Welcome to the Western Institute for Neuroscience
I am honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me as the new Director of the Western Institute for Neuroscience (WIN). I want to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported my vision for the WIN, and I am incredibly excited to embark on this endeavor alongside such a talented and dedicated group of people.
During my vision talk, I outlined a comprehensive strategy for WIN that centers on our core vision of tackling grand challenges by fostering community engagement and building interdisciplinary capacity. It is my firm belief that by adopting an interdisciplinary approach and forging strong partnerships within and beyond our institution, we can drive positive societal impact and propel neuroscience research to new heights of excellence.
To achieve this vision, we will focus on three key pillars:
- Tackling Grand Challenges: We will identify and address the most pressing societal issues that neuroscience can help to solve. These challenges will require interdisciplinary approaches and active engagement with our community partners.
- Community Engagement: We recognize the importance of connecting with our broader community to ensure that our research is relevant, accessible, and impactful. By fostering meaningful relationships and collaborations, we can amplify the reach and effectiveness of our work.
- Building Interdisciplinary Capacity: We are committed to nurturing a culture of collaboration and innovation within WIN. By bringing together experts from diverse fields, we can leverage complementary strengths and perspectives to tackle complex problems more effectively.
How We Get There: Achieving our vision will require a concerted effort from all members of the WIN community. In particular, I am committed to pursuing sustained fundraising strategies to secure the resources we need to support our initiatives. This includes building both internal and external fundraising partnerships to ensure our long-term sustainability and success. WIN will also ensure that we promote and provide resources to support Open Science. By adopting Open Science as a core value, we can build community trust through reproducibility, accountability and transparency.
I am thrilled to officially welcome Dr. Andrew Pruszynski and Dr. Emma Duerden as Associate Directors of WIN. Dr. Pruszynski will oversee internal research initiatives, while Dr. Duerden will lead external community engagement efforts. Their expertise and commitment will be invaluable as we work together to advance our mission.
I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the contributions of our exceptional staff members, whose hard work and dedication are instrumental to the success of WIN. Your passion and commitment inspire us all, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a talented team.
As we look to the future, we are actively recruiting for an External Community Engagement Advancement Officer to further strengthen our outreach efforts. Additionally, we are seeking nominations for the Research Advisory Committee. Your involvement and input are critical to shaping the future direction of WIN, and I encourage you to consider getting involved.
In closing, I am excited about the journey ahead and the incredible potential that lies within our grasp. Together, we can make meaningful strides toward addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our society today.
Warm regards,
Dr. Shawn Whitehead, PhD - Director, Western Institute for Neuroscience (WIN)
Associate Professor, Dept. Anatomy and Cell Biology Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, MSB 458
ph: 519-661-2111 x80440
www.vulnerablebrain.com - https://twitter.com/VulnerableBrain
