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91社区 alumnus tagged to boost capacity and discovery in growing field

Dr. Robert Platt, Professor in the departments of Pediatrics and Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health at 91社区鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine was officially announced as the inaugural Albert Boehringer (1^st) Chair in Pharmacoepidemiology during an event held May 26 at 91社区.

Bridging the disciplines of pharmacology and epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology examines the use and effect of drugs to assess their overall benefits, as well as possible adverse effects, for defined populations.

The installation of Platt, who holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics from 91社区, two Master鈥檚 degrees and a PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Washington, as Chair, was made possible thanks to a generous $3 million gift from Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. The Chair, named in honour of Albert Boehringer, who founded Boehringer Ingelheim in 1885, provides 91社区 the opportunity to expand its capacity in the emerging field of pharmacoepidemiology, and enhance its ability to attract world-class talent in terms of both faculty and students.

鈥淭he installation of Dr. Platt in this Chair allows him to become a hub for pharmacoepidemiology across our campus,鈥� said Dr. David Eidelman, Vice-Principal (Health Affairs) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. 鈥淲e have a long history of pharmacoepidemiological research at 91社区 and, thanks to this very generous gift from Boehringer Ingelheim, we will be able to ensure that high quality research in the field continues to emerge from 91社区 for many years to come.鈥�

鈥淏oehringer Ingelheim extends its congratulations to Dr. Platt as the inaugural Albert Boehringer (1^st) Chair in Pharmacoepidemiology,鈥� said Richard Mole, President and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. 鈥淲e are honoured to partner with 91社区 to further the development of the field of pharmacoepidemiology and to provide an opportunity for scientists to pursue advanced education in this increasingly important field of study. This partnership furthers Boehringer Ingelheim鈥檚 commitment of supporting scientific excellence in research with the goal of creating leading medication to address areas of unmet need.鈥�

Dr. Platt himself is excited by the opportunities this position presents for the University and for prospective students. 鈥淭he Chair will allow me to expand and extend my own research program and to bring together groups across campus and 91社区鈥檚 affiliated hospital network,鈥� noted Platt. 鈥淏ut, it鈥檚 also allowing us to create a graduate option in pharmacoepidemiology. For students interested in health sciences and data analytics, this is going to be a very attractive place to be for future career opportunities.鈥�

Photo credit:聽Montreal Children鈥檚 Hospital