CAN Connection – December 2024

Message from the President – Melanie Woodin

Dear CAN Member,

I hope this message finds you well. As the year comes to an end, I am excited to share some updates on CAN’s recent activities and upcoming events.

I am happy to report the results of our trainee survey, which we held this fall. I first want to thank all who helped participate in shaping CAN’s programs for the coming years. You will find below that most programs are well received, but what we found most interesting were the comments participants took the time to share with us. We discussed these important inputs at our board meeting last month, with the objective of improving our engagement with trainees.

Melanie Woodin

With the evolving political situation, our advocacy efforts have become increasingly crucial to promote the importance of science and research in Canada, and for all Canadians.

We recently held our CAN Hill Day, which was a wonderful opportunity for members to come together in person and discuss important topics with our Parliament representatives. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all participants for their enthusiastic engagement and unwavering dedication. It’s your effort that drives the momentum of our collective advocacy work!

By engaging in these meaningful dialogues, we strive to ensure that science funding becomes a top priority on the national agenda. Every conversation we have is a step toward amplifying the importance of science in our society, and Hill Day is an opportunity to build relationships with members of Parliament, high ranking civil servants and their staff.

In addition, CAN recently participated in the consultations on the Capstone organization organized by the Science and Research Committee of the House of Commons. This was an invaluable chance to present our perspectives and contribute to the vital discussions that will shape the future of science policy in Canada.

Looking ahead, our annual meeting program is coming together beautifully! Program Chairs Matt Hill and Rose Bagot have put together a great program. I encourage you to mark your calendars and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to reconnect with fellow members. This event is not just a gathering; it’s a celebration of our community, our shared vision, and the passion for science that unites us all. Your participation is what makes it so special!

Finally, I encourage all trainees to submit a paper they published in 2024 for the Brain Star Awards. This partnership with CIHR-INMHA allows us to highlight the top 15 papers published in a calendar year, and we are always immensely proud of the quality of the work done in Canada and to be able to participate in making these discoveries known to the public.

Thank you for being such an integral part of CAN, and for your commitment to advancing scientific research and advocacy in Canada. I can’t wait to see you at our upcoming events!

With my warmest regards

Melanie Woodin

President of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience