| For immediate release-- |
2007-28 |
St. JOHN'S (July 9, 2007) - Dr. John H. McLean, a CIHR-funded professor of anatomy and neuroscience at Memorial University of Newfoundland, has become the first person to receive the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Synapse Award - Individual Researcher.
The award, which is worth $5,000, recognizes the efforts of a health researcher who has made exceptional efforts to promote health research among Canada's high school students. Through mentorship, the winner regularly motivates youth to consider both the value of health research as well career opportunities that exist within various scientific fields. The winner is nominated by someone who understands his/her direct scientific contributions to young people, and is chosen by the members of the CIHR Youth Outreach Advisory Board.
Dr. McLean has encouraged youth to develop an interest in neuroscience through the organization of two primary competitions: Brain Storm and Brain Art. As an oral challenge, Brain Storm tests a student's knowledge of facts related to the brain. Brain Art acts as an artistic challenge and allows a student to creatively represent the brain using hand-drawn paint or ink.
"All health researchers should get involved in generating interest in science amongst young Canadians," says Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of CIHR. "Dr. McLean's direct, personal engagement has inspired graduate students to act as scientific mentors and encouraged high school students to consider health research as a career possibility. Conveying the exciting benefits of health research is essential if we are going to awaken young people to the potential for science to change their lives."
CIHR's Synapse - Youth Connection initiative acts as a meeting place, a scientific junction that brings together health researchers and young students. More than 2,000 CIHR-funded health researchers from across the country have already signed up to become CIHR Synapse mentors. Synapse, in collaborative partnership with national science outreach organizations, connects these mentors with high school students through hands-on training experience that will help create the next generation of Canadian health researchers.
"Dr. McLean is a wonderful example of a basic scientist who reaches outside the laboratory to spread knowledge and enthusiasm about his area of expertise," said Dr. James Rourke, Dean of Medicine at Memorial University. "For the last seven years he has volunteered his time to get local high school students excited about the brain. Under his guidance, the Brain Storm competition has grown from the first small event with seven students from two high schools to this year's province-wide event. As well as encouraging high school students, Dr. McLean also encourages graduate students in neuroscience to channel their energy into this worthwhile outreach event."
Dr. McLean's award is one of three related to mentorship through CIHR's Synapse initiative. Bechara Saab, from the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital (a University of Toronto-affiliated research centre), won the Synapse Award - Graduate Student / Post Doctoral Fellow and Université Laval's Laboratoire d'Organogénèse Expérimentale won the Synapse Award - Research Group.
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About the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research CIHR is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 11,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca
About Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University is Atlantic Canada's largest comprehensive university, with a student enrolment of nearly 18,000, at four locations: St. John's including the Marine Institute, Grenfell College in Corner Brook, the Labrador Institute in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Harlow Campus in England. Memorial's Faculty of Medicine, located in the Health Sciences Centre on the northwest corner of the main campus in St. John's, was founded in 1967. It now includes the undergraduate medical program, postgraduate residency training programs and graduate programs leading to a master of science degree in eight program areas, a doctoral degree in six program areas or a joint MD/PhD degree, as well as to diplomas in Community Health and Clinical Epidemiology.
For More Information:
David Coulombe
CIHR Media Relations
Tel. (Office): 613-941-4563
E-mail: mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Sharon A. Gray
Communications co-ordinator (health sciences)
Division of Marketing and Communications
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Phone: 709-777-8397
Fax: 709-777-6396
E-mail: sgray@mun.ca
