History of Partners In Research

       

Partners in Research (PIR) began with a public education mission: to help Canadians understand the history, importance, achievements and promise of health research.

The foundations in London and Toronto

The supplied historical account traces PIR’s beginnings to discussions among researchers and community members in London and Toronto during 1986 and 1987. London Citizens for Medical Research began its work in late 1986, while a Toronto group developed around the theme “Sane and Humane”. Both were concerned with public understanding of biomedical research and the responsible use of animals in research. The account identifies Dr. Bessie Borwein as a key link in bringing Ron Calhoun into the work. It records that Ron proposed the name “Partners In Research” and was hired as the organization’s first Executive Director in March 1988. The University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario and Toronto General Hospital are identified as the sponsoring institutions.

Established on April 20, 1988

Partners in Research was formally established on April 20, 1988, with launch ceremonies in Toronto and London, Ontario. A historical PIR pamphlet describes concerned citizens in both cities combining their resources to address a lack of public understanding about the nature and conduct of health research. The historical account adds that the formal launch took place in two stages on the same day: at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto at 10 a.m., hosted by Isadore Sharp, followed by a London launch at the Holiday Inn at 3 p.m. The accompanying foreword recalls the first office at 700 York Street, on the lower level in London. Two people arrived with one piece of paper—the lease—and began building an organization that would come to rely on hundreds of volunteers.

Bringing health research into schools

PIR’s original mandate focused on explaining the value of biomedical and health research. Canadian schools were a particular priority: PIR provided literature and audiovisual educational information at no cost, helping students connect scientific research with its role in everyday life. The pamphlet also documents PIR’s support for the responsible and humane use of animals in research when necessary. This formed part of its original biomedical education mandate and is preserved below as historical material.

A community behind the mission

PIR’s work drew on volunteers, patrons, researchers and institutional supporters. Medical researchers contributed to a speakers’ bureau, answered information requests and helped develop educational handouts. Community members contributed their time and skills, while patrons lent their names in support of the educational mission. Fundraising events known as “The Evening” were held in London, Toronto and Ottawa. The pamphlet identifies these galas as an important source of support, alongside funding from hospitals, universities, research institutes and other benefactors.

The people who built PIR

The foreword acknowledges the contribution of provincial chairs, national presidents, boards, patrons and volunteers in the London, Toronto and Ottawa chapters. It names Steve Lindt as the first Provincial Chairman in 1988–1989, followed by Dr. Jack Hay and Dr. Donald Layne, with Dr. Hay later returning to the role. In 2005, PIR established the position of National President. Dr. Robert Phillips served first, followed by Dr. Eliot Phillipson in 2011 and Dr. Douglas L. Jones in 2013. The foreword also recognizes Dr. Jones’s leadership of the VROC Planning Committee and Dr. Arthur J. Carty’s succession as chair of the VROC National Advisory Board in 2011. The historical account describes the support of patrons and community leaders including Bluma Appel and June Callwood. It records Founders’ Awards recognizing Appel, Callwood and Dr. Calvin Stiller for their contributions during PIR’s formative years.

Fundraising, recognition and student involvement

The account describes an early volunteer-run dinner at the London Chamber of Commerce facility, attended by 85 guests and raising $8,000. Such events developed into “The Evening” galas in London, Toronto and Ottawa, bringing together researchers, educators, supporters and students. The galas became a setting for recognizing scientific achievement and public service through the Biomedical Science Ambassador Awards. Student essay competitions also became part of this work, with regional prizes named for Andrew MacFarlane, June Callwood and Wilbert Keon. In 2003, discussions at Western led to an annual community event called “The Scientific Journey”, with a strong emphasis on youth participation and the Bessie Borwein Teacher of the Year Award.

From biomedical education to broader STEM outreach

Over time, PIR’s educational work expanded to include science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Programs such as Virtual Researcher On Call (VROC) connected classrooms with researchers through live video conversations.

How VROC took shape in 2005

The historical account recalls that a video-linked General Motors gathering gave Ron Calhoun the idea of connecting researchers directly with students. In April 2005, he discussed the proposal with Dr. Alan Bernstein, who suggested the name Virtual Researcher On Call. A strategy meeting followed at Western in April 2005, hosted by Dr. Ted Hewitt, with educators, researchers and technical specialists. The account then records an initial project meeting at the University of Toronto on May 4, 2005, and a trial involving approximately thirty teachers from the Thames Valley District School Board. Dr. Douglas Jones chaired the VROC Planning Committee. Kevin Cougler joined as VROC Program Manager through CLICK Inc., helping turn the concept into a working educational program. The account credits universities, colleges, researchers, teachers and technology partners with building its reach. It also records two separate $200,000 start-up grants from Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, with the initial grant administered through Western, and describes Sheridan College’s contribution to technology coordination. VROC broadened PIR’s work from biomedical research into the wider STEM fields. In 2013, STEM Camp began as a two-location pilot in London and Woodstock, Ontario. Kevin Cougler’s account of STEM Camp’s beginnings describes how the idea grew from a conversation about reaching children beyond the school year. STEM Camp continues the educational legacy described on this tribute site. Read about Ron Calhoun and Kevin’s personal recollections of working with him.

The next chapter: digital learning and research experiences

  • 2010–2011: the VROC program guide grouped live classroom sessions, Mentor Me, Ask the Expert and T-WiSE into complementary ways of connecting students with research.
  • 2011–2013: On the Fly piloted short, continuing expert connections. Later materials describe Experts On Demand, while the 2014 report dates the ExpertBook directory’s launch to September 2013.
  • 2012: newsletters document Science Careers Weekly and the Science Scoop, Tech Talk, Engineer This and Why Math? video series.
  • 2013: the Winter edition of The Partner announced a single national awards event encompassing biomedical science and STEM. It also described the Alberta Distance Learning Centre partnership and announced the end of The Partner in its quarterly periodical format.
  • 2013–2015: PIR contributed educational programming to Connected North. Its reports document work with northern schools and record the end of PIR’s commitment on August 31, 2015.
  • 2014: PIR piloted Live Events, including an astronaut session with Commander John Herrington. PIR’s reports also document its management of the Sanofi biotechnology research competition.
  • 2015–2016: VROC Video became PIR TV in 2015. In 2016, Zoom replaced ClearSea as PIR’s videoconferencing platform.
  • 2016–2017: Delta’s 85 curriculum lesson plans were developed and piloted, followed by a 2017 launch. PIR’s cross-country fruit DNA extraction event in September 2017 combined hands-on learning with a live researcher conversation.
  • 2018: the annual report records PIR’s designation as Code.org’s first Canadian International Teacher Professional Development organization.
Explore the expanded program histories, Live Events and podcasts and video series. The promotional material grouped under 2020 also preserves Junior Astronauts topics from the later Live Event collection.

Sources for this later chronology: VROC 2010/11 Program Guide; VROC E-News, 2012; The Partner, Winter 2013; PIR Executive Director Reports 2014, 2015 and 2016; and 2017 Annual Report, which includes 2018 updates. These later records are separate from Dr. Calhoun’s history and foreword.

Historical archive

Original documents help preserve how PIR described its work at the time. This archive brings together dated newsletters, a pamphlet transcription and selected passages from Dr. Calhoun’s history and foreword.

Newsletters in English and French

These original publications preserve PIR’s news, classroom examples and program announcements in the language and design of the period. Their contact details, registration instructions, sponsors and external links are historical.
VROC E-News · 2012
Edition English Français
April 2012 · issue 9 English PDF PDF français
May 2012 · issue 10 English PDF PDF français
June 2012 · issue 11 English PDF PDF français
August 2012 · issue 13 English PDF PDF français
October 2012 · e-blast English PDF PDF français
The Partner / Le Partenaire · 2012–2013
Edition English Français
Spring 2012 · issue 45 Not in this collection PDF français
Summer 2012 · issue 46 English PDF PDF français
Fall 2012 · issue 47 English PDF PDF français
Winter 2013 · issue 48 English PDF PDF français
The Spring 2012 English edition was not included in the supplied collection. The Winter 2013 edition announced that future guest articles would move to a blog rather than continue in the quarterly periodical format.

Awards and Evening records

These original documents preserve the award categories, nomination criteria and fundraising invitations of the period. Dates, contact details, ticket prices and submission instructions are historical.

National Awards · 2018 nomination documents

The Evening · 2012 invitations

Read how the awards recognized research and public outreach.

Delta science lesson collection

Browse 80 historical Delta lessons by grade and topic, plus the companion story → The separate collection covers Grades 1–8, including living things, plants, animals, habitats, human organ systems, biodiversity, water and systems thinking. Original curriculum references and links reflect the period. Read the dedicated Sanofi Biogenius Canada history →

VROC classroom-program documents

Original guides and introductions show how classroom video calls, mentoring and online questions were organized. Historical prices, forms, contact details and technology references are preserved in these documents. Read the VROC history and context →

Podcast and career-series backgrounders

Five original one-page program introductions preserve the aims, audiences and formats of PIR’s recorded STEM series. Contact details, participation instructions and website links in these documents belong to the period. Read the podcast histories and contributor credits →

An archived Science Careers Weekly episode

Watch or listen to Episode 1: What Is a Geneticist? → The preserved interview features Dr. Thomas Merritt of Laurentian University. The podcast page includes the complete 11-minute, 41-second video, the audio edition and download links. The publication date remains unconfirmed.

Classroom activity and teaching resources

These original documents preserve practical classroom materials from the supplied collection.

Science activities

Read the Live Events history and activity descriptions →

Coding presentation

Creating Video Games Using Scratch · Moe Perera presentation (PDF)

Moe Perera’s presentation covers planning, remixing and debugging Scratch projects. Its screenshots and account instructions reflect the software of the period.

These are archived originals; event dates, web links and teaching references remain part of the historical record.

Program guides, reports and artwork

The wider source collection includes VROC guides and backgrounders, Delta lesson plans, award nomination documents, annual reports, event invitations, original program graphics and recordings. Selected descriptions and dated results are incorporated into the relevant program pages and the Impact page. The 2014 Executive Director Report is credited to Kevin Cougler; the 2015 and 2016 Executive Director Reports are credited to Brent Peltola. The document titled 2017 Annual Report also contains updates and profiles from 2018. Report periods and publication context are retained when citing their figures.

Organizational history and foreword

Sources: “PIR History.docx” and “PIR History Forward.docx”, both written by Dr. Ronald G. Calhoun and supplied by Kevin Cougler. The filenames and original foreword heading are retained to identify these records. Their publication dates remain unconfirmed. The excerpts below are historical recollections, with paragraph layout adjusted for reading online.
From the foreword: the first office and the volunteers
When Partners In Research was established in April 1988, two people walked into the new office at 700 York Street lower level in London with one piece of paper- ‘our lease’. It was the beginning of a long exciting journey that would see many hundreds of people volunteer to the cause and PIR would become a dynamic geographic family deeply committed to educating about the importance of Biomedical Research in Canada. Before moving into our story, tribute is justly due to a special group of people. Our Chairs and National Presidents, our over 200 Prominent Canadian Patrons, our Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards. All of whom have served with distinction. Last but not least is our several hundred volunteers. The London, Toronto and Ottawa chapters have been the face of Partners since it was established. PIR has been most fortunate to benefit from our chapter leadership and commitment in discharging our mandate.
Source: PIR History Forward.docx, opening passages.
From the history: PIR’s five educational goals
  • To provide evidence-based information about the nature, importance and promise of health research.
  • To build and strengthen partnerships with the research community and health-related organizations.
  • To encourage our researchers to communicate publicly about the nature and importance of their research.
  • To stimulate interest in—and encourage the pursuit of health research, particularly among the young.
  • To celebrate the achievements of Canadian health research.
Source: PIR History.docx, goals following the mission statement.
From the history: a program driven by teachers
VROC is teacher driven. PIR is now offering a vast menu of topics from which teachers can select. When VROC first started, the concept was simple. A teacher would become aware of PIR, connect with them, indicate time and date preferences for a researcher to virtually come into their classroom and speak to the teacher’s chosen topic. If the topic was not in PIR’s inventory, they would mine their database, or phone a board member to find a researcher who could speak to the topic, and with PIR’s and the university’s technical wizards, PIR would connect researchers virtually with students. VROC took off and PIR now is literally reaching thousands of young people.
Source: PIR History.docx, concluding account of VROC. Present-tense descriptions refer to the period when the document was written.

Educating About Biomedical Research In the Public Domain

Source: PIR pamphlet supplied as “PIR pamphlet2.wpd”. Publication date: Not yet established. Format: Readable text transcription; the original pamphlet layout is not reproduced. The following transcription preserves historical wording and terminology. Its medical statements have not been reviewed as current guidance. References to donations, events and contact details describe the organization at the time of publication.
Read the pamphlet: PIR’s origins, mandate and supporters

Why was Partners in Research established?

Partners in Research was established to educate the average Canadian about the history, importance, accomplishments and promise of health research. When assessing the mixed messages facing the average person about how medical science impacts on their life, it became increasingly clear that an alarming lack of knowledge exists about the nature and conduct of health research. Concerned citizens in Toronto, and London, Ontario, combined their resources to establish an organization to address this challenge.

When was Partners in Research established?

Partners in Research was formally established on April 20th, 1988. Launching ceremonies were held in both Toronto and London at that time.

What is the mandate of Partners in Research?

Our mandate is to educate about the values of all aspects of health research, including the wise and humane use of animals when necessary. Our mission includes informing the public about means to achieve the control and cure of disease processes, including the history and potential of health research. Our primary focus is in Canadian schools, where we provide literature and audio-visual educational information at no cost. We are proud of the positive and credible impact we have had in raising the level of awareness about the importance, and irreplaceable necessity, of health research in our society.

Who endorses the mission of Partners in Research?

Patrons: A number of prominent Canadians, who understand and support the need to educate about health research, have loaned their names as patrons of Partners in Research. Our letterhead reflects a core patrons’ roster, and an additional group of distinguished citizens loan their names as patrons for our fund-raising galas, in Toronto, Ottawa and London, Ontario. The General Public: Partners in Research enjoys the support, volunteer help, and contributions of skills of hundreds of people, primarily in Ontario, to help meet the challenge of spreading its crucial educational message. The Health Research Community: Medical researchers from various Canadian locations collaborate with us in speakers’ bureau activities, respond to requests for information, and contribute to the content of literature handouts.

How is Partners in Research funded?

Partners relies on major fund-raising events such at “The Evening” galas in London, Toronto and Ottawa to generate a significant portion of its budgetary requirements for use in their educational initiatives. The Ottawa gala is held conjointly with Friends of Canadian Institutes of health Research (FCHRI). Core funding support is received from a number of sources, including hospitals, universities, institutes and other benefactors.

What are the goals of Partners in Research?

  • To provide evidence-based information about the importance and promise of health research, of which every Canadian is the beneficiary.
  • To build and strengthen partnerships with the research community and health-related organizations.
  • To encourage our researchers to communicate publicly about the nature and importance of their research.
  • To stimulate interest in – and encourage the pursuit of – health research, particularly among the young.
  • To celebrate the achievements of Canadian health research.

What can you do to help Partners in Research?

There are several ways in which members of the community can help us to fulfill our educational mandate.
  • By supporting the “Evening” Banquets: call (519) 433-7866 to order tickets.
  • By joining our volunteer team: PIR requires dedicated people to help with a wide range of educational projects.
  • By making a donation: a donation (by cheque or Visa) to Partners in Research is fully tax-deductible, and will be used toward our educational programs in Ontario and across the country.
Historical contact information printed in the pamphlet: WWW.PIRWEB.ORG Partners in Research PO Box 192, Station B, London, ON, N6E 4V8 Tel. (519) 433-7866   Fax (519) 645-8899 E-mail: [email protected]
Read the pamphlet: historical questions and answers about animal researchHistorical text reproduced from the pamphlet. These statements reflect its original position and period of publication; they are not presented as current medical guidance.

You wanted to know . . . some questions and answers about the use of animals in research.

Why do animal research?

The benefits which animal research has brought to mankind, AND animals as well, are astounding. The extension of the average human life span from 45 years at the turn of the century to over 70 years today is largely a result of animal research. Some of the countless examples of how research involving animals has enabled millions of people to live longer, healthier lives include: Insulin; Cortisone; Penicillin; Asthma Medication; Polio Vaccine; Artificial Joints; Small Pox Vaccine; Kidney Dialysis; Chemotherapy; Organ Transplants; Rabies Vaccine; Cataract Surgery; Medical Imaging; Heart Surgery; Pacemakers; Protease Inhibitors; High Blood Pressure & Osteoporosis Medication. Animals are indispensable for finding the cause, treatment and prevention of diseases such as: Cancer; Multiple Sclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Cystic Fibrosis; Alzhiemer’s Disease; Muscular Dystrophy; Down’s Syndrome; Spina Bifida; AIDS; Kidney Disease; Malaria; Depression; Sickle Cell Anemia; Parkinson’s Disease. Animal research is based on the assumption that it is acceptable to perform responsible experimentation on animals to achieve an understanding of basic biological principles and the ultimate good for both humans and animals. The bottom line for research using animals is the value of life, particularly human life.

Have the benefits to humans justified the use of animals?

From the point of view of the number of human lives saved and suffering alleviated in the last thirty years alone, biomedical research is one of our best investments of time, energy, talent and public money. Practically every major biomedical breakthrough can be traced back to critical studies using animals. For example, Banting and Best’s discovery of insulin resulted from their studies with dogs. The marvels of modern cardiology, which directly or indirectly influences every family in Canada, are based on carefully performed animal experiments.

Do animals benefit from this research?

Animals often benefit as much as humans. There is now a vaccine for feline leukemia (which is almost always fatal in cats if not treated), while the search for the key to preventing human leukemia still continues. Dogs with heart disease are treated with many of the drugs, diuretics and pacemakers which benefit humans. So much has been learned about kidney disease in dogs (who have a high incidence of this disease, making them a natural subject for renal research) that the animals have benefited more than humans. Humans and animals share many health problems, from allergies to ulcers, and veterinary medicine is dependent on basic animal research for vaccines, drugs and surgical techniques to maintain the health of pets, livestock and zoo animals.

Why do some say there is needless duplication in research using animals?

Needless duplication of biomedical research using animals does not happen. Aside from humane concerns, there are strong economic pressures against the unnecessary use of laboratory animals, or, for that matter, any other research resource. The committees which review grant proposals for biomedical research are composed of experts in various fields, who are thoroughly familiar with current literature, and they do not support proposals which repeat established research. Only the most scientifically worthy projects are awarded funding. Money form the limited supply of research funds is awarded to repeat experiments only when findings must be repeated by other researchers to ensure that the data are reproducible, accurate and conclusive. It is important to remember that responsible medical research demands that all the pieces to a particular puzzle be in place before a researcher draws any hard and fast conclusions. Very few single discoveries have changed the course of medical science. More often, thousands of inter-related stepping stones have to be laid over several decades before a medical breakthrough can occur. Such was the case with open-heart surgery, the coronary bypass procedure, and organ transplantation. The use of animal-based experiments was crucial to the development of these lifesaving surgical techniques, which benefit both humans and animals.

Can data gained from animals be directly extrapolated into the human population?

In most cases, the results of animal research are indeed directly applicable to humans. The tragedy of thalidomide use in humans emphasised a need for more rigorous testing in animals, not less. Drugs must now be tested on at least two species of pregnant animals. The training of young surgeons and veterinarians is an important area where dependence on animal studies is critical and the lessons learned are directly applicable to humans. Animals play an essential role in medical research advances.

Transcription note: spacing, heading capitalization and list layout have been adjusted for web readability. Stray conversion characters have been omitted. The original wording, including dated terminology and apparent typographical errors, has otherwise been retained.