News & Media

Director's Corner

Lost Opportunity?

Over the past two hundred years, virtually all clinical advances have stemmed from original observations made at the research bench. Simply put therefore, it makes perfect sense to support the broad scientific base that leads to clinical breakthroughs. So what are the necessary ingredients to develop a strong medical research establishment in a country?

Aspiring young scientists - and the world is teeming with them - must first be generally trained in a university system that provides the basic framework for advanced studies. Next, they seek out a laboratory and develop with an experienced scientist mentor a research program that leads to an advanced degree (a PhD, for example). They then pursue "post-doctoral" studies in yet another lab, and nowadays, even a second postdoc. The entire training period, from university through postdoctoral work, can be 12 years or more, and in most countries, the training system is completely funded by government. After postdoctoral work, these well-trained young scientists - in which the governments of their respective countries are highly invested - compete for academic jobs.

So far so good. But in most countries here is where the system breaks down. The number of scientists-in-training far, far exceeds the available academic jobs for these young folks after their education is complete. In Argentina for example, PhD scientists are broadly and superbly educated, and then cut loose - they have little hope to land an academic job in their own country, and many leave to try to find meaningful employment somewhere else on the globe. The same is true for bright youth in China, India, Pakistan, Brazil, and across Europe. So many curious young people, eager to follow their muse and mold a career path that will be useful to humanity, and fulfilling for themselves…

Canada, however, is potentially the brightest spot in an otherwise increasingly bleak global field for academic scientists. I say "potentially", because we are in real danger of dissipating our recently acquired edge. On the positive side, government investment over the last few years has created an unprecedented climate for academic employment in the medical sciences. Scientists like me have been attracted here - many of us were trained in other countries - in part because of specific programs designed to "start-up" scientists in Canada - programs like the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and the Canada Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). The CIHR granting program is the most important because it is this agency that funds our ongoing research through competitive, peer-reviewed grants. The CIHR pays for our research supplies, and pays the salaries of our students and postdoctoral fellows and technicians. CIHR funds ensure that we can pursue the most pressing biological questions in the world, and our findings in turn translate into the clinical advances we desperately need.

The problem - and it is a serious one - is that the CIHR is critically underfunded - the program cannot sustain into the future the many new research laboratories so thoughtfully and carefully set up by the CRC and CFI investments.

As we know, a chain is only as strong as it weakest link. So, even if we are fantastically well-trained in our universities, and we complete superb graduate studies, followed by exceptionally productive postdoctoral work, followed by landing terrific jobs in first-rate Canadian universities, if there is not enough CIHR funding to support our most creative laboratories over time, all the preparation and training is for absolutely nothing.

Please send any comments about the Director's Corner to David Colman

Recent News & Events

Career Change
Royal Govain, Executive Director for External Affairs at the Neuro, will take a new position with one of the most respected philanthropic management consulting firms in the world, Grenzebach Glier & Associates (GG&A). As Senior Vice President and Managing Director of GG&A, and Chief Executive of its new Canadian subsidiary, Grenzebach Glier Canada, Royal will have the opportunity to advance philanthropy with a range of institutions around the world and build a new organization in Canada. On announcing his departure, Royal expressed deep appreciation for the support and cooperation of his colleagues at the Neuro, McGill and the MUHC, as well as enduring gratitude to the exceptional and dedicated volunteer leaders and donors who make the continued growth of the Neuro possible. Royal promises to remain a loyal donor and we all look forward to his continued friendship. Best wishes to Royal in his new position.

You are cordially invited to say good-bye and good luck to Royal on Friday, April 28th at 5:00 pm in the Helen Penfield Atrium.

Milner lecture honors Beverly Chandran
Brenda Milner recently spoke on the “Many Faces of Memory” as the 4th annual Clarence and Beverly Chandran Distinguished Lecturer at the Duke University School of Engineering. In recognition of her fundamental work in cognitive neuroscience, Brenda was invited to deliver this prestigious lecture established by the Chandran Family Foundation as part of a gift to support advances in brain tumour imaging. At the Neuro, Dr. Milner and colleagues in the Brain Imaging Centre and Brain Tumour Research Centre use advanced imaging technology to improve the diagnosis and surgical planning for patients with brain tumours and other neurological diseases.

The Neuro Family

Radiochemist Shadreck Mzengeza is a key member of the Brain Imaging Centre team. He makes novel radioactive pharmaceuticals used in PET (Positron Emission Tomography) studies, which allow us to see activity in the living brain. While spending most of his time on research that includes the development of contrast agents to improve imaging of brain tumours, Shadreck also participates in clinical imaging for patients with migraines, epilepsy, and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Zimbawbe, Shadreck quickly learned the value of education. His father had to establish two schools, house a teacher in his home and offer his garden as the classroom to ensure an education for his children. Then it was only through the generosity of a benefactor that Shadreck was able to attend high school where he won a scholarship for university studies in England. Coming to Canada, Shadreck earned a PhD in Chemistry from Queens University, and in 1992 joined Mirko Diksic’s group at the Neuro for post-doctoral training in radiochemistry. In 2001, Shadreck was named Assistant Professor. He is delighted to see spring arrive so he can cycle to the Neuro each day for work.

Upcoming Lectures

Angel Alonso Memorial Symposium, May 3
The Neuro community will gather for a symposium (program) to mark the scientific contributions of MNI Associate Professor Dr. Angel Alonso who died last summer in the prime of his career. Rodolfo Llinas from New York University Medical College, Angel’s post-doctoral mentor, will give a keynote lecture and reflect on Angel’s research which focused on the role of neuronal oscillations in brain function. Colleagues Michael Hasselmo from Boston University, Daniel Johnston from University of Texas, Austin, and Charles Bourque, from McGill, will present scientific talks on their work with Angel. All are welcome to attend the afternoon symposium on May 3 in the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

IRCM Symposium, May 11
Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) will hold a symposium, Advances in Neurobiology: Understanding Development and Disease, with plenary talks by Tom Jessell from Columbia University, Martin Raff from University College London, and Marc Tessier-Lavigne from Genentech, Inc. Co-sponsored by the MNI and others, this symposium features the mentors of IRCM neuroscientists Artur Kania, Michel Cayouette and Frederic Charron who work closely with colleagues at the MNI. The symposium is free and will include lunch and afternoon reception. Due to limited seating, participants should register early at www.ircm.qc.ca/neuro.

MNI profs host ACFAS symposia, May 16-19
JF Cloutier has gathered experts from Montreal for a symposium Développement et régénération du système nerveux central, the as part of the Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas) meeting hosted by McGill this year. This symposium will be at the Neuro’s de Grandpré Communications Centre, 9-noon on May 16.

Francois Dubeau and Jean Gotman have organized a symposium, Le générateur épileptique: de la cellule au cortex, which will take place in the de Grandpré Communications Centre at the Neuro on May 17 to 19. Additional information about the 2006 Acfas Congress is available at www.acfas.ca/congres

Upcoming Lectures

The Neurology Conferences
Conferences are 8:30-9:30 each Friday and rotate among several locations.

Condolences to .....

Friends and family of Suzanne Lamothe, life partner of MNI Professor Dan Guitton, who mourn her death on March 28. The Department of Psychology at the University of Montreal established a scholarship in her memory to mark her place in the lives of students, faculty and friends there over the years.

Friends and family of Dr. Shirley Fyles (né Graham), former neurologist at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital who was known for her selflessness and devotion to patients. After receiving her MD degree from Queens University in 1954, Dr. Fyles trained at The Neuro, and practiced neurology while raising her family. Until very recently, she maintained an active medical practice, specializing in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. Dr. Laughlin Taylor, a close friend and head of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Montreal Neurological Hospital for 30 years, acknowledged Dr. Fyles’ career achievements at her funeral.

Please send any items for the MNI Bulletin to Sandra McPherson or Beth Kofron.