Picture of HPI members.

About Us

HPI logo.

HPI Mission Statement

To use parasitology as a platform to prepare the next generation of scientific leaders equipped to tackle prominent national and global issues of relevance to human, animal, environmental and economic health. The focus is to provide a unique multi-disciplinary training experience centered on scientific excellence, professional development and community outreach activities.

Our Goal

To blend an innovative, interactive training program with novel, fundamental and translational research output with societal benefit, that defines the Host-Parasite Interactions Program as the leading site in Canada for parasitology research and be a globally recognized center of excellence.

About HPI

In 2012, an innovative grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) under the Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program was awarded to the Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) group at University of Calgary, providing $1.6 million over six years (2012-2018). Now, with the NSERC CREATE funding period over, HPI now runs independently thanks to the generosity of internal funding at the University of Calgary (see below) using the infrastructure already established thanks to NSERC CREATE.

The HPI program is the largest parasitology research group in Canada, with >75 trainees in any given year and lead by 19 researchers from the Cumming School of Medicine, Public Health, Faculties of Science, Veterinary Medicine and Arts at the Universities in Calgary, Lethbridge, Alberta, Manitoba and Victoria.

  1. Conduct groundbreaking research with cutting-edge methodologies applied to parasitology in the laboratory and in field studies.
  2. Provide training in professional skills to enhance communication effectiveness and career advancement opportunities.
  3. Provide trainee placement opportunities beyond a university setting to complement laboratory-based skills
  4. Conduct community outreach educational events on the impact of parasites: from molecules to ecosystems.

University of Calgary, VP Research Office

University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine

University of Calgary, Faculty of Science

University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Chair, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC)