| For immediate release | 2002-31 |
Canadian researchers honoured for their research contributions
to improving the health of Canadians
OTTAWA (November 14, 2002) - Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), announced today the recipients of Canada's awards for excellence in health research. The following Canadian researchers will be recognized for their contributions to improving the health of Canadians:
The recipients will be officially recognized at CIHR's inaugural awards ceremony, A Celebration of Excellence in Health Research, scheduled for November 20 at the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto. More than 500 members of Canada's health research community will be in attendance. (See attached backgrounders for more information and a video news release B-Roll package is available.)
"These awards are synonymous with exceptional, internationally recognized, cutting-edge research, said Dr. Bernstein. "Each recipient has demonstrated exceptional creativity, a willingness to overcome challenges, and the ability to embrace new concepts all in the pursuit of new knowledge. Collectively, they have made Canada a healthier, more prosperous and innovative nation and their work will have a direct impact on improving the health of Canadians and people around the world."
"We're delighted to honour one of Canada's best and brightest cancer researchers with the Dorothy J. Lamont Scientist Award," said Julie White, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Canada and its research partner, the Canadian Cancer Society. "Prevention is key in the fight against cancer and Dr. Shoveller's work will help us strengthen our prevention efforts. Her research is a testament to Dorothy's vision of cancer control."
As well, through a partnership with federal granting agencies such as CIHR, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has established the Career Awards. These awards recognize and support outstanding researchers by providing institutions with the infrastructure that is essential to carry out their research projects. As of 2002, up to $1 million is available to each granting council, on an annual basis, to support infrastructure components for the recipients.
"This inaugural investment will ensure that these exceptional researchers have the necessary equipment to continue their world-class research," said Dr. David Strangway, President and CEO of CFI. "These new Career Awards acknowledge the important role state-of the-art equipment plays in enabling our top researchers to make discoveries right here in Canada. We are proud to partner with the CIHR in this new initiative."
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The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is Canada's premier agency for health research established by the Government of Canada in 1999. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system.
The National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) is the largest funder of cancer research in Canada. Its mission is to undertake and support cancer research and related programs that will lead to the reduction of the incidence, morbidity and mortality from cancer. The NCIC receives its funding from the Canadian Cancer Society (75 per cent) and The Terry Fox Foundation (25 per cent).
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established by the Government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in Canadian universities and research institutions. For further information on the CFI and the Career Awards, please visit http://www.innovation.ca/
Attachments:
For media assistance contact:
Janet Weichel McKenzie
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
(613) 941-4563 (office) 613-447-4794 (cell)
Suzanne Quinn
Canada Foundation for Innovation
(613) 996-3160
http://www.innovation.ca/
Rachel Brown
National Cancer Institute of Canada
(416) 934-5681
http://www.ncic.cancer.ca/
