory. (*please note: should you register for the roundtable session, your confirmation email will only show the 7 pm symposium time and not the 1:30 pm roundtable).

You will be asked to show confirmation of your registration with the QR code at the roundtable and the evening symposium.

Should you not have access to a mobile device, please print out the confirmation in advance.

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Questions? Email [email protected].