[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/CIHR-Bernstein.jpg” caption=”(L to R) Mamdouh Shoukri (vice-president, Research and International Affairs), Steve Collins (associate dean, Research – Health Sciences), Alan Bernstein (CIHR president) and John Kelton (dean and vice-president – Health Sciences). Photo credit: Christine Maclean”]McMaster's extensive health research was showcased Wednesday during a visit by top scientists of Canada's national health research funding agency.

The scientific directors of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) and president Alan Bernstein met with CIHR-funded McMaster researchers yesterday at a series of open meetings.

“I think the day went very well,” said Steve Collins, associate dean, research for the Faculty of Health Sciences. “From our end, we provided CIHR with a very broad overview of existing strengths and future potential, emphasizing our continued commitment to multi-disciplinary and translational research. In turn, we received excellent feedback from CIHR about our strengths and potential.”

He said the reality of the current funding situation was also outlined. “It is clear we'll need to work together to better inform the public and politicians about the importance of health research.”

Alan Bernstein said the day was an absolute success. “If the visionaries who created CIHR were looking for a template of what a successful approach to health research would look like it would be McMaster. This University is committed to inspiring innovation and discovery at every level. McMaster researchers are pushing the boundaries of understanding and creating new knowledge every day.”

A new series of McMaster University/CIHR posters were displayed at an evening reception. The posters focus on McMaster research teams and are designed to illustrate the end goals of what can be achieved with investments in health research.

The posters represent the real dreams of translating health research to reality: a cure for cancer, or for AIDS, a new vaccine for tuberculosis, or the elimination of wheel chairs because spinal cord injury can be easily reversed.