Each year, CanNRT creates training opportunities that help early career researchers build practical skills, strengthen networks, and develop as future leaders in neurodevelopment.
The partnership with IMPaCT (Increasing Capacity for Maternal and Paediatric Clinical Trials) is one of the ways this mission comes to life, connecting trainees with initiatives that support excellence in child health research across Canada.
For the 2025 IMPaCT Summit in Toronto, CanNRT Fellow Ivana Okaro and Trainee Co-Lead Clarice Ribeiro Soares Araujo were selected as the top two candidates following a competitive review process. Their applications stood out for their clarity, sincerity, and commitment to equity-focused, collaborative approaches in pediatric research.
As CanNRT Program Manager Ellie-Anna Minogianis shared,
“Although you are still early in your training, your ability to bridge clinical and research perspectives, combined with your openness to learning and growth, suggest strong potential as future leaders in patient-centered research. The panel agreed that you would gain tremendous value from this experience and make a meaningful contribution to the conversations taking place.”
(Photos: Ivana Okaro, Clarice Ribeiro Soares Araujo)
Learning through collaboration
For Ivana, an MSc candidate at McGill University, the Summit offered a chance to connect her emerging research identity with the broader ecosystem of pediatric care and clinical trials. Meeting clinicians and trainees who work directly with the neonatal populations she studies helped her see her work from new angles.
She described the highlight of the experience simply as “the people,” reflecting on the sense of connection she found across roles, disciplines, and lived experiences. Conversations with physician-scientists gave her a clearer picture of what translational research can look like in practice, while sessions on epistemological humility, science communication, and patient engagement expanded her understanding of what responsible research requires.
The experience reinforced the value of community in her training journey. As she shared,
“Even within such a vast community, I feel recognized for my own voice, perspectives, and values – I feel seen.”
Expanding capacity through inclusive trial design
For Clarice, a postdoctoral fellow at McGill University and Shriners Hospitals for Children–Canada, the Summit aligned closely with her long-standing interest in equitable, pragmatic, and family-centered clinical research. She was especially drawn to conversations about multi-site collaboration, inclusive trial design, and emerging technologies that support better access to care.
Learning about AI-supported simulations, language access strategies, and infrastructure for national pediatric trials strengthened her vision for designing studies that reflect the realities of diverse families. These sessions, she noted, “reinforced how thoughtfully designed trials and inclusive recruitment practices can better capture the lived experiences of children and families.”
Clarice left the Summit with both new tools and a renewed sense of responsibility.
“I see myself not only as a trainee beneficiary but as an active contributor who can support interdisciplinary collaboration and share learnings with fellow trainees,” she reflected.
A partnership that builds capacity
The experience of Ivana and Clarice highlights how partnerships expand what is possible for trainees within a national platform like CanNRT. By connecting early career researchers with hands-on, cross-sector learning, CanNRT helps build sustainable and equitable pathways for professional growth in neurodevelopment and associated conditions.
Training opportunities like the IMPaCT Summit strengthen research excellence while preparing trainees to lead improvements in pediatric care. Ivana and Clarice returned with expanded networks, new perspectives, and practical insights that will inform their future work and support better outcomes for children and families.
Behind the scenes: Meet the participants
Ivana Okaro
Master’s student, Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University
As a CanNRT Fellow I have had the privilege of being connected to an incredible network of trainees, mentors, and patient partners. The guidance and opportunities I have gained through this program have brought clarity to my professional aspirations… This platform creates spaces that are microcosms of broader academia, providing the support you need to evolve as a multifaceted, confident scientist.
Clarice Ribeiro Soares Araujo
Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University / Shriners Hospitals for Children–Canada
Participating in CanNRT training has been essential for bridging my international research background with the Canadian ecosystem. Being a CanNRT trainee means belonging to a national community that actively fosters excellence, equity, and collaboration. I carry this identity with me, especially in settings like the IMPaCT Summit, where these values are put into practice.
Join the conversation
Continue exploring the intersection of clinical trials, equity, and neurodevelopmental research. Register for our upcoming Research Forum featuring Lauren Kelly, Director of IMPaCT.