CDTRP is proud to have Drs. Samantha Anthony and Frédérick d’Aragon as this year Annual Scientific Meeting co-chairs.

We have asked them 5 questions to get to know them a little more. See their answers below!

Dr. Samantha Anthony – SickKids and University of Toronto

1. Tell us about yourself and your research

I am a Health Clinician Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program in the Research Institute at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). I have nearly 20 years of experience as a Social Worker in the SickKids’ Transplant and Regenerative Medicine Centre and am an Assistant Professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto.

My program of research promotes psychosocial adaptation and improved quality of life for children and young adults with chronic disease, particularly transplantation. Current initiatives include developing and implementing clinical eHealth interventions, such as an electronic patient-reported outcome measures platform for clinical use and a peer support mentorship program for adolescent transplant patients.

2. What have you appreciated the most about the CDTRP?

The CDTRP has ensured that the mechanisms to achieve meaningful patient engagement in research endeavours are implemented and supported within its national research network. The Patient, Family and Donor Researcher Partnership Platform, with leadership by Dr. Marie-Chantal Fortin and Sylvain Bédard, has evolved into a central feature of the CDTRP to optimize the CDTRP’s strategic initiative of patient-oriented research.

3. Why do you think an Annual Meeting is especially important this year?

Amid uncertain and unprecedented times, it is more important than ever that we come together as a community to focus on the opportunities and challenges within the fields of organ donation and transplantation that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Annual Meeting will be an opportunity to connect, renew, inspire, and energize the greater CDTRP community.

4. What do you hope to achieve with the Meeting (outcomes)?

I hope that the Annual Meeting will strengthen our multidisciplinary collaborations as we share recent advances, scientific discoveries, and innovations to contribute to the growth of our network. The CDTRP Annual Meeting will be an ideal forum to enhance communication and facilitate the engagement of stakeholders and partners across the donation and transplant research network as we look towards the future of the CDTRP.

5. One fun fact about yourself.

One of the most influential books I have read is ‘One Native Life’ by Richard Wagamese.

Dr. Frédérick D’Aragon – Université de Sherbrooke

1. Tell us about yourself and your research

I have a medical degree from the Université de Sherbrooke in 2007 followed by a postgraduate training in Anesthesiology (Université de Sherbrooke, 2012). I completed a critical care fellowship (2012-2014) and Master in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University (2014-2016). In 2015, I was awarded the Deltweiler Award from the Royal College of Physicians of Canada to complete a Master in organ donation and procurement from the University of Barcelona, Spain (2016). I am also an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesia at the Université de Sherbrooke (Canada); I practice anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke.

I am a career scientist and have a career award from the Fonds en recherche du Québec-Santé. I also co-lead two research programs in donor management named DONATE and EPI-STORM.

2. What have you appreciated the most about the CDTRP?

The support offered to young investigators with monthly meeting, in kinds support for grants, a large network of researchers and collaborators.

3. Why do you think an Annual Meeting is especially important this year?

In order to keep our international leadership position, it’s imperative to continue to improve the science in organ donation and transplantation. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, donors and recipients deserve the best possible care.

4. What do you hope to achieve with the Meeting (outcomes)?

To provide a great opportunity to network with the scientific community. Also, it is important to assure educational opportunities specifically related to organ donation and transplantation.

5. One fun fact about yourself.

I’m a big fan of La Casa de Papel on Netflix.