Congratulations iTRIC Program Teams!
The Training and Capacity Building Program would like to congratulate the six Teams that participated in the ITRIC Program. The level of engagement and creativity demonstrated by trainees and mentors was impressive. The ITRIC Program is a multi-stage program designed to support and enable CCNA-affiliated trainees to keep the science of neurodegenerative diseases and aging in the spotlight at a time when most funding opportunities are for research related to COVID-19. The objectives of the ITRIC Program were to provide trainees with a unique experience focused on interdisciplinary research, mentorship, collaboration, and the stimulation of innovative ideas.
ITRIC Teams consisting of CCNA-affiliated trainees, investigator mentors, and research staff presented their final project proposals on November 26th, 2020 to the ITRIC Review Committee. ITRIC Team Members represent diverse disciplinary backgrounds including, Radiology, Kinesiology, Computer Science, and Psychology. Members cross 11 CCNA Teams and two Themes, and are clinicians, undergraduates, Masters and Doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows.
Below is a list of Teams. We are happy to announce that all Teams were awarded funds to advance their project work.
The final stage of the program will see teams work on their projects over the course of a one-year period. Teams will share their progress with the CCNA community during the next CCNA Science Day in 2021.
Stay tuned! Final video recorded ITRIC Team presentations will be available to view on the new Training and Capacity Building Program website soon.
MAJOR AWARDS
Team 1 – $10,000
Members: Mahsa Dadar (Primary Trainee Applicant), Caroline Dallaire-Théroux, Maryna, Zhernovaia, Simon Duchesne (Primary Supervisor), Richard Camicioli, and Josefina, Maranzano.
Project title: Combining ex vivo histology and MRI to identify cerebrovascular diseases in vivo.
Team 2 – $10,000
Members: Oswald Barral (Primary Trainee Applicant), Atri Chatterjee, Hyeju Jang, Thalia Field (Primary Supervisor), and Robin Hsiung.
Project title: Speech and Eye Movements for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Team 3 – $10,000
Members: Lauren Bechard (Primary Trainee Applicant), Danielle D’Amico, Samira Mehrabi, Max Bergelt, Saara Mohamed, Laura Middleton (Primary Supervisor), Alexandra Fiocco.
Project title: Brain Booster: Developing a Remote Peer Support Program for Maintaining Brain-Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours in Older Adults.
Team 4 – $10,000
Members: Niroshica Mohanathas (Primary Trainee Applicant), Berkley Petersen, Rachel Downey, Jennifer Campos (Primary Supervisor), Karen Li
Project title: Does hearing loss impact training efficacy on dual-task walking speed in older adults with mild cognitive impairment?
Team 5 – $10,000
Members: Gabrielle Aubin (Primary Trainee Applicant), Shirley Dumassais, Karl Grewal, Walter Wittich (Primary Supervisor), Natalie Phillips, Megan O’Connell
Project title: Test-retest reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Blind: Comparing in-person with telephone administration.
RUNNER UP AWARD
Team 6 – $5000
Members: Erica Dove (Primary Trainee Applicant), Mary Hynes, Maria Acenas, Elicia Chamoun, Arlene Astell (Primary Supervisor), Nicole Anderson
Project title: CIRCA-CA: A digital solution for people with dementia, during and after COVID-19.
We would also like to thank the iTRIC Review Committee Members:
- Carrie McAiney, Knowledge Translation & Exchange Program
- Jennifer Bethell, Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Dementia Program
- Jennifer Walker, Indigenous Cognitive Health Program
- Rhonda Trudeau, Team 18: Issues in Dementia Care for Indigenous Populations
- John Fisk, Ethical, Legal and Social Implications Program
- Gillian Einstein, Women, Sex, Gender and Dementia Program
- Edeltraut Kroger, Training Program Liaison, Team 11
- Nalini Sen, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Director, Research, Knowledge Translation and Exchange
- Kathy Pichora-Fuller, Team 17