CVRI October Newsletter

Welcome to OCTOBER!

We hope everyone had a wonderful summer and is enjoying the beautiful autumn season.

1) ADVANCING CVRI RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE: THE DRIVE PROJECT

CVRI Town Hall meeting follow-up: We reviewed the vision for renewing and expanding the research infrastructure available to CVRI/CVRC researchers. The discussion included the infrastructure proposed in an unsuccessful (internally) CFI application. The application was put forward urgently based on the internal deadline announced, which did not allow enough time for discussion and engagement. Yet, it still brought together multiple CVRI members from several faculties and departments (Dyck, Tabatabaei, Usher, Sutendra, Kasiri, Prado, Jickling, Michelakis). We proposed a vision for DRIVE, a unique research platform on a) drug modeling and synthesis, b) comprehensive animal phenotyping, c) human phenotyping (multi-OMICs for clinical trials and biomarker discovery).

In the last townhall, we explained the vision of DRIVE in detail and received feedback. A summary of the rationale and description of the DRIVE platform and its proposed infrastructure can be seen HERE and is also attached. To now develop this as a university-based core facility, we need to first understand the level of anticipated engagement and usage of the infrastructure. For this reason, we include this short form in which you can declare your level of possible engagement (low, medium, high), and also include ideas for other infrastructure, for as long as it is compatible with the overall DRIVE vision, HERE. DRIVE fills institutional and national gaps in drug discovery and translational research and relates to both preclinical (e.g. animal comprehensive phenotyping) and clinical research (human tissue phenotyping, OMICs platforms for clinical research and biomarker discovery). Please fill the form within the next 2 weeks. A reminder will follow in one week.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Town Hall and contributed to the discussion. We greatly appreciate your continued engagement, ideas, and support as we work together to strengthen the research environment at CVRI.

2) ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLINICAL RESEARCH COMMITTEE

There is a misconception that CVRI is mostly related to preclinical work. Although the CVRI cannot support the conduction of large, randomized trials, as this is supported by other FOMD and CHS initiatives, there are plenty of opportunities for clinical imaging or biomarker projects particularly around smaller mechanistic early-phase trials or generation of preliminary data. For example, the small grants that we offer (Cote, Hess grants) are open to either preclinical or clinical work.

The CVRI had earlier established a Clinical Research Committee, led by CVRI Clinical Lead Dr. Finlay McAlister (Medicine), to strengthen clinical research representation and engagement across the Institute.

 The committee includes:

• Dr Ross Tsuyuki (Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences)
• Arnav Agarwal (FOMD – Internal Medicine)
• Carla Prado (ALES)
• Gaurav Gulsin (FOMD – Cardiology)

Gaurav is the newest CVRI member and arrived recently from the UK (Welcome Gaurav!). He is a cardiologist specializing in advanced cardiovascular imaging (MRI, CT) with an impressive agenda and enthusiasm to develop research platforms in cardiac imaging in CVRI. He is very eager to collaborate and will soon be reaching out to CVRI members for specific projects and collaboration initiatives.

A separate committee on preclinical research had been formed and created the DRIVE vision and the first CFI application, led by the CVRI preclinical lead Dr. Jason Dyck (FOMD – Pediatrics), which includes:

• Gopi Sutendra (FOMD, Cardiology)
• John Usher (Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences)
• Amir Tabatabaei Dakhili (Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences)

The 2 committees joined, form the CVRI steering committee. The committee membership is open to new members that can propose new directions are willing to contribute to the CVRI growth and vision. If interested, please contact either Drs. Dyck or McAlister. It would be great to expand the depth and diversity of the steering committee.

Further guidance for CVRI is offered by the annual meetings of the CVRI Oversight Committee, that has been set by the Dean’s office. This committee includes additional research leaders from many departments and faculties.

3) NEW: PLANNING TO PRESENT YOUR RESEARCH? APPLY FOR TRAINEE TRAVEL SUPPORT!

SANDRA AND SCOTT WEGNER AND RILEY ZINNERT STUDENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCE

Value: $1,000 
Application Deadline: November 30, 2026 at 11:59pm MST

The Sandra and Scott Wegner and Riley Zinnert CVRI Award is designed to assist with the travel costs for a cardiovascular research trainee (graduate student, postdoc, resident, clinical fellow) who is representing their research work in the form of an oral or poster presentation at a major national or international conference, symposium, or scientific meeting. The research being presented must be the trainees own work (e.g. first author) and directly relevant to the cardiovascular research field (e.g., enhancing knowledge of cardiovascular disease, treatment or patient care, or understanding of molecular mechanisms, cellular processes or physiology of the CV system). 

This funding is offered as a benefit of CVRI membership and can be used for travel-related costs only, not for participation in virtual events. Selection will include evaluation of the conference and its academic nature; the CVRI reserves the right to be selective on the academic importance of the conference. All CVRI Travel awards are administered in accordance with the University's current travel and expense policies and procedures. 

For details and to submit your Travel Allowance application, please click here »

Competition opening soon: Cote, HESS grants - details in our website, opening days, and deadlines will be announced soon.

4) MARK YOUR CALENDARS

The 2027 CVRI Gary Lopaschuk Research Day will be on Friday, May 28, 2027 at 8:00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. 

Information on abstract submission, deadlines, and venue will follow soon.

5) CVRI Membership – OPEN

To join or renew, please visit our website or use the CVRI membership registration/online form

As always, please let us know of important publications and awards from your group, so we can disseminate your success through our monthly newsletters and the CVRI website.

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

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Best wishes,
Evangelos & Irene