Dr. Marc Carrier has earned the 2024 AFMC Clinician-Scientist award, a competitive national honour in academic medicine that emphasizes excellence in health research, the advancement of knowledge, and the fostering of an exceptional learning environment for trainees.
This high-profile recognition couldn’t be more well deserved. Dr. Carrier has a been a leader in advancing international knowledge of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dangerous blood clots in the legs and lungs – a condition known as venous thromboembolism (VTE) – and exploring its intersection with cancer.
He’s led practice-changing clinical trials and secured roughly $37 million in research funding since his uOttawa Faculty of Medicine academic appointment in 2008. He’s published nearly 400 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals including esteemed titles such as The New England Journal of Medicine and The British Medical Journal. His publications have been cited over 27,000 times, with a remarkable H-index of 78.
Dr. Carrier, a full professor at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine and chief of the Division of Hematology at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), is active in various international and national professional networks. He’s previously earned top accolades such as the CIHR-ICRH/CSATVB Mid-Career Excellence in Blood and Blood Vessel Research Award (2022).
Dr. Bernard Jasmin, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, says that he’s accomplished all this while energetically mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists.
“Amongst all of Dr. Carrier’s research and clinical commitments, it is particularly great to see how passionate he is about mentoring trainees at all levels of education,” Dr. Jasmin wrote in Dr. Carrier’s nomination letter.
Indeed, Dr. Carrier says providing guidance to emerging clinician-scientists is something he takes great pride in.
“Mentoring is the most important aspect of academic medicine. I have an ongoing commitment to training the next generation of clinician-scientists including medical students, residents, and Canadian and international post-doctoral fellows,” he says.
How does he juggle his various responsibilities while maintaining such a high rate of peer-reviewed publications and grant success?
“It is difficult, but I try to be organized and prioritize tasks on a daily basis,” he says. “It is also a great team effort: Research coordinators, administrative assistants, allied health care workers, colleagues and trainees from all levels help to move the different studies along and ensure that we continue to have a high rate of impactful publications, change clinical practice, and have ongoing grant funding support.
When asked if he has any insights for trainees who hope to model his career path, he suggested the following:
- Find good mentors
- Have a positive attitude and show gratitude
- Be open to feedback
- Stay focused
- Prioritize quality over quantity
Dr. Carrier will be presented the AFMC award at the International Congress on Academic Medicine (ICAM) in April. This year’s gathering will take place in Vancouver.
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