Researchers Awarded $1.8 million for Cancer Training Institute
CANCER CARE N.S.--Researchers Awarded $1.8 million for Cancer Research Training Institute
Researchers at Dalhousie University are receiving $1.8 million, over the next six years, to develop and operate a training centre for cancer researchers. The funding partners include Cancer Care Nova Scotia and Institute of Cancer Research, a division of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.
Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, physicians and other health professionals will have the opportunity to train and work with leaders of Nova Scotia's research community to develop their research skills within a diverse and interactive health research environment.
"This funding is a testament to the calibre of our researchers and speaks to the quality of our research capabilities," said Dr. Gerald Johnston, head of the department of microbiology and immunology, Dalhousie University. "The training program will engage participants in new ways of collaborating with the cancer researchers and will enhance the level of communication, respect and understanding among trainees from different disciplines."
The training program has several components: direct trainee support, problem-based learning, formal presentations and educational conferences. Participants will work together in small groups to solve "real world" issues. Examples might include developing a plan to commercialize a key piece of research, identifying issues related to effective pain control or designing a proposal for a program for specialized genetic cancer screening.
The presentation component provides an opportunity for presentation and discussion on topics from recent cancer literature. These exercises will enhance critical thinking and communication skills, while exposing participants to a wide variety of research methods and approaches and the latest developments in cancer research.
The program will also provide limited funding for travel to selected conferences where trainees will present their research findings. Funding will also be earmarked to bring distinguished researchers to Halifax to expand the breadth of cancer research.
"Nova Scotia has a small, but highly collegial and interactive research community," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner, Cancer Care Nova Scotia and chair of the Dalhousie Cancer Research program. "This funding, while critical for training, will reap huge rewards by improving the quality of cancer care and bringing tremendous economic benefit to Nova Scotia."
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is one of 13 new institutes with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The National Cancer Institute of Canada is the largest non-government funding agency for cancer research in the country and receives its funds from the Canadian Cancer Society and the Terry Fox Foundation.
These institutes support research to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals and families through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, effective treatment, psycho-social support systems and palliation.
Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families and the health care system through prevention, screening, education and research.