Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a multifaceted and evolving condition that impacts each person in unique ways. As research advances, new perspectives are reshaping how we understand where Parkinson’s begins, what influences its progression, and how lifestyle factors-from diet to environment-can play a role in risk and management.

This May, Parkinson Society British Columbia invites you to expand your knowledge through our Global Symposium Series, a three-part online event featuring leading international experts sharing the latest in PD research and care. Each session is designed to inform, inspire, and empower people with Parkinson’s, carepartners, and health professionals alike.

Session 2: Our Environment and Parkinson’s – Uncovering Hidden Risk Factors I Dr. Carlie Tanner, MD, PhD, FAAN, FANA I Monday, May 26 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm PT

How much does our environment influence the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease? Far more than previously believed, according to emerging research. In this eye-opening session, Dr. Carlie Tanner, a leading expert in Parkinson’s epidemiology and Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, will explore how environmental exposures may contribute to the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease.

Drawing on decades of research and real-world case studies, Dr. Tanner will unpack the evidence linking pesticides, air pollution, and occupational toxins to increased Parkinson’s risk. She will also discuss how these factors may interact with genetic susceptibility, and what this means for prevention, advocacy, and public health policy.

Whether you’re a person living with Parkinson’s, a care partner, or a health professional, this session offers empowering knowledge about how our surroundings may shape neurological health and how science is informing efforts to create safer, healthier communities.

About Dr. Caroline M. Tanner: 

Dr. Carlie Tanner is a renowned neurologist and researcher with over four decades of experience dedicated to understanding and treating Parkinson’s disease. She is the Roger Evans and Aey Phanachet Professor in Parkinson’s Disease and Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Neurology at the Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco.

Her research has significantly advanced our understanding of environmental and genetic risk factors for Parkinson’s, with a particular focus on how exposures such as pesticides, solvents, and air pollution may influence disease development. She has also played a key role in identifying gene-environment interactions and early biomarkers of Parkinson’s.

Dr. Tanner has led numerous clinical trials and large-scale studies, including the Fox Insight online study and the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). She also serves as co-principal investigator of the home-based TOPAZ study, which focuses on fracture prevention in Parkinson’s.

Throughout her career, she has received numerous honors for her contributions to the field, including the White House Champions of Change for Parkinson’s, the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Robert A. Pritzker Prize, and the Stanley Fahn Lecture Award from the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Dr. Tanner remains deeply committed to improving care, advancing research, and mentoring the next generation of Parkinson’s experts around the world.

Parkinson Society BC appreciates all gifts, as they allow us to continue to offer programs people with Parkinson’s disease and their carepartners rely on. If you wish, you can make a donation by entering an amount in the Additional Donation field.

Please note: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. Please note that any Q&A sessions that take place will not be recorded.