Co-Mentorship Program
Empowering Future Scientists through Patient Partnerships
The Co-Mentorship Program at the Riddell Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, delivered in partnership with the Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit and the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute is a unique trainee-led initiative designed to integrate patient partnerships into graduate and post-doctoral training. This structured, two-phase program pairs graduate students and post-doctoral fellows with patient-partners—individuals with lived experience of cancer, including patients, caregivers, and family members—to foster mutual learning, communication, and collaboration in preclinical research.
Through mentorship and project-based learning, participants work together to translate complex scientific research into public-facing knowledge, strengthening connections between research and the broader community.
Why Join?
For Patient Partners:
- Share your lived experience to shape how future scientists approach research.
- Engage with cutting-edge research and help share important discoveries.
- Make a meaningful impact in the scientific community.
- Receive compensation for your time and participation, following the AbSPORU Patient Partner Compensation Guide
For Trainees (MSc, PhD, and Post-Doctoral Fellows):
- Gain valuable mentorship from patient partners and develop real-world communication skills.
- Improve knowledge translation skills by making your research accessible to the public.
- Build connections beyond academia and strengthen patient-researcher collaboration.
How It Works
A patient-partner and a trainee are paired together for an 8-month program.
The program is divided into two phases:
* Program schedule subject to change.
Phase 1: Foundational Learning (September – October)
- Trainee Events: Attend learning seminars and complete a trainee patient-oriented research journal club.
- Welcome Event: All participants meet at an in-person event, including a lab tour to introduce patient partners to research environments.
- Expert-Led Learning Modules: All participants take part in learning modules on topics including patient engagement in research, incorporating patient perspectives into preclinical research, and co-developing communications projects.
Phase 2: Mentorship and Project Development (November – March)
- Monthly Meetings: Each trainee-patient pair meets once per month to collaborate on a knowledge translation project, such as:
- Creating an informational brochure.
- Preparing an in person informational booth to engage and educate the public.
- Final Presentations (Spring):
- All pairs will present their projects to the public at booths during the Cracking the Cancer Code event in the spring, an community-focused event hosted by the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, in partnership with the Riddell Centre. This event provides an interactive space for the public to engage with cancer researchers and learn about advancements in cancer research.
Hear From Previous Participants
"The researcher with whom I was teamed now has a new perspective on his work. He has told me before the program, he never really thought about patient experiences and the effect his work will have on them. Now he does, and he says he is a more well-rounded researcher, and better for the experience.
I really appreciated being a part of the project and having the opportunity to add my voice as a patient."
– Patient Partner
“I thought the program was exactly what I was hoping for. The patient partners were passionate and engaged, the environment was welcoming, and I learned a lot. I am going to recommend that all my fellow students get involved in this program if it becomes a regular opportunity for trainees.”
– Graduate Student
Frequently Asked Questions
Participants must make an effort to attend all learning modules during phase 1 of the program. Additionally, participants must commit to meet once per month for 1 hour from November to March. Additional time may be required to work on your knowledge translation project.
Yes! Patient-partners receive financial compensation for their time and are reimbursed for any expenses related to program participation, such as taxi fare and parking, as per the AbSPORU Patient Partner Compensation Guide.
After patient-partners are selected, they review trainee applications and choose a partner based on shared interests and research focus.
Join Our Mailing List
If you are a patient-partner interested in learning more about our program, join our mailing list to receive updates.
Contact Us
For questions or more information, please contact riddellcentre@ucalgary.ca
