Kratz kicks off SLU Discovery Talks series April 17

A new series of talks—with light food and wine on the side—will shine light on how innovation in our South Lake Union neighborhood is changing the world. The first in the three-part series of "South Lake Union Discovery Talks" will feature the Hutchinson Center's Dr. Mario Kratz and Meeru Dhalwala, co-owner of the local new Indian restaurant Shanik, discussing "Eating to Prevent Disease." The event, which will include wine and light food from Shanik, will take place Wednesday, April 17, 6 p.m. at South Lake Union Discovery Center. Judy Simon, a registered dietitian from the University of Washington, will moderate the talk.

Presented by Vulcan Real Estate, South Lake Union Discovery Talks will examine the synergies, innovations, cultures and the affect of our community on the world. Kratz will share the latest insights from his research on the relationship between diet, obesity and chronic diseases associated with obesity. Shalala will discuss the role the environment, cooking, culture, diet and nutrition play in disease prevention.

Speaker 

The Public Health Sciences Division's Kratz is also a research assistant professor at the UW's Departments of Medicine and epidemiology, a faculty member in the UW's Nutritional Sciences Program and an associate director of the Immunology and Inflammation Core of the UW's Diabetes Research Center.

Born in India, Dhalwala also co-owns the award-winning Vij's and Rangoli restaurants, both located in Vancouver B.C. She has two cookbooks and works closely, with her all-female kitchen staff—all from villages in the Punjab, India—experimenting with cooking techniques and spice combinations.

Simon is a clinical dietitian and nutritionist at UW Medicine's Roosevelt Clinic. She works with medical teams and patients, providing guidance and education about nutrition to adults and children. She is also a part-tine lecturer for the UW's Nutritional Sciences Program.

Register now; seats limited

Tickets for the event are $15 and available at Brown Paper Tickets. For more information on the series, visit www.discoverslu.com.