CVRI March Newsletter
20 March 2026
1) Announcement: CVRI Clinical Lead
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Finlay McAlister as the CVRI Clinical Lead. Dr. McAlister, a member of the Department of Medicine and VIGOUR and ABSPORU director. He is widely respected for his expertise and commitment to advancing translational cardiovascular research. Along with Dr. Tsuyuki (EPICORE), they developed a roadmap for the CVRI clinical researchers, particularly Early Career Faculty, that need assistance in their investigator-driven studies.
It is important to note that this applies to clinical research (i.e. projects that go through the UofA HREB process) and does not apply to quality assurance or improvement studies, as these have separate mechanisms of support by AHS or Acute Care Alberta Operations. It is also important to note that the CVRI is not the same as the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and has a separate budget. As such, any request for financial assistance for studies from the CVRI should go through established processes such as the Dr. Margaret "Marmie" Perkins Hess Heart Research Pilot Grant competition. While the Alberta Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Support Unit (AbSPORU) and the Epidemiology Coordinating and Research (EPICORE) Centre provide in-kind support to assist clinical researchers, neither unit has the ability to offer operational funds, and researchers are encouraged to use mechanisms such as the Kaye Competition and the University Hospital Foundation (https://givetouhf.ca/kaye-competition/), the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, CIHR, or other funding bodies to obtain operating funds to reimburse in-kind contributions from AbSPORU and/or EPICORE. Both AbSPORU and EPICORE can provide letters of support for grant applications but require two weeks lead time before deadlines. The following schematic outlines the roadmap that CVRI investigators can use to request help, based on common questions that they typically have in preparing early data for pilot and operational grants or investigator driven studies:
2) Join us for CVRI Research Day 2026, taking place on Friday, May 22.
Registration and the CALL for ABSTRACTS are OPEN! Trainee awards will be available in each of the presentation categories (standard 10-minute oral presentations and posters). Please note that registration is required for all presenters (oral and poster) and attendees. REGISTER HERE for CVRI Research Day 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your research and be recognized for your contributions to cardiovascular science. Submit your abstracts today using the ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FORM | DEADLINE: April 12, 2026. If you have any questions regarding electronic submission, please contact the CVRI Office at cvri@ualberta.ca or visit our website here.
In addition to the presentation awards, the CVRI will also present the Dr. Francis X. Witkowski Publication Award. The Dr. Francis X. Witkowski Publication Award was established to honor and commemorate the late Dr. Witkowski, a much-missed cardiologist and a great scientist, and valued friend. The award will be given to a trainee and favor innovative translational science in a cardiovascular-related field. The paper should be published or in press in a peer-reviewed journal within the current academic year (June 2025 - June 2026). All trainees with relevant publications are encouraged to apply. Award details, eligibility, and application instructions can be found here.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 20, 2026
3) Scott and Sandra Wegner and Riley Zinnert Student Travel Allowance Award Recipients
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the Scott and Sandra Wegner and Riley Zinnert Student Allowance Award. Each recipient will receive $1000.
Congratulations to all recipients on receiving this well-deserved award!
- Alex Crentsil, MSc – Department of Medicine (Supervisor - Dr. Grace Lam)
- Ryaan EL-Andari, PhD – Department of Surgery (Supervisor - Dr. Jayan Nagendran)
- Sara Helal, PhD – Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (Supervisor - Dr. Ayman El-Kadi)
- Yuliia Smereka, MSc – Department of Medicine (Supervisor - Dr. Justin Ezekowitz)
- Xiang Xiao, PhD – Department of Medicine (Supervisor - Dr. Padma Kaul)
4) Master of Science in Medicine with a Specialization in Translational Medicine
CVRI Students/trainees can enroll in the Translational Medicine Program (DoM). The program offers an in-depth focus on translational research, primarily in cardiovascular research. It provides opportunities to explore cutting-edge areas including cardio-oncology and stroke research. Participants gain hands-on experience and insights into innovative approaches in cardiovascular medicine.
About the Program
This graduate program teaches the Principles of Translational Medicine which embodies a process that brings a molecular discovery to actual patients and populations. As this process is based on research, the program will teach research concepts and methodology across all the pillars of translational research (preclinical, clinical, outcomes and health services). Our MSc in Medicine with Specialization in Translational Medicine program will use clinical cases in order to provide the framework for thinking and discussion around applied translational and disease-based research. The graduates of this program will understand how a molecular discovery eventually translates to a health service policy and treating patients. They will be well prepared to engage (or potentially lead) multidisciplinary translational programs across all four pillars of research. The program consists of a series of four offered consecutive courses/modules registered at the Faculty of Graduate Studies (MED602, MED 604, MED 606, MED 608). The program is open to all graduate students and residents across the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
Over a period of 2 years, there are 4 courses/modules (0.5 academic year each). Each course/module consists of one virtual (Zoom) session a week (1 hour). Course/Modules:
- Med 602, Module I: (offered Fall 2027) The course aim is to understand principles of preclinical (animal and human tissue-based) research and models of human disease that promote translation to early phase clinical trials.
- Med 604, Module II: (offered Winter 2028) The course aim is to understand the principles in the conduct of early-phase versus large clinical trials and the requirements for successful translation of preclinical research: traditional and novel trial designs, endpoints, statistical challenges, regulatory and funding challenges, structure of translational teams and knowledge translation will be discussed.
- Med 606, Module III: (offered Fall 2026) The course aim is to recognize the role of biomarkers (genetic, biochemical and imaging) in clinical research, including early phase trials and clinical care. Principles for the discovery of novel biomarkers at the preclinical and clinical level will be discussed.
- Med 608, Module IV: (offered Winter 2027) The course aim is to discuss the principles of candidate drug targets in disease and drug design. The importance of drug target validation at the cellular level, preclinical level and in clinical studies as well as the financial and social implications of drug development will be discussed.
One can attend the courses to:
- Obtain a Master of Science in Medicine with a Specialization in Translational Medicine: this will require:
- Enrollment into the DoM graduate program and secure a thesis supervisor. Students out of the Department of Medicine can participate by securing a co-supervisor from the Department of Medicine. *Residents require a letter of support from their program director
- Successful completion of 3 out of 4 courses/modules
+ a Master's thesis
- Secure academic credits toward a MSc or PhD degree at the University of Alberta by completing one or more of these courses. (Residents not already enrolled in a program but would like to take the modules for credit must apply as an open studies student through the Office of the Registrar). Graduate students and open studies students outside the DoM already enrolled in other MSc or PhD programs at the University, could enroll in the Translational Medicine courses/modules for academic credit by submitting:
- Statement of Interest (one page)
- CV
A maximum of six units of course weight of a thesis-based student's program may be met through transfer credit.
Any inquiries regarding the program can be sent to eleni.karageorgos@ualberta.ca or cvri@ualberta.ca
5) CVRI Membership – OPEN
To join or renew, please visit our website or use the CVRI membership registration/online form
6) Connect with us
The CVRI office welcomes the opportunity to connect with members to discuss ideas, questions, or upcoming initiatives. Personal or virtual meetings are available on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 10 AM to 12 PM. Appointments can be arranged by contacting the CVRI at cvri@ualberta.ca
Best wishes,
Irene and Evangelos