Trainee Resources

Welcome to the Libin Cardiovascular Institute (LCI). We are an entity of the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services that supports cardiovascular research, clinical care and education in Calgary and beyond. Our team is here to support you in your studies!

The LCI offers numerous supports for its clinical and research students, including awards and scholarships (see below for a list).

LCI’s leadership team includes Dr. Satish Raj, Education Director, to ensure the voices of students are heard at the senior leadership level. You can find out all the Institute has to offer at libin.ucalgary.ca under the tab “Trainees” or visit the links below for more information. 

Awards and Scholarships

• Multiple Travel awards: $500 each
• Multiple LCI Publication awards: $100 each
• Multiple LCI Sex & Gender Publication awards: $100 each
• Multiple Research Day awards: $2,800 total
• Four master’s scholarships - $90,000 total 
• Three doctoral scholarships - $105,000 total
• Three postdoctoral scholarships- $120,000

The LCI offers trainees numerous learning opportunities and events to enhance your education experience. See below for more information. 

Tine Haworth Cardiovascular Research Day: This annual event features trainee research through a poster competition and oral presentations, culminating in an awards ceremony for top researchers from undergraduate to postdoctoral levels.

Libin Cardiovascular Institute Training Organization (LCITO): Formed in 2022, this student-led group fosters networking, socializing, and collaboration among trainees. Activities include journal clubs, research seminars, mock defense seminars, and social events.

Research Update Seminar Series: RUSS provides a platform for trainees to present their research, get feedback from their peers and increase knowledge about one another's research. This is a biweekly opportunity. 

Cardiovascular Journal Club: CJC meets on the first and third Thursday of the month to evaluate scientific articles. The discussions are student-led. Contact  the LCI operations team at libin@ucalgary.ca for more information. 

External Speaker Series: This seminar series takes place monthly throughout the school year and features high-caliber guest speakers from a wide variety of disciplines. Contact the LCI operations team at libin@ucalgary.ca for more information. 

Please note, trainees that receive funding from the LCI are expected to present at a minimum of one RUSS and CJC session and attend at least 75 per cent of RUSS, CJC and/or Libin External Speaker Series seminars. Being part of a journal club is part of your graduation requirements. 

All members of LCI’s operations team are available to answer any questions or concerns, but the following are your key contacts at the LCI: 

Alina Kotylova - Operations Coordinator – Education: Alina is available at alina.kotylova@ucalgary.ca to assist with any questions about funding, the LCI’s annual Tine Haworth Research Day, and other student related queries. 

Dawn Smith – Senior Communications Officer: Dawn can help promote events and highlight student success. Contact her to be added to the LCI’s email distribution lists.

LCITO Contacts:

• Jessica Wager, President - jessica.wager@ucalgary.ca
• Carmina Albertine Isidoro, Vice President - carminaalbertine.isi@ucalgary.ca
• Elise Rougier, Social and Communications Lead - elise.rougier@ucalgary.ca 
• Taylor Scheidl, Community Outreach Lead - taylor.scheidl@ucalgary.ca
• Megan Meechem, Journal Club Lead - megan.meechem@ucalgary.ca
• Heshini Dalpathadu, RUSS Lead - heshini.dalpathadu@ucalgary.ca

Stressed about managing your grad school project? Check out these handy tips for staying on top of your work. 

• Be organized from the start- take detailed experimental notes and plan ahead.
• Stay on top of analysis as best you can.
• Budget more time than you think for assignments and presentations.
• Set a goal for how many papers you want to read each week and hold yourself to it.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help!
• Connect with your fellow grad students for support and advice – we are all in this together!

The Foothills Campus has numerous hang out spots, restaurants and other resources available to students. Check out the following list to be in the know. 

• Health Sciences Library – 1450 Health Sciences building
• Zen Den – HSC G214 This quiet space is set aside for grad students. Grad Snacks program is run out of this space. It provides healthy, convenient snacks 24-7 for grad students.
• Good Earth Café- This café is located near the emergency entrance of the hospital.  It serves coffee, pastries and light lunch/snacks.
• On The Go/ Tim Horton’s- Located on the first floor of McCaig Tower, this venue serves coffee, lunch and snacks.
• Garden Deli – This cafeteria is located on the ground floor of the Foothills Hospital and serves a wide variety of menu items.
• Cravings Bagels- Located in the Women’s Health Center building, this restaurant serves bagels, samosas, candy, pastries and larger lunches. Their butter chicken (served for lunch every Thursday and Friday) is famous around campus. 
• Student Lounges- HSC G730 (Medical Students) and HSC G552 (All Foothills Students)- These are chill spaces to nap, cook or play pool. 
• Student Advocacy and Wellness Hub (SAWH) - HSC G740. This centre offers a wide variety of supports and resources to students, ranging from counselling to advocacy and academic help.