Deadline For 2015 Obesity Boot Camp Applications is March 23

Regular readers will recall that for the past 9 years, I have spent 10 days each summer at the Canadian Obesity Network’s 9-day obesity training camp for students and new professionals (post-docs, residents, etc).  This year’s camp will again be held in the attractive setting of the Canadian Rockies.

The Camp is a unique research training activity designed to help trainees advance their careers and continuing engagement in the obesity field and promotes a better understanding of the multi-disciplinary aspects of obesity.

The curriculum covers all aspects of obesity ranging from epidemiology and public health to cell biology, energy, regulation, clinical management. The program has a strong practical component that allows participants to integrate the learnings into their research and/or practice. Opportunities for formal and informal interactions between participants and senior faculty are a key factor in determining the success of the camp.

One of the most important outcomes of this activity is the establishment of a community of young researchers and practitioners that can respond to the growing obesity epidemic in Canada and around the world. A formal social networking analysis of Boot Camp graduates indicates that the boot camp supports the advancement of trainees’career and contributes to ongoing engagement in the obesity field.

The Obesity Boot Camp consists of nine days of intensive teaching and networking, offered to Canadian and international young obesity researchers and new professionals. Young professionals include individuals in their last year, or within five years of, completing their MSc/PhD training. The program is also open to health practitioners and/or clinician scientists such as physicians, dietitians, and exercise specialists.

Participants must submit a completed registration form, a letter of recommendation from their supervisor, a copy of their curriculum vitae and a single-spaced page summary of their research interests or area of practice, and a brief explanation of what they hope to get out of the boot camp.

Cost: $2500 (includes shared accommodation, syllabus, full program, meals, breaks and select social events).

Space is limited. Click here to see the most recent boot camp announcement