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’t have the voting rights and responsibilities of the regular board members, they have been, and continue to be, a valuable part of the Foundation.
In the earliest days of the Foundation, Dr Robert Brunham was integral in establishing and developing the Foundation and has dedicated his expertise and time to the organization. He has provided direction, advice and invaluable support to the Board of Directors. Dr Brunham is head of the Vaccine Research Laboratory at the UBC CDC. He is a world authority in Chlamydia research, and is well known for his work on SARS and HIV.
Dr Jenn Gardy was also involved in the early days, helping the Foundation find the direction it would take in funding projects that were deemed a priority by the BC Centre for Disease Control and its researchers. During her time at the BC CDC, she was a Senior Scientist and Associate Professor at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health, as well as the Canada Research Chair in Public Health Genomics. Her work in pioneering whole genome sequencing of tuberculosis opened a new tools to understand pathogen transmission by incorporating bioinformatics, math modeling, information visualization and social sciences. Currently with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, she continues to keep in touch when we need her.
Additionally, we have always held an advisor position for whomever is the head of the BC CDC. Currently the interim Executive Lead is Dr David Patrick. He’s also the medical epidemiology lead for antimicrobial resistance at the CDC and a professor in the UBC School of Population and Public Health. An infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist with a career-long interest in responding to emerging infectious diseases, he is also keenly interested in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in our communities. Having the head of the CDC as an advisor to the Foundation is truly key to ensuring that the Foundation is kept abreast of the CDC’s objectives and is best positioned to collaborate in a meaningful way.
For more information on our Board and Advisors, please visit our Board page.
