Postdoc award through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The Mach-Gaensslen Foundation has funded a postdoctoral research fellowship in mental health, addictions and cognitive health. First awarded in 2024, the fellowship is delivered through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

“This marks the first partnership between the foundation and Canada’s federal funding agency for medical research, CIHR,” said Dr. Christopher Carruthers, the chair of the Mach-Gaensslen Foundations’ board of directors. “The foundation has previously said that Canada needs more research in mental health and allied areas. Now we’re putting our money where our mouth is. We are working with CIHR to improve its capacity to fund this vital research.”

The funding provides $60,000 annually for two-year fellowships for up to two researchers, for a total of $240,000.

2024 winner:

Helena K. Kim, a postdoctoral researcher and resident in psychiatry at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Her project will create “decision trees” — aids in helping clinicians decide on treatment for older adults with depression. Building on her own and others’ research, Kim’s project will look at three scenarios in which patients’ depression poses a challenge for treatment.