Sample Team Nomination 1 - McMaster University

1 Sample team Nomination 1 Nominee Mark Loeb Research Group (2011 team Recipient) Recent Work History The team has been responsible for conducting multiple complex and large scale research studies. One example was a CIHR study in Hutterite communities across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This study, which included over 3,000 participants, involved vaccinating children against influenza in order to demonstrate the effect of herd immunity. The logistics of the study were enormous, ranging from developing strategies to have specimens shipped, complex arrangements to maintain the cold chain of the vaccine, and being closely attuned to cultural and social aspects of the Hutterite community. Another key study has been an NIH genetic study to assess whether genetic variants are associated with severe forms of dengue.

2 The team has had to employ rigorous quality control, given the acquisition of specimens from eight countries (Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka). Complex protocols involving various study designs have been implemented by the team . Given the diverse communities, the team has had to adapt to local resource work patterns to successfully conduct the study. Enhancement of the Reputation of McMaster University The team has enhanced the reputation of McMaster University by successfully conducting research that has made a large impact in the field. The randomized controlled trial among the Hutterites is a good example. This study demonstrated essentially that by immunizing healthy children and adolescents, there is indirect benefit to non-vaccinated individuals that this level of protection (60%) is similar had they been directly vaccinated.

3 The study was given wide media attention, including a full article in the New York Times. The team has been responsible for the implementation of two large genetic studies funded by the NIH (total funding ~ $ 30 million). These are prestigious awards that few Canadian institutions receive. McMaster s reputation has been enhanced internationally through these projects given the exposure that has been generated to international researchers and research organizations. The work of the team has led to spin-off studies by diverse groups of investigators internationally, which further has enhanced McMaster s reputation. Provision of Excellent Service Through multiple collaborations, the team has been able to provide service to other researchers and research organizations. For example, specimens received from a genetic study on West Nile virus were shared with investigators at the University of California.

4 The team efficiently generated the patient data needed by these investigators to further their project. The team has also served as an important key node in Canadian surveillance for outcomes and adverse events related to vaccination and has been identified as one of the premier sites in the country ( PHAC/CIHR Influenza network). The NIH selected our site to host a meeting about West Nile virus given the collaborative links that we had set up with other investigators. The team has also provided the support for the analysis of dengue in young children from Myanmar who died of dengue. These activities reflect service to the broader scientific community and to public health. Demonstrated Innovation The team has developed quality assurance methods geared specifically to capture and transmit data from remote study sites.

5 This includes use of data fax, real-time quality checks, and rapid feedback to nurses in the field. The team conducted formal comparisons of self-reported data to medical records to assess accuracy of surveillance definitions of influenza which led to publication. To analyze viral shedding data from Hutterite children, the team developed algorithms to link results of viral specimens to onset of symptoms. A study that found surgical masks to be as effective as costly N95 masks utilized web service technologies for easy tracking and had a profound impact on national health economic policy. The team has used combinations of the latest server software and hardware technologies to develop and deploy secure custom surveillance data collection software that is sophisticated and user-friendly for easy implementation across the dengue study s diverse global surveillance centres.

6 Impact of Work The team s work impacts McMaster University in that it has led to the development of increased resources that are shared with multiple other research teams. For example, the team was awarded a CFI grant to allow for efficient receipt, tracking, and dissemination of specimens to various McMaster laboratories. These resources enable other researchers to collect specimens and store them in biobanks. The team has developed extensive SOPs for lab activities. The team has collaborated with multiple investigators from various faculties and fields including mathematics, immunology, CEB and geography. Through expertise in information technology, the team lends support to other investigators, for example, in genomics. Through the dengue study, McMaster is becoming internationally respected in the field of dengue research, thanks to collaboration with global experts.

7 The team s generation of a high amount of research funding directly impacts and elevates McMaster s public image as a leading and thriving research institute. Enhancement of Student Success The team has hosted students at various levels, including undergraduates, graduate MSc and PhD students, as well as fellows. In the last five years, the team has hired 8 undergraduate students for summer jobs and has assisted 10 MSc students and 6 PhD students. The team has enhanced the success of these students by providing the necessary support to access and explain study documents (case record forms, informed consent, medical record data), and helped support the students hardware and software needs. Several of these students (Binod Neupane, Jennie Johnstone, Angela Barbara) have won either internal Faculty awards (excellence for presentations) or prestigious external awards (Jennie Johnstone CIHR and ATS awards).

8 The most recent undergraduate student spent 2 years working in the office and has gone on to medical school. Employment arrangements are made for graduate students for whom a Teaching Assistant position is either inappropriate or unavailable. Effective and Harmonious Working Relationships The team has demonstrated the ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships both internally and externally. Internally, there are regular team meetings and appreciation lunches and dinners which help to foster a spirit of communal effort. These are extended to other research teams, such as those in immunology, fostering cohesion. Externally, the establishment of harmonious working relationships is evidenced by the large number of collaborations locally, nationally, and internationally.

9 The team for example, has recently led a multi-province collaboration of vaccination of Hutterite children. This involved a large number of players including public health officials, laboratories, and clinicians in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. This collaboration resulted in another successful proposal ( team Grant) with many of the same individuals. For the dengue project, through the team s ability to establish excellent working relationships, three new sites (Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh) have been added to the project. Volunteerism Within the University , the team has volunteered to serve as a training centre for clinical trials research training that is organized by the University . The team has volunteered to serve as a placement centre for students from Mohawk College learning administration and research skills.

10 The team has volunteered to be a pilot site for a new Faculty of Health Sciences email system. Within the community, the team has volunteered to serve as a representative site for an influenza surveillance network. The team has previously offered support to patients infected with West Nile virus by providing information sessions. The team understands the importance of research and the difficulties associated with recruitment and as individuals, willingly participate in local studies wherever possible. The team supports volunteerism by providing opportunities to students. Currently, a volunteer assists with office work for 3 hours per week, and a volunteer assisted with lab activities last year. Diversity & Inclusivity The team has shown acceptance of diversity and inclusivity at McMaster by accommodating and assisting students from a broad range of nationalities and cultural backgrounds including students from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and South and Central America.