Co-Mentorship Pilot Program
Empowering Future Scientists through Patient Partnerships
The Co-Mentorship Pilot Program at the Riddell Centre within the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, delivered in partnership with the Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, was a unique trainee-led initiative that was designed to integrate patient partnerships into graduate and post-doctoral training. Pairing graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with patient partners—individuals with lived experience of cancer, including patients, caregivers, and family members—this program fostered mutual learning, communication, and collaboration in preclinical research.
Through mentorship and project-based learning, participants worked together to translate complex scientific research into public-facing knowledge, strengthening connections between research and the broader community.
Previous Projects
Explore projects from previous participants in the Co-Mentorship Pilot Program
Lived Experience, Lasting Impact
Video project by Camri Imlach and David Spence
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
