Maternal Infant Child Youth Research Network

07/01/2026

🍁 Happy Canada Day! 🍁

Across Canada, thousands of people contribute to child and youth health research every day—from researchers and clinicians to research professionals, trainees, patients, families, and partner organizations.

MICYRN is honoured to support this work by helping strengthen collaboration and pediatric clinical research across the country.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Canada Day!

06/24/2026

MICYRN is pleased to welcome our new Board Members: Matt Cohen, Carolina Koutras, and Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum.

Together, they bring expertise spanning pediatric research, clinical care, public health innovation, digital health, health systems leadership, child development, pediatric diabetes and obesity, and autism research.

We also welcome Dr. Constantine Samaan as an ex-officio Board member and the new representative of the Pediatric Chairs of Canada.

MICYRN also extends sincere thanks to outgoing Board members Dr. Sandra Davidge, Dr. Suzanne Tough, and Dr. Anne Monique Nuyt for their leadership, service, and lasting contributions to the network.

Read more: https://www.micyrn.ca/posts/micyrn-welcomes-three-new-board-members-and-celebrates-the-contributions-of-two-outgoing-directorsnbsp

MICYRN is pleased to welcome three new members to our Board of Directors. They bring expertise spanning pediatric research, clinical care, public health innovation, and digital health and health system leadership.  

06/22/2026

Last week, MICYRN Director of Clinical Research, Aiman Siddiqi, attended the N2 Summit in Ottawa, joining clinical research professionals from across Canada to discuss the future of research operations and participant-centred clinical trials.

The Summit provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, strengthen connections across Canada's clinical research community, and discuss persistent challenges facing clinical trials. Topics included barriers to trial participation, operational and regulatory complexities, and the unique challenges of conducting clinical research in Canada. These conversations are critical to advancing high-quality research and ensuring children, youth, and families continue to benefit from innovative and collaborative approaches to clinical trials.

Lauren Kelly, Scientific Lead at the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), spoke about some of the current challenges in pediatric clinical trials.

MICYRN is proud to be part of national dialogue and partnerships that help strengthen the clinical research landscape across Canada.

Photo (from left to right): Michelle Moldofsky, Founder, Moldofsky Professional Corporation; Aiman Siddiqi, Director of Clinical Trials, MICYRN; Daniel Morgenstern, Head of Clinical Trials, The Hospital for Sick Children, Keith McIntosh, Chair, Advocacy for Canadian Childhood Oncology Research Network (Ac2orn), ACCESS; and Kathy Brodeur Robb, Executive Director, C17 Council

06/21/2026

Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

We acknowledge the importance of Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, and leadership in shaping research and healthcare.

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day from all of us at MICYRN.

Today, we celebrate the fathers and caregivers who show up in countless ways for the children and families in their lives.

05/28/2026

MICYRN is pleased to announce PRISM (Paediatric clinical Research Infrastructure Service Model), a new €9.9 million Horizon Europe initiative designed to strengthen and advance pediatric clinical research across Europe and Canada.

Coordinated by ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network) and bringing together 23 key stakeholders, PRISM will establish a coordinated, transnational ecosystem of research infrastructures and service organizations dedicated to supporting high-quality, innovative, and sustainable pediatric clinical research.

PRISM represents a significant step forward in addressing fragmentation within pediatric clinical research by fostering international collaboration, aligning infrastructure and expertise, and expanding access to coordinated research support and funding opportunities.

MICYRN is proud to contribute to this important international collaboration and to help advance a more connected, accessible, and patient-centred future for pediatric clinical research.

Read more about the PRISM project here: https://www.micyrn.ca/posts/from-fragmentation-to-integration-how-micyrn-is-advancing-international-pediatric-research-through-prismnbspnbsp

05/28/2026

Join TREKK's Lisa Knisley, Lisa Hartling, Shannon Scott, and Sarah Elliott on June 4th for their presentation "Co-developing child health knowledge mobilization resources with clinicians and parents/families: A JBI gLOCAL Solution Room".

Head to our link in bio to register today!

05/28/2026

NEW pediatric assent resources are now available from MICYRN.

Co-designed with children and families, these new ethics resource templates are built to make pediatric research participation more engaging, accessible, and approachable for kids of all ages.

New resources include:
🚀 A space mission map assent activity
🧩 Puzzle and drawing-based assent booklets
📅 A visual study schedule
📖 A research brochure and infographic for children and families

Designed to support assent conversations, explain study details clearly, and help research teams build rapport with young participants, these flexible templates can be adapted across a wide range of pediatric studies and study visits. Resources are available in English and French.

Templates and guidance for use canbe found at https://www.micyrn.ca/ethics-resources

05/20/2026

Today on Clinical Trials Day, we’re recognizing the people and partnerships helping strengthen maternal and pediatric clinical research across Canada.

Clinical trials depend on more than research teams alone; they require collaboration, operational support, and shared expertise. MICYRN works with partners across Canada and internationally to help strengthen clinical trial capacity and support high-quality research for infants, children, youth, and pregnant people.

Learn more: https://www.micyrn.ca/posts/clinical-trials-day-strengthening-maternal-and-pediatric-clinical-research-across-canada

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at MICYRN.

Today, we celebrate the mothers, caregivers, and families who support children through every step of their healthcare journey.

From research participation to advocacy, your voices, experiences, and dedication help shape stronger maternal and pediatric research systems across Canada.