The Ottawa Neuroimaging Retreat, led by The Royal and held on November 21 and 22, brought together nearly 100 scientists, clinicians, engineers, and physicists from across Ottawa’s leading health and academic institutions, including the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR), CHEO, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, the University of Ottawa, and Carleton University. The two-day event offered participants the opportunity to network, delve into brain research, and compete for a coveted $20,000 cash prize plus 10 hours of free scan time at The Royal’s Brain Imaging Centre (BIC) to launch a research project.
Seven teams vied for the cash prize, the imaging time, and of course, the glory.
Adding an extra challenge, event participants were randomly assigned to their pitch teams. Experts across disciplines – many of whom had never worked together before – had to quickly find common ground, identify shared goals, and design a meaningful research project.
Each group had five hours to design a pilot project that would use neuroimaging to deepen our collective understanding of the brain and lay the groundwork for future discoveries.
A surprise twist doubles the stakes
The competition initially promised one $20,000 prize and 10 hours of scan time, valued at $5,500. However, during deliberations, judge Jennifer Gunning of the uOttawa Brain Heart Interconnectome made an unexpected offer to fund a second $20,000 prize. The BIC matched this generosity by contributing another 10 hours of scan time, ensuring that two innovative projects could move forward.
The winning pitches
One of the winning pitches explored questions about how memories of trauma are processed during sleep. Harnessing the unique capabilities available at the BIC, the team aims to combine three different types of brain imaging together for the first time to understand how REM sleep (the dreaming stage) helps process emotional memories, change brain connections, and shape dreams. This initial study may lead to further research exploring new ways to treat post-traumatic stress disorder using sleep-based therapies.
The second winning pitch focused on how hormonal contraceptives affect the adolescent brain and heart. Although about half of Canadian adolescent girls and young women use hormonal birth control, little is known about how it affects the brain, heart, and mental health. Using advanced brain and heart imaging, the team will compare heart blood flow, brain activity, and mental health in adolescents who are taking hormonal contraceptives to those who are not. The aim is to better understand the impact these medications have on women’s health and shape health guidelines around hormonal contraceptives.
A celebration of collaboration
Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, president of the IMHR at The Royal and vice-president of research, described the winning pitches as excellent examples of collaboration that drives meaningful progress in mental health research.
"The retreat was a gathering of brilliant minds, all united by a shared excitement – and commitment – to advancing our understanding,” said Dzierszinski. “As the leading brain imaging center in the region, The Royal is proud to host events like these, which foster collaboration and drive meaningful progress. These teams are paving the way for new discoveries that will not only advance mental health research but also solidify our position as a regional leader in innovation.”
Dr. Jennifer Phillips, interim scientific director and scientist at the IMHR, echoed this sentiment.
“The retreat was truly a testament to what’s possible when diverse minds unite with a shared mission,” she said. “As participants parted ways – inspired and eager to collaborate – it was clear that the seeds planted here will grow into discoveries that could transform mental health care. I’m excited to see what comes next.”
Katie Dinelle, administrative director of the BIC, was thrilled with the success of first Ottawa Neuroimaging Retreat and is confident the event helped build lasting relationships in the community.
“We’re incredibly proud that the BIC is advancing brain research within and beyond Ottawa, serving as a hub for collaboration with scientists across the National Capital Region,” said Dinelle. “This is where groundbreaking innovation happens.”
Sponsors of the Ottawa Neuroimaging Retreat included the IMHR, the uOttawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, the Ontario Brain Institute, CIHR, and Invest Ottawa.