Minister of Science and Sport Kirsty Duncan visits campus to announce Canada Research Chairs

This week, Kirsty Duncan, minister of science and sport, was at the University of Calgary to highlight significant investments in the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds at institutions in Alberta.

“The future of research and science in Canada will be led by the next generation of talent. That’s why it is so important that we support our early-career researchers today. There’s no better place than Canada to be a scientist,” says Duncan. “That’s why Canada Research Chairs from diverse backgrounds choose to come to Canada to pursue their ambitious research goals, build their teams and maintain Canada’s position as a global leader in research excellence.”

Duncan joined new and renewed Chairs at the University of Calgary to share the importance of fostering the diversity and creativity that leads to cutting-edge research. The event highlighted Dr. Brandy Callahan, PhD, Canada Research Chair in Adult Clinical Neuropsychology.

Callahan’s program is one of the first in the world to investigate cognitive change in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) in relation to dementia. Callahan will create clarity around how dementia manifests in this group of older adults who are under-represented in dementia research.

This work, based out of Callahan’s Neurocognitive Disorders Lab, will broaden dementia knowledge to a wider, more representative range of individuals, improve disease estimates, reduce misdiagnoses, and help medical practitioners select disease-appropriate assessment and intervention methods.

"The Canada Research Chairs program has enabled us to attract top early-career researchers to our campus. Our CRCs are addressing truly exciting research questions and building impressive research programs that will have a positive impact on our communities,” says Dr. André Buret, interim vice-president (research).

The CRC program is considered a cornerstone in Canada’s national strategy to lead international research, and this year’s announcement focused on a commitment to promoting equity and diversity within research, and supporting the next generation of research leaders.

The complete list of renewed and new Canada Research Chairs at the University of Calgary:

Renewals

• Dr. Jeff Priest, Tier II CRC in Geomechanics of Gas Hydrates (Schulich School of Engineering)
• Dr. Sabine Gilch, Tier II CRC in Prion Disease Research (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute)
• Dr. Leo Belostotski, Tier II CRC in High-Sensitivity Radiometers and Receivers (Schulich School of Engineering)
• Dr. Joe Harrison, Tier II CRC in Biofilm Microbiology and Genomics (Faculty of Science)

New chair

• Dr. Brandy Callahan, Tier II CRC in Adult Clinical Neuropsychology (Faculty of Arts, and member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute)