In partnership with the Canadian Foundation for Infectious Diseases (CFID) and CIHR’s Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) and HIV/AIDS Research Initiative, CAHR will be hosting a virtual Professional Development Workshop for Infectious Disease researchers. This workshop will offer participants the chance to learn from those with a wealth of experience in such domains as academic leadership, commercializing research, building consortiums and networks, and communicating effectively with decision-makers.
This engaging webinar series will be co-chaired by Dr. Curtis Cooper from the University of Ottawa and Dr. Keith Fowke from the University of Manitoba. Over the course of two days, the program will feature 4-5 speakers, and participants will be invited to take part in discussions and Q&A with each presenter.
To participate in this workshop which is targeted to mid-career infectious disease researchers, please email trainingandawards@cahr-acrv.ca
Registration: Complimentary
Dates: October 22 and October 23, 2020
Speakers
Dr. Curtis Cooper, University of Ottawa
Co-Chair
Dr. Cooper trained at the University of Saskatchewan (MD 1994). He received certification in
Internal Medicine in 1997 and in Infectious Diseases in 1999 while at the University of Manitoba.
He completed an HIV Research Fellowship and Masters of Epidemiology in 2002 while at the
University of Ottawa. He is currently an Associate Professor with the University of Ottawa,
Infectious Diseases Consultant with the Ottawa Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases, Scientist
with the Ottawa Health Research Institute, Director of the Ottawa Hospital and Regional Viral Hepatitis Program and President for the Canadian Foundation for Infectious Diseases. As a clinical researcher, his research activities encompass viral hepatitis, HIV and vaccine development. His work is focused on the development of new therapeutic agents and the delivery of treatment that maximizes safety, adherence and effectiveness.
Dr. Keith Fowke, University of Manitoba
Co-Chair and Speaker
Dr. Fowke received his PhD in Medical Microbiology (1995) from the University of Manitoba (UM) and did a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland (1995-1999). In 1999 he was recruited to the UM’s Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and is currently a full professor and the Head of the Department. He is also cross-appointed with the University of Nairobi’s Department of Medical Microbiology. Current studies include preventing HIV infections by reducing inflammation at the genital tract, understanding how to block the negative effects of elevated immune checkpoint inhibitors in HIV infection to restore the immune response to full capabilities, and determining the effect of solvent use on the immune system and implications on HIV susceptibility. Dr. Fowke has a particular interest in training young investigators in multi-disciplinary research and has been involved in a number of workshops and international training programs. He is the current Chair of the CIHR HIV/AIDS STBBI Research Advisory Committee (CHARAC).
Dr. David Evans, University of Alberta
Speaker
Dr. David Evans is a virologist with diverse interests in poxvirus biology as well as a former research administrator. His work is supported by a network of collaborations and commercial contracts and his academic studies have been funded by MRC/CIHR since 1987. Dr. Evans is considered an international leader in the study of poxviruses with special expertise in virus recombination, antiviral drugs, and replication.
Dr. Evans has also demonstrated a longstanding commitment to research translation. His recombineering technology is licensed as InFusion® kits. More recently his research has focussed on developing oncolytic viruses for treating bladder cancer as well as methods for assembling synthetic poxviruses. He has applied for, or holds, international patents relating to these and other technologies.
Dr. Evans’ activities have also helped develop the University of Alberta’s focus on virus research. In 2006 he was awarded $24.9 million to build and equip new research facilities supporting immunology and infectious disease research in Edmonton and Calgary. This included Alberta’s only academic BSL3 laboratory which has since proven its value supporting intensive Covid-19 research activity. In 2010 the University of Alberta was gifted with $25 million to support virus research, and these and other projects were consolidated to create the Li Ka-Shing Institute of Virology. Drs. Evans has also accumulated many years of service on grant panels; reviews and also consults privately. He was a longstanding member of the WHO smallpox advisory committee. Most recently he conducted site visits for the FAO/OIE and served on the Canadian advisory committee on human pathogens and toxins.
Dr. Charu Kaushic, McMaster University, CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity
Speaker
Charu Kaushic is a tenured Full Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine in McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. She joined as faculty in McMaster University in 2002, where she has done extensive teaching and training and built an interdisciplinary research program for last 18 years. Her research interest is women’s reproductive health, specifically basic, clinical, and translational research examining susceptibility and immune responses to sexually transmitted viruses, HIV-1 and HSV-2. Charu’s research has been funded by CIHR, CFI, CANFAR and OHTN and she has received numerous national and international awards. She is also the Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-Institute of Infection and Immunity. In this role, she is responsible for making decisions for CIHR strategic investments in infection and immunity, nationally and internationally. She also represents CIHR and Government of Canada at various national and international forums related to infectious diseases. Charu has special interest in championing STEM careers and leadership roles for women.
Dr. Guido van Marle, University of Calgary
Speaker
Guido van Marle, MSc, PhD is an Associate professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, and the Director Biomedical Sciences for the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at the Cumming School of Medicine at University of Calgary, He is a molecular virologist and works on HIV/AIDS, HBV and HPV. In addition, he works on research and educational capacity building in Central America and East Africa.
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