The Brain Brief: Vol. 5 No. 1 January 2008
Message from the Scientific DirectorFunding Opportunities
External Funding Opportunities
Funding Announcements
Meetings and Events
Upcoming Events
CIHR-INMHA Institute Advisory Board
Congratulations
Message from the Scientific Director
Dr. Rémi Quirion, OC, PhD, FRSC, CQ
Scientific Director
Happy New Year from theCIHR-INMHA team!
It is hard to believe that it is already seven years since we moved the Institute concept from vision to reality. 2007 has brought many changes and many achievements. One of the most significant events for our community was no doubt the establishment of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, launched in August 2007 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It has been extremely rewarding to see the implementation of one of the key recommendations made by the Standing Senate Committee on Mental Health and Addiction. It is an important first step toward improved mental health services and increased funding for mental health research. The Commission is in excellent hands with the appointment of the Honourable Michael Kirby as Chair and a superb slate of Directors and Advisory Board Chairs.
2007 also marked the departure of some key individuals who were part of the inaugural CIHR team. At the most recent meeting of the Institute Advisory Board, we bid a reluctant farewell to our long-standing Chair Tony Phillips from the University of British Columbia. Staff and Board paid tribute to him at a very special dinner and future social events won't be the same without him. We will of course also miss his professional presence and guidance. I, in particular, owe Tony my perpetual gratitude for his advice, support and friendship over the last seven years. He was the last "surviving" member of the inaugural IAB and his departure was a bittersweet event for us. However, we are fortunate to have no shortage of excellent IAB candidates and our current Board members are equally contributing and deserving of our appreciation. I am privileged to work with such a great team and look forward to continue leading this Institute with our new Chair Ravi Menon from the University of Western Ontario.
In my last Brain Brief message, I noted the departure of CIHR President Alan Bernstein - a significant change for CIHR and the science community at large. Alan's tenure and contributions were acknowledged widely and celebrated at several events over the last few months. Our most recent good-bye was to Miriam Stewart, inaugural Scientific Director of the Institute of Gender and Health (CIHR-IGH). Miriam shared our Institute's approach to partnership and the importance we place on collaboration, resulting in numerous joint initiatives at the national and international level. We will all miss her passion, dedication and uniqueness.
As difficult as it is to see the departure of valued friends and colleagues, it is easy to welcome new members to the CIHR team as we all share the same passion and similar goals and objectives. I look forward to working with both "old" and new colleagues in 2008 and to meeting the challenges ahead. Thanks to all of you for your continued support!
Funding Opportunities
Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI) - Update
The deadline for Emerging Team Grant Letters of Intent (LOIs) for the June 2007 RFA has recently passed, with a record 52 LOIs received. LOIs will be reviewed for responsiveness to the 2007 RFA, and applicants notified of the decision by mid-January, 2008. Full applications for successful LOIs are due June 2, 2008. For further information, please contact Eric Marcotte, Associate Director, RMNI ({emarcotte@cihr-irsc.gc.ca}[mailto:emarcotte@cihr-irsc.gc.ca]).
Team Planning and Development, Mental Health in the Workplace
A second Request for Applications (RFA) in this area of research will be launched by CIHR-INMHA and a number of other CIHR Institutes and external partner organizations at the end of January 2008. The goals are to build capacity for research in the area of mental health (including positive mental health as well as mental disorders), addictions and problematic use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace, and to help establish the partnerships between researchers and workplace organizations that are critically important to ensuring that the research will be relevant, of high quality and useful in real-world settings.
Grants will be $80,000 for one year, to support the development of strong linkages with workplace organizations and the development of research priorities and a plan for future research. Research must be directly relevant to workplaces and conducted in partnership with workplace partner organizations from the public or private sectors. The workplace partner organization must be an active participant in all aspects of the research. A minimum of $490,000 is available for this initiative. For further information, please contact Barb Beckett at {bbecket@cihr-irsc.gc.ca}[mailto:bbecket@cihr-irsc.gc.ca].
Treatment of Illicit Substance Use
To be announced shortly, this RFA is in response to the CIHR-INMHA consultation on Research Priorities for Substance Abuse and Concurrent Disorders held on November 8-9, 2007 in Ottawa (see "Meetings and Events"). The workshop identified key research priorities related to substance abuse and concurrent disorders and their relevance to CIHR research themes and the determinants of health. The RFA will include an initial one-year Catalyst Grant focused on treatment for illicit drug use as well as a more broadly focused Team Grant to teams of researchers conducting research on substance abuse and concurrent disorders. Funding partners will include the CIHR Institutes of Aboriginal Peoples' Health, Institute (IAPH) and Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH). For further information, please contact Richard Briere at richard.briere@douglas.mcgill.ca.
EJLB-CIHR Michael Smith Chair in Neurosciences and Mental Health
This Research Chair was established in honor of Dr. Smith, who demonstrated exceptional commitment to research in mental health, and more specifically to Schizophrenia. It is jointly supported by the EJLB Foundation, The Royal Society of Canada, CIHR and CIHR-INMHA. The Chair will allow a Canadian university or health research institute to attract a leading international scientist in the field of neurosciences and mental health to Canada. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2008 and further details can be found here.
Centres for Research Development in Gender, Mental Health and Addictions
The purpose of this joint funding opportunity with the Institute of Gender and Health (CIHR-IGH) is to address a major gap in knowledge through the launch of CIHR Centres for Research Development in Gender, Mental Health and Addictions. This initiative will provide interdisciplinary teams of researchers and their stakeholders with core infrastructure support to develop integrated programs of research and knowledge translation that examine the influence of gender and sex on mental health and on policies and programs that affect mental health, and design and test new interventions. Letters of Intent are requested by June 2, 2008 and the application deadline is March 16, 2009. The Request for Applications is available here.
Training Grants
CIHR Institutes and partners invite applications from teams of investigators in universities and affiliated organizations, institutions, agencies and hospitals for the support of training programs in specified research areas.
The CIHR Training Program tool was developed for the purpose of building capacity within Canada's health research community through the training and development of researchers, and fostering the development and ongoing support of the research careers of women and men in health research.
The next deadline for Letters of Intent is April 1, 2008. To view program details and the full application timeline, please see the RFA.
China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative
This joint program with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) is to support collaborative research projects between Canadian and Chinese researchers. The third annual competition will close on March 3, 2008. Canadian Principal Investigators must register by February 15, 2008. Full program details are available here.
Japan-Canada Joint Health Research Program
This joint program with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) supports collaborative research projects between Canadian and Japanese researchers. The fourth annual competition will close on March 5. Canadian Principal Investigators must register by February 15, 2008. Full program details are available at: {http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/35595.html}[http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/35595.html].
Canada-Finland Joint Research Program in Public Health Challenges
This is a new collaboration between CIHR and the Academy of Finland (AF). The CIHR participating Institutes are CIHR-IGH, CIHR-IHDCYH, Circulatory and Respiratory Health (CIHR-ICRH), Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (CIHR-INMD), and CIHR-INMHA. The collaboration is part of a new Research Program (Addressing Public Health Challenges, SALVE) recently announced by the AF. Other partners in the initiative include: the Research Council of Norway (RCN) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) of the United Kingdom. Although the partnerships between AF and CIHR and AF and RCN and MRC are separate, multi-lateral collaborations will also be considered for funding.
CIHR's Institutes will support the project component that is carried out in Canada through grants of up to $30,000 per year for up to 2 - 4 years. Funding provided by CIHR is especially targeted to certain research areas relevant to the priorities of the participating institutes. The application process will be managed by AF and the full application including all information concerning the Canadian team must be submitted to AF by April 25, 2008. Full program and application details can be found on the AF website.
Joint RFA and Program Announcements with US National Institutes of Health (NIH):
- Non-coding RNAs and other Post-transcriptional Regulatory Mechanisms in Addiction and Neuroplasticity
The goal of this joint RFA with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which will utilize the R03 and R01 grant mechanisms, is to stimulate research investigating the role of ncRNAs and other post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in neuroplasticity and processes relevant to addiction. For further information, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-08-016.html and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-08-017.html.
- Effects of Substance Abuse on Glial Regulation of Nervous System Structure/Function
This is another joint RFA with NIDA to solicit basic research applications aimed at understanding the mechanisms of how substance abuse affects glial cell function as it pertains to disrupting or altering communication and cross-talk between glia and neurons, and glial modulation of synaptic function and plasticity. Research proposals from a broad range of scientific disciplines, using molecular, cellular or systems level of analytical approaches, are encouraged. For full program information, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-08-013.html; http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-08-014.html; and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-08-015.html
- Biology of Manual Therapies
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-312.html
This initiative is led by the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and includes four additional NIH partners and the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR-IMHA). The PA is active until 2009, soliciting grants on the regular NIH grant cycle timeline with three competitions per year.
- For further information on international funding opportunities, please contact Astrid Eberhart at {aeberhart@cihr-irsc.gc.ca}[mailto:aeberhart@cihr-irsc.gc.ca], Tel: 514-761-6131 ext. 3936 or 450-719-0640.
External Funding Opportunities
NSF/NIH Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience Program
The National Sciences Foundation (NSF) and NIH recently announced the release of the program solicitation for Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS). This new solicitation extends the program for three years (2008-2010) and is available at {http://www.nsf.gov/crcns/}[https://mobile.cihr.ca/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.nsf.gov/crcns/].
CRCNS will support innovative interdisciplinary collaborative research to make significant advances in the understanding of nervous system function, mechanisms underlying nervous system disorders, and computational strategies used by the nervous system. Two classes of proposals will be considered:
Research proposals describing new collaborative research projects, and
Data sharing proposals to enable sharing of data and other resources. The next deadline for proposals will be February 26, 2008. For further information, please visit {http://www.nsf.gov/crcns/}[https://mobile.cihr.ca/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.nsf.gov/crcns/]. CIHR-INMHA may consider co-funding of Canadian proposals. Discussions are underway to formally join the CRCNS.
NIH Program Announcement: Inhalant Abuse: Supporting Broad-Based Research Approaches
This PA led the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) encourages research on all aspects of inhalant abuse. The initiative follows a 2005 consultation meeting led by NIH with participation from CIHR-INMHA and the CIHR Institutes of Aboriginal Peoples' Health (CIHR-IAPH) and Human Development, Child and Youth Health (CIHR-IHDCYH).
Funding Announcements
China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative
The results of the second joint competition under this initiative were announced in early November. In total, 20 joint grants were made (out of 62 eligible applications) including four supported by CIHR-INMHA: The full list of grants is available at {http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/35047.html}[http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/35047.html]
- Sheng T. Hou (University of Ottawa), Chinese collaborator: Yi Zheng Wang (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai): Transient receptor potential channels in neuroprotection against stroke
- Bruce A. Schneider (University of Toronto), Chinese collaborator: Liang Li (Peking University): The effects of noise, competing speech, and age on speech comprehension in monolingual and bilingual chinese and English listeners
- Lalit K. Srivastava (McGill University), Chinese collaborator: Wenhua Zheng (Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Science): Role of akt/FOXO pathway in schizophrenia
- Yu Tian Wang (University of British Columbia), Chinese collaborator: Long-Chuan Yu (Peking University): Role of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in cue- induced relapsing
Meetings and Events
Neuroscience 2007
San Diego, CA, November 3-7, 2007
Over 32,000 delegates attended the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego. The Institute exhibit was again shared with CIHR-IHDCYH and the staff team included two colleagues from CIHR's Knowledge Creation Branch providing information on CIHR funding programs. The annual business meeting and reception of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN) drew record numbers. It was largely a social event this year to bring together Canadian neurocientists and trainees. Rémi also participated in another social hosted by IBRO on "Funding for International Cooperation in Neuroscience." The event included presentations on various funding bodies and their programs including NIH, the European Commission and CIHR-INMHA.
One of this year's special lectures was presented by former CIHR-INMHA Institute Advisory Board member Jane Stewart of Concordia University on pathways to relapse in drug-taking. The program also included a special presentation by Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of US Representatives and founder of the Center for Health Transformation, on Biomedical Research Funding: Rebuilding Support for a Vital National Investment. Gingrich shared his ideas on which arguments resonate with policy makers and how scientists' advocacy efforts can positively affect the future funding situation for health research. Advocacy will feature prominently in this year's Neuroscience meeting to be held in Washington, DC, on November 15-19. We look forward to working with SfN and the Canadian Embassy to host a special Canada event. Visit the SfN website for further information on Neuroscience 2008.
Third International Meeting of the Network on Neuroethics
San Diego, CA, November 4, 2007
This was the third year CIHR-INMHA hosted an international neuroethics roundtable in conjunction with SfN. The first meeting formally launched the International Network in Neuroethics (INN) to offer a forum for linkages and collaboration. The next two meetings brought together top researchers in the field, and organizations and funding agencies interested in neuroethics. This year's meeting was held in two parts, a session made up of individuals or representatives of organizations who have previously participated and identified country representatives, followed by an open session for newcomers interested in joining the INN.
Led by Rémi and CIHR-INMHA IAB member Judy Illes, the meeting provided updates on the INN and various neuroethics activities in member countries. Participants discussed the operational structure of the INN and relationship to the Neuroethics Society, as well as the appointment, role and responsibilities of the country representatives. The open session provided an opportunity to highlight current neuroethics activities and to obtain input from the neuroethics community at large to help shape future directions and meetings of the INN.
In addition to these sessions, country representatives were interviewed individually to understand how the network could further develop to best serve the local and international needs of its members. Country representatives identified increased INN membership through new partnerships, greater presence at neuroscience meetings, community engagement, leadership positions in neuroethics, and educational resources as priorities. Both practical and contextual hurdles for the development of neuroethics such as the lack of funding and culturally-specific resources were also identified. Web-based educational materials, including the development of online courses, and video archives of symposia, lectures and seminars, were among the resources suggested to help members develop the field.
This year's roundtable also marked a significant change in the organization of the INN. Now successfully established, the network needed a permanent home and dedicated manager and has moved to the National Core for Neuroethics at UBC under the leadership of Judy Illes. This overall coordination will be provided by Sofia Lombera with continued collaboration with CIHR-INMHA. We thank Ms. Lombera for he hard work so far, including the interviews at SfN.
Future updates on the INN's initiatives will be distributed via the newsletter of the Neuroethics Society. Please also visit the INN's new website at {http://neuroethics.ubc.ca/INN}[https://mobile.cihr.ca/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://neuroethics.ubc.ca/INN]. For further information, please contact Sofia Lombera.
INMHA Consultation on Research Priorities for Substance Abuse and Concurrent Disorders
Ottawa, November 8-9, 2007
This workshop brought together researchers, clinicians and representatives from governmental, non-governmental organizations and industry to develop multi-disciplinary, integrated strategic research priorities for substance abuse and concurrent disorders. This consultation was held in the context of the National Anti-Drug Strategy (NADS) introduced in the 2007 federal budget.
The purpose of this invitational session was to consult with a small group of expert stakeholders in the field of substance abuse treatment to identify the top four or five research priorities on substance abuse and concurrent disorders and their relevance to CIHR research themes and the determinants of health. The workshop resulted in a report that is providing the basis for the upcoming RFA listed under "Funding Opportunities." For a copy of the workshop report, please contact Richard Briere at richard.briere@douglas.mcgill.ca.
National Autism Research Symposium
Toronto, November 8-9, 2007
CIHR had been tasked by the Hon. Tony Clement, Minister of Health, with organizing this event and CIHR-INMHA, with assistance from CIHR-IHDCYH, took the lead. The symposium was part of a series of initiatives on autism announced by Minister Clement in November 2006. The other commitments included exploring the establishment of a research chair focusing on effective treatment and intervention for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs); launching a consultation process on the feasibility of developing an ASD surveillance program through the Public Health Agency of Canada; creating a dedicated page on the Health Canada web site focused on ASD; and designating the Health Policy Branch of Health Canada as the ASD lead for actions related to ASD at the federal government level.
The symposium brought together 95 attendees including researchers, health professionals, educators, service providers, family members and persons with autism, as well as community organizations and government representatives. All the provinces and two territories (Northwest Territories and the Yukon) were represented. The goals of the symposium were to inform participants about the current state of knowledge on autism, to further the dissemination of ideas and to assist the research community in planning for research.
The opening evening session featured presentations from a person with autism (Daniel Share-Strom), a parent (Jennifer Overton) and a prominent researcher in the field (Dr. Susan Bryson, Dalhousie). On the second day, after introductory comments from the Health Minister, twelve leading Canadian researchers in the field of autism discussed the latest findings, with brief question and answer periods. Symposium participants then broke into six groups to discuss specific issues relevant to autism research. Each group suggested three key ideas to help inform research and presented these to the symposium as a whole. Every participant then had an opportunity to provide written feedback on these ideas and the symposium closed with some general comments from the floor.
Feedback from the symposium was very positive, with many participants appreciative of the opportunity to meet with individuals from different sectors and many expressing a wish to make this kind of meeting a regular event. For further information on this meeting, please contact Barb Beckett at {bbeckett@cihr-irsc.gc.ca}[mailto:bbeckett@cihr-irsc.gc.ca].
2nd US-Canada Forum on Mental Health and Productivity
Ottawa, November 14, 2008
This momentum-gaining initiative was launched at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, last February. Through the leadership, vision and comments of Ambassador Michael Wilson, the first roundtable established the themes for the follow-up event in Ottawa, held at the Canadian War Museum and followed by a reception at the US Ambassador's residence.
The objective of the joint US-Canada effort is to build a framework for an on-going, long-term strategic alliance between major corporations in the US and Canada, publicly-funded research agencies, private foundations and the broader scientific community. The Alliance intends to focus on tackling the big questions in mental health and addiction research around the concepts of "cure and prevention". It will link with broad business, economic and public policy goals embraced by the over-arching theme of "mental health and productivity." Bill Wilkerson, co-founder and CEO of the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health, has successfully moved this vision forward and has led the development of a framework for the Business/Science Alliance called "The Brain Trust." This concept was developed through interviews with top people in business and science in the US and Canada.
Many of the individuals who contributed to the first draft of the framework attended the Forum and joined an impressive list of guests. The agenda included an equally impressive list of speakers. Keynote remarks were provided by David Goldbloom (Vice-Chair, Mental Health Commission of Canada), Moya Greene (President and CEO, Canada Post Corporation) and Tom Insel (Director of the US National Institute of Mental Health). The Open Discussion was led by Edgar Kaiser (Chairman and CEO, Kaiser Resources, Rémi and Tony Phillips. Special guests at the Forum included Minister of Health, Honourable Tony Clement, and Laureen Harper, wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Plans are now underway for the 3rd Forum to be held in Boston, MA, in June 2008 and to move the Brain Trust from vision to reality.
Upcoming Events
First Canadian National Brain Bee Competition
McMaster University, May 9-10, 2008
The Brain Bee is a competition for high school students, grades 9 through 12. It is fashioned after a traditional Spelling Bee, except that students answer questions about the brain and neuroscience research. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the brain and the importance of brain research, and it gives them an opportunity to visit the university in their area and meet students and professors who are doing this research. One of the goals is to attract bright young minds to the study of neuroscience and the Brain Bee is an effective recruitment tool.
This is an exciting year for Canada and the Brain Bee. Canada will host the First Canadian National Brain Bee, organized by the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, on May 9-10. Also, for the first time ever, Canada will host the International Brain Bee (IBB) later that month in Montreal as part of the Second Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting (see below).
The Brain Bee is part of Brain Awareness Week (BAW). BAW is held each year in March and local Brain Bee competitions take place in countries around the world. There are currently 12 local Brain Bees across Canada, including competitions held in Calgary, Edmonton, St. John's, Halifax, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Saskatoon. The winner from each of these local Brain Bees will travel to McMaster University in early May to compete for the first ever Canadian National title. Local organizers are Dr. Judith M. Shedden, Dr. Joe Kim and Chris McAllister. They are joined by a large team of other volunteers including faculty, staff and students. The local McMaster Brain Bee has enjoyed great media attention over the years, including an article in the Globe & Mail last year entitled "Canadian Idol is for Sissies."
The Canadian champion will join a small group of other national winners for the first truly international event in Montreal. This will include 16-year-old Australian Quinn McGennisten who won the Australia/New Zealand Brain Bee competition held during the IBRO World Congress in Melbourne in July 2007 (see August 2007 Brain Brief). Past IBB competitions were held at the University of Maryland with most of the competitors coming from North America. Canadians have won the international title on more than one occasion. 2002 IBB winner Marvin Chum, now studying medicine at the University of Western Ontario, is a member of the local organizing team. He is a living testimony of the Brain Bee as an effective recruitment tool.
Details for the Canadian Brain Bee and the IBB are still being worked out but the events promise to be an existing opportunity to highlight brain research and young talented students from Canada and abroad.
Second Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting
Montreal, Quebec, May 25-28, 2008
The second Canadian Neuroscience Meeting will be held at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel in May, again jointly organized by the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN) and CIHR-INMHA.
We plan to build on the success of our first meeting held in Toronto last spring and expect to have over 1,000 delegates in Montreal.
This year's meeting will be fully integrated and CIHR-INMHA is not planning a separate stakeholder session.
The Scientific Program Committee is organizing an exciting program of symposia and plenary talks. One of the highlights for us will be the presentations by CIHR-INMHA Brain Star awardees ({http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/8585.html}[http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/8585.html]) and the presentation of the Marlene Reimer Brain Star of the Year Award. Another highlight of the program will be the International Brain Bee Competition, the sequel to the Canadian Brain Bee (see above). We look forward to an exciting finale! Please see our next Brain Brief for more information.
For meeting and registration details, please see http://www.can-acn2008.org/
2008 Canadian IBRO Neuroscience School
Montreal, Quebec, May 29-June 4, 2008
As reported in our last Brain Brief, CIHR-INMHA co-hosted the first Canadian Neuroscience School in conjunction with the first joint CAN-INMHA Annual Meeting in Toronto in May 2007. The Canadian school was hailed as an important addition to the IBRO Neuroscience School program and several of the sponsoring organizations have come together to organize another school in 2008.
This year's program will make it possible for up to16 young promising trainees from Africa and Latin America to attend both the 2nd Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting and a specialized neuroscience school with a focus on Pain Research. Students enrolled in the IBRO School are expected to make poster presentations of their own work at the meeting. Arrangements can also be made for visits to laboratories in Montreal and other nearby cities following the completion of the School. The deadline for applications is January 31 and detailed information is available on the IBRO website.
CIHR-INMHA Institute Advisory Board
October 2007 IAB Meeting
The 28th Institute Advisory Board meeting was hosted by the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg on October 12 & 13, 2007. It was the first meeting for new IAB members Robert Adamec, Brian MacVicar, Deanna Groetzinger and Elizabeth Dickson. It was also a first experience for new IAB Chair Ravi Menon who was elected to succeed long-standing Chair Tony Phillips.
Change also extended to the agenda and the structure and function of the IAB Focus Groups. The meeting included break-out sessions of the new Focus Groups who were charged with formulating new mandates and short- and long-term objectives. Special guests at the meeting included Chris Summerville, board member of the new Mental Health Commission, and several researchers from the University of Manitoba who presented their CIHR-supported work. The guest of honor was Tony Phillips who received a series of accolades from staff and colleagues during dinner.
Our thanks to the University of Manitoba Office of Research for hosting the meeting, reception and poster session and a special thank-you to Nancy Klos, Research Development Manager, for assisting with the arrangements!
Congratulations
…..to NeuroScience Canada President Inez Jabalpurwala for being named Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100 by the Women's Executive Network.
We welcome submissions such as upcoming news-worthy research publications or other news, external funding opportunities or special initiatives that may be of interest to our readers. Please forward information to Astrid Eberhart at {aeberhart@cihr-irsc.gc.ca}[mailto:aeberhart@cihr-irsc.gc.ca].