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National Research Collaboration: C-NeST

c-nest

National research partnership

Our Purpose

C-NeST is a national partnership of community and university-based researchers for multicentre, investigator-initiated clinical studies. As a sub-network under SkIN Canada, C-NeST has created an initial partnership of study sites and data infrastructure

Expanding research impact

Our Mission

There are currently 23 academic and community sites across eight provinces participating in C-NeST projects. This collaboration helps to improve the generalizability of research findings beyond academic centres.

c-net our mission

Current Projects

Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis MD MS(HS) FRCPC FAAD

East-West national Indigenous atopic dermatitis community and research collaborative core seed working group

First Nations University of Canada
4 Sites
SK, QC, MB
Dr. David Croitoru, MD

Surgical management of hidradenitis suppurativa with deroofing vs wide local excision: a multi-centre retrospective cohort study

University of Toronto, Women’s College Hospital
4 Sites
ON, QC, BC, AL

Canadian Frostbite Collaborative Network Symposium and Research Planning

NOSM University
2 Sites
YK, MB
Dr. Aaron Drucker, MD, SCM, FRCPC

Online clinical trials infrastructure to study low-risk interventions for atopic dermatitis

Women’s College Hospital
4 Sites
QC, AL, ON, UK

Establishing a National Registry and Biobank for Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC)

McGill University Health Centre
5 Sites
QC, ON, BC

Canadian Atopic dermatitis Cohort for Translational Immunology and imaging (CACTI) BRONTE trial (BROadband vs Narrowband phototherapy for eczema)

Women’s College Hospital
3 Sites
ON, QC, BC

Canadian Morphea Registry (C-MORE)

McGill University
15 Sites
BC, AB, SK, ON, QC, NS,NB

Follow-up of Cutaneous SCC (FOCS)

Women’s College Hospital
23 Sites
BC, AB, ON

Canadian Patient-Oriented Dermatitis database and biobank (C-POD)

McGill University
5 Sites
ON, QC, BC

Working together to advance skin health

Meet Our Dedicated Team

C-NeST brings together researchers and patient partners to drive innovation in skin disease research, ensuring every study is impactful and patient-focused.

Get to Know Our Team
Dr. Zaki Taher, MD, BSc., FRCPC
Dr. Tiffany Parsons MD, BHSc, FRCPC
Dr. Nick Levell MD, FRCP, MBA
Dr. Maxwell B. Sauder MD, FRCPC
Jo-Ann Lapointe-McKenzie, BScN, MN
Dr. Elena Netchiporouk, MD, M.Sc., FRCPC
Dr. Zhuo Ran Cai, MD
Dr. Melinda Gooderham
Dr. Robert Bissonnette, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Jennifer Beecker
Dr. Aaron Drucker, MD, SCM, FRCPC
Dr. An-Wen Chan, MD, DPhil (Oxon) FRCPC

Supporting the next generation of skin researchers

Empowering Trainees in Skin Research

SkIN Canada is committed to fostering the growth of emerging researchers by providing funding opportunities that support professional development, collaboration, and innovation. Through travel and research awards, we help trainees gain valuable experience, connect with experts, and advance the future of skin health research.

Trainee Travel Award

Submit a project proposal

Join forces with C-NeST to drive groundbreaking dermatological research. We invite researchers and clinicians to contribute their innovative project ideas and become integral members of our collaborative network.​

Resources

Resources

Empower your research and clinical practice with our comprehensive collection of tools and materials. Explore guidelines, data sets, and educational content curated to support your endeavors in skin disease studies.​

Publications

  1. Drucker A, Kleiner O, Manion R, Philip A, Dutz J, Barnard K, et al. Top ten research priorities for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa: the SkIN Canada Priority Setting Initiative. J Cutan Med Surg. 2023. doi: 10.1177/12034754231156103
  2. Kim KS, Chan AW, Belley-Côté EP, Drucker AM. Noninferiority randomized controlled trials. J Invest Dermatol. 2022 Jul;142(7):1773–7. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.04.015
  3. Mirali S, Tang E, Drucker AM, Turchin I, Gooderham M, Levell
    N, et al. Follow-up of patients with keratinocyte carcinoma: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 Nov 2. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.4590

FAQs

Still have questions?
Contact us for more information

Contact Us

How can I submit my project?

In order to submit your project, you need to fill in the intake form first.
C-NeST Management Committee will review the application and get back to you.

I am a Dermatologist, how do I become a site for a trial?

A major goal of C-NeST is to connect dermatologists around the country with opportunities to participate in clinical trials. If you are interested in participating in a particular trial or would like to know more about current or future opportunities please email info@skincanada.org

I am a Dermatologist, how do I join the C-NeST Committee?

Positions on the C-NeST Committee turn over every few years; this is staggered at first in the years after we launched our network. If you are interested in being a future member of the C-NeST committee, please email info@skincanada.org

Can I submit any project?

The short answer: YES.
The long answer depends on what your project is about. C-NeST prioritizes clinical trials/projects, in addition to any project that fits with the top ten list of research priorities

I am a trainee, how can I get involved?

You can participate in all available Training Committee activities, including Workshops and Webinars. If you wish to participate in the Training Committee itself, the fastest way to check if there is an opening is to email Kenneth Finnson, the Training Committee Coordinator at kenneth.finnson@gmail.com

I have applied for support in the past, can I apply again?

YES absolutely you can