Two UCalgary projects funded by CIHR program

The University of Calgary received $5.1 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for two projects in the  Health Research Training Platform (HRTP) competition. The funding supports the development of research training platforms that bring together mentors from across a variety of disciplines, sectors and jurisdictions to equip trainees and early career researchers with the foundational skills and knowledge required for a range of careers within or outside of academia while working in some of Canada’s most innovative areas of health research. 

The HRTP goes beyond the standard research training program. In addition to gaining foundational research skills and knowledge, participants receive comprehensive research training in areas such as grant writing, project management, science communications, interdisciplinary research, open science and knowledge mobilization and have the chance to work closely with mentors to develop a greater understanding of emerging research and knowledge mobilization approaches.  

“This funding reinforces our commitment to addressing critical health challenges but also aligns seamlessly with our Ahead of Tomorrow strategy by leveraging research and innovation to tackle society’s biggest challenges,” says Dr. William Ghali, MD, Vice-President (Research). “By focusing on the training of early career researchers and fostering interdisciplinary teams, we are not only advancing research in areas such as antimicrobial resistance and health system innovation but also preparing the next generation of leaders in health care.” 

Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Network  

One of the funded projects is the Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Network (CAN-AMR-Net). Currently, Canada lacks a comprehensive, pan-Canadian AMR training program that integrates One Health sectors, making this an ideal opportunity for a platform that fosters trainee development and coordinates research, training, and innovation to combat AMR in Canada.

This grant will support the training and education of a diverse group of researchers and professionals, enabling them to collaborate in a transdisciplinary manner based on a One Health approach.  

The network consists of more than 87 co-applicants, from 58 universities and organizations with a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds. They have varied career paths and discipline expertise spanning the epidemiology of infectious diseases, systems biology, pathogenesis of infectious diseases, bioinformatics, genomics, molecular microbiology, genetics, high-dimensional statistics, surveillance, human and veterinary medicine, antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control, social sciences, policy, law, economics, engineering, Indigenous Ways of Knowing —with OH expertise and experience. 

The team will be led by Dr. Herman Barkema, DVM, PhD, in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Cumming School of Medicine. The network will receive $2.7M over six years. 

Health System Impact Training Platform 

The other UCalgary  project focuses on developing an interdisciplinary, interjurisdictional, and multi-sectoral Health System Impact (HSI) Training Platform. Their goal is to nurture a pan-Canadian, research learning community, encompassing diverse people, programs, organizations and systems united by a shared vision for transformational, and responsive learning health systems. This learning community will contribute to the impact of learning health systems by building the required capabilities and collaborations. 

A learning health system is one that constantly evolves to provide better population health, experiences with health care for patients and caregivers, work environment, value and health equity. The system uses evidence to make decisions for improvement advancing population health, health care experiences for patients and caregivers, work-life balance for providers, affordability and health equity in Canada.  

The training platform will serve as an infrastructure for training, capacity development and networking within the national HSI Program, enriching the experience of the program’s fellows, alumni, early career researchers, health system mentors and academic supervisors. The HSI program is led by the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research's (CIHR-IHSPR) in collaboration with multiple CIHR institutes and initiatives, funding agencies, health system organizations and universities. 

The team is made up of 54 members from across Canada, including researchers, trainees and professionals from both academic and non-academic settings. The team also includes government officials, health-care organizations, community members and individuals with lived experience. 

The team is led by Dr. Elena Lopatina, MD, PhD at the Cumming School of Medicine. The Platform will receive $2.4 million over six years.  

Dr. Herman Barkema, PhD, DVM, is a professor of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine. He is also the United Nations University Chair in Infectious Diseases in a Changing Climate and a member of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and the O'Brien Institute for Public Health. He leads One Health at UCalgary, and the Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium. 

Dr. Elena Lopatina, MD, PhD is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine. She is also a senior scientist with the Alberta Virtual Pain Program and the Alberta Pain Strategy at Alberta Health Services. She is a member of the O'Brien Institute for Public Health.