Ottawa – Starting a research faculty career is challenging, with barriers such as racism and sexism making it even harder. Financial support, mentorship, and career training are all essential for providing the current generation of diverse trainees the opportunity to succeed as academics and researchers.
Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced the results of Canada’s first Research Excellence, Diversity and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partners are providing $28.4 million to support 43 early-career researchers focusing on health research in the areas of infectious and chronic disease, brain and mental health, aging, rare diseases, improving the health care system, and more.
For instance:
- Dr. Rabia Khan from the University of British Columbia is researching how to address burnout in women physicians with intersectional identities.
- Dr. Pamela Lagali from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is examining potential new treatments for retinal diseases that lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Dr. Idowu B. Olawoye from the University of Western Ontario is tackling antimicrobial resistance, a growing problem in Canada and around the world.
- Dr Ralph-Sydney Mboumba Bouassa from the Institut du Savoir Montfort is examining the neglected threat of HPV and cervical cancer in non-vaccinated immigrants and refugee women from Sub-Saharan Africa living in Canada.
This new investment will support Black people and racialized women who are underrepresented as they transition to independent academic or research positions—increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion in health research. Ultimately, this will make Canada a healthier place for everyone.
“The transition from trainee to independent researcher is often the hardest stage of a researcher’s career, and factors such as racism and sexism make it even harder. With the REDI Early Career Transition Award, our government is investing in a diverse, inclusive, and talented pool of new researchers that will make invaluable contributions to health research in Canada.” – Mark Holland, Minister of Health