U of S Medical Professor Wins National Biomedical Science Ambassador Award
Posted May 07, 1999
Tweet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 6, 1999
99-05-01-ME
RESEARCH NEWS
U of S Medical Professor Wins National Biomedical Science Ambassador Award
Barry McLennan, assistant dean of research at the University of Saskatchewan
College of Medicine, has been awarded a prestigious national award
recognizing his "inspired leadership in advancing support for medical
science and science policy in Canada."
Partners in Research, a national, non-profit group which promotes biomedical
research. has selected McLennan for the 1999 Biomedical Science Ambassador
Award in the scientific category.
The award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional personal
contributions in advancing understanding of and support for biomedical
research. Previous winners include author Pierre Berton and Dr. Henry
Friesen, president of the Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC).
Friesen praised McLennan's achievements as a leading spokesperson for
biomedical research in Canada.
"Barry McLennan's pragmatic approach to complex matters in research wins the
day all the time," said Friesen. "He's a big picture thinker who never
loses sight of local opportunities. Canada is fortunate to have Barry around
to help shape a modern health research enterprise."
McLennan, a professor of biochemistry, is chair of the Coalition for
Biomedical and Health Research, a non-profit corporation set up in 1992 with
broad representation from Canada's biomedical, clinical, and health research
community.
Under McLennan's leadership, the coalition's lobbying efforts helped
persuade the federal government to reverse the downward trend in biomedical
research funding and to provide $29 million in new money for the MRC in the
1998 federal budget and an extra $27.5 million in the 1999 budget.
Through lobbying activities and persuading researchers to write letters, the
coalition has been instrumental in convincing the federal government to
launch the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) which will
transform how health research is conducted and funded in Canada. CIHR has
been given $65 million this year to begin the formation of a network of
health research institutes.
McLennan was a member of the executive committee of the CIHR Task Force. In
February, the task force evolved into the CIHR Interim Governing Council, of
which McLennan is also a member.
From 1994-97, he chaired the Standing Committee on Research and Graduate
Studies of the Association of Canadian Medical Colleges. In 1983, he was
named president of the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies. McLennan
has also served on several federal research grant and scholarship selection
committees.
U of S President George Ivany said McLennan has played a leading role in
convincing politicians at all levels of the need to invest in health
research.
"We're proud that Prof. McLennan has been an effective ambassador for health
research in this province and across Canada. He is truly a worthy recipient
of this award," Ivany said.
For more information, contact:
Barry D. McLennan, Ph.D
Chair, Coalition for Biomedical & Health Research (CBHR)
and Assistant Dean, Research
College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
Ph. (306) 966-4338
Fax (306) 966-6164
E-mail: McLennan@admin.usask.ca
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Officer
Office of the Office-President Research
Ph. (306) 966-2506
Fax (306) 966-8597
E-mail: kathryn.warden@usask.ca
