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November 2014

Inside this issue….

Editorial

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The ORT Times A monthly newsletter featuring UHN Trainees

03

Click here to access past issues from our archive.

The ORT Office of Research Trainees

07 Alumnus Profile

06 Latest & Greatest

04 Conference Reports

Research Training

Upcoming Events & Funding Opportunities

Matching Scientists with Clinicians—Advice for a Fruitful Union

Written by Stuart Faulkner

The landscape for funded research programs has changed substantially over the years. Gone are the days when a principle investigator (PI) would seek collaboration only within their discipline or department, with the promise to publish a few papers at the end of the funding cycle. The financial security traditionally provided by research institutions no longer exists and as research questions become increasingly complex, funding bodies (composed of stakeholders and shareholders) are demanding real-world healthcare solutions, rather than a promise of ‘furthering scientific knowledge’, before they part with their money. Most funding opportunities are now modelled on multi-PI, multi-institution and multi-disciplinary cooperation. As the applicants for these funds are becoming more entrepreneurial in their thinking, funding agencies are likewise acting more like investors in start-ups: working closely with PIs at almost every stage from conception through to end-stage delivery to stakeholders. Collaboration between researchers and clinicians is now a key component in many of the larger competitive funding programs. Therefore, researchers must rise to the challenge of finding ways to form a union between two disciplines that have historically been quite separate.

Check out the talent Find out what clinical or basic research is currently being done in your institution. Attend open days, clinical research rounds and speak to department heads to open a dialogue. You could host a mini-symposium day highlighting the research being done in your department and invite clinicians and program leads to attend.

Con’t on page 2

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...con’t from page 1 Alternatively, you could approach organisations such as the Ontario Brain Institute (featured in the May 2013 ORT Times) who aim to foster collaborations and provide databases and maps of research institutions, commercial enterprises and research-related companies to point you to potential collaborators. Find similarities Identify where there are similarities and differences in expertise and approach to a similar question. Where are the gaps in the clinical knowledge that can only be answered experimentally? Are there recent innovations that require direct feedback from patient-clinician interactions for the next step in development? For example, a researcher has developed a new device to aid post-stroke recovery, but lacks the expertise to validate the device in a patient population. Form a union Once the collaborators have been identified, form a research committee comprising researchers and clinicians to evaluate initiatives and determine a strategy. Clinicians and researchers often have conflicting time and financial commitments or work at different locations, so implement a basic governance structure, initiate regular meetings and agree on duties and accountability. Many larger funding opportunities (e.g. Ontario Research Fund) pivot on strategic alliances with industry. Should an industrial partner form part of your union? If so be sure that matters of intellectual property (IP) are sorted out early on—many funding bodies require that the research institution retain control of any IP generated by a project. Long-term plans Identify your long-term goals early in the process. Although funding cycles are usually 3-5 years, plan beyond this. Even if your research initiative is successful, translation into a clinical setting could take years. Intellectual property licensing and spin-off companies can also take time to generate a financial return. To this end funding agencies are increasingly modelling strategic roadmaps based on 5-10 year timelines and are willing to support your continuing research initiative. Furthermore, engaging clinicians of the future in research initiatives now will develop their understanding of the research process and its effect on patient care and health outcomes. Financial agreement Agreeing on realistic milestones and deliverables from the start is vital. Budgets may require a careful approach and a legally binding agreement between collaborating institutions, industry and third party partners—items to cover include costs, IP agreements, data sharing and infrastructure access. Talk things over before problems arise Communication is paramount from day one and throughout the collab-oration in every aspect. While sharing data between researchers is the cornerstone of collaboration, this may not be possible if commercial partners are involved or if data is from a sponsor-funded clinical trial. Ethical responsibility is also different between experimental and clinical research. With large numbers of collaborators involved, discuss authorship from the outset—identify who is responsible for what and when. What about data management? Using secure servers, multiple format types and the sheer volume of data that could be generated requires a clear management strategy to be in place. To this end, use all the institutional resources available to you. Grants and contract offices, technology transfer offices, and clinical trials offices all have the expertise to ensure relationships are successful, longstanding and legal. Collaborative research is continually evolving. Increasingly, researchers must seek to answer real-world questions and have genuine vision outside of the basic research niche; likewise clinicians must be prepared to provide those questions and be engaged in the assessment of treatment protocols.

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Special FeatureSpecial FeatureSpecial Feature

Useful links relating to research strategic planning: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) Ontario Research Fund (ORF)

Conference ReportsConference ReportsConference Reports

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Trainee: Alisa Grigorovich, Postdoctoral Fellow Supervisor: Dr. Jill Cameron, TRI Conference: Canadian Stroke Congress, October 4–7, 2014 Vancouver, BC Abstract: The timing it right stroke family support program: Impact on survivors’ community re-Integration Click here to read Alisa’s conference report!

Trainee: Niki (Eileen) Guerriero, MSc Candidate Supervisor: Dr. Angela Colantonio, TRI Conference: Brain Injury Association of Canada Annual Conference, September 24—26, 2014, Gatineau, QC Abstract: Rehabilitation service utilization and costs following a work-related traumatic brain injury: A sex-based examination of workers’ compensation claims in Victoria, Australia Click here to read Niki’s conference report!

Latest and Greatest Trainee Publications Latest and Greatest Trainee Publications Latest and Greatest Trainee Publications

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The Difficult Transition from Active to Osteoarthritis Summary written by Shaalee Dworski From the publication: A qualitative study of the consequences of knee symptoms: ‘It’s like you’re an athlete and you go to a couch potato’. Crystal MacKay, Susan B Jaglal, Joanna Sale, Elizabeth M Badley, Aileen M Davis. BMJ 2014.TWRI Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful disease of the entire joint involving the cartilage, joint lining, ligaments, and underlying bone. As the disease progresses, patients suffer from reduced mobility and may need a joint replacement. OA is the most common form of arthritis, and the number of OA sufferers is likely to increase as the population ages and also because of the prevalence of obesity. OA is usually thought of as a disease that affects older people, but it may begin at middle-age and younger. Identifying patients at a younger age can allow for early intervention, which may increase the chance of being able to prevent disease progression or even reverse the damage. In this study, MacKay and colleagues wanted to identify the effects of OA on younger adults as a basis to develop early in-terventions. They conducted focus groups and interviews with people age 35-65 who self-reported a previous diagnosis of knee OA or knee symptoms that were consistent with OA. Knee symptoms disrupted the lives of participants in three major aspects: physical, emotional and social. These effects were also interconnected. Knee pain prevented participants from performing physical activities, or required them to adjust their motion and speed. This often had negative social and emotional effects. Social interactions were affected when participants had to give up or change activities and roles, such as group activities with friends, or familial activities such as playing with children. Emotional changes ranged from frustration with new limitations, to depression about changing social interactions, to worry about worsening of their knees. For example, some participants reported feeling depressed due to reduced activity and weight gain, and expressed worries about developing other illnesses such as diabetes. Participants reported that they changed the way they thought about their body and self. They did not trust their knee to support them in daily activities. Knee symptoms also brought participants’ focus to their knee when considering daily activities, when previously they had not been aware of their knee. Some participants also reported a change in their self-image, from strong and independent to weak and less capable. Some parents reported feeling like they were bad role models to their children by not being able to exemplify an active lifestyle. The perceived consequences of OA symptoms reported in this study can be used to support the design of interventional programs and support programs to younger adults with knee pain. By addressing the physical, social and emotional effects of OA, people will be better prepared to deal with their changing bodies and prevent physical and psychological decline. Click here to access the full manuscript.

Turn to the next page to read an interview with the lead author, Crystal MacKay, a UHN trainee at TWRI. Con’t to page 5

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Latest and Greatest Trainee Publications Latest and Greatest Trainee Publications Latest and Greatest Trainee Publications

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The Difficult Transition from Active to Osteoarthritis ….con’t from page 4

One of ORT’s science writers, Shaalee Dworski recently spoke with Crystal MacKay, the lead author of the study and a UHN trainee. SD: What would be some aspects that you would like to see in a preventative care program? CM: A key to prevention is improving public awareness of OA, including its risk factors, symptoms, consequences and treatment options. In addition to broad public health messages, primary health care providers have an important role to play in speaking with people about risk factors for OA and treatment options. For instance, weight management should be promoted for the prevention and treatment of OA. To prevent injuries, another risk factor for OA, interventions in schools and sports programs could create awareness of healthy joints and ways to prevent and treat injury at an early age. Once people have symptoms of OA, a key aspect of early intervention is physical activity and exercise. Our study suggests that support is needed to help people remain physically active by appropriately modifying their actions when needed and by facilitating exercising in ways that prevent excessive joint stress. Interventions also need to recognize and help manage the consequences of symptoms on peoples’ social lives, emotions and how they feel about themselves. SD: Are there currently any resources that would help people with knee pain, either physically or emotionally? CM: We conducted this study because there are few programs that target people with early to moderate symptoms of OA. This work was intended as a first step to understanding what it is like to live with knee symptoms to inform the development of interventions to support the needs of people with early OA symptoms. Currently, people may seek guidance from their primary care physician or other health professionals who work with musculoskeletal conditions, such as physiotherapists. Organizations such as The Arthritis Society have information and resources—including self-management programs—for people with arthritis. SD: Some participants in your study suggest a sort of stigma being associated with reduced mobility due to OA and wanting to hide their symptoms. How can we address this stigma? CM: Interestingly, both the visibility of symptoms and lack thereof affected participants. Some participants felt it was difficult to live with symptoms, such as pain, which were invisible to others because people underestimated what it was like to live with symptoms. On the other hand, as you mentioned, some participants wanted to hide symptoms, as they didn’t want their physical symptoms to make them appear “disabled” or “weak” to others. One way to address this is to change perceptions of OA. People have typically viewed OA as a disease of “old” people. By improving public awareness of OA, including recognition that it can affect people at younger ages, people may experience enhanced understanding and support from others.

Crystal MacKay, PhD Candidate Supervisor: Dr. Aileen Davis, TWRI

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Alumnus Career ProfileAlumnus Career ProfileAlumnus Career Profile

1. Tell us a bit about yourself: Your official title and your training and education. I received my Bachelor of Medical Sciences Honors in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University) in 2006 and completed my PhD in Immunology at the University of Toronto in the laboratory of Dr. Joan Wither at the Toronto Western Hospital from 2006 to 2013, investigating the genetics of lupus. 2. What is your current position? How did this type of work interest you and how did you get started? Currently, I am an Associate in the Investment Banking team at Bloom Burton & Co., a healthcare-specialized investment banking firm. I am part of an experienced team of medical, scientific, pharmaceutical, legal and capital markets professionals who perform a deeper level of diligence, which combined with a creative and entrepreneurial culture, leads to the right monetizing events for companies and investors. My primary role is to provide management consulting services to companies, including investigation of new therapeutic targets, indications and clinical trial designs, and catalogue and do due diligence on new products or companies for acquisition. I always had a keen interest in finding a career that intersects science and business. At Bloom Burton, I have the opportunity to explore new areas of science and medicine and understand the evolving landscape in the business aspect of the industry, helping our clients and their patients with improved healthcare. Prior to joining Bloom Burton in October 2012, I gained business development, due diligence and strategy consulting experience in biotechnology and healthcare at a start-up spectroscopy company and SECOR Consulting (now KPMG) during my PhD. In the graduate student community, I also spearheaded the first business case competition for graduate students with the Life Sciences Career Development Society and the Graduate Management Consulting Association (GMCA). I was the Vice President of GMCA in 2010-2011 and was a consultant for Endeavour Volunteer Consulting for Non-Profits in 2010. 3. What are the most important skills that your job requires? Were any of these skills shaped as a result of your experience as a research trainee? The most important skills are to problem solve, think critically and independently and develop my natural curiosity when we meet new companies and approach a new project. Graduate school helped me to develop a transferrable skill set that can go beyond the academic setting. 4. What is the most challenging aspect of your job? The most enjoyable aspect? The most challenging and the most enjoyable aspect of my job is the ability to approach, learn and synthesize new areas of science and medicine that are outside my expertise. I do this every day and I love it. 5. Any advice for trainees who aim to venture into the healthcare investment banking world? Any special words of warning or encouragement? The healthcare investment banking world is fast paced and exciting, where your work can be part of headline news (e.g. mergers & acquisitions, financing deals, and drug approvals). To break into the industry after graduate school, networking and work experience during graduate school are very important. In my case, I had done volunteer work and internships during my PhD, and this allowed me to show my future employers that I have experience in the real world beyond my time at the lab bench. Having work experience and meeting the right people definitely helped to differentiate and strengthen my application.

Evelyn Pau, BMSc (Hons), PhD

Associate at Bloom Burton & Co.

The ORT advertises job opportunities within and outside of UHN. If you are looking for engaging a trainee in your lab, the ORT Times and

the ORT’s webpage is a great platform to gain visibility worldwide!

The following are research training opportunities at the Princess Margaret Cancer Cen-tre and in Japan:

Postdoctoral fellowships in cancer computational biology

The Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Laboratory at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) seeks postdoctoral fellows to work on research projects in computational genomics and machine learning.

The research performed in the Haibe-Kains Laboratory focuses on the integration of high-throughput data from various sources to simultaneously analyze multiple facets of diseases, with a particular emphasis on cancer. Dr. Haibe-Kains and his team are using publicly available genomic datasets and data generated through his collaborations to better understand the biology of underlying diseases and to develop new predictive models to significantly improve disease management. Dr. Haibe-Kains' main contributions include several prognostic gene signatures in breast cancer, subtype classification models for ovarian and breast cancers, as well as genomic predictors of drug response in cancer cell lines. For details, click here.

Research Training OpportunityResearch Training OpportunityResearch Training Opportunity

Dr. Benjamin Haibe-Kains

Biotechnology Specialist—Osaka, Japan

Calling all UHN trainees

Shusaku Yamamoto seeks UHN alumni or MSc/PhD graduates to apply to the Shusaku Yamamoto—a growing patent practice in biotechnology, chemical, biopharmaceutical, electronics materials, life sciences, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries.

Closing date is November 26, 2014. For more information, visit their site here.

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U P C O M I N G E V E N T S & F U N D I N G C A L E N DA R :

12/01 2015 John Charles Polanyi Prize

All Postdoctoral Fellows are encouraged to apply for this $20,000 award.

Click here for details.

12/01 Parkinson Society Canada

Letter of Intent due for Basic Research Fellowship in the field of Parkinson research.

Click here for details.

12/08 TFRI Ontario Node Research Symposium

Discover, Detect, Treat: The translational horizon towards effective cancer therapy.

Register here today.

12/14 UT Research Accelerator

A platform that facilitates easy and secure collaboration and sharing of data and

resources. Trial period September 15 to Dec 14, 2014. Click here for access.

01/08 Career Award

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s Career Award at the Scientific Interface is intended to foster

the early career development of researchers at the Postdoctoral level. Click here for details.

Visit www.uhntrainees.ca for more events and funding information.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT by Amelia Navarette Being a native from Peru, I can attest to good Peruvian cuisine. New Sky Restaurant is my ‘go-to’ restaurant for Peruvian-Cantonese fusion food. Chaufa de Pollo (rice fried with chicken) and Pescado Chi Hau Kay (Fish with oyster sauce) is a must-try.