Michael Smith, Merck Canada sponsors CDRD's new post-doctoral fellowship program

The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) today announced that they have created a new Post-Doctoral Fellowship position with joint sponsorship from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and Merck Canada.

"This new post-doctoral fellowship position at CDRD has been made possible with both private sector and public sector funding through financial support from Merck and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research," said Karimah Es Sabar, Senior Vice President, Business & Strategic Affairs at CDRD.

"A key element of CDRD's mandate is to provide the next generation of highly qualified drug development personnel, and CDRD's training program in drug development is truly unique - combining the best elements of industrial and academic based settings. This post-doctoral candidate will be a key member of our research teams and will gain a broad range of experience from many innovative projects and the mentorship provided at CDRD," added Ms. Es Sabar.

CDRD's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers early-career scientists the opportunity to contribute to and learn from the expertise of the CDRD staff. CDRD's Post Doctoral Fellows work closely with the Heads at their site or CDRD, conducting experiments, leading data management and generating reports, and helping them build a commercially attractive project package.

"As a long-time supporter of early-career scientists, we are pleased to partner on this unique opportunity for post-doctoral fellows. Advancing the experience and knowledge in this field is critical to our ongoing growth in health research in BC," said Dr. John Challis, President & CEO at the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research.

"Merck is pleased to partner with CDRD and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research for the advancement of scientific knowledge by sponsoring this post-doctoral fellowship program, " said Patricia Massetti, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Patient Access. "This initiative is an example of Merck's ongoing commitment to health research and innovation in British Columbia and Canada," she added.