The conference of Brain Science Leaders is comprised of the heads of 40 neuroscience and mental health institutes and programs across the country and large pan-Canadian initiatives. It covers expertise across research approaches – encompassing biological, behavioural, environmental, and social perspectives – and includes leaders of initiatives funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, CIFAR, provincial networks, and Canada Research Chairs. Brain Science Leaders oversee the delivery of information to their respective constituents and keep them fully apprised to ensure diverse representation in all CBRS activities. As such, they bring input and commitment from large constituents of the Canadian brain and mental health research community.
From its outset, CBRS leaders have recognized nation-wide, multi-sectoral consultation as a vital element to the development of a robust strategy for Canadian brain research. In particular, integrating the perspectives of early career researchers, Indigenous Peoples, and of patients and people with lived experience have been key areas of priority. This process has been critical in producing an emerging research strategy that is inclusive, broadly supported, and meets Canada’s current and future needs in the neurosciences and mental health research communities.
*Members of the CBRS Steering Committee are marked with an asterisk
Brain Science Leaders
Alan Evans (Canadian Open Neuroscience Platform, Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives CFREF, McGill Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, McGill University)
Allison Sekuler* (Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation, University of Toronto, McMaster University)
André Longtin (Centre for Neural Dynamics, University of Ottawa)
Aristotle Voineskos (The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
Arlette Kolta (Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l’Apprentissage, Université de Montréal)
Chris Anderson (Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Manitoba)
Darrell Mousseau (Neuroscience Research Cluster, University of Saskatchewan)
David Park (Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary)
Donald Mabbott (Neurosciences and Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, University of Toronto)
Doug Crawford (Vision: Science to Applications CFREF, Connected Minds CFREF, York University)
Doug Munoz (Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University)
Doug Zochodne* (Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta)
Gustavo Turecki (Douglas Research Centre, McGill University)
Guy Rouleau (Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University)
Jaideep Bains (Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network)
Judy Illes* (Vice-Chair, CBRS Steering Committee, Neuroethics Canada, University of British Columbia)
Karim Jerbi (UNIQUE Neuro-AI Research Centre, Université de Montréal)
Keith Murai* (Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Centre)
Lisa Saksida (BrainsCAN CFREF, Western University)
Lynn Raymond* (Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia)
Matthew Holahan (Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University)
Michiru Hirasawa* (Memorial University)
Oury Monchi (Canadian Open Parkinson Network, Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Université de Montréal)
Patricia Conrod (Stratégie en neurosciences et santé mentale de l’Université de Montréal)
Randy McIntosh (Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Simon Fraser University)
Ravi Menon (BrainsCAN CFREF, Robarts Research Institute, Western University)
Robert Sutherland (Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge)
Ruth Slack (Brain-Heart Interconnectome CFREF, Brain Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa)
Shawn Whitehead (Western Institute for Neuroscience, Western University)
Victor Rafuse* (Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University)
Yoshua Bengio (Mila – Quebec AI Institute, Institut de valorisation des données CFREF, Learning in Machines and Brains CIFAR, Université de Montréal)
Yves De Koninck* (Chair, CBRS Steering Committee, CERVO Research Centre, Sentinel North CFREF, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre, Université Laval)
Early Career Researchers Leaders
Caroline Ménard* (Early Career Researchers Cluster Lead, Université Laval)
Derya Sargin* (University of Calgary)
Tabrez Siddiqui* (University of Manitoba, Manitoba Neuroscience Network)
Indigenous Knowledge Holders Group
Bryce Mercredi (Elder, Métis Nation)
Chelsea Gabel (Métis Nation, McMaster University)
Christopher Mushquash (Pays Plat First Nation, Lakehead University)
Malcolm King* (Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, University of Saskatchewan)
Melissa Perreault (Métis Nation, University of Guelph)
Patient Representatives
Laura Dickson* (Neurological Health Charities of Canada)
CBRS Secretariat
Andrew Manitowabi (Mamaateshiins)
Indigenous Initiatives Lead
Calaina Brooke
Science Policy and Communications Intern
Humayra Tasnim
CBRS-OBI Brain Strategy Intern
Jennie Z. Young*
Executive Director
Lindsay Borthwick
Science Communications Lead
“The NHCC has been involved in the development of the CBRS because we believe brain research is the foundation on which new treatments and cures for the hundreds of diseases and conditions that affect the brain can be discovered.“
Deanna Groetzinger, Manager, Public Affairs & Partnerships at Neurological Health Charities Canada
“Directly or indirectly, every Canadian is affected by conditions such as dementia or stroke and by the mental and behavioural health challenges. That burden is growing steadily. With improved coordination of research and stringent peer-review of funding decisions by Canada’s respected research councils, Canadian taxpayers and donors can be assured that urgently-needed investments in brain and mental health will achieve maximal value. With a unified effort and a meaningful investment in brain science, Canada’s researchers, clinicians and decision-makers in all walks of life will be far better equipped to respond to the urgent needs of 36 million fellow citizens.”
Joyce Gordon, Chair of Neurological Health Charities Canada, CEO of Parkinson Canada
(with Dr. Lynn Raymond*, Professor at the University of British Columbia & President of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience 2018, in The Globe and Mail, February 2018)
Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC) is a coalition of organizations that represent people with brain diseases, disorders and injuries in Canada. NHCC provides leadership in evaluating and advancing new opportunities for collaboration specific to advocacy, education and research to improve the quality of life for people affected by brain conditions.
“The Canadian Brain Research Strategy is an opportunity to bring together the full diversity of Canada’s strength in neuroscience research to have a meaningful impact on brain diseases and disorders that affect so many Canadians. By working together, researchers with complementary expertise will maximise the reach of each individual’s contribution to our understanding of the brain.
Dr. Melanie Woodin, President of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience.
Scientists from across Canada have come together to propose a strategy that includes three initial initiatives that focus on training, sharing technologies, and open data. We believe all Canadian neuroscientists will benefit from these initiatives.”
The Canadian Association for Neuroscience is the largest association of scientist working in all fields of neuroscience in Canada
“The Canadian Brain Research Strategy aims to strengthen nation-wide efforts in advancing our understanding of the nervous system through innovative, multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches. This aligns with the vision of the Neuroscience Program at Memorial University to integrate research, education and social accountability through excellence to advance the health of the people and communities we serve.”
Dr. Michiru Hirasawa, Neuroscience Program Professor, Memorial University Newfoundland
Neuroethics Canada is an interdisciplinary research team dedicated to tackling ethical, legal, policy and social challenges of frontier technological developments in the neurosciences. Our approach is anticipatory and empirical, and our philosophy pragmatic and solution-oriented. As a backbone of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy, neuroethics for Canada joins our global partners in the International Brain Initiative (IBI) and elsewhere in the goal of protecting and maximizing the benefits of innovation for brain health and ensuring public good by aligning innovation with human values. Today, CBRS’ Dr. Judy Illes chairs the IBI and leads its headquarters based at the University of British Columbia in British Columbia.
“The CBRS is a grassroots initiative which recognizes the great strengths in Canadian neuroscience research, and the unique contribution we can make if we strengthen collaboration between researchers of all disciplines to understand the brain. Brain researchers and stakeholders across the country have begun a conversation that has coalesced in the development of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy. We have already identified target initiatives that will transform brain research, and believe this collaborative, open and transdisciplinary approach will lead to new knowledge about the brain that can improve the lives of Canadians.”
Yves De Koninck, Director of the CERVO Brain Research Centre
and Chair of the CBRS Steering Committee
The mission of the CERVO Brain Research Centre, located in Quebec City, is to advance knowledge about the causes and treatment of neurological and psychiatric illnesses by developing new technologies and methodologies to unravel the mysteries of the brain and by continuously linking basic and clinical research.
It is a hotbed for the development of approaches that enable measurement and intervention from the most basic levels –cells and microcircuits– to real life situations, in the least invasive manner.
“As a member of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy, the HBI has a unique opportunity to collaborate with the very best researchers and clinicians across Canada who are working to understand the brain. It is our goal that together with our CBRS partners, we will make positive impacts on the lives of millions of Canadians living with brain and mental health challenges by translating discoveries into innovative health care solutions.”
Dr. David Park, PhD, Director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute; Lead, University of Calgary Brain and Mental Health Research Strategy; and Professor, Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Calgary
The Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) at the University of Calgary consists of more than 150 scientists and clinician-scientists who are dedicated to advancing brain and mental health research and education. The Institute’s research strengths in Brain & Behaviour, Neural Injury & Repair and Healthy Brain Aging are leading to a better understanding of the brain and nervous system and new treatments for neurological and mental health disorders, aimed at improving quality of life and patient care. More information about the HBI can be found at hbi.ucalgary.ca.
The Canadian Brain Research Strategy is an initiative that fosters collaboration among neuroscience researchers across Canada and beyond. It is aligned with The Neuro’s vision of open and collaborative science. Sharing data, resources, expertise, technology and training opportunities is the best way for researchers and trainees at The Neuro and at other Canadian research centres and institutions to advance our understanding of the brain. Patients with neurological disorders will be the first to benefit from this concerted effort.
Guy Rouleau, Director – Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital
The Neuro – The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – is a world-leading destination for brain research and advanced patient care. The seamless integration of research, patient care, and training of the world’s top minds make The Neuro uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of nervous system disorders. The Neuro is the first institute in the world to fully embrace Open Science principles.
Collaboration is critical to advancing neuroscience and providing hope for the millions of Canadians living with a brain-based disease or disability. The Canadian Brain Research Strategy is an important step in achieving this and aligns with the Centre’s strategic mission of promoting brain health through innovative research and a commitment to open science. We are proud to have Dr. Judy Illes, who is co-leading the Strategy, as one of the core researchers at the Centre. This is a unique opportunity to strengthen relationships between neuroscientists and improve the lives of Canadians.
Dr. Lynn Raymond, Director of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health builds on the University of British Columbia’s impressive legacy of brain research and brings together experts in the fields of neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry and rehabilitation sciences in a hub for training, research and clinical care. Headquartered in a state-of-the-art facility located on UBC’s Point Grey campus, the Centre bridges basic science and clinical care and provides opportunities for education, collaboration and interaction with patients from across BC.
“Understanding the brain is one of the most critical challenges facing modern society, one that has the potential to change the lives of the millions of Canadians who suffer from neurological, neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric diseases. BrainsCAN partners with McGill’s Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives CFREF initiative, to leverage the expertise of researchers from different fields and to share new technologies and knowledge generated. The Canadian Brain Research Strategy can extend this collaborative approach nationally to harness Canada’s strengths in neuroscience to have a real impact on our understanding of the brain, for the benefit of all Canadians.”
Lisa Saksida & Ravi Menon, Co-Scientific Directors BrainsCAN
BrainsCAN is a CFREF funded neuroscience research initiative located at Western University that aims to transform the way brain diseases and disorders are understood, diagnosed and treated. Through its innovative funding programs and core infrastructure, BrainsCAN is accelerating effective solutions for maintaining a healthy brain.
“Research and innovation are essential for improved child health outcomes, and this is especially true for brain health. We at SickKids are committed to moving research discoveries from laboratories to clinics and into the community. Increased collaboration between researchers and key stakeholders across Canada, as promoted by the Canadian Brain Research Strategy will accelerate discovery research to understand the brain. These discoveries will have an impact on the care of Canadians with brain conditions and diseases, including the children we treat at SickKids.”
Michael Salter, Chief of Research, SickKids Research Institute.
The SickKids Research Institute is committed to improve the health of children, here in Canada and in the global community. Its core values are are research excellence and integrity and its strength is collaboration. It is an environment where top researchers and health care experts work closely together as a team to improve children’s health.
“There is a critical need to combine efforts to understand the complexities of the healthy and diseased brain, and the Canadian Brain Research Strategy aims to bring Canadian neuroscientists together to coordinate research efforts and build capacity towards achieving this goal. The discoveries that will be made through this approach will provide deep insight about brain function, leading to novel treatments for patients in Canada and abroad.”
Keith Murai, Director of the McGill Centre for Research in Neuroscience,
Leader of the Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) Program at The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
The McGill Centre for Research in Neuroscience (CRN) is a multi-disciplinary research centre that integrates fundamental and translational neuroscience research within a highly interactive environment. The CRN is located at the Montreal General Hospital within the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and focuses on understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of central nervous system (CNS) function, determining how the CNS is assembled during development, and discovering how it can be repaired in response to injuries and disease.
“Brain research is one of the keys to generating new treatment avenues and to providing the best care for patients with neurological and psychiatric diseases and conditions. The Canadian Brain Research Strategy will strengthen the links between all Canadian neuroscientists through shared knowledge, infrastructure, and data. It provides a framework for researchers across the country to rally together to fight mental illness.”
Gustavo Turecki, Director of the Douglas Research Centre
The Douglas Research Centre is a mental health research facility located within a hospital. The research conducted at the Douglas has a direct impact on the lives of many patients, with major research programs in: Aging, Cognition, and Alzheimer’s Disease; Stress, Mood, and Impulsivity Disorders; Psychosis and Neurodevelopmental Disorders; and Mental Health and Society.
“The Canadian Brain Research Strategy aims to develop a collaborative and coordinated approach to bolster brain research productivity across Canada. We have world-class researchers in our country. Not only is it essential for us to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from one another, but it is also valuable for us to be constantly looking for ways to work together to complement our own work and to help map out a vision for brain research in the future.”
Victor Rafuse, Director of the Brain Repair Centre
The Brain Repair Centre is a research venture whose members share a powerful vision: to discover and develop the means to prevent, repair and even reverse damage to cells and synaptic connections in the brain and spinal cord. In so doing, they aim to provide years of good-quality life to the many thousands of people who suffer from debilitating illnesses and injuries of the nervous system.
“Neurological and mental health research explores the limitations in our understanding of the nervous system and its disorders. Discovery research, also called fundamental research, may unlock these limitations. New knowledge has the potential to alleviate the irreversible burdens of disease, improving outcomes for Canadians. This work partners with clinical research and trials to advance prevention and treatment. By harnessing Canada wide research efforts, to work in a collaborative and complementary way, the Canadian Brain Research Strategy will accelerate discoveries about the brain, spinal cord and nerves with the potential to generate innovative and world class patient care.”
Douglas Zochodne, Director of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute at the University of Alberta
The Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute (NMHI) is a multi-faculty, interdisciplinary teaching and research translational science institute. Members of the NMHI are dedicated to the exploration of how our nervous system functions, the basis for disease, and the translation of discoveries into improved outcomes for persons with neurological and mental health disorders. This is made possible by enabling active collaboration among institute members, together with partners in health care delivery and individuals with lived experience, their families and their communities.
University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute
The core mandate of the uOBMRI is to foster synergy between basic and clinical researchers as well as with the community. Yet such transdisciplinary efforts must be supplemented by similar national coordination and advocacy approaches facilitated by the CBRS. Addressing the mounting brain health challenges that Canadians face, together with the overwhelming complexity of brain function, requires a “big science” model capable of producing insights that could not be imagined without such an approach. The CBRS will further enable Canada to play a key role in international efforts to find solutions. The uOBMRI eagerly brings to the CBRS its experience in the integration of systems, computational and molecular-based approaches with clinical research and community outreach.
I’m supporting the efforts of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS) whole heartedly.
Michael Schlossmacher, Interim Director of the University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute.
The University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute
Focus: Connect.Excite.Heal.
Mission:
The uOBMRI seeks to promote new therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders by harnessing the brain’s internal potential for regeneration, protection and recovery. It strives to implement fundamental changes in patient care by offering more integrated, personalized treatment plans based on its research. The uOBMRI helps orchestrate transdisciplinary research in a collaborative and innovative fashion by overcoming the barriers that exist between research at the basic and clinical levels. It has a strong focus on Parkinson’s disease, stroke, mental health, neuromuscular disease, memory loss and concussion injury-related research, as well as on cross-cutting systems and computational neuroscience approaches. It connects scientists, physicians and the community to tackle the challenges of brain disorders, and promotes awareness and education of brain and mind-related health in the community.
The Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge supports a broad range of neuroscience research interests, especially involving systems-level and computational neuroscience approaches to including the neurobiology of learning and memory, brain plasticity, recovery of function, imaging methods, brain development over the life-span, and brain disease.
The diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases is emerging as one of the pre-eminent pursuits of modern medicine. To address this challenge, a coordinated effort by all researchers and stakeholders, as proposed by the Canadian Brain Research Strategy, will place Canada in a position to become a world leader in the development of new treatments and cures for these devastating conditions. Such a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach will have the biggest impact on outcomes for patients.
Dr. Donald Weaver, Director, Krembil Research Institute, Co-Director, Krembil Brain Institute.
The Krembil Brain Institute’s neuroscience research program is focused on research programs dedicated to brain and spine with a goal of alleviating debilitating chronic diseases through basic, translational and clinical research. The Krembil Brain Institute’s clinical programs specialize in brain-based and neural-related diseases and disorders. Krembil is a leader in the treatment of spinal cord injury, movement disorders (including Parkinson’s disease), epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, a range of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular conditions and brain, spine and peripheral nerve tumours.
Today’s neuroscience research depends on multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to solve the complex challenge of understanding the brain. Students benefit from a training environment that is rich and diversified, and the National Transdisciplinary Training Platform proposed through the Canadian Brain Research Strategy will allow neuroscience graduate programs across the country to collaborate and break down the barriers between scientific disciplines that impede progress. All neuroscience trainees will benefit from such an approach.
Flavio P. Kapczinski
MSc, MD, PhD, FRCPC,
Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences
Director of the Graduate Program in Neurosciences at McMaster University
The Graduate Program in Neurosciences at McMaster University
The McMaster University Neuroscience Graduate Program connects students with an internationally recognized faculty of researchers and scholars, working within a closely knit, resource-rich research environment. Current research projects within the faculty are aimed at improving human health and discovery in areas such as neural development, behavioural genetics, perception, pain, motor learning, vision, hearing, cancer, Alzheimer’s, autism, Parkinson’s, depression, dementia, anxiety, and neurotech.
McMaster’s Neuroscience Graduate Program is designed to breakthrough conventional boundaries that inhibit leading-edge, interdisciplinary research and study.
Research is the foundation of better care. It has the power to beat stigma, and give hope. We are in an incredibly exciting time – our knowledge about the brain continues to grow exponentially. The Canadian Brain Research Strategy helps to coordinate brain science research efforts across Canada where researchers can collaboratively take advances in science and technology development, and make a difference in the lives of patients today.
Dr. Aristotle Voineskos, VP Research, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute at CAMH aims to revolutionize the understanding of the brain, use evidence to drive social change and optimize care, and inspire hope for those with mental illness. With expertise in brain imaging, genetics, molecular science and neuroinformatics as well as access to our community, collaborative partnerships around the globe, and the capacity for large-scale and long-term projects, CAMH is making strides in gaining a greater understanding of the healthy brain, the origins of mental illness, and progression as illness develops.
