By: Liz Do
1 Mar, 2023
CIFAR researcher Carolina Tropini is appointed Alan Bernstein Fellow
March 1, 2023
The appointment, in honour of President Emeritus Alan Bernstein, recognizes Tropini’s groundbreaking research into how the microbiome impacts human health
Carolina Tropini, a member of CIFAR’s Humans & the Microbiome program, has been named the inaugural Alan Bernstein Fellow in honour of CIFAR’s President Emeritus.
With this appointment, CIFAR celebrates Bernstein’s decade of leadership and his long-standing commitment to fostering the next generation of early career researchers. Close to 100 members of the CIFAR community supported the initiative, raising $1 million.
The honour has been bestowed on Tropini, a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar who is now a Fellow in one of CIFAR’s research programs. The tribute is particularly meaningful, as Bernstein led the creation of the now world-renowned CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program, with outstanding support from the Azrieli Foundation.
“I was incredibly honoured and touched by the news that I was appointed the inaugural Alan Bernstein Fellow,” said Tropini, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia.
Tropini studies the human microbiome — a field with tremendous possibilities for medical discovery and impact. Researchers such as Tropini are working to better understand the vibrant microscopic world located within the human gut, and the potential it holds for precision medicine.
Reflecting on her academic career so far, Tropini shared that together, Bernstein’s leadership and CIFAR’s support have shaped her career and leadership abilities, enabling the pursuit of groundbreaking research. Now, as the inaugural Alan Bernstein Fellow, she aims to push this research further.
“I will work hard to live up to the high standards Alan has set,” she added. “I hope to continue his legacy.”
“I am very pleased that Dr.Tropini has been appointed the inaugural Alan Bernstein Fellow. Carolina exemplifies innovative, bold thinking and the next generation of brilliant scientists,” said Dr. Bernstein. “I also again thank CIFAR’s incredible community of supporters for establishing this Fellowship in my honour. The importance of supporting of early-career scientists has been a constant theme throughout my career — as a scientist, mentor, and as a leader at the Lunenfeld Tanenbaum, CIHR, the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, and in my 10 years as CIFAR’s president.”
“On behalf of CIFAR, I would like to congratulate Carolina on this much-deserved appointment,” said Stephen Toope, CIFAR’s new President & CEO. “The Alan Bernstein Fellow is not only a testament to Alan’s legacy, but also the unwavering commitment of our organization and community members to create opportunities for success, career growth and discovery for early-career researchers.”
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