Cardiff University becomes latest partner in global neuroscience research initiative

Cardiff University has become the latest global partner in Western University’s BrainsCAN, a $66 million neuroscience research investment from the Government of Canada provided through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), BrainsCAN and Cardiff researchers will build collaborative, high-impact neuroscience research projects to develop and deliver evidence-based assessments for the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.

“I am delighted by the recent signing of a MOU between the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, and BrainsCAN, Western University, Canada,” said Professor Kim Graham, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Cardiff University. “Reducing the considerable burden of brain disorders, by enhancing diagnosis and treatments for patients, requires international collaboration, and the two institutions share considerable, and synergistic, research expertise in neuroscience, brain imaging, mental health, neurodevelopment and dementia.”

“This formal partnership is the result of a longstanding relationship with researchers at Cardiff University,” said Dr. Lisa Saksida, BrainsCAN Co-Scientific Director. “We are thrilled to build on this partnership and bring together world-class cognitive neuroscience research from both institutions to benefit those affected by brain disorders and disease.”

As a part of this partnership, Cardiff researchers will have the opportunity to work closely with BrainsCAN researchers to share expertise and resources. Postdoctoral fellows and students from both institutions will also benefit from access to world-renowned principal investigators from Western and Cardiff.

“Our new partnership will provide staff and students at both institutions with the chance to forge innovative collaborations based on their joint expertise and knowledge,” added Professor Graham. “This will help forge stronger research links between Wales and Canada, thereby delivering research of global benefit to patients and society”.

Researchers at Cardiff University will also be able to benefit from working with other institutions across the globe who also have MOUs with BrainsCAN.  These include the RIKEN Centre for Brain Research in Japan and Yonsei University in South Korea.