External Advisory Board

The External Advisory Board provides peer review and feedback on performance and new opportunities.

Members of the External Advisory Board:

Dr. Donald William Parsons, Associate Professor, Pediatrics-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Geoff Porter, Professor of Surgery and Ramia Chair in Surgical Oncology, Dalhousie University

Mr. Patrick Sullivan, President and Founder, Team Finn Foundation

Dr. Samuel Aparicio, Nan & Lorraine Robertson Chair in Breast Cancer Research and Head of the BC Cancer Agency Department of Breast and Molecular Biology

Dr. Eduardo Franco, James McGill Professor, Departments of Oncology and Epidemiology & Biostatistics; Director, Division of Cancer Epidemiology; and Chairman, Department of Oncology, McGill University

Dr. Julia Rowland, Former Director, Office of Cancer Survivorship, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute

Dr. Cheryl Arrowsmith, Senior Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Professor of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto

 

Recommendations

A summary of recommendations provided by the External Review Board, covering their inaugural review over November 2017 and October 2018 is provided below:

Research Priority

Strive to establish cancer as a research priority at the University of Calgary.
 

Research Focus

Focus on research that makes a difference at the local, national, and international levels.

Opportunities

Continue to work with the new cancer centre to create opportunities in cancer research.
 

Actions

Translate the new joint cancer research framework into opportunities and actions.
 

Promote

Promote the visibility of Charbonneau inside and outside the university.
 

Supporting Investigators

Ensure that the Institute’s new investigators are mentored and resourced for success.
 

A larger base

Develop and mentor a larger and more rigorous base of cancer research trainees.

  • Develop Institute sponsored post-doctoral fellowships and travel awards.
  • Invite alumni to talk to trainees and young researchers about their journey.
  • Develop Institute-branded trainee-led seminars, symposia, and guest lectures.
  • Support trainees and young researchers to succeed, especially through mentorship.
  • Continue to provide small seed grants to foster new ideas and generate data for grants.
  • Develop a mechanism to support trainee-led collaborative research. 

Patient Involvement

Foster patient involvement in research strategy and planning by meaningfully embedding patient engagement in the Institute

Clinical practice

Support the implementation of research findings into clinical practice.

Leadership skills and Experience

Create opportunities for members to develop leadership skills and acquire experience