Dr. Zarowny is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, obtaining a Master of Science degree (Bacteriology and Biochemistry) in 1962 and a Doctorate of Medicine in 1966. He interned at the Montreal General Hospital and entered family practice in Kamloops, BC, in 1967. In 1970, Dr. Zarowny joined the multinational pharmaceutical Industry and over the next two decades held positions such as Director of Clinical Pharmacology, Vice-President and Medical Director and Director of Medical and Scientific Affairs. He was responsible for drug development programs in Canada for international companies such as Ayerst Pharmaceuticals, Hoffmann-La Roche and The Upjohn Company of Canada.

In 1990 he joined the Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN) located at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver BC, as Programme Head, Scientific and Industrial Liaison. (1990-2008) In this capacity Dr. Zarowny's role was multifaceted: to guide prospective applicants (both investigators and Pharmaceutical companies) through the process leading to submission of a clinical research study for review by the Scientific Review Committee of the CTN, to work closely with regulatory authorities (Health Canada), investigators and CTN committees throughout the review process, to file clinical trial applications with Health Canada, and to manage clinical trials for which the CTN was the sponsor.

He has been Senior Chair of the University- Industry grants review committee of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (previous Medical Research Council of Canada), the founding chair of the Canadian Panel of the Western Institutional Review Board (WIRB), a member of WIRB’s Institutional Biosafety Committee, acted as a consultant to biotechnology companies, served as a member of boards of directors of scientific organizations and sat on the Jury of the Prix Galien (Canada). His experience includes coordination of studies with organizations in Europe and the USA.

He has published over 50 scientific papers and given over 30 invited scientific presentations.

Currently he acts as an independant contractor, is a member of Panel 10 of WCG, sits on the Bridge of the Vancouver Squadron of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons and the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Botanical Garden Society.

 

Speaker has no relevant relationships with financial interests to disclose.