New Future Leaders Grants

Brain Canada is pleased to announce the latest cohort of Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research

This flagship program provides vital funding to early-career scientists whose bold ideas are advancing brain health

This year, 22 researchers from across Canada will each be awarded $100,000, for a total investment of $2.2M in bold brain research. The Future Leaders program is made possible thanks to an anchor gift from the Azrieli Foundation, which is matched by Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), a unique arrangement between the Government of Canada (Health Canada) and Brain Canada, with the support of additional generous donors, and partners.

“These outstanding early-career researchers are tackling some of the most pressing challenges in brain health,” said Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada. “By investing in their creativity and talent, we are building the foundation for breakthroughs that will transform lives.”

A platform for partnership

“The Azrieli Foundation is proud to stand with Brain Canada in supporting the next generation of scientific leaders,” said Naomi Azrieli, O.C., DPhil, Chair and CEO of the Azrieli Foundation. “By empowering early-career researchers to pursue bold and transformative ideas, we are helping to unlock discoveries that will change lives and improve brain health for all Canadians.”

Since 2019, the Future Leaders program has supported over 131 emerging scientists, strengthening Canada’s research ecosystem and ensuring the next generation of leaders has the resources to pursue high-risk, high-reward discoveries.

“Brain research is an investment in the future of health care in Canada. We are pleased to support the next generation of scientists whose work will foster new and innovative discoveries for treatments on important areas of health, such as youth mental health, brain function, and neurodevelopmental disorders.” – Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health

Driving innovation nationwide

These Future Leaders will explore urgent questions in:

• Neurodevelopment
• Neurodegeneration
• Epilepsy
• Mental health
• Fundamental brain function
  

Projects range from developing new treatments for epilepsy, to identifying early interventions for youth suicide, to investigating rare neurodevelopmental disorders.

About the Recipients

1. Dr. Alexandre Caron – Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ), Université Laval
2. Dr. Ana Suller Marti – London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute / Western University
3. Dr. Anastassia Voronova – University of Alberta
4. Dr. Anthony Flamier – Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine / Université de Montréal
5. Dr. Anthony Gifuni – Douglas Mental Health University Institute / McGill University
6. Dr. Argel Aguilar-Valles – Carleton University
7. Dr. Benjamin De Leener – Polytechnique Montréal / Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine
8. Dr. Ciaran Murphy-Royal – CRCHUM (Université de Montréal’s affiliated Hospital Research Centre)
9. Dr. Éric Samarut – CRCHUM (Université de Montréal’s affiliated Hospital Research Centre)
10. Dr. Gayatri Saraf – The Ottawa Hospital / University of Ottawa
11. Dr. Hong Han – McMaster University
12. Dr. Ina Anreiter – University of Toronto
13. Dr. Jerome Fortin – The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University
14. Dr. Julie Ottoy – Sunnybrook Research Institute / University of Toronto
15. Dr. Louis Gagnon – CERVO Brain Research Centre / Université Laval
16. Dr. Michael Tymko – University of Guelph
17. Dr. Paul Masset – McGill University
18. Dr. Paul Sabatini – RI-MUHC (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre)
19. Dr. Peter Zhukovsky – CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) / University of Toronto
20. Dr. Shreejoy Tripathy – CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) / University of Toronto
21. Dr. Simon Thebault – The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), McGill University
22. Dr. Xian Wang – Queen’s University