Dr. Connor Brenna Receives a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

Anesthesia resident and Clinician Investigator Program trainee, Dr. Connor Brenna, has been named a recipient of a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, one of the most prestigious awards for doctoral students in Canada.

Named after Major-General Georges P. Vanier, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are awarded to students demonstrating outstanding academic excellence, research potential, and leadership skills. Recipients are chosen based on their ability to demonstrate these qualities and their potential to significantly contribute to their chosen field.

Dr. Brenna received the award for his research titled, “Targeting GABA-A Receptors to Treat Depression with Nitrous Oxide”. He was one of 166 recipients named this year.

“I feel really humbled to have had the department’s support in applying, and also to represent them in this year’s competition,” said Brenna.

He also recognized the efforts of his colleagues and mentors, who supported his application and research.

“It seems like every single person in our department has helped me along the way, through both clinical and academic mentorship. Of course, I must thank my doctoral supervisor, Dr. Beverley Orser for her tireless support, and the entire Orser Lab—particularly Drs. Dianshi Wang and Lilia Kaustov who patiently read over endless iterations of my research proposal. I am also grateful to my committee members Drs. Ben Goldstein, Mike Salter, and Etienne Sibille, as well as long-time mentors Drs. Stephen Choi, Pier Bryden, and Sunit Das.

“Many others have been kind to take me on as a research trainee, especially Drs. Richard Brull, Rita Katznelson, David Malkin, and Brian Eames (who first introduced me to science). And, finally, I am thankful for mentorship from those paving the way ahead of me in the CIP program, including Drs. John Peel and Calvin Diep. It has taken a village!”  

Speaking following the announcement, Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Dr. Beverley Orser, said, “This scholarship is a well-deserved recognition of Dr. Brenna’s hard work and dedication. We congratulate him on this remarkable achievement and are excited to see his research continue to grow and flourish.”

The program will provide Dr. Brenna with $50,000 per year for up to three years of doctoral studies, allowing him to further his research and make significant contributions to the field of anesthesia.

The department extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Brenna on this well-deserved achievement.