Welcome Reception and Game Changers Panel

Parliamentary Health Research Caucus Welcome Reception and Game Changers in Health Research and Health Innovation Panel

Tuesday, March 1, 2022
4:00 to 5:30 PM EST

This event is by invitation only.

At this first virtual Parliamentary Health Research Caucus (PHRC) event of the 44th Parliament, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, will officially welcome new and returning Members of Parliament on behalf of the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus (PHRC) and announce the new Chair, Vice-Chairs and Senate Representative of the 44th Parliament’s PHRC.

Following the Minister’s remarks, we will launch the first Game Changers in Health Research and Health Innovation event of 2022, which will feature our best and brightest Canadian health researchers and innovators who will share their game-changing health research and innovations that promise revolutionary change in human health and healthcare.

Featured Panellists

Interim Executive Vice President Research | Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Chief Scientist | Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute

Dr. Christopher Mushquash is a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction, and a professor in the Department of Psychology at Lakehead University and the Division of Human Sciences at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. He is the Director of the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research at Lakehead University. In addition to his academic appointments, Dr. Mushquash is a registered clinical psychologist providing assessment, intervention, and consultation services for First Nations children, adolescents, and adults at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.

In 2017, Dr. Mushquash was inducted in the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. He is currently the vice-chair of the Institute Advisory Board for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health. Dr. Mushquash also serves as a board member for the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Psychological Association, and the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre.

Dr. Mushquash is Ojibway and a member of Pays Plat First Nation.

Research Chair on Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging | Ecole de Technologie Superieure (ETS)

Professor Ismail Ben Ayed is world-renowned for his expertise in AI algorithms which are specialized for the analysis of medical images. In order to overcome the challenges of the clinical application of AI, Dr. Ben Ayed’s research focuses on new mathematical formulations that transform conventional AI paradigms by integrating complex medical knowledge. Such AI algorithms, guided not only by a wide range of data, but also by medical expertise, promise to completely transform clinical practices (disease detection/monitoring, diagnosis and treatment planning) as well as research in health. He is considered a leader in this research area, with several recent works that have resulted in competitive performances and international distinctions, notably the prize for the best paper during the MIDL Conference in 2021.

Canada Research Chair in Microbe-Surface Interactions
Professor, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences & Associate Director, MDG Institute for Infectious Disease Research | McMaster University

Dr. Lori Burrows is a microbiologist, Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, and international expert on the structure, function, and regulation of type IV pili (T4P), ubiquitous bacterial virulence factors used for adherence, DNA uptake, biofilm formation, and twitching motility.

Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Program | The Ottawa Hospital
Scientist | Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Dr. Natasha Kekre has been appointed to the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at The Ottawa Hospital since 2015. She is also a scientist within the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and an associate professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa. She completed her fellowship in stem cell transplantation at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston with a master’s in public health from Harvard University. Her research is focused on developing early phase clinical trials and moving home grown therapeutic strategies into patients. She collaborates with scientists and physicians across Canada to build a Canadian CAR-T cell platform (immune cells engineered to kill cancer cells), bringing this exciting therapy to Canadian patients.

Professor, Department of Nursing & Health Sciences | University of New Brunswick
Director | UNB Long-term Care Research Simulation Lab
Deputy Convenor | JBI Center for Excellence in Systematic Reviews

Dr. Rose McCloskey is a Nursing Progressor in the University of New Brunswick and certified in Gerontological Nursing. Her use of Simulation has allowed her to continue to study long-term care despite lockdowns and visitor restrictions. Her research focuses on long-term care, including work force issues, staff-family relations, and standards of care. She is currently examining the re-integration of families into long-term care homes, identifying and testing strategies to minimize the introduction and transmission of infectious agents, and finding ways to support residents who are resistive to care.

Director | Institute for Neuroscience & Neurotechnology BC Leadership Chair in Neuroscience and Technology Transfer Across the Lifespan Professor, Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Faculty of Science | Simon Fraser University

Dr. Randy McIntosh‘s research program involves computational modeling and brain imaging to explore changes in cognition across the lifespan, and changes in the face of brain damage or disease. The program builds on an international collaboration that delivered TheVirtualBrain (thevirtualbrain.org), and integrates research efforts globally to accelerate research and translation. The goal is to integrate the modeling platform into the standard workflow for clinical decision support, and develop a cloud-based system where brain models can be created by anyone for research, clinical use, or education.

Fellow, College of Researcher, Royal Society of Canada
Canada Research Chair in Multiple Sclerosis
Chairman, Department of Neurosciences | Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal

Dr. Alexandre Prat is a staff neurologist at the CHUM (Montréal) and is Full Professor of Neurosciences (with Tenure) at Université de Montréal. Dr. Prat holds the Senior Canada Research Chair in Multiple Sclerosis and was inducted at the College of researcher of the Royal Society of Canada in 2015. He currently acts as Deputy Director for Development at the CHUM Research Center, a research institution with over 120 investigators and 2000 employees.

The current research interests of the Prat lab include the immunological roles of the BBB, the mechanisms of monocytes and lymphocyte migration across the BBB and the physiological regulation of the Blood-Brain Barrier functions by glial cells.

Special Guests

Professor and Graduate Program Director Department of Community Health Sciences Max Rady College of Medicine Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | University of Manitoba

Dr. Michelle Driedger’s research expertise is public health risk communication. Her research findings have helped inform public health communication strategies from the early perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines (at the approval stage) to how to address vaccine hesitancy in targeted communities (e.g. communities with low vaccine uptake, people living with disabilities, parents making decisions about vaccines for their 5-17-year-olds). She’s extending this work to examine physician COVID-19 conversations with patients and learn from the experiences of Red River Métis.

Dr. Driedger is a Red River Metis woman who does research in partnership with the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Professor, Psychology | University of Regina Executive Director | Online Therapy Unit Principal Investigator & Director | PSPNET

Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Regina. She is a global expert on delivering and optimizing internet-delivered mental health care. She founded and now directs the Online Therapy Unit, which has been delivering and optimizing internet-delivered therapy in Saskatchewan since 2010. She is also Principal Investigator of the Public Safety Personnel Internet-delivered therapy program, called PSPNET, which specializes in internet-delivered mental health care for Canadian public safety personnel.

Sponsored By

Innovative Medicines Canada is the national voice of Canada’s innovative pharmaceutical industry. We advocate for policies that enable the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines and vaccines that improve the lives of all Canadians. We support our members’ commitment to being valued partners in the Canadian healthcare system.

Gilead Sciences is a research-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative medicines. Since 1987, Gilead has helped to transform treatment for people living with diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, cancer and other conditions. For information, visit Gilead.ca

BioCanRx, Canada’s Immunotherapy Network, is a network of scientists, clinicians, cancer stakeholders, academic institutions, NGOs and industry partners working together to accelerate the development of leading edge immune oncology therapies for the benefit of patients. BioCanRx is becoming a world-leader in the translation, manufacture and adoption of cancer immunotherapies.

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Our core focus is in the areas of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism; Oncology; Respiratory & Immunology; Rare Diseases; Infection and Vaccines. The company employs more than 1,100 people across Canada, including roughly 700 employees at our head office and clinical research hub in Mississauga, Ontario. Globally, AstraZeneca has established itself as a leader in sustainability – playing an important part tackling the biggest challenges of our generation, from climate change to the COVID-19 pandemic, access to healthcare to issues of equality.

Siemens Healthineers pioneers breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. As a leading medical technology company, Siemens Healthineers is continuously developing its product and service portfolio, with AI-supported applications and digital offerings. These new applications enhance the company’s foundation in in-vitro diagnostics, image-guided therapy, in-vivo diagnostics, and innovative cancer care.

An average of 85,000 Canadian’s every day receive treatment or tests from a Siemens Healthineers device, and 70% of critical clinical decisions are influenced by the technology we provide. Our 1,000 employees in Canada include sales, service, and training specialists, which includes some 300 team members at our Point of Care manufacturing facility in Ottawa where handheld blood analysis devices are developed and made. Further information is available at www.siemens-healthineers.ca

The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is a national not-for-profit organization that supports three main objectives: stem cell and regenerative medicine research; training the next generation of highly qualified personnel; and supporting the knowledge mobilization and transfer of stem cell and regenerative medicine research. From the lab to the clinic, our goal is to power science that will benefit Canadians. With support from the Government of Canada, the Network has grown from a few dozen labs to more than 199 world-class research groups, supporting 200+ research projects and 24 clinical trials. Since its inception, 21 biotech companies have been catalyzed and more than 4,000 highly qualified personnel have been trained.

University Health Network (UHN) is Canada’s largest research hospital and home to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the Toronto General Hospital, the Toronto Western Hospital and the Toronto Rehab Institute, as well as seven research institutes and Michener, our applied health education school. With an annual budget approaching $500 million dollars, we invest in innovative fundamental science, translational research, clinical research and commercialization to positively impact the lives of patients and families that we serve. This work is led by over 5000 scientists, clinicians, technical staff, students and fellows, and is strongly supported by our two foundations—The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and the UHN Foundation. Together with academic, philanthropic, government, private and patient partners, we are making progress every day towards creating A Healthier World.

The Arthritis Society is Canada’s national charity dedicated to extinguishing arthritis. We represent the six million Canadians living with arthritis today and the millions more at risk. We’re investing in high-risk, high-reward research and social impact projects and accelerating the success of innovators to get solutions to those that need them most.

BioTalent Canada supports the people behind life-changing science. Trusted as the go-to source for labour market intelligence, BioTalent Canada is focused on igniting the industry’s brainpower, bridging the gap between job-ready talent and employers, and ensuring the long-term agility, resiliency, and sustainability of one of Canada’s most vital sectors.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) | Laboratoires Nucléaires Canadiens (LNC)

CNL is Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, and a world leader in developing nuclear technology for peaceful and innovative applications. Using our unique expertise, we are restoring and protecting the environment, we are advancing clean energy technology, and our medical breakthroughs continue to improve the health of people around the world.

GlycoNet is a federally funded pan-Canadian network focusing on glycomics—the study of carbohydrates—to deliver tangible, made-in-Canada solutions to global health issues. A one-stop destination for glycomics research and commercialization, GlycoNet leverages national expertise to develop therapies, vaccines, diagnostics, and biomanufacturing for human and animal health.

Nexim Healthcare Consultants has provided qualified registered nurses, homecare staff, personal support workers, developmental service workers, and housekeeping staff to our partner organizations across Ontario for 10 years. We supply healthcare staffing support on a 24/7 basis to hospitals, long-term care, retirement residences, community living, home care, shelters, and prisons.

A leading postsecondary institution in Ontario, Sheridan educates approximately 43,000 full-and part-time students annually from campuses in Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville. A trailblazer in unique arts, technology, health care, research and innovation, Sheridan ensures students learn job-ready, practical skills and develop the confidence and problem-solving savvy to push boundaries in an ever-changing world.

The Ottawa Hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre (BMC) is the most experienced facility of its kind in Canada, having manufactured more than a dozen biological therapies and vaccines for clinical trials on three continents. With eight GMP suites and 40 staff, BMC offers comprehensive services to academic and corporate partners.

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian leaders whose work advances health in Canada and the world, inspiring the pursuit of careers in the health sciences. We foster future generations of health professionals through youth education programs and awards. This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased virtually at www.cdnmedhall.ca.

BD Biosciences is an industry pioneer with a rich and continued legacy of innovation and transformation in research discoveries. We offer Canadian researchers a one-of-a kind combination of instruments, reagents, and software for an end-to-end customer solution and service.

The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) is the national certifying body and professional association for medical laboratory professionals. We support the medical laboratory community through advocacy, certification and education. We represent the COVID Testing Warriors who helped keep Canadians safe and informed throughout these challenging times.

Canada’s leading accelerator in the aging and brain health sector, CABHI provides networking, funding, and support to seniors care organizations, front-line care workers, researchers, and innovators for the development, testing, and dissemination of new ideas, programs, and technologies. CABHI is a collaboration of health care, science, industry, not-for-profit and government partners whose shared aim is improved quality of life for the world’s aging population.

GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. Our goal is to be one of the world’s most innovative, best performing and trusted healthcare companies. We are deeply committed to using our science to bring differentiated, high-quality, and affordable products to Canadian patients in a timely manner.

The Institute for Advancements in Mental Health (IAM) develops and creates solutions working with and for people living with mental health needs. At IAM, collaboration is key to creating a better society for all. To learn more: iamentalhealth.ca

The IRCM is an independent, dynamic and multidisciplinary biomedical institution that conducts basic and clinical research and trains high-level future scientists. Driven by life, it seeks to improve scientific knowledge through excellence, collaboration and innovation to pave the way for a new generation of health solutions and treatments.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive, research-intensive university with campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia. As the only university in Northwestern Ontario, we serve a geographical catchment area the size of France, including almost 80% of Ontario’s First Nations communities. For five years in a row (2015-2019), Research InfoSource ranked Lakehead University Canada’s #1 Research University in our peer category. In 2020, we ranked first in not for profit research income. Health and well-being has been identified as one of the five research priorities for the university. Learn more about Lakehead University at lakeheadu.ca

Mood Disorders Society of Canada provides a strong, cohesive national voice for people with mood disorders & their families. MDSC aims to improve access to treatment, inform research, shape program development & government policy to improve the quality of life for people affected by mood disorders.

The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) is a bilingual, world-leading destination for neuroscience research and advanced patient care. As the first institute in the world to fully embrace Open Science, The Neuro is committed to openly sharing data, resources, and expertise in order to advance science and discover new treatments. www.theneuro.ca

Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub: Discovering high-impact health care solutions. The first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia Health’s Innovation Hub is a centre of excellence for health research, innovation and discovery. Through strategic partnerships, the Innovation Hub is transforming health care through leading-edge research and is delivering high-impact solutions for patients and providers.

Ryerson University is one of Canada’s largest comprehensive universities and a leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Located in the heart of Toronto, the university’s distinctly urban character and focus on experiential learning and entrepreneurship place it in a unique position to make an impact locally and across the globe.

The Terry Fox Research Institute invests in groundbreaking cancer research. With support from the Canadian government, the Terry Fox Foundation and partners, it leads two precision medicine initiatives, The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres and The Digital Health and Discovery Platform (co-led with Imagia), to improve outcomes for cancer patients.

The University of Alberta in Edmonton is one of the top teaching and research universities in Canada, with an international reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering and health sciences. The U of A is also home to the Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, led by Nobel Prize laureate Michael Houghton and renowned virologist Lorne Tyrrell.

The Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) supports research excellence dedicated to improving the health and lives of women and children. WCHRI is a partnership between the University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, with core funding from the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation.