About us

The Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) is a pan-faculty University of Alberta initiative integrating and building upon existing research strengths in cardiovascular (CV) research to create a comprehensive CV program that merges discovery and clinical science with clinical care and improved patient outcomes.

Vision

To aid scientists, clinicians and the community to engage, discover, innovate, accelerate and disseminate cardiovascular research and clinical findings so that we eliminate the burden of cardiovascular disease.

Mission

The CVRI will: 

  • Facilitate transformative cardiovascular research across life’s continuum through discovery, clinical, health services and population health research.
  • Build research & innovation capacity and inspire leaders of tomorrow. 
  • Support a culture of discovery and translation that will be embraced by patients, policy makers, health-care practitioners and scientists.
  • Cultivate a business culture, where the CVRI collaborates with leading research/ health centres and related industries and targets commercialization of innovation while generating and protecting intellectual property.

Core values

  • Collaboration - the CVRI fosters multidisciplinary teamwork and partnership amongst members in every pillar of research and clinical service.
  • Quality - the CVRI promotes the highest standards of research conduct and health services.
  • Trust and Integrity - the members of the CVRI, our patients and community partners will have faith in every aspect of the CVRI conduct; along the continuum of research studies through to clinical care and patient outcomes.
  • Transparency and Inclusion - the CVRI values openness and inclusivity in our governance, processes and conduct, with the principle of fairness as a foundation.

Governance

The CVRI is led by Dr. Justin Ezekowitz and is supported by two key boards:

  • The CVRI Oversight Board is the primary governing body for the CVRI. It provides oversight of the institute with respect to governance, finances, operations and required transparency to the membership and stakeholders it serves
  • The Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of international scientific leaders in the CV research world. This board provides guidance regarding research themes and programs, and recommendations on the placement of strategic investments to best enhance the CVRI's impact. They also provide a unique linkage to established or potential external collaborations.

Business Plan

With input from Faculty of Medicine representatives and the CVRI Oversight Board, the CVRI has developed a formal Business Plan to guide the initial development of the institute through to 2025. The plan's Executive Summary is publicly available and provides a brief overview of the institute's goals.  


Partners

While the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry is our home, as a pan-faculty institute, the CVRI works with many partners across the university. The CVRI and its researchers also work closely with partners at other educational institutions and within Alberta Health Services, as well as with fundraising organizations such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation and both the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation and the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation.

Our expanding list of partner institutions and centres that are advancing cardiovascular research includes: