To take an idea, test it experimentally, and then use that information to help people, to develop new therapies, to improve people’s lives around the world — that’s a dream for all scientists.

The difficulty is the slow pace of traditional knowledge translation pathways. At Baycrest, we plan to make that happen much faster, by building a knowledge translation pipeline dedicated to cognitive and mental health in aging. Elements of the entire research and knowledge translation continuum will be located at Baycrest – pure, applied, clinical and evaluative sciences – plus a dedicated technology transfer and commercialization incubator, the Centre for Brain Fitness.

Through major international collaborations, scientists at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute (RRI) are driving research agendas around the world, in the interest of learning more about the human brain and how it changes, adapts and recovers over time.

Baycrest scientists continue to make new discoveries in cognitive neuroscience and to develop new tools and techniques to apply this knowledge across a range of disciplines. With electroencephalogrophy (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and eye-tracking facilities devoted solely to research, as well as systems enabling the use of multiple imaging facilities simultaneously, the RRI is unique in Canada and one of a few such facilities in the world. This is the exceptional community that trains the next generation of scientists – “bridging” investigators – who understand the value of a strong theoretical base and also have the skills to link into patient care, practice or policy domains.

In 2011, Baycrest is embarking on a strategic reorganization that will transform the way scientific discovery impacts care. After more than 20 years at the cutting edge of cognitive neuroscience and aging research, we are undergoing a strategic expansion that will see clinical, evaluative and translational research programs built around our areas of greatest scientific strength: cognitive and mental health in aging.

We will not only lead the way in creating the best, most innovative knowledge about human brain function, we will lead the way in modeling how to make that knowledge impact care.

I look forward to an exciting journey.

Dr. Randy McIntosh
Vice-President of Research and Director,
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest