Toronto (June 24, 2008) - Dr. Lisa Robinson, a staff physician and scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), an associate professor at the University of Toronto and a Canada Research Chair, has received the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) 2008 Synapse Award - Individual Researcher. This year represents the first recorded tie in this particular category. Dr. Robinson shares the title with Dr. Jane Roskams, an associate professor in the departments of Zoology and Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
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. Robinson co-created the Kids Science program to help 'at risk' young Canadians in Toronto and Northeastern Ontario regions experience accessible one-to-one scientific conferences with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and established researchers and also have the chance to visit different laboratories around the SickKids Research Institute.
"It is important for health researchers to motivate youth to appreciate the values of both science and health research," says Dr. Pierre Chartrand, Acting President of CIHR. "Dr. Robinson deserves this Synapse award for her dedication in helping today's youth excel in various fields related to health research and science. Thanks to the Kids Science program, she helps all elementary/high school students understand the merits of science by transforming it into an understandable and exciting subject. Along with today's other winners, her efforts are truly commendable."
CIHR's Synapse - Youth Connection initiative acts as a meeting place, a scientific junction that brings together health researchers and young students. More than 4,000 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.
"When it comes to mentorship, Lisa Robinson is a leader for all of us here at SickKids," says Dr. Janet Rossant, Chief of Research at SickKids. "Through the Kids Science program, which involves community outreach by our researchers and student visits to our laboratories, Lisa inspires young people to consider a brighter future that is full of career possibilities in science and health research. And she reminds all researchers that, while it is important to succeed in our respective career paths, it is equally important to help young people follow in our footsteps."
Dr. Robinson's award is one of three related to mentorship through CIHR's Synapse initiative. Mr. Anteneh Argaw, a PhD candidate from Université de Montréal, won the Synapse Award - Graduate Student / Post Doctoral Fellow and the Toronto Teen Survey research team, co-led by Drs. Sarah Flicker from York University and June Larkin from the University of Toronto, 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 The Hospital for Sick Children
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in the country. As innovators in child health, SickKids improves the health of children by integrating care, research and teaching. Our mission is to provide the best in complex and specialized care by creating scientific and clinical advancements, sharing our knowledge and expertise and championing the development of an accessible, comprehensive and sustainable child health system. For more information, please visit www.sickkids.ca. SickKids is committed to healthier children for a better world.
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Attached Biography
Media Contacts:
David Coulombe
CIHR Media Specialist
Tel. (Office): 613-941-4563
Tel. (Mobile): 613-808-7526
E-mail: mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Janice Nicholson
Manager
Research & Strategic Communications
Public Affairs
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Tel.: 416-813-6684
E-mail: janice.nicholson@sickkids.ca
