Partnership enhances clinical research expertise

2024 CTTP awardees, from top left to right: Una Spasovski, Michael Diaz Stewart, Mahtab Matin, Kyle Missen, Marie Pier St. Laurent, Kaela Cranston, Amir Rad, Dana Lao, Amanda Willms, Olivia Ferguson.

 

Michael Smith Health Research BC is co-funding 23 BC-based graduate and postdoctoral trainees through the 2024 clinical trials training awards. This is in partnership with clinical trials training platforms (CTTP) funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. These awards enable trainees to develop competencies in designing, leading and working in clinical trials. 

Clinical trials are crucial for making sure that new drugs, treatments, medical devices and therapies are safe and effective. There is a critical need in Canada to train and mentor clinical researchers to conduct high-quality clinical trials.  

To address this need, we partner with CTTPs: Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial Training (CANTRAIN); Canadian Behavioral Interventions and Trials Network (CBITN); Canadian Training Platform for Trials Leveraging Existing Networks (CAN-TAP-TALENT); Post-Stroke Cognition Research Group (StrokeCog); and Canadian Network for Statistical Training in Trials (CANSTAT).  

The 2024 cohort of awardees spans various institutions and regions in BC. Given BC’s size and geographical diversity, it’s important to support researchers who are grounded in the needs and priorities of local communities. 

One of the CANTRAIN recipients is Simran Gill, a doctoral student at the University of British Columbia in the Okanagan. Simran’s research is exploring how to promote active lifestyles in children with type 1 diabetes living in rural and remote communities. 

“Receiving this award is an incredible honour that strengthens my commitment to meaningful patient engagement,” says Simran. “It empowers me to design research that reflects the lived experiences of those I work with. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from the CANTRAIN community of researchers, experts and patients, which will help me make a real impact through my work.” 

Clinical Trials BC, part of Health Research BC, plays an instrumental role in developing CANTRAIN’s national training platform, education program and evaluation. Together with CTTPs, we’re creating a diverse, skilled research talent pool and advancing BC’s vision for a robust clinical trials ecosystem.  

Join us in congratulating this year’s recipients. View the full list of award recipients.  

Stay informed 

Health Research BC also partners with CANTRAIN on an internship program for clinical research professionals and new investigators. Interns upgrade their skills and gain valuable experience in clinical trial activities outside their own institutions. Learn more. 

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