Clinical Trials British Columbia is pleased to announce Dr. Barbara McGillivray and Cindy Trytten as recipients of the 2026 Clinical Trials British Columbia Awards.

Every year, Clinical Trials British Columbia recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to strengthening BC’s clinical trials ecosystem. The award recipients demonstrate excellence in leadership, advocacy for clinical trials, and outstanding service and support to advance clinical trial research and improve the health of people across BC.

“This year’s awardees have demonstrated decades of commitment to improving clinical trials to better the health of British Columbians,” says Alison Orth, Executive Director, Clinical Trials British Columbia. “We are delighted to celebrate them.”

Dr. Barbara McGillivray is the Deputy Chair, Indigenous Research Ethics, Health Canada Research Ethics Board. She also worked as a physician and professor of medical genetics at the University of British Columbia.

The Leadership & Advocacy Award honours outstanding leaders and advocates for clinical trials at the provincial or national level. It recognizes leaders who educate, mentor, advocate, or spearhead programs, projects, and strategies that benefit BC’s clinical trials community.

Dr. Barbara McGillivray receives the 2026 Leadership & Advocacy Award for her significant contributions to advancing research ethics for regulatory-compliant clinical trials in BC. The award also recognizes her commitment to mentoring the next generation of health researchers and physicians for a stronger clinical trial and research ethics workforce.

She earned the nickname Canada’s “Mother of Research Ethics” for the transformative role she’s played on numerous Research Ethics Boards throughout her career. The research ethics training materials she developed are highly regarded in Canada and around the world as a key reference for ethical conduct in research.

“People used to be called research subjects,” Barbara says of the culture shifts she’s witnessed over her career. “Now, they’re called research participants. That has enormous meaning because it suggests teamwork, as opposed to one being over the other.”

Learn more about Barbara’s contributions to clinical trials in BC

Cindy Trytten recently retired from her role as Director, Research Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization with Vancouver Island Health Authority. She is now a freelance health research advocate who writes about research and innovation.

The Service & Support Award recognizes the community-based commitment of an individual, organization, company, or agency to improve BC’s research and clinical trials community.

Cindy Trytten receives the 2026 Service & Support Award for significant long-term contributions and commitment to engage people with lived experience, expand access to clinical trials outside of major cities, and mentor leadership talent in BC. Her efforts have helped Vancouver Island communities participate in innovative health research closer to home.

She is recognized for her ability to bring people together, create momentum, inspire excellence, and overcome challenges. She has strengthened clinical trials in BC by encouraging partnership, engaging participants, building education and awareness, embracing innovation, and working to expand trial access to those living outside of major centres.

“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity throughout my entire career to work with so many skilled, creative, and knowledgeable people to build clinical trial capacity in uncharted territory in spite of the challenges,” Cindy says. “In other words, a coalition of the willing doing things that haven’t been done before — with a shared ‘can do’ attitude.”

Learn more about Cindy’s contributions to clinical trials in BC

See past Clinical Trials British Columbia Awards recipients and learn how to nominate someone.