Leaders in Innovation Dinner to feature actor and social activist Martin Sheen

The annual Leaders in Innovation Dinner, celebrating research excellence at Western University's Robarts Research Institute has gained a reputation for linking the stars of Hollywood with the stars in the research world. Past years' special guests have included Michael J. Fox and Alec Baldwin. This year, we're pleased to have the award-winning actor, social activist and humanitarian, Martin Sheen speak at the November 18th dinner at the London Convention Centre.

Endeared to audiences nation-wide for his seven-year run as President Bartlet on the award-winning series, The West Wing, Sheen uses his dynamic presence and celebrity status to lend an inspired voice to peace and social justice issues. He achieved early acclaim in the movies Badlands and Apocalypse Now, and went on to star in The Amazing Spiderman, Wall Street, The Departed, Catch Me If You Can and The Way, to name just a few. A prolific actor, Sheen has played more than 100 roles.

Sheen is also a heart attack survivor, and this year the Leaders in Innovation Dinner shines the spotlight on the cardiovascular and vascular biology research being conducted at Robarts, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. The evening will highlight significant breakthroughs that provide new hope for improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life for people with cardiovascular diseases. One of the high points will be the presentation of the 2013 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine to Dr. Salim Yusuf of McMaster University.

"The Leaders in Innovation Dinner has established itself as one of Canada's premier research celebrations, carrying on a tradition at Robarts that goes back more than a quarter of a century," says Dr. Michael J. Strong, Dean, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and Interim Scientific Director of Robarts. "And as a fan of The West Wing, I'm pleased to have Martin Sheen join us this year to share stories about his life and his commitment to social justice issues and health care. Social responsibility is one of the hallmarks of our School, and I know this will be an inspirational evening."

Earlier in the day, Sheen will be touring Robarts and members of the media are welcome. Heather Hiscox MA'87, LLD'11, Anchor, CBC News Network will once again be Master of Ceremonies.

Tickets for the event are $250 per person; $2,000 table of eight.