We here at the BCCDC Foundation have often mentioned in blog posts and other platforms that we are indebted to our Board of Directors. The same is true for our advisors. While they don\u2019t have the voting rights and responsibilities of the regular board members, they have been, and continue to be, a valuable part of the Foundation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the earliest days of the Foundation, Dr Robert Brunham\nwas integral in establishing and developing the Foundation and has dedicated\nhis expertise and time to the organization. He has provided direction, advice\nand invaluable support to the Board of Directors. Dr Brunham is head of the Vaccine Research\nLaboratory at the UBC CDC. He is a world authority in Chlamydia research, and\nis well known for his work on SARS and HIV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Jenn Gardy was also involved in the early days, helping\nthe Foundation find the direction it would take in funding projects that were\ndeemed a priority by the BC Centre for Disease Control and its researchers. During\nher time at the BC CDC, she was a Senior Scientist and Associate Professor at\nUBC\u2019s School of Population and Public Health, as well as the Canada Research\nChair in Public Health Genomics. Her work in pioneering whole genome sequencing\nof tuberculosis opened a new tools to understand pathogen transmission by\nincorporating bioinformatics, math modeling, information visualization and\nsocial sciences. Currently with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, she\ncontinues to keep in touch when we need her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, we have always held an advisor position for\nwhomever is the head of the BC CDC. Currently the interim Executive Lead is Dr\nDavid Patrick. He\u2019s also the medical epidemiology lead for antimicrobial\nresistance at the CDC and a professor in the UBC School of Population and\nPublic Health. An infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist with a\ncareer-long interest in responding to emerging infectious diseases, he is also\nkeenly interested in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in our communities.\nHaving the head of the CDC as an advisor to the Foundation is truly key to\nensuring that the Foundation is kept abreast of the CDC\u2019s objectives and is\nbest positioned to collaborate in a meaningful way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n