Cole Foundation injects $700,000 into childhood cancer research
Fourteen new fellowships to be shared among up-and-coming researchers
MONTREAL, May 13, 2011 – Pediatric and young adult leukemia and lymphoma research in Quebec received a massive boost today, following the Cole Foundation’s announcement that it would provide $700,000 to be shared among 10 Université de Montréal and four McGill University young scientists.
“The Cole Foundation is dedicated to the fight against leukemia and lymphomas in people under the age of 25, and the research projects we finance are significant in the Montreal research community,” explained Barry Cole, President of the Cole Foundation. “The fellowships that have been awarded today have been selected on the basis of their scientific excellence by a jury of medical experts in the field.” The awards are part of a concerted pediatric leukemia program for which the Cole Foundation spends $1.5 million annually.
The research will cover a variety of areas that are ultimately critical to the diagnosis and the understanding of the disease. “Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or A.L.L., is the most frequent cancer in children, accounting for approximately 25% of all pediatric tumors,” explained Dr. Andrea Alter, whose research project was one of the 14 chosen by the foundation. Alter recently obtained her PhD from McGill and her new fellowship is for research to be undertaken at Université de Montréal. “Using next-generation sequencing technology, we will examine all gene sequences in a well-characterized group of A.L.L. patients to identify leukemia-specific errors in DNA sequences. Subsequently, we will study the impact of these leukemia-specific mutations on disease susceptibility and disease initiation.”
Over 80 two-year post-doctoral and graduate fellowships have been awarded by the Cole Foundation since 2007. “We are delighted to have the excellence of our researchers recognized and supported by the Cole Foundation. These fellowships will enable our universities to make important contributions to both science and the well-being of our community,” said Dr. Hélène Boisjoly, designated dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Montréal. “Philanthropy is instrumental to the advancement of medical breakthroughs,” agreed Dr. Richard I. Levin, Vice-Principal of Health Affairs and Dean of Medicine at McGill. “This support opens up a world of opportunities for students, ensuring a bright future in the worldwide fight against leukemia and lymphoma.” About the Cole Foundation The Cole Foundation offers two-year fellowships to clinical, postdoctoral and graduate scientists dedicated to research in leukemia and leukemia-related diseases in children and young adults. Through its fellowships, the Cole Foundation has committed more than $5 million to support leukemia researchers in Greater Montreal laboratories and hospitals. The Cole Foundation was created in 1980 by the late businessman John N. Cole to support Montreal-based research in pediatric oncology and hematology. He established the Penny Cole Laboratory at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Jack Cole Chair in Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at McGill University.
2011 – 2013 Cole Foundation Fellows
Université de Montreal
Andrea Alter, Post PhD, Département de pédiatrie, CHU Sainte-Justine
Project: The role of rare genomic variants in childhood leukemia
Dariel Ashton-Beaucage, PhD, Département de pathologie et biologie cellulaire, IRIC
Project: Characterization of New Elements of the RAS/MAPK Signalling Network
Richard Bisaillon, PhD, Département de médecine, IRIC
Projet: Étude des mécanismes moléculaires responsables de la différence fonctionnelle entre Meis1 et Prep1 lors du développement de leucémies myéloïdes aiguës induites par Hoxa9
Simon-David Gauthier. PhD, Département de microbiologie et immunologie, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont
Project: The effect of GVHD on the peripheral niche controlling naïve CD4+ T lymphocyte homeostatic peripheral expansion
Bastien Gerby, Post PhD, Département de pharmacologie, IRIC.
Projet: Mécanismes d’autorenouvèlement induits par les oncogènes SCL-LMO1
Fadi Hariri, PhD, Département de pathologie et de biologie cellulaire, IRIC
Project: Understanding the Transcriptional Control of the eukaryotic translation factor eIF4E in Cancer: Role of NF-kB
Mariline Laplante, Masters, Département de pathologie et de biologie cellulaire, IRIC.
Projet: Caractérisation de la collaboration entre les oncogènes NUP98-HOXA9 et MEIS1 impliqués dans la leucémie en utilisant la drosophile comme modèle
Lucie Pécheux, Masters, Département de médecine, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont
Projet: Évaluation du rôle des histones déméthylases dans les leucémies aiguës myéloïdes pédiatriques
Nadeem Siddiqui, Post PhD, Département de pathologie et biologie cellulaire, IRIC
Project: Investigating the dysregulation of eIF4E dependent mRNA export pathways in AML
Jean-François Spinella, PhD, Département de pédiatrie, CHU Sainte-Justine
Projet: Caractérisation de l’exome des enfants atteints de la leucémie aiguë lymphoblastique
McGill University
Sayeh Davoudi, PhD, Department of Biochemistry, Goodman Cancer Research Centre
Project: The Role Of Translesion Synthesis Polymerase Rev1 In Generation Of Point Mutations
Stephen Methot, Masters, Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Project: Characterization and functional implications of activation-induced deaminase cytoplasmic retention
Marissa Rashkovan, Masters, Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Project: The Role of Miz-1 as a Regulator of Notch signaling in T cell Leukemia
Gabriela Galicia Vázquez, PhD, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine
Project: Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4A as a Molecular Target for Lymphoma Treatment
On the Web:
About the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Medicine: www.med.umontreal.ca
About McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine: www.medicine.mcgill.ca
Media contact:
William Raillant-Clark
International Press Attaché
Université de Montréal
Tel: 514-343-7593 | w.raillant-clark@umontreal.ca | @uMontreal_News
Posted in Press Release
Cole Foundation continues support of Montreal theatre companies
Intercultural Conversations– Conversations Interculturelles
Encouraging theatrical dialogue between the various cultures in Montreal
Fourteen local companies awarded invaluable grant money for their upcoming seasons
MONTREAL, May 2011 - The Cole Foundation is excited to announce the Intercultural Conversations-Conversations Interculturelles program grants totalling $148,140 to professional theatre companies in Montreal for their 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons. The Cole Foundation created this grant program to encourage a better understanding and greater social harmony amongst the various cultural communities of Montreal through the presentation of professional French and English language theatre that shows these diverse cultures in conversation. Intercultural Conversations consists of production grants, commissioning grants and translation grants to both French and English companies.
For the 2010-2011 season competition, the Cole Foundation received 36 applications from 23 companies- 11 English and 12 French. Thirteen applications were for commissioned plays from Quebec playwrights, 5 applications were for translations and 18 applications were for production grants. Nine companies specialized in theatre for young audiences. This is a vital and significant grant for Montreal companies, some of which receive no other funding. Grant applications for upcoming seasons are available mid-June.
Barry Cole, President of the Cole Foundation, is delighted with the ever-increasing interest from local theatre companies; “The competition this year had an increase of 35% in the number of applications. Of note was the number of applications for commissions, which could indicate that Artistic Directors wanted a specific play that addresses issues that are important to them.” Still, Cole expected more activity from Francophone companies, “It’s statistically surprising that applications from French and English theatre companies were almost 50-50, since there are far more French theatre companies than Anglophone ones.” He is hoping for more Francophone applicants for the upcoming round of grants. Whether in French or English, Cole is excited about local theatre artists, “A great perk of my job is seeing the awarded creations in Montreal theatres.”
Awarded companies Fourteen theatre companies are recipients of the third year of this grant. Commissioning grants include: Infinitheatre- A Song for Quebec, by David Sherman; Scapegoat Carnivale – Blind, by Lindsay Wilson; Tableau D’Hote- Hostel International by Rob Denton; Porte Parole- The Fredy Project, by Annabel Soutar; Black Theatre Workshop- What You Didn’t Know About Elephants by Chimwemwe Miller (Production grant as well), and Les Indisciplinaires- Autout de Pablo NerudaPhase 2, by Cécile Lasserre. Production grant awards go to: Centaur Theatre Company Intimate Apparel; Teesri Duniya- The Poster (L’Affiche); Le Théâtre Motus- Dans les yeux de mon pere; Les Productions Nebka- Le Coyote; Mythomanie- L’Etrangere; Théâtre À l’Envers- L’Ezdai; Toxique Trottoir- Sortir des murs and Théâtre Aux Écuries- Rencontres.
Theatre companies respond Roy Surette, Artistic Director for the Centaur Theatre Company, is grateful to the Cole Foundation for its help with Intimate Apparel, “Set in 1905, the staging, design elements, sound score and casting requirements are all complex. The Intercultural Conversations grant has enabled us to put together a fantastic team of creative artists to go into the project with assurance.” For Théâtre Motus’ Co-Artistic Director, Hélène Ducharme, the grant contributes to unique moments and stages in their creative process, “Our project includes intercultural conversations and workshops with the LatinoAmerican community in Montreal schools, the Maison de la Culture Mercier and at Théâtre de la Ville.” Joëlle Tougas, Codirector of Théâtre À l’Envers, a theatre company for young audiences, adds, “With support from the Cole Foundation, the company continues its mission by creating its second show, L’Ezdaï, which explores the difficulties children face when moving to new places. We also offer cultural mediation work by creating family workshops.” For Annabel Soutar, Artistic Director of Porte Parole, The Cole Foundation’s commissioning grant allowed her to embark on the research and creation of their next documentary play, about the shooting death of Fredy Villanueva, “This early stage of play development is very precious, but often challenging to raise funds for. We feel incredibly lucky to have received this support.” Muriel de Zangroniz is the Co-Artistic Director of Toxique Trottoir, a street theatre company in the Rosemont area. The support from the Cole Foundation allows them to produce a collective creation with professional artists and citizens mainly from the Maghreb community. “We aim to dispel, through humour, the clichés and prejudices that are often attached to the North African community.” She continues, “The Foundation supports a crucial issue of our organization: that of living well together, and a vision that art can connect, communicate and transcend differences to better link the social fabric.”
The Intercultural Conversations – Conversations Interculturelles program was established to promote cultural bridging that fosters knowledge and tolerance of our social realities. Upcoming grants apply for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. The deadline for the fourth competition for this meaningful award is October 7. Theatre companies interested in applying for a grant should contact the Cole Foundation, attention Barry Cole, at barrycole@videotron.ca. Forms will be available online where you will also find further information: www.colefoundation.ca
If you would like to interview Barry Cole, Cole Foundation PresidentMedia Relations: Janis Kirshner, (514) 287-8912, jkirshner@sympatico.ca.
About the Cole Foundation The Cole Foundation is a private family foundation based in Montreal, initiated in 1980 by the late J. N. (Jack) Cole, a Montreal businessman and philanthropist. It supports research in pediatric leukemia and related diseases, as well as a program of support for community initiatives. Intercultural Conversations is one of its community initiatives. The catalyst for Intercultural Conversations was the Bouchard Taylor Commission, which recognized the multicultures of Montreal and the need to increase the intercultural dialogue between these communities.
Barry Cole- President, Cole Foundation Barry Cole has had a 30-year career in the management of the performing arts, with an emphasis on classical music. He has been the Director of the Performing Arts Office at Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario, designing a cultural programme for both the city and the university communities, a Grants Officer in the Music Section of the Canada Council in Ottawa, the Managing Director of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra in Ontario, the Executive Director of the Royal and McPherson Theatres Society in Victoria, British Columbia and the Manager of the theatre programme at the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts in Montreal.
A member of the Board of the Cole Foundation for the past 11 years, he has led the transformation of the Cole Foundation as the responsibilities for it have been passed down to the second generation of the family. Through his leadership, the support for research in pediatric leukemia and related diseases has become focused with programmes developed in conjunction with the Université de Montreal, McGill University, and the Institut Armand-Frappier of the Université du Québec. The Intercultural Conversations programme (Conversations Interculturelles) has been developed to increase the social and cultural awareness of Montrealers to the richness of the multi-cultural community as a whole through the presentation of professional theatre showing these communities in dialogue with each other.
Posted in Press Release