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Industry-based internships fueling talent pipeline in Canada’s burgeoning regenerative medicine sector

December 9, 2022 (Ottawa) – Regenerative medicine (RM) is changing the game by unlocking leading-edge treatments for chronic diseases such as type 1 diabetes and muscular dystrophies, and today, recognizing the importance of talent development to advance this exciting and promising sector, the Stem Cell Network (SCN) and Mitacs are pleased to announce the placement of four next-generation leaders within Canadian biotech companies through the SCN-Mitacs Industry-based Internship Partnership.

Launched earlier in 2022, the SCN-Mitacs Industry-based Internship Partnership aims to pair the brightest graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with Canadian RM-focused biotech companies that are moving innovative therapies and technologies into the marketplace. Matched through the Mitacs Accelerate program, successful interns complete an eight-month placement and gain exposure and experience within industry while working on a stem cell and regenerative medicine-related project. This year’s successful interns are:

From designing cell-containing hydrogels for type 1 diabetes, to developing novel bioink for generating human heart tissue models for drug testing, Mr. Golzar, Dr. Sharma, Dr. Budzynski and Mr. Beaulieu are each working avidly to tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. To learn more about each of the interns, their projects, and what drives them in their work to advance RM therapies for the future, visit: https://stemcellnetwork.ca/2022-2023-interns/

The SCN-Mitacs Industry-based Internship Partnership will re-open for applications in January 2023 for the 2023/24 period. Companies that are interested in hosting an intern in 2023/24 are encouraged to fill out an expression of interest: https://stemcellnetwork.ca/training/scn-mitacs-internship-partnership/

Quotes

“Canada is a world leader in regenerative medicine, which is considered by investors, economists and health policy experts to be the next frontier of health. Through our partnership with Mitacs, the Stem Cell Network is contributing to building Canada’s talent base and growing a competitive and thriving regenerative medicine sector that will significantly contribute to a stronger and healthier Canada in the years to come.

‒ Cate Murray, President and CEO, Stem Cell Network

“Mitacs is thrilled to be partnering with the Stem Cell Network to support the placement of four experts within cutting-edge Canadian companies revolutionizing healthcare and helping Canadian benefit from innovative therapies.”

‒ John Hepburn, CEO, Mitacs

About the Stem Cell Network:
The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is a Canadian not-for-profit that supports stem cell and regenerative medicine research; training the next generation of highly qualified personnel; and knowledge mobilization and transfer of stem cell and regenerative medicine research. From the lab to the clinic, SCN’s goal is to power life-saving therapies and technologies through regenerative medicine research for the benefit of all. Created in 2001, with support from the Government of Canada, the Network has grown from a few dozen labs to more than 230 world-class research groups, supporting over 225 research projects and more than 25 clinical trials. Since its inception, over 20 biotech companies have been catalyzed or enhanced and more than 5,000 highly qualified personnel have been trained. In 2021, the Government of Canada demonstrated its continuing trust and support in SCN with an investment of $45 million for the 2022–2025 period.

About Mitacs:
Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for 20 years. Working with an extensive network of postsecondary partners, and both federal and provincial governments, we build partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada. Mitacs has worked with thousands of private sector and not-for-profit organizations as well as 84 universities and 105 college, CÉGEP and polytechnic partners to fuel strategic relationships that power Canadian innovation excellence.
To learn more about the organization, please visit https://www.mitacs.ca/en.

 

Media Contacts:
Samantha Rae Ayoub
Vice-President, Communications & Knowledge Mobilization
srae@stemcellnetwork.ca

Adam Austen
Manager, Communications
514-705-8355 | aausten@mitacs.ca

Jacqueline Mason
Director, Communications
514-247-0542 | jmason@mitacs.ca


Program Contacts:
Jonathan Draper, Ph.D.
Vice-President, Research & Training, Stem Cell Network
jdraper@stemcellnetwork.ca

Jillian Murray, PhD.
Account Manager, Mitacs
jhatnean@mitacs.ca