Introducing the fifth cohort of the Future
Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program
MONTREAL, Sept. 17,
2024 /CNW/ - With an anchor gift from the Azrieli
Foundation—and through the generous support of its visionary
donors—Brain Canada is proud to announce the fifth cohort
of Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research. This
year, $2.1 million in funding has
been awarded to 21 promising early-career researchers, each
receiving a $100,000 grant.
Brain Canada's flagship program
continues to drive innovative research that has the potential to
transform our understanding of the central nervous system and its
impact on our health. The Future Leaders in Canadian Brain
Research program is one of several Brain Canada signature programs that focus on
building capacity within the brain research ecosystem and
accelerating bold science for better brain health.
"Empowering the next generation of scientists is critical to
improving health outcomes for people living with brain conditions,
and their families. We are confident that supporting these bold
ideas will advance research and accelerate progress in ways that
will benefit all of us," says Dr. Viviane
Poupon, President, and CEO of Brain
Canada. "With this funding, we are building a strong
pipeline of neuroscience leaders and laying the groundwork for
future research excellence."
This program is made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund,
an innovative arrangement with the Government of Canada, through
Health Canada, and Brain Canada, and
the Azrieli Foundation, as well as numerous major donors who
believe that solving the brain's mysteries will significantly
improve quality of life for people in Canada.
Since its inception five years ago, the Future Leaders in
Canadian Brain Research program has supported 109 emerging
researchers, leading to 51 peer-reviewed publications, at least
five patents, and more than $65.1
million in additional funding from other sources to amplify
recipients' research.
"Brain Canada stands at the
forefront of advancing neuroscience in Canada," says Dr. Naomi Azrieli, Brain
Canada Chair. "This year's Future Leaders research projects range
from investigating disorders that impact social skills, to
utilizing brain imaging and other methods to understand how sensory
input influences brain development and behaviour, to examining
physical activity as a strategy for maintaining brain health. It is
very exciting to see the potential and to follow these brilliant
minds as they explore important questions."
Meet the 2023 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain
Research
For the 2023 competition, Brain
Canada received 112 Letters of Intent (LOIs) from
institutions across Canada, spanning various topics in
neuroscience. After an external peer review, 60 applicants were
invited to submit full applications, with the final 21 grant
recipients selected through a second round of rigorous, independent
evaluation by an external peer review panel of Canadian and
international neuroscientists.
Introducing the 2023 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain
Research:
- Dr. Corey Baimel, Dalhousie
University
- Dr. Cindy Barha, University of
Calgary
- Dr. Robert Beattie, University of
Manitoba
- Dr. Gabriel Bossé, Université Laval
- Dr. Justine Clery, McGill
University
- Dr. Aurélie De Rus Jacquet, Université Laval
- Dr. Chelsea Ekstrand, University of
Lethbridge
- Dr. Maiya Geddes, McGill
University
- Dr. Orhan Selçuk Güven, Centre de Recherche Azrieli du CHU
Sainte-Justine
- Dr. Adil Harroud, McGill
University
- Dr. Ryan Hoiland, University of
British Columbia
- Dr. Lisa Julian,
Simon Fraser University
- Dr. Kaarina Kowalec, University of
Manitoba
- Dr. Qian Lin, University of
Toronto
- Dr. Paul Marcogliese, University of
Manitoba
- Dr. Dale Martin, University of Waterloo
- Dr. Silvia Pozzi, Université Laval
- Dr. Rachel Rabin, The Douglas
Research Centre
- Dr. Raphael Schneider, Unity
Health Toronto
- Dr. Yoshiaki Tanaka, Centre intégré universitaire de santé
et de services sociaux de l'Est-de-L'Île-de-Montréal
- Dr. Scott Yuzwa, University of
Toronto
The Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program is
supported by: the Alvin Segal Family Foundation, The Arrell Family
Foundation, the Hewitt Foundation, ALS Society of Canada, The Erika
Legacy Foundation, the Lotte & John
Hecht Memorial Foundation, the Barry and Laurie Green Family
Charitable Trust, Women's Brain Health Initiative (WBHI), and the
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR-IRSC).
About Brain Canada
Brain Canada is a national
non-profit organization that enables and supports excellent,
innovative, paradigm-changing brain research in Canada. It plays a unique and invaluable role
as the national convener of the brain research community. We join
people, labs, and platforms across the country, as well as
institutions, organizations, and sectors – to drive innovation and
foster an interconnected brain research system. Our work enables
Canada to excel and make even greater contributions to the global
quest to understand the brain and identify solutions to brain
disorders.
SOURCE Brain Canada