In early 2006, the Canadian Child and Youth Health Coalition identified a national clinical research network as a top priority. Dr. Terry Klassen (University of Alberta) was chosen to lead this initiative, and after forging a crucial partnership with the maternal and perinatal research communities, the Maternal, Infant, Child and Youth Research Network (MICYRN) was established. MICYRN became a full Program Member of the Coalition in May 2007.

MICYRN is a multi-disciplinary Canadian initiative to support world-class clinical research nationwide. MICYRN's vision is that the synergistic strength from a formal collaborative network of leading researchers and integrated infrastructure will spur tremendous incremental advances unattainable by individual groups. MICYRN’s goal to promote high-quality clinical research in Canada has always included the intent to support research in critical and underserved areas of maternal, infant, child, and youth health, in addition to building shared and sustainable national research infrastructure.

The 23-member MICYRN Steering Committee is composed of senior researchers and research advocates from seven provinces representing a wide breadth of expertise across the spectrum of maternal, infant, child and youth health and health research methods. The membership of the eight MICYRN Cores together represent more than 50 individuals from eight provinces and from across the continuum of early life who contribute their expert knowledge of varied health and research settings and disciplines to MICYRN’s key initiatives.

On April 8, 2009, Dr. Anne Junker and Dr. Aubrey Tingle were appointed Director and Associate Director of MICYRN, respectively. The Director position has been supported through the host institution and this support will continue through the Child and Family Research Institute (CFRI) where Dr. Junker is Director of Clinical Research and Population Health. Dr. Tingle will join CFRI on a part-time basis in relation to his role as Associate Director of MICYRN.

For more information about MICYRN, please visit   www.micyrn.ca