At the end of December 2009, Dr. Bhagirath Singh, founding Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (III), will conclude his term. Dr. Singh has a well-earned reputation for his commitment to and enthusiasm for health research, his collegial and inclusive approach, as well as his penchant for hard work.

Although this transition is still one year away, I would like to thank Dr. Singh for his leadership and vision in establishing the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity. In his role as Scientific Director, and with the support of III's Institute Advisory Board, Dr. Singh has brought a new energy and dynamism to Canadian infection and immunity research. Since the creation of the Institute, both national and international attention has turned increasingly towards infectious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and avian flu; food and water borne illnesses including listeriosis and salmonella; as well as autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus and arthritis.

Over the coming year, Institute staff in London and Ottawa, the Institute's Advisory Board, and senior CIHR management will continue to work together to ensure that this leadership transition proceeds as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

CIHR will soon begin looking for a new Scientific Director for the Institute. I am confident we will once again succeed in recruiting an outstanding individual who will continue to build on the Institute's successes.

Sincerely,

Alain Beaudet, M.D., Ph.D.
President
Canadian Institutes of Health Research