The FASD Success Show Live: Edmonton Edition- Bringing Research and Community Together
On Sunday, October 5, 2025, our team attended The FASD Success Show Live: Alberta Edition at the University of Alberta, hosted by Jeff Noble, founder of Noble Initiatives and creator of The FASD Success Show podcast.
This exciting, podcast-style live event brought together some of Alberta’s top FASD researchers, advocates, and community members for an engaging morning of learning, sharing, and connection.
Key Highlights and Presenters
✨Jeff Noble, FASD educator and advocate, led the event with his trademark energy and insight. A former foster parent and author of Making Sense of the Madness, Jeff focuses on building supportive FASD communities through education and connection.
🧠Dr. Catherine Lebel shared her groundbreaking brain imaging research, showing how FASD affects brain development over time. Her team’s innovative work with MRI technology helps make brain scans more accessible and child-friendly.
👶 Dr. Long discussed the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, exploring how even low to moderate exposure can influence brain development and behavior.
🌿 Dr. Tamara Bodnar, a Cree/Métis scholar from the University of Calgary, presented fascinating research on the gut-brain connection, studying how gut health and the immune system impact mental well-being in individuals with FASD.
💬Dr. Carly McMorris focused on mental health and developmental psychology, highlighting how youth with FASD often face barriers to accessing mental health care — and what can be done to change that.
💡Dr. Jacqueline Pei, from the University of Alberta and the Canada FASD Research Network, shared insights on neuropsychological assessment and intervention strategies. Her work emphasizes the importance of understanding the brain to create better supports and improve outcomes for youth with FASD.
Themes and Takeaways
The event showcased a multidisciplinary approach to understanding FASD — combining neuroimaging, psychology, biology, and community advocacy. Presenters highlighted new discoveries about brain development, mental health, and innovative supports that make a real difference for individuals and families.
One of the most inspiring aspects was the strong collaboration between researchers and the FASD community. Caregivers, families, and professionals were able to connect directly with leading experts, bridging the gap between science and real-life experiences.
In Summary
The FASD Success Show Live: Edmonton Edition was a powerful reminder of how far FASD research and advocacy have come — and how much more we can achieve when community and science come together to create understanding, reduce stigma, and build support for those impacted by FASD.
🧠 Volunteer for FASD Research!
Want to make a difference for individuals affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)? By volunteering, you can help advance research on brain development, mental health, and support strategies — and directly impact the community.
Who can volunteer: Individuals with FASD, caregivers, families, or anyone interested in supporting FASD research.
Get involved: Email facebase@ucalgary.ca to learn more and join the research team! 💛
Jeff Noble leading the conversation at The FASD Success Show Live: Edmonton Edition, inspiring community and researchers alike! 💛
Jeff Noble with Dr. Jacqueline Pei, sharing insights on FASD research and interventions at the live event. 🧠✨
From brain imaging to gut-brain research, Dr. Long, Dr. Bodnar, Dr. Lebel & Dr. Pei brought cutting-edge FASD insights to life at the Edmonton live event. 💛🧠
Jeff Noble with our very own Executive Director Intern Gaye Carpenter and Youth Coach Gemma Carpenter at the Edmonton live event. 🌟