McMaster hosts NRC delegation to explore collaboration opportunities

A delegation of researchers from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) recently visited McMaster University to explore opportunities for collaboration.

Hosted by Karen Mossman, McMaster’s Vice-President, Research, Gerry Wright, Executive Director at Canada’s Global Nexus for Pandemics and Biological Threats, and Matthew Miller, Scientific Director of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research (IIDR), the representatives from the NRC’s Life Sciences Division were on campus to discuss alignment on pandemic-related research.

The visit, which included tours of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, the Robert E. Fitzhenry Vector Laboratory, and the IIDR’s Centre for Microbial Chemical Biology, culminated with a collaborative science discussion between some of the country’s top infectious disease researchers.

For Sue Twine, Director General of the NRC’s Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, the experience highlighted significant compatibility between the NRC and the university.

“The insightful campus tours sparked thoughtful and productive discussions about future collaborations for the NRC and McMaster University,” said Twine. “I look forward to working with the McMaster research teams to advance health-related science and innovation in Canada.”

Miller, meanwhile, believes that the ongoing dialogue and shared interest in strengthening Canada’s life sciences sector will ultimately lead to stronger bonds between McMaster and the NRC.

“Heightening familiarity between our groups is opening doors to potential collaborations around our shared interests and complementary expertise,” said Miller, an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences.

Miller says that the two groups are now looking at opportunities to strengthen joint activities in fields such as biomanufacturing, which will position Canada to better endure future infectious disease outbreaks.