Can't see the full newsletter? Please accept images and add Lawson LEADS (lawsonresearch-sjhc.london.on.ca@shared1.ccsend.com) to your safe list.

Excellence in care, powered by discovery: St. Joseph's new Strategic Plan sets bold vision

Shaped by the voices of more than 1,000 individuals from across our community, St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) has unveiled its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. This strategic plan sets a clear direction for the next five years and reinforces the organization’s deep commitment to compassionate, holistic care and innovation. Research plays a vital role in this strategy. It is the driving force behind progress in health care, enabling breakthroughs in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment that directly improve patient outcomes and community well-being. The strategic plan outlines a clear roadmap for integrating research, innovation and community knowledge into health care. Read the full 2025-2030 Strategic Plan here.

Viral mouth-taping trend 'sus', says Lawson researcher

Mouth taping, a growing trend on social media channels like TikTok, carries serious health risks, especially for those with sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea, according to a paper published in PLOS One. The paper co-authored by otolaryngologist Dr. Brian Rotenberg – a researcher at Lawson, LHSCRI and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry – drew local, national and international headlines in debunking influencer-led claims that taping the mouth during sleep could sculpt their jawline, smooth wrinkles and improve sleep. You can read the full story or listen to the CBC London interview.

Ting-Yim Lee receives highest honour in medical physics

Medical physicist Ting-Yim Lee had little experience but a world of potential when he was recruited to St. Joseph’s to work in radiology research in 1988. Today, the director of PET/CT Research in the Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics is one of the most accomplished and influential leaders in the field. In June, he was awarded the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists Gold Medal for exemplary achievement, the organization’s highest honour. Here’s the full story.  

In the News

Celebrating our brightest young researchers - CTV News

CTV London highlighted London Health Research Day – a Lawson, LHSCRI, Western University partnership featuring the work of more than 370 of the region’s most promising young health researchers – with a story and video of the event. “This is our future here…These are the future faculty, the future MDs, these are the people that are going to break new ground and find new, new cures,” said event co-organizer Tom Drysdale, Western associate dean, graduate and postdoctoral studies. 

Lawson trainee Carol Li shines light on cardiac rehab

Carol Li, a fourth-year Health and Rehabilitation Sciences student at Western University and Lawson trainee, has been conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Neville Suskin, a cardiologist and Medical Director at St. Joseph’s. Ms. Li's work focuses on evidence-based interventions aimed at enhancing patient programming and outcomes within cardiac rehabilitation. Her research on virtual cardiac rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed several key findings, including shorter referral-to-intake wait times, improved lipid control, and reduced weight gain among participants. However, her study also indicated that virtual programs may be less effective at improving patients' exercise capacity compared to traditional in-person rehabilitation. Looking ahead, Ms. Li expressed interest in refining hybrid models of cardiac rehabilitation that integrate both in-person and virtual elements to optimize patient care. 

Presenting her research at London Health Research Day served as a valuable experience for Ms. Li: 

“Participating in London Health Research Day provided an excellent opportunity to engage with fellow trainees, receive constructive feedback from experts and gain exposure to diverse perspectives. These experiences have significantly influenced my approach to research and offered meaningful insights for advancing patient care in our community and beyond.” 

For her outstanding, patient-focused research, Carol was awarded a Lawson “I love research” t-shirt – a symbol of our commitment to discovery-driven, patient-focused research excellence. Explore our collection of Lawson-branded resources and review the guidelines to showcase your Lawson pride. Let’s continue to celebrate our achievements and strengthen our identity together! 

Lawson LEADS video series – Mental Health

In the newest of our video series highlighting world-leading research at Lawson, discover how Lawson LEADS mental health research and innovation. Watch this video to learn more about how our research builds, restores and maintains the mental health of individuals and communities. And be sure to recognize and share your colleagues’ successes on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. 

In May 2025, Lawson Research Institute was actively conducting 826 clinical research studies, underscoring its dedication to advancing patient-centered medical innovation. 

Visit Lawson’s Webpage to discover more about our clinical trials and how to get involved. 

BioMIND study: Advancing early diagnosis in Alzheimer's Disease

The BioMIND Study (Biomarkers for the Molecular Identification of Neurodegenerative Dementia) is a pioneering research initiative focused on improving early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis using advanced biomarker testing. By combining lumbar puncture (LP) to analyze cerebrospinal fluid and amyloid PET scans, BioMIND is helping identify the biological presence of AD before symptoms become advanced, offering new hope for timely diagnosis and future treatment.

This project is made possible through the leadership of Dr. Jaspreet Bhangu and a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers and patient advocates at St. Joseph’s. It is funded by the Rene and Margaret Karrer Alzheimer Research Fund, managed by the St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation and supported by the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA). 

Traditional AD diagnosis often occurs too late. BioMIND offers earlier, more accurate detection, reducing wait times and connecting patients to clinical trials and emerging therapies. Early diagnosis empowers patients and families to make informed decisions and access support sooner. 

Key milestones: 

• More than 100 participants enrolled 
• 75% tested positive for Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers 
• Significantly reduced wait times to diagnosis 
• Participants may be eligible for additional studies 
• May be eligible for disease-modifying therapies, once approved by Health Canada or available through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) 

How does testing work? 

Participants undergo: 

• Lumbar puncture (LP) to test cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for biomarkers like amyloid and tau 
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging to detect amyloid plaques in the brain 

These tests allow clinicians to identify AD with over 90% accuracy, years before traditional clinical methods. 

Interested in participating? 

If you or a loved one are concerned about memory loss and are interested in learning more about research opportunities, contact our research team at: memory@sjhc.london.on.ca  

BioMIND is shaping a future where timely, accurate Alzheimer’s diagnosis is the standard, transforming care and hope for patients worldwide. 

Central Research Support

Meet our Central Research Support team who provide comprehensive administrative, operational and logistical coordination to advance research initiatives, manage resources and foster collaboration across the Lawson. 

Amanda Aspden is the Executive Assistant to Lisa Porter, President of Research and Scientific Director at Lawson. Since joining St. Joseph’s in 2023 within the Forensic Mental Health portfolio, Amanda brought her strong organizational and communication skills to Lawson in spring 2024. In her current role, Amanda provides high-level administrative support to the VP, managing complex scheduling demands, preparing strategic briefing materials and coordinating executive-level meetings. She also plays a key role in supporting governance functions for the Lawson Board of Directors and the Lawson Research Executive Committee. With a focus on efficiency, professionalism and discretion, Amanda facilitates seamless communication among research teams and external partners. Her work contributes directly to the advancement of innovative research and supports the institute’s strategic vision.

Nattasha Clements is the Administrative Assistant to Andrey Andriets, Director of Research Operations at Lawson, bringing more than 16 years of administrative expertise, including more than 13 years of dedicated service with St. Joseph’s. In addition to her core administrative duties, she supports key human resources functions such as timekeeping, payroll coordination, and recruitment processes. Known for her exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail and commitment to supporting innovative research, Nattasha plays a key role in facilitating the smooth operation of research initiatives and executive coordination within the institute. 

Jennifer Jones is the Research Staffing Associate with Lawson. Jennifer has worked across St. Joseph’s and London Health Sciences Centre in various roles within the hospitals’ previous joint research institute, Lawson Health Research Institute. For more than 16 years, she has supported many departments within the research institute including Finance/Accounting and Research Services. She provides direction to research teams regarding human resource processes and policies related to research including recruiting, hiring, benefits and compensation, orientation and onboarding, timekeeping and payroll, and changes in employment terms. 

Taryn Sendzik, PhD, is a Research Operations Lead at Lawson, bringing more than 20 years of experience in research management, multidisciplinary collaboration and health policy research. With a PhD in Public Health and Health Systems, an MSc in Health Studies and Gerontology and a BA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Waterloo, she is committed to advancing the excellence of meaningful research. Taryn provides operational support to the Lawson Operations team and researchers, including helping to coordinate the Lawson LEADS newsletter, research events and initiatives supporting trainees, people with lived experience and equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Shannon Seney is the Facilities Lead at Lawson and Lab Manager for Lawson microbiologist Jeremy Burton, PhD, and brings more than 25 years of experience to her dual roles. A University of Guelph graduate with a BSc in Microbiology, she ensures smooth daily operations by maintaining infrastructure, managing lab equipment, training personnel and upholding safety and compliance standards. Shannon coordinates with Lawson administration and St. Joseph’s facilities to support complex building needs. In the lab, she oversees research operations, supervises staff, manages clinical samples and develops safety protocols - providing essential leadership to ensure the lab’s efficiency, safety and research success. Day-to-day, she can be found roaming all over St. Joseph’s - surprised they haven't GPS-tagged her yet - when she isn’t home baking, crafting or gardening. 

Instagram    |     Email     |     Sign Up for TOFS     |     Mailing List     |     Intranet 

We encourage researchers to submit grants, publications and awards for us to showcase. Please provide a one- to two-sentence plain-language description along with the submission.

We recognize and congratulate some of the recent external funding awarded to our researchers: 

Surim Son (Supervisor: Dr. Manuel Montero Odasso) was awarded a Canadian Institutes of Health Research award “Identifying Dementia Risk Factor Combinations That are Responsible for High Prevalence and Largest Impact on Cognition" through the Travel Awards - Institute Community Support competition, $1,500. 

Researchers are studying combinations of modifiable risk factors for dementia, such as hearing loss, physical inactivity, hypertension and sleep disturbance, using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. This work aims to identify which combinations most significantly impact cognitive health and help shape prevention strategies to delay or reduce dementia in Canada. The funds will enable travel to disseminate the findings related to dementia risk factors and their impact on cognitive health to a broader scientific audience. 

Jacobi Elliott, PhD, was awarded a CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity and Independence (REDI) 2025 Forum Travel Award for Mentors, $1,548. 

The travel award will support her participation in this year’s REDI 2025 Forum event. The award recognizes Dr. Elliott’s commitment to mentorship and professional development and will help her connect with peers, share best practices and further her work in improving care for older adults. This opportunity highlights her ongoing contributions to health research and her leadership in the field of geriatric health systems. 

Check out a few examples of the research published in March and April: 

Donelle L, Hiebert B, Warner G, Reid M, Reid J, Shariff S, Richard E, Regan S, Weeks L, Ledoux K. (2025). Passive remote monitoring technologies' influence on home care clients' ability to stay home: Multiprovincial randomized controlled trial. JMIR Aging. 

Do passive remote monitoring (PRM) technologies – such as motion sensors and cameras – help older home care clients stay safely at home longer? Participants received standard care with or without PRM devices. Results showed a trend that PRM helped more clients stay home longer and reduce hospital visits, suggesting PRM can help aging in place and reduce health care use. This study is valuable for policymakers, home care providers and caregivers interested in technology-enabled aging support. 

Clemens KK, Moist LM. (2025). Steps forward for cardio-kidney-metabolic research in transplant recipients. Kidney360. 

This article reviews the latest advances in understanding how heart, kidney and metabolic health are connected in people who have received organ transplants. The authors highlight new research and future directions that could lead to better care and longer, healthier lives for transplant recipients. Anyone interested in chronic disease management or transplant medicine will find these insights especially relevant 

Lin J, Zamani M, Kalia V, Vasarhelyi EM, Lanting BA, Teeter MG. (2025). Assessing implant position and bone properties after cementless total knee arthroplasty using weight-bearing computed tomography. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 

To help people recover better after knee replacement surgery, scientists used a special kind of CT scan that takes images while patients are standing. This allowed them to see exactly how the new knee fits and how strong the surrounding bone is during real-life movement. Their work could lead to improved surgical techniques and better outcomes for people needing new knees. This article is great for anyone curious about how imaging is making joint replacement surgeries safer and more effective.

Trahair C, Forchuk CA, Plouffe RA, Hansen KT, Richardson JD, Nazarov A. (2025). Barriers to mental health support among Canadian Veterans: Complicating factors of confidentiality and moral injury. Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health. 

Canadian researchers set out to understand why many veterans struggle to access mental health support, focusing on the sensitive issues of confidentiality and moral injury. By interviewing veterans and analyzing their experiences, the team found that concerns about privacy and the emotional burden of moral injury often prevent veterans from seeking help. This article is essential reading for veterans, their families, healthcare professionals and anyone interested in improving mental health care for those who have served. 

Seabrook JA, Avan A, O’Connor C, Prapavessis H, Nagamatsu L, Twynstra J, Stranges S, MacDougall A, Hachinski V. (2025). Dietary patterns and brain health in middle-aged and older adults: A narrative review. Nutrients. 

Researchers reviewed the latest evidence to find out how different eating habits affect brain health in adults as they age. By analyzing a range of dietary patterns, they discovered that what we eat can play an important role in maintaining memory, thinking skills and overall brain function. This article is a great read for anyone interested in healthy aging, caregivers or those looking to boost their brain health through everyday food choices. 

Nageswaran L, Wolfe DL, Graham LJ, Bateman EA. (2025). Taking risk to heart: An evaluation of cardiometabolic risk and screening guideline adherence in outpatients with spinal cord injury. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. 

Scientists wanted to know if people with spinal cord injuries are being properly screened for heart and metabolic diseases, which they are at higher risk for. They reviewed medical records to see if recommended screenings were being done and found that many patients were not getting all the checks they needed. This article is important for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who want to improve long-term health after spinal cord injury.

The translational Ophthalmology research being done at the Lawson is both nationally and internationally recognized. Dr. James Armstrong, MD, PhD, a PGY-3 resident, and Dr. William Herspiegel, BSc, MD(C), a Western medical student, were both honored at the Canadian Ophthalmology Society (COS) 2025 for their exceptional contributions to translational ophthalmology research. Dr. Armstrong received second place for his groundbreaking paper on, “Netarsudil's effects on the outflow resistance in a post-glaucoma filtration surgery model”, while Herspiegel earned first place for his innovative poster, “Exploring intraluminal ripcord sutures in SIBS microshunt occlusion models.” Armstrong and Herspiegel will present their research at COS 2025 on June 22. Their remarkable achievements reinforce Lawson’s reputation for excellence in ophthalmology research and mentorship. 

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) provides funding for continued investments in infrastructure across the full spectrum of research through the Innovation Fund (IF). 

CFI has provided the following tentative timeline for the 2027 round of the CFI-IF competition: 

• Launch: Early 2026 
• Decisions: Fall 2027 

If you are considering applying for this competition, please contact grantsubmission@sjhc.london.on.ca to request a form. The form must be returned to the Grants Development team by Monday, June 30. If you have already submitted an expression of interest to the Schulich Research Office, you do not need to complete this form. 

For more information about grant opportunities and grant applications, please email grantsubmission@sjhc.london.on.ca or visit the Grant Development page 

Join us for an engaging session as part of the Gray Centre for Mobility and Activity’s Coffee Lunch series, held at Parkwood’s Main Auditorium on Friday, June 20. This free event is open to hospital and research scientists, staff, and trainees, providing a fantastic opportunity to connect and learn over coffee, tea and light snacks.

The featured speaker, Arden Lawson, supervised by Drs. Eldon Loh and David Allison, will present findings from her recently completed Master’s degree.The presentation titled “Exploring non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation as an anti-inflammatory strategy in spinal cord injury” will delve into the potential of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to combat chronic, low-grade inflammation in individuals with spinal cord injury. This pioneering pilot study explores the feasibility and safety of taVNS, alongside its effects on heart rate variability and inflammatory markers, using a sham condition for comparison.  

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover how bioelectronic medicine could help support neuroimmune regulation in this population. We hope to see you there! 

Research Informatics is holding it's next REDCap training session

TITLE: REDCap e-Consent 2.0 

WHEN: Wednesday, June 25 from 12 pm to 1:30 pm 

WHERE: MS Teams session (Meeting invite will be sent to registered individuals) 

COST: Free 

REGISTRATION: Requested by Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 3:00 pm. You can register here. Recording of the session is planned. 

DETAILS: During this session, you will learn about: 

• REDCap e-Consent 2.0 
• Benefits 
• Main Features 
• e-Consent Configuration 
• PDF Snapshot Trigger 

Additionally, you will learn about:  

• New REDCap Training server 
• Changes to the Transition Request form 

If you have any questions or require more information, please contact redcap@sjhc.london.on.ca 

The Research and Innovation Office invites you to join the Imaginarium Series presentation “Mystical Experiences in Virtual Reality” presented by Dr. Paul Frewen on June 26, 2025, from 12 to 1. The presentation will take place at the Finch Family Mental Health Care Building Auditorium (F2-235) in person or via Microsoft Teams for those unable to attend. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Nicole.north@sjhc.london.on.ca by June 18, 2025 and indicate whether you will be joining in person or via Microsoft Teams to ensure the correct number of lunches are ordered. If you have any dietary restrictions, please indicate in the RSVP email. 

For questions about this event, please contact Dr. Kistin Clemens.

The Research Data Management Community of Practice (RDMCop) invites you to join us on Monday, September 22nd from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM for the Research Data Management (RDM) Forum 2025. This event will take place in person at Sumner Auditorium, Victoria Hospital and is open to all research staff across both hospitals and affiliated research institutes.

Please pre-register here: RDM Forum 2025RDM Forum 2025.

We will offer breakfast and a coffee break and feature engaging talks from guest speakers (to be announced). The forum will focus on research data management practices and related topics. 

Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance and may earn up to 3.0 Continuing Education Units for SOCRA and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ARCP). 

Please register to save the date and stay tuned for more details!  

For questions about this event or RDM, please contact the RDMCop Council by email rdm@lawsonresearch.com 

Share your news with us!

We want to hear about your latest projects, grants, publications, awards and events!

Send news to lawsonresearch@sjhc.london.on.ca

Lawson Research Institute, the health innovation arm of St. Joseph's Health Care London, is committed to making discoveries that improve lives. Every day, Lawson scientists work to translate their ideas into innovations that improve patient care. Lawson LEADS health research. Find us online at LawsonResearch.ca and on social media @stjosephslondon

Did someone forward this email to you? You can subscribe here to get Lawson LEADS newsletter delivered directly to your inbox. Missed a previous newsletter? Visit the Lawson News and Events page.