Fall 2011 - Institute of Medical Science - University of Toronto

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Director’s
Message
The IMS Magazine has been a tremendous success and is just one of the many wonderful studentinitiated
projects that make the IMS such a very special institute. I fully support the ongoing
publication of the IMS Magazine and look forward to the many opportunities the magazine can
afford us for recruitment and for publicizing the outstanding research that is being conducted by
our faculty and our trainees.
This fourth issue of the magazine focuses on the important area of prostate cancer and highlights
some of the important research that IMS faculty is conducting. Congratulations to Natalie Venier
and her team for their continued hard work and collective creative energies in producing this
wonderful publication. Thanks as well to Kamila Lear for her ongoing assistance in this project.
This summer, the IMS moved into its new space on the main floor of MSB, room 2374. Please
come and visit us as soon you can. We also welcomed two new administrative assistants to our
administrative team: Kaki Narh Blackwood, whose portfolio includes coordinating student defense
examinations and monitoring program progress and completion; and Marika Galadza, whose
portfolio includes general inquiries, room bookings, and the summer undergraduate program. I
look forward to working with Kaki and Marika, as well as with Kamila Lear, our program and
business officer, Hazel Pollard, who is responsible for admissions and enrollment issues, and Dianne
Fukunaga, who deals with awards, faculty appointments, and courses.
I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Brenda Toner as our new Graduate
Coordinator. Professor Toner is currently a Senior Scientist in Social and Epidemiologic Research at
the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Director of the Fellowship Program and Acting Head
of the Women’s Mental Health Program in the Department of Psychiatry. She brings a wealth of
experience in mentoring students from many disciplines. Dr. Toner will be replacing Professor Mary
Seeman, who will be retiring after almost a decade of involvement as an IMS Graduate Coordinator.
We thank Professor Seeman for her enormous and invaluable contribution to IMS. She has been a
mentor for us all, especially to our students.
Allan S Kaplan, MSc, MD,
FRCP(C)
Director, IMS
Dr. Allan Kaplan became the IMS
Director in July 2011. He is the
Chief of Clinical Research and
Director of Research Training at the
Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health (CAMH), and a Senior
Clinician-Scientist in CAMH’s Mood
and Anxiety Program. He is also
the Vice Chair of Research, Director
of the Clinician Scientist Program
and Professor of Psychiatry at the
University of Toronto.
As I mentioned in my previous Director’s Message, for the first time, the IMS is about to embark
on an extensive strategic planning initiative. Towards that end, we have engaged the assistance of
the Potential Group to help lead us through this process. Over the next six months, the Strategic
Planning Committee will be seeking your input in helping to create a vision for the IMS for the next
5 years. Please participate in this important process; it is a unique opportunity for you to help shape
an inspirational future for the IMS. I look forward to working with all of you as we embark on this
journey together.
Sincerely,
Photo by Mohammed Sabri
Allan S Kaplan MD FRCP(C)
Director, Institute of Medical Science
IMS MAGAZINE FALL 2011 PROSTATE CANCER | 08