$14 million to train the next generation of biomedical researchers

in
15 Jul 2009

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) have just recognized the fundamental importance of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University in the international competition to achieve scientific excellence. These institutions were each awarded four grants of $1,790,000 through the CIHR’s Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research (STIHR). The grants will be distributed over six years and will be used to attract and train the next generation of researchers in biomedical science.

“We are extremely thankful to the CIHR for their support,” said Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos, Director of the Research Institute of the MUHC. “Together, these grants will help us train over 200 high-level students in different disciplines over the next 6 years. This essential assistance will ensure we can compete at an international level.”

“We are extremely pleased and proud that the CIHR has chosen to support McGill and the MUHC in the important endeavour of attracting the best students in the world,” said Denis Thérien, McGill’s Vice-Principal of Research and International Relations. “These grants will help us maintain and expand our world-class reputation as a top research institution.”

The MUHC/McGill programs that received a STIHR grant at the Research Institute of the MUHC are led by:

  • Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos, Director and member of the Human Reproduction and Development Axis, Research Institute of the MUHC and Professor, McGill Department of Medicine, who has received a CIHR training grant for drug development.
  • Dr. Eric Fombonne, Director of Psychiatry, Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) at the MUHC, member of the Mental Health Axis, Research Institute of the MUHC at the MCH and Professor, McGill Department of Psychiatry, who has received a CIHR training grant for autism research.
  • Dr. Samuel David, member of the Neurosciences Axis, research Institute of the MUHC, and Professor, McGill Department of Neurology, who has received a CIHR training grant for the integrated training program in basic and clinical aspects of neuroinflammation
  • Dr. Gilles Paradis, member of the Health Outcomes Axis, Research Institute of the MUHC, and Professor, McGill Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, who has received a CIHR training grant for transdisciplinary research in the 4Ps of public health care: promotion, prevention and public policies.

In addition to these awards, the McGill / MUHC programs that received a STIHR grant at McGill University are led by:

  • Dr. Michael Hallett, Professor, McGill Department of Computer Sciences, who has received a CIHR training grant in “Integrative Approaches to Human Health.”
  • Dr. Carmen Loiselle, Dr. Carmen Loiselle, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Director McGill Oncology Nursing, and Senior Researcher, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, has received a CIHR training grant in psychosocial oncology.
  • Dr. David Thomas, Professor, McGill Department of Biochemistry, who has received a CIHR training grant in chemical biology.
  • Dr. Michel Tremblay, Director of McGill’s Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Centre and Professor, McGill Department of Biochemistry, who has received a CIHR/FRSQ training grant for cancer research.