CAN Vice-President elect: 
Dr. Shernaz Bamji
(elected by acclamation)
Dr. Shernaz Bamji is a Full Professor in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Bamji is a world-renowned scientist (>3500 citations) who is regularly invited to present at top international conferences (e.g. Gordon Research Conferences, IUPS) and to teach at elite international schools, such as the prestigious Neurobiology Course taught at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole MA (2015-2017). She has published her studies in the field’s top journals, including Nature Neuroscience, Neuron, Cell Metabolism, PNAS, Nature Communications and Cell Reports. Her work explores the fundamental mechanisms involved in the formation and stabilization of synapses, and how defects in such mechanisms may contribute to disease, notably Autism Spectrum Disorder. As such, Dr. Bamji’s work features both basic and translational aspects, and involves approaches ranging from molecular/genetic to behavior. Her record of training is outstanding with some of her former trainees now occupying positions within academia (e.g. Dr. N. Wicks at Simon Fraser University), industry (e.g. Dr. Y. Sun at STEMCELL Technologies) and technology transfer organizations (e.g. Dr. A. Globa at MITACs).
Dr. Bamji’s outstanding record of scientific accomplishment will bring high visibility and recognition to CAN’s directorship. Moreover, the wide range of her scientific work, in terms of topic, relevance and experimental approaches, will project broad inclusivity to Canada’s entire community of brain research specialists.
Dr. Bamji’s hands-on experience with knowledge translation (e.g. as co-Lead of the international iTARGET initiative for translational work on Autism Spectrum Disorders) will expand the breath of new initiatives that could potentially be considered by CAN’s Board and thus enhance the organization’s contributions to the support of Canadian Neuroscience.
Dr. Bamji’s international reputation and leadership as a scientist is well established by her outstanding record of productivity and Directorship of consortia such as iTARGET. This recognition is also unequivocal at the national level. For example, she currently serves as a member of UBC’s Innovation and Creativity Working Group which contributes to the development objectives, strategies, and actions to implement the university’s Strategic plan. Dr. Bamji also serves on peer-review committees for funding agencies including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). As a person who occupies posts of key importance for the Canadian Neuroscience community, and who is informed of relevant developments at the national level, Dr. Bamji will be in an optimal position to serve as Vice-President and President of CAN.
Finally, Dr. Bamji has been a member of CAN for over 12 years and a member of CAN’s Board of Directors since 2014. As such, she is extremely well informed on the recent history and current affairs of CAN, which is a rich asset for anyone striving to occupy the VP and presidency of CAN. She has also participated at a high level in the organization and success of several of CAN’s recent Annual Meetings. For example, she served as a member of the Scientific Program Committee for CAN 2014 held in Montreal. Moreover, she served as Vice-Chair of CAN 2017 (Montreal) and Chair of CAN 2018 (Vancouver). Her extensive experience in the organization of the CAN meeting is a significant asset, and her presence and service on the CAN Board is characterized by a dynamic and thoughtful input.
It is with great enthusiam that we welcome Dr. Shernaz Bamji to the position of next VP-elect of CAN.
