A TRIDENT E-Newsletter Update
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An E-Newsletter From
The TRanslational Initiative to DE-Risk NeuroTherapeutics (TRIDENT)
The TRanslational Initiative to DE-risk NeuroTherapeutics (TRIDENT) draws upon research supported by the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund - Transformation stream (NFRF-T). Headquartered at Western University, London, Ontario, TRIDENT is led by teams of experts across leading Canadian research institutions, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, the Neuro, and
the University of Toronto. By offering a transformative approach to preclinical evaluation of neurotherapeutics, TRIDENT will dramatically improve the odds of success of neurotherapeutics in clinical trials for the benefit of humans
across the globe.
From the TRIDENT
Principal Investigator
Happy New Year to the TRIDENT team!
As we come to the end of the 3rd year of TRIDENT, there’s a lot to take pride in and a lot to showcase. All thanks to the hard work that the students, trainees, staff, and faculty put into moving us towards our goal of much more translationally relevant preclinical assessments of neurotherapeutics. The team and our external advisors are now about 100 strong and managing this would simply not be possible without our always smiling administrative team.
Year 4 marks a critical juncture for TRIDENT. We will have our midterm review in October, the outcome of which determines the final two years of funding. And many of the papers that provide the proof points for the TRIDENT concept will be submitted - an essential piece to demonstrating the viability of our approach. These all play into a strategic planning exercise that will be held as well - important to understanding how we sustain the amazing team and infrastructure we have assembled in the years to come.
So grab a warm drink and spend a few minutes going through the newsletter. There is lots to read, lots to celebrate and much more to come!
Warm wishes for 2026,
Ravi
New Videos
2025 Annual General
Meeting Report
In November 2025, we welcomed all of the TRIDENT platform team members to our second Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Toronto, Ontario. The theme of the AGM was "Deep Learnings in Deep Science." Over two days, attendees took part in exciting research update presentations, training, and collaborative networking opportunities. The event was a resounding success and valuable connections were
both forged and strengthened.
Check out our online Annual General Meeting Report HERE.
2025 Alzheimer's
Association International
Conference Corner
"Characterization of mouse models of synucleinopathies" by Timothy, LTC et al.
Michael J. Fox Foundation Annual Parkinson's Disease
Therapeutics Conference (PDTC)
In October 2025, TRIDENT was thrilled to support the annual Michael J. Fox Foundation Annual Parkinson's Disease Therapeutics Conference (PDTC) as a Silver Sponsor. This event, brought together 300 research and business development professionals from both academia and industry and showcases the most exciting and innovative research from MJFF's research portfolio. It was a valuable outreach opportunity for the TRIDENT team to support MJFF as a leading foundation for Parkinson's research and continue to raise awareness
about our platform.
Research Updates
CoBrA Lab at the Douglas Research Centre Strengthens TRIDENT with a High-Sensitivity Longitudinal DBM Pipeline |
Human Midbrain Organoids Reveal Dopamine-Dependent Network Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease |
TRIDENT Adapts Open Science Principles to Support Innovation and Productivity |
TRIDENT’s Imaging Team Expands Awake Mouse Brain Imaging with a Non-Invasive Head Restraint The non-invasive head restraint, reported in Imaging Neuroscience, stabilizes the awake mouse head without implants or anesthesia and offers a surgery-free alternative for high-quality data. By acquiring ~25% more data, the system achieves network spatial specificity comparable to surgical headposts. This open-source approach expands TRIDENT’s preclinical imaging toolkit while providing a powerful tool
for the neuroimaging community. |
TRIDENT Mouse Core Defines Determinants of Alpha-Synuclein Propagation to Inform Preclinical Modeling Learn more about the TRIDENT Mouse Core HERE. |
A 15-Year Analysis Reveals Persistent Gaps in Women’s Health Research Funding |
Highly Qualified Personnel
Upcoming Events
EDDU x TRIDENT Science Outreach & Video Protocol Training
March 2026
Email info@tridentpreclinicaltrials.org for more information
OECD Workshop on Open Science and Innovation Partnerships
April 13 & 14, 2026
Email info@tridentpreclinicaltrials.org for more information
TRIDENT Highly Qualified Personnel Spring Mixer
May 5, 2026 at 1 pm
In person Western University Robarts Research Institute
Or Zoom https://westernuniversity.zoom.us/s/92101757505
TRIDENT Knowledge Exchange Group Meeting
April 8 & July 29, 2026 at 3 pm
In person Western University Robarts Research Institute
Or Zoom https://westernuniversity.zoom.us/s/91843448363
TRIDENT Annual General Meeting
November 9 & 10, 2026
Montreal, Quebec
Email info@tridentpreclinicaltrials.org for more information
Have You Met?
Sarah Brennan, BA, MA
TRIDENT Director of Operations
Sarah leads the operational, financial, and partnership development of TRIDENT’s network of globally recognized researchers at leading institutions including Western University, the University of Toronto, CAMH, McGill University, and the Douglas Research Institute.
Sarah brings a unique blend of clinical, administrative, and communications expertise to her work. A former nurse with frontline experience in acute and long-term care of patients with neurological disease, Sarah bridged from healthcare to administration through various research roles at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry and Ivey Business School.
She is particularly passionate about building translating research to impact—ensuring that the knowledge generated in research environments can be shared, understood, and applied to improve lives and to foster meaningful partnerships and collaboration. Sarah co-founded the Western University Knowledge Mobilization Network, a community of Western and community research communicators united in a goal to share knowledge and build connections. Sarah can be reached at smileti@uwo.ca!
Stay In The Loop
For More Information Visit tridentpreclinicaltrials.org