Baycrest

25 Rotman Research Institute Annual Report 2015-2016 RESEARCH TRAINING CENTRE Career & Professional Development – RTC Internship Program Recognizing that tangible work experience enables trainees to excel in a competitive job market, the RTC partners with both internal and external stakeholders to develop volunteer, part-time and paid, full-time internship opportunities for Baycrest trainees. Through the generous support of the Mynne & Harold Soupcoff endowment, trainees are able to work full-time with an external partner organization to develop their transferable skills, expand their network of vocational contacts, and enhance their work history. In 2015-2016, four internship opportunities were offered to trainees in partnership with McMaster University (Research Data Management), Baycrest Stakeholder Relations & Special Projects (Policy Analysis), the North West Toronto Health Link (Health Evaluation), and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (Health Systems Research). Innovative Perspectives in Neuroscience (IPN) Conference 2016 In 2016, the RTC delivered its inaugural conference. IPN 2016 was a trainee-driven initiative for highly qualified personnel (HQP; students, fellows, staff) that included: 1) keynote presentations from industry and not-for-profit leaders in the neuroscience and brain health space; 2) a trainee networking lunch; and 3) a case competition around brain health solutions and strategies for innovation adoption. IPN 2016 aimed to: 1) expose HQP to new and alternative vocational pathways in science; 2) allow HQP to explore new skills and interests in neuroscience and brain health through an experiential case Health systems research intern: Dr. Marie St-Laurent (formerly Buchsbaum Lab) IPN 2016 case competition judges & winners (l to r): Dr. Graeme Moffat, Deanna Groetzinger, Team Responsive Minds (Maria Nelson, Shannon Coffey), Team CP-Engage (Stephanie Beldick, Prakasham Rumajogee, Christopher Ahuja), and Hamid Sadri. Advocacy & Communication – Brain & Body Wellness Workshop Series In recognition of the unique stressors experienced by research trainees, the RTC initiated a new workshop series for trainees focused on providing strategies to enhance overall physical and mental wellness. With a generous donation from the University of Toronto Graduate Student Union, the RTC partnered with key clinical Baycrest stakeholders to offer four workshops including: managing work- life balance, pet therapy, mindfulness meditation, and music therapy. competition; and 3) facilitate connections with industry and not-for-profit leaders to spark career development and downstream opportunities.

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