Since 2009, CDRD has been educating post-doctoral fellows, co-op students, and graduate students through its drug development training program. Funded in part by a CIHR Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research Grant, the program combines training in state-of-the-art drug development labs, expert seminars, drug development workshops, and professional development training, with the aim of turning out graduates ready to take on the life sciences industry jobs of the 21st century. The program is tailored to develop highly-qualified personnel equipped to contribute immediately and significantly to the success of the Canadian biotechnology industry through their solid technical skills, bigger picture industry knowledge and understanding, business savvy, and an entrepreneurial vision.
CDRD alumni have proven they have what it takes to succeed in today’s job market. Dr. Erik Hadley worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in CDRD’s Target Validation Division from 2008 to 2010. Currently a Scientist at BC’s largest biotech company, STEMCELL Technologies, Erik credits his CDRD training for his ability to “step back from the science and generate an accurate perspective of the current needs of (STEMCELL)” during the interview process. Read Erik’s full story in Alumni Profiles. Recently, Dr. Kathy Tse also joined Erik at STEMCELL following a two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship at CDRD.
Looking forward, CDRD aims to reach people across the country and around the world (we are proud to currently have Post-Docs working with us from as far away as India, Sweden, Ireland, and Rwanda) through a new online version of our drug development and commercialization training program. Via CDRD’s virtual learning environment, you will have the opportunity to listen to recorded sessions, complete training modules, and test your knowledge of various aspects of drug development. You will also have the chance to interact with current CDRD trainees, experts, and other participants in this online drug development training community. The anticipated launch date is fall 2013.
CDRD Trainees will also be posting further blog entries about their own experiences at CDRD in the near future so stay tuned!
Kim Flock, Ph.D.
Manager, Training
