University of Guelph researchers have received more than $2,567,000 in grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
The CIHR funds research with the greatest potential to improve our understanding of human health to advance the world’s knowledge of health care, systems, injuries, outcomes and more.
From investigating workforce retention to understanding the diet’s effect on brain injuries, each project aims to fill fundamental gaps in scientific research.
“This investment from CIHR underscores U of G’s leadership in interdisciplinary research to address some of today’s most pressing health challenges, including improving injury prevention and health care worker wellbeing,” says Dr. Shayan Sharif, interim vice-president, research and innovation.
“Our researchers are delivering impactful solutions that strengthen health outcomes for individuals and communities.”
“Government investment in research that strengthens the health and well‑being of Canadians is essential to building a stronger future,” says Guelph MP Dominique O’Rourke. “These CIHR grants recognize the University of Guelph’s leadership in tackling some of the most pressing challenges in our health system — from workforce retention and childhood safety to brain injuries and antifungal resistance. I’m proud to see our researchers advancing knowledge that will improve care, save lives and support healthier communities across Canada.”
Dr. Basem Gohar, Ontario Veterinary College
The demands on Canada’s health care sector have resulted in high rates of absenteeism and turnover. Amid growing financial pressures, practical workforce solutions are urgently needed.
Following a successful pilot study, Dr. Basem Gohar, a clinical psychologist and researcher, will apply a solution-focused framework originally developed in psychotherapy to identify organizational changes that support workforce retention. The framework emphasizes envisioning positive change, recognizing existing strengths and effective practices while identifying achievable improvements.
The study will examine perspectives from both frontline professionals and management in two professions facing major retention challenges: medical laboratory technologists and mental health clinicians.
Working with sector partners, the team will translate findings into guidebooks and webinars to strengthen retention across the health workforce.
Dr. David W.L. Ma, College of Biological Science
A mild traumatic brain injury can occur in sports and in everyday activities. There is growing interest in using omega-3 fatty acids, commonly taken as supplements, to support brain health and mitigate the effects of these injuries.
However, long-term efficacy and mechanistic studies are needed to better understand these benefits. Studying varsity athletes over multiple years of play, Dr. David W.L. Ma will investigate if taking omega-3 fatty acids can mitigate the effects of a brain injury.
His group will also look at mechanisms of action, such as anti-inflammatory effects, in a mouse model.
As brain injuries have reached epidemic levels, this project is crucial to developing simple and cost-effective diet recommendations for both athletes and the general public.
Dr. Barbara Morrongiello, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
In Canada, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in children. Of the many safety precautions parents can take, watchful supervision has proven to be the single most effective means of preventing childhood injuries.
Dr. Barbara Morrongiello aims to increase the accessibility of a program shown to improve watchful supervision: Supervising for Home Safety (SHS).
This program will be delivered online as researchers evaluate its impact, focusing on socioeconomically vulnerable parents with children aged one to four.
Programs to improve watchful supervision are sorely needed, but none currently exist. The project aims to address this gap while accounting for the accessibility needs of high-risk populations.
Dr. Rebecca Shapiro, College of Biological Science
Fungal infections are responsible for more than 1.5 million deaths every year. Candida species are among the leading causes of these invasive infections, but they rapidly adapt to antifungal drugs as they are able to rearrange large sections of their genome.
Dr. Rebecca Shapiro’s team proposes a new and innovative approach to understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying their drug resistance. Using CRISPR-based techniques, the team will build genetic libraries to identify key genes that, when overexpressed, result in increased resistance to different kinds of antifungal drugs.
Given the limited therapeutic options for fungal infections, this work will help researchers understand the fundamental genetic mechanisms through which important fungal pathogens adapt and evolve resistance to drugs.