Mentorship is an integral part of the CBR and the CBR Summer Studentship Program. Each year, the CBR will recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to mentorship and the development of others, in memory of Dr. Neil Mackenzie, a late Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Brömme’s lab.

CBR members have the opportunity to nominate their mentors for the Neil Mackenzie Mentorship Excellence Award. The award recipient is announced at CBR Research Day in August.

We were so pleased to receive nominations for 16 individuals this year! Congratulations to all, and thank you for fostering a supportive learning environment at the CBR.

	Amy Wong Strilchuk PhD Candidate, Kastrup Lab
	Dr. Anna Herrmann Postdoctoral Fellow, Kizhakkedathu Lab
	Colton Strong PhD Candidate, Devine Lab & Kastrup Lab
	Dr. Evan Haney Research Associate, Hancock Lab
	Dr. Farshad Babaeijandaghi Postdoctoral Fellow, Rossi Lab
	Haisle Moon PhD Candidate, Kizhakkedathu Lab
	Dr. Hashem Etayash Postdoctoral Fellow, Hancock Lab
	Dr. Julyanne Brassard Postdoctoral Fellow, McNagny Lab
	Dr. Kerryn Matthews Research Associate, Multi-Scale Design Laboratory (led by Dr. Hongshen Ma)
	Kristen Li Lab Technician, McNagny Lab
	Lih Jiin Juang PhD Candidate, Kastrup Lab
	Dr. Michael Sutherland Research Associate, Pryzdial Lab
	Dr. Narges Hadjesfandiari Research Associate, Devine Lab
	Nasim Kajabadi PhD Candidate, Rossi Lab
	Dr. Samantha Grist* Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Fellow, Bio-Medical Micro Devices (BioMEMS) Lab (led by Dr. Karen Cheung) * Neil Mackenzie Mentorship Excellence Award 2022 recipient
	Tetiana Povshedna PhD Student, Côté Lab

We are extremely fortunate to have such great, empowering mentors in our community who are willing to share their insights and experiences with their CBR peers. Whether inside or outside of the lab, you are truly making a difference and touching the lives of others with your mentorship and work, every day.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to make a nomination. We greatly appreciate the time, effort and thoughtfulness you each took to write nominations for your mentors.

Dr. Neil Mackenzie

About Dr. Neil Mackenzie:

Dr. Neil Mackenzie was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Brömme’s lab at the CBR. Neil was a dedicated and caring mentor whose encouraging and motivating words and actions were sincerely appreciated by all those whom he touched – colleagues, friends, and students. He tragically passed away in a climbing accident at Joffre Peak on Sunday, January 11, 2015

Neil was a wonderfully unique person. He passionately embraced life through his explorations in science and the outdoors, infecting others with his enthusiasm, anxious to learn and always happy to teach and encourage others. At the time of the tragic accident, Neil was well on his way to making major strides in the lab toward understanding some of the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease.

To honour his legacy, you can make an impact by donating to the Neil Mackenzie in Memoriam Fund.