CAN Connection – December 2021

Dear colleagues,

As the year comes to an end, we are happy to share with you some opportunities to promote Canadian science, and highlight the great work done by Canadian neuroscientists.

We are happy to announce that we are organizing a Canadian graduate neuroscience programs satellite at the upcoming CAN meeting in Toronto. This events aims to be an opportunity to share best practices in training, present new teaching methods, propose common training objectives and more! The goal is to bring together directors of training programs across Canada to network and work together to improve graduate neuroscience training in the country. We are very happy to announce that Reza Farivar, from McGill University, is the lead organizer for this satellite.

There are only a few days left to submit videos to the Canadian Science Discoveries Video Contest. The objective of this contest is to raise awareness of the importance of fundamental science by sharing Canadian science success stories. The first prize winner will receive a $1500 prize, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!

We also invite you to submit nominations for the CAN Young Investigator Award. This is a great opportunity to highlight the work of a young neuroscientist at the early stage of their career. Candidates will be evaluated on the criteria of excellence in research and demonstration of leadership.

It is also time to apply for the CAN-CIHR Brain Star Awards, for papers published in the 2021 calendar year. The fifteen Brain Star Awards given each year allow us to showcase the quality and the originality of the research done by trainees in Canadian laboratories. We invite trainees to submit their great paper today for this exciting competition.

Finally the CAN program committee, lead by Program Chair Alyson Fournier and Co-Chair Ian Winship have put together a great program for the CAN2022 meeting in Toronto. You can find some of the highlights in this newsletter.

With my very warmest wishes for the new year,

Shernaz Bamji

President of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience

CAN meeting updates

Mark your calendars for the next Canadian Neuroscience Meeting!

Date and location

• May 12-15 2022
• Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

Confirmed Plenary Speakers

• Valina Dawson, Johns Hopkins
• Mark Nelson, University of Vermont
• Margaret (Peg) McCarthy, University of Maryland Baltimore
• Gordon Fishell, Harvard Medical School
• Frank Bradke, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
• Elisabeth Tournier-Lasserve, Université Paris Diderot, winner of the 2019 Brain Prize

Plenary symposium chairs

• Louis-Eric Trudeau, Université de Montréal
• Adriana Di Polo, Université de Montréal
• Matthew Hill, University of Calgary

View the preliminary program here

Public lectures

Focused ultrasound to transiently open the blood brain barrier for therapeutics

Presenters: Isabelle Aubert, Kullervo Hynynen, Nir Lipsman, Sunnybrook Research Institute

2022 Call for abstracts

Poster abstracts submission will be accepted November 22, 2021 to January 31, 2022.

https://can-acn.org/meeting-2022/2022-call-for-abstracts/

Call for parallel symposia extended to January 4

A call for proposals for Parallel Symposia that cover a wide range of topics in both basic and translational neuroscience is currently open, with a deadline on January 4, 2022 midnight Central time.  

Parallel Symposia are 1.5 hours long and will be chosen based on scientific merit and whether the topic was not covered recently; a balance of junior and senior faculty, and genders of speakers is encouraged. We also wish to ensure that a wide range of neuroscience topics are represented in various symposia.

More information

Special sessions

We are planning special session on:

• Advocacy
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Career development.

Follow us for updates!

CAN Advocacy updates

The Canadian Science Discoveries Video contest

View all the details of the contest here: https://can-acn.org/canadian-science-discoveries-video-contest/

Please share widely!

Shernaz Bamji at the Canadian Science Policy Conference

Visit the Canadianbrain.ca website for more information about this event

Congratulatory letters & Invitations to meet with CAN representatives

Opportunities

Brain Star Awards

The application period for the CAN-CIHR-INMHA 2021 Brain Star Awards is now open. Candidates must submit a recently published research article. The candidate must be first author of the publication which must have been published between January 1 and December 31, 2021. The competition is open to students or trainees at any Canadian university, teaching hospital, research centre or other health organization (undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, post-doctoral fellow, resident) at the time that the work for the research article was completed.

The specific objectives of the Brain Star Award program are to:

• Promote research careers in neuroscience, mental health and addiction in Canada.
• Stimulate the involvement of students and trainees in the Institute and increase awareness of INMHA activities among students and trainees.

Award

• A maximum of fifteen awards of $1,500 each are available each calendar year.
• Top-ranked winner of the Brain Star award will be named the Marlene Reimer Brain Star of the Year.
• A profile of award recipient’s research on INMHA’s and CAN’s websites.
• In the case of equal first co-authors, the prize will be divided equally.
• Top three ranked award recipients may be invited to present a summary of their research paper at the Canadian neuroscience meeting. In the case of co-authors, the primary principal applicant will be invited to present.

Important dates – 2021 Edition

January 7,  2022: Full applications must be submitted by this date.
April 15, 2022: Anticipated notification of decision & Funding start.

View all the details here

Brain Star Awards

CAN Young Investigator Award

The Canadian Association for Neuroscience Young Investigator Award recognizes outstanding research achievements by a young neuroscientist at the early stage of his or her career. The award is given based on (i) excellence in research and (ii) demonstration of leadership.

Application deadline is January 31, 2022.

View the evaluation criteria here: https://can-acn.org/awards/young-investigator/

View the call for nomination and application form here: https://can-acn.org/call-for-nominations-young-investigator-award/

FENS Forum registration at member rates

The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and the Société des Neurosciences are looking forward to welcoming the neuroscience community to Paris (France) on 9-13 July 2022.

The FENS Forum 2022 will be an in-person experience, featuring an inspiring, diverse scientific programme complemented by lively poster sessions, special interest events, networking and social activities. These will all provide numerous opportunities to connect face to face with world-class experts and peers.

Early registration, abstract submission and FENS/IBRO-PERC travel grant applications for the FENS Forum 2022 are open until 22 February 2022.

Take the opportunity to participate in the premier European Neuroscience Forum and register today!

The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and CAN have reached an agreement allowing CAN members to register for the FENS Forum at member rates. Please apply to CAN by February 15 to receive instruction to register at early-bird preferential rates for FENS Forum 2022 in Paris.

Apply to benefit from preferential rates here: https://can-acn.org/fens-forum-registration-at-member-rates-for-can-members/

Canadian Brain Research Strategy – https://canadianbrain.ca/

Employment opportunity –Indigenous Strategy Consultant

The Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) is seeking an Indigenous Strategy Consultant to work with the CBRS Indigenous Knowledge Holders Group (IKHG) and CBRS Secretariat to advance a major initiative devoted to wellness in brain and mental health. The CBRS is a pan-Canadian community-driven initiative uniting over 30 world-leading neuroscience and mental health institutes to advance Canada as a world leader in collaborative, transdisciplinary, open, and ethical brain research.  The person in this key position will join the dynamic and passionate CBRS staff to lead Indigenous and Stakeholder engagement, and build and maintain relationships within and across CBRS projects and operations

Full details: https://canadianbrain.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CBRS-Indigenous-Strategy-Consultant-for-Brain-Wellness.pdf

The CBRS is recruiting scientists and non-researcher stakeholders to join in the discussion around transformative initiatives.

The CBRS aims to build a collective national vision for brain research and societal impact to inspire the government to invest in a major brain research initiative for Canada. The CBRS team has identified 6 transformative initiatives (https://canadianbrain.ca/transformative-initiatives/) and are looking for people to take part in a 90-minute roundtable, around the end of January. There, they will explore a framework for each respective initiative in building a case for investment in neuroscience and mental health research in Canada. Meeting outputs will be synthesized into a series of position papers for each initiative.

The CBRS team wants to be as inclusive and diverse as possible in this process, and people can join one or many roundtables. There is no further commitment to be involved beyond attending the roundtable meeting. If participants are interested, there will be a subsequent workshop to incorporate non-researcher voices – e.g., patients, Indigenous voices, and others – into the position papers.

Please contact the CBRS team if you are interested in participating in these discussions: info@canadianbrain.ca

Ottawa Science Policy Network – National Graduate Student Finance Survey

BIG NEWS We are so proud to announce our FIRST big project as a team is being released today – a National Graduate Student Finance Survey! #SciPol A short on our goals for this survey and how it came to be!

Link to survey: https://t.co/dNo6lBEed4 pic.twitter.com/VhN3VyDIuB

— Ottawa Science Policy Network (@OttawaSciPolNet) November 19, 2021

https://www.ottawasciencepolicynetwork.ca/

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeciEHGqp5QtoMKBj93Rb0AmyS4l8QGhz_QUZWrUrhHmmNbew/viewform

Congratulations

Antoni Klonowski wins third place for Canada at the 2021 International Brain Bee competition

Congratulations to Antoni Klonowski from Brandon, Manitoba, who won the third place for Canada at the 2021 International Brain Bee competition, held virtually November 5-8, 2021. The IBB is the world’s premier neuroscience competition for teenagers.This past summer, the Canadian Brain Bee organizing team joined forces with local Brain Bee organizers from across the country and hosted both local and a national Brain Bee competition from McMaster University. Antoni Klonowski, a young 15 year student from Brandon, Manitoba won the Canadian Brain Bee competition to qualify for the World Championship and went on to win third place (an amazing accomplishment) at the prestigious International Brain Bee. He and the other winners were featured in a press release by the IBB.

This is a great opportunity to share a wonderful accomplishment of the next generation of neuroscientists in Canada.

Read the IBB press release here

Learn more about Antoni Klonowski in his short bio

Recordings of the IBB live-streamed events are available on the IBB youtube channel

IBRO US Canada Regional committee membership

Congratulations to the new and returning members of the IBRO-USCRC!

Michela Fagiolini  USA 2018 – 2024
Kurt Haas  Canada 2018 – 2024
Julie Lefebvre Canada 2020 – 2022
Ramesh Raghupathi  USA 2020 – 2022
Lee Eiden  USA 2022 – 2024
Majid Mohajerani  Canada 2022 – 2024
Aparna Suvrathan  Canada 2022 – 2024
Leigh Anne Swayne  Canada 2022 – 2024

CAN wishes to thank Sam David, who is stepping down as chair of the committee and Derek Bowie, who is also finishing his term on the committee at the end of 2021.

Learn more about the IBRO-USCRC on their website

Alan Evans wins prestigious Royal Society of Canada McLaughlin Medal

On September 14, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) announced the names of fifteen Canadian scientists, scholars, and researchers honoured with RSC awards and medals for outstanding achievements in their fields. Professor Alan Evans is the 2021 recipient of the prestigious RSC McLaughlin Medal for important research of sustained excellence in medical science.

Alan Evans is a world authority in computational neuroimaging, with 650+ publications and numerous prizes. He is ranked in the top 1% of highly cited international scientists in Neuroscience and Behaviour. He pioneered the use of advanced mathematical and computational techniques to study the brain’s structure and function using neuroimaging, particularly in neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative disorders. He has built an international neuroinformatics network using a high-performance computing hub at McGill.

More

• https://www.mcgill.ca/research/article/alan-evans-wins-rsc-mclaughlin-medal
• https://rsc-src.ca/sites/default/files/2021%20Award%20Winners_1.pdf

Royal Society of Canada new fellows

Congratulations to these new fellows of the Royal Society of Canada!

https://rsc-src.ca/en/news/press-release-rsc-presents-class-2021

• HILL, Michael | Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Community Health Sciences, Medicine and Radiology, University of Calgary
• NORTHOFF, Georg | Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa
• SUTHERLAND, Robert | Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge
• SZATMARI, Peter | Hospital for Sick Children, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
• TURECKI, Gustavo | Department of Psychiatry, McGill University
• van der KOOY, Derek | Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
• YEATES, Keith | Department of Psychology, University of Calgary
• ANDREAZZA, Ana | Department of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto
• DANG-VU, Thien Thanh | Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology,
• DESCOTEAUX, Maxime | Département d’informatique, Université de Sherbrooke
• JERBI, Karim | Département de psychologie, Université de Montréal
• MENON, Bijoy | Departments of Neurosciences, Radiology and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary
• PERREAULT, Melissa | Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph
• VAN LIESHOUT, Ryan | Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University
• WEINBERG, Anna | Department of Psychology, McGill University
• WILLERTH, Stephanie | Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria

New Fellows elected into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences announced the new 2021 fellows in September. Congratulations to the neuroscientists elected:

https://cahs-acss.ca/seventy-four-new-fellows-elected-into-the-canadian-academy-of-health-sciences/

• Tim Bussey, Professor and Western Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience, Western University
• Christine Chambers, Professor, Dalhousie University
• Alain Dagher, Professor, McGill University
• Lesley Fellows, Professor and Vice-Dean, McGill University
• Stephen Ferguson, Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Ottawa
• Richard Frayne, Professor of Radiology and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary
• Ingrid Johnsrude, Professor and Western Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience;
• Ridha Joober, Professor, McGill University
• Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Professor, University of British Columbia
• Ruth Ann Marrie, Professor of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
• Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, Professor of Medicine and Community Sciences at the University of Manitoba, and Director of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg
• Douglas P. Munoz, Professor, Queen’s University
• Vivian K. Mushahwar, Professor and Director, Canada Research Chair in Functional Restoration, University of Alberta

Calgary Alumni Association – Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime Achievement

Congratulation to Dr. Bryan Kolb, who received the highest honour awarded by the University of Calgary Alumni Association, the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a graduate who, over the course of their life, has made a notable contribution that’s improved their profession and community. Having reached the pinnacle of professional and personal success, they enrich the lives of others through leadership, shared knowledge, creativity and innovation.

https://alumni.ucalgary.ca/programs/arch-awards/dr-bryan-kolb-2021-arch-awards

In Memoriam

Warren Blume, M.D., Founder and former Head of the Epilepsy Program at Western University in London, Ontario, CANADA, passed away on September 13th, 2021. A graduate from Princeton University, he completed Medical School at McGill University, and subsequently a Residency in Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. His fellowship training in EEG and Epilepsy was obtained at the Mayo Clinic, and he trained in neonatal EEG at the Hôpital Port Royal in Paris. Prof. Blume joined Western University (formerly known as University of Western Ontario) in 1972, where he remained until he retired in 2007.

A clear and visionary thinker, as well as a skilled epileptologist and electroencephalographer, Prof. Blume was highly influential in the development of epileptology in Canada, and also around the world. (Read more – International league against epilepsy – external link)

Nadia Chaudhri, PhD Brave. Thoughtful. Talented. Inspiring. Nadia Chaudhri — a Concordia professor, neuroscientist, mother and wife — will be remembered as much for how she lived as for how she fearlessly shared her final days on Twitter and with media. Chaudhri passed away on October 5, 2021, more than a year after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “Nadia was a force of nature. She was an incredibly talented researcher with a passion for teaching and student success matched only by her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Concordia President Graham Carr. Read more – Concordia University – external link

Larry Michael Jordan, PhD. passed away December 5, 2021. Larry was a brilliant scientist who was a pioneer in spinal cord research and the driving force behind the establishment of the Spinal Cord Research Centre at the University of Manitoba in 1987. Through his visionary leadership, the SCRC has become a world-renowned spinal cord research facility. Throughout his scientific career, Larry epitomised critical thinking, creativity and originality. He was on the leading edge of discoveries of how the brain and spinal cord work together to produce walking. Read more – external link

Jobs & fellowships

Recently posted job and fellowship opportunities – from the #neurojobs webpage: https://can-acn.org/neuro-jobs/

• Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Brain Circuits – University of Calgary  2021/12/15
• Post-Doctoral Position in Neurodegenerative Disease – University of Buffalo  2021/12/15
• Tenure-Track Assistant Professor – Systems Neuroscience, University of Saskatchewan  2021/12/10
• Postdoc position available at Park lab – SickKids Research Institute  2021/12/06
• Assistant or Associate Professor in Visuomotor Neurophysiology in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science – York University  2021/11/26
• Tenure-Track Position in Behavioural Neuroscience, Concordia University  2021/11/18
• Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Alzheimer’s disease – Université de Montréal  2021/10/28
• PhD student position: neural circuits of anxiety – CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal  2021/10/28
• Postdoctoral position to study auditory and somatosensory perception in songbirds – McGill University  2021/10/15
• Dean, Faculty of Science, Carleton University  2021/10/15
• Lecturer in Neurobiology – University of Otago, New Zealand  2021/10/15
• Postdoctoral Fellow in axon regeneration – Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University  2021/10/15
• Assistant Professor in Neuroscience – University of Guelph – Molecular and Cellular Biology  2021/10/13
• Canadian Brain Research Strategy – Indigenous Initiatives Strategic Partnership Associate  2021/09/20

CAN membership

Please consider renewing your membership today to become a member of our vibrant community, and to help support all our activities