Calgary’ s Radiation and Air Pollution Induced Disease( RAPID) Prevention meetings embody this, gatheringg international experts, advocates, regulators, clinicians and patients.
“ Put them all in the same rooms for a couple of days and then make the magic happen.” Goodarzi believes Canada is at the forefront of this kind of collaboration due in part to its newer, more nimble institutions. A robust research funding system reinforces this adaptability. The Canadian Institutes of
Health Research( CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council( SSHRC) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
( NSERC) all support interdisciplinary projects. Private donors also play a key role. For instance, Calgary businessperson Dave Robson donated $ 10 million to establish the Robson DNA Science Centre, which is advancing knowledge of DNA stability, repair and cancer prevention, currently under Goodarzi’ s directorship.
“ How people approach problems in private business is quite different to those of us in the academic space,” says Goodarzi.
“ What works in one world, doesn ' t always work in the other, but there are absolutely lessons that— collectively understood— can really help advance goals.”
Dr. Dustin
Pearson( Left) and Dr. Aaron Goodarzi( Right) in the Transdisciplinary Cancer Research Hub( Photo Credit: Allie Miller, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute)