Dr. Robert Huber hasn’t been a faculty member at Trent for long, but he’s already establishing himself as one to watch. As an assistant professor in the Biology department and a key player in Trent’s new Biomedical Science program, Professor Huber is known among students for the experiential learning opportunities he provides in his lab, something he will keep in mind as he heads to Ottawa to participate in the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) Observer Program for Early Career Investigators (ECIs) as an observer for the Fall 2017 Project Grant competition.

Prof. Huber is one of 53 academics that have been selected for the prestigious position, which is reserved for academics within five years of their first academic appointment, an honour he hopes will encourage students to get involved with research at Trent.

“I feel honoured to have been chosen to participate in this program,” he says. “My goal as a new faculty member at Trent is to contribute in any way I can to the growth and development of the undergraduate Biomedical Science program and to show students that Trent is a great place to carry out biomedical research.”

As an observer, Prof. Huber will sit in on the deliberations of the Cell Physiology committee and gain valuable experience about the review process. According to Prof. Huber, this opportunity will open doors to further involvement with the CIHR, adding that it is a good sign for Trent that the CIHR selected him to participate in the program.

“I think that me being selected to participate in this program bodes well for the future of biomedical research at Trent,” Prof. Huber says.