Vancouver (June 24, 2008) - Dr. Jane Roskams, an associate professor in the departments of Zoology and Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia (UBC), 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. Roskams shares the title with Dr. Lisa Robinson, a physician and scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), an associate professor at the University of Toronto and a Canada Research Chair.
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.
Through words of support, Dr. Roskams encourages youth to develop an appreciation of science and health research in a variety of ways. She founded the UBC Mentor Centre, she organizes conferences that demonstrate how various people can become established researchers, she acts as a keynote speaker at other conferences for teachers, and she facilitates high school students who want to both visit and help in various research laboratories.
"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. Roskams deserves this Synapse award for her dedication in helping youth excel in various fields related to health research and science. She voluntarily offers support to creativity that may help today's students become tomorrow's scientific leaders and collaborators. Along with the other 2008 Synapse award winners, these 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.
"I am delighted that Dr. Roskams has been selected as a recipient of a CIHR Synapse award," says Dr. Max Cynader, Director of the Brain Research Centre. "Through her mentorship activities, she has been a role model and inspiration to many youth interested in pursuing careers in health research. This award recognizes her significant accomplishments and leadership both in mentorship and in research."
Dr. Roskams' award is one of three related to mentorship through CIHR's Synapse initiative. 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 Brain Research Centre
The Brain Research Centre is a unique partnership between Vancouver Coastal Health and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. The Brain Research Centre, located at UBC Hospital, has combined forces with broad, multi-disciplinary research expertise at the University of British Columbia to advance our knowledge of the brain and to explore new discoveries and technologies which have the potential to reduce the suffering and cost associated with disease and injuries of the brain. www.brain.ubc.ca
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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
Catherine Loiacono
Senior Communications Coordinator
UBC Public Affairs
Tel.: 604-822-2644
E-mail: loiacono@exchange.ubc.ca
