Queen’s health researchers receive $2.9 million

Researchers studying autism, the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and assisted reproduction technology are among 11 Queen’s projects to receive a total of over $2.9 million in operating grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

“With the generous support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Queen’s researchers are making important contributions to improved treatments for a wide range of health issues, ranging from allergy and infertility to gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular diseases,” says Vice-Principal (Research) Kerry Rowe. “These advances represent a real and significant benefit to the health and well-being of Canadians.”

At Queen’s, Jeanette Holden (Psychiatry) works to create a virtual community for people with autism and all those involved with them. AutismCONNECTS allows members to share ideas, concerns and solutions through collaborative media such as forums, discussion groups and blogs. Dr. Holden and her team will track the use of AutismCONNECTS to determine the extent to which it changes social networks and quality of life for people with autism and their families. Dr. Holden receives $100,000 over two years.

Brian Amsden (Chemical Engineering) is developing innovative biodegradable polymers that are engineered to release medications in specific parts of the body over a period of weeks rather than hours. These polymers may contribute to new pharmaceuticals for the treatment of a range of cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Amsden receives $507,206 over four years.

Richard Oko (Anatomy & Cell Biology) and colleagues are developing a new technique to increase the success rate of Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), a specialized assisted reproduction technology employed in cases where male fertility is an issue. Their innovative technique may help millions of infertile couples worldwide. Dr. Oko receives $141,658 for one year.

Other Queen’s recipients are:

Bruce Banfield (Microbiology & Immunology) “AlphaHerpes virus cell-to-cell spread” - $486,825 over five years

Andrew Craig (Biochemistry) “Regulation of mast cell activation and inflammation” - $283,695 over three years

Randy Flanagan (Psychology) “Sensorimotor processes underlying object manipulation” - $499,640 over five years

Linda Levesque (Community Health & Epidemiology) Antithrombotic treatment intensity and the risk of hemorrhagic complications in the elderly: A population-based study” - $205,497 over two years

Paul Masotti (Community Health & Epidemiology) “Adverse events in Canadian home care: A scoping review” - $98,076 for one year

John Schreiner (Oncology) “Improved polymer gel dosimetry for clinical radiation therapy” - $214,443 over three years

John Muscedere (Internal Medecine) “Knowledge transfer in the ICU through a behaviour change strategy for ventilator associated pneumonia” - $150,000 over 3 years

Malcolm Anderson (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) “Workshop on evaluating extra/forces and search program effects on health care organizations” - $5,000 for the event.

A detailed list of the projects funded across Canada is available at http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

The Canadian Institutes of Health research is the Government of Canada’s agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 8,000 researchers and research teams in every province of Canada.