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An exciting new opportunity for researchers and other innovators throughout St. Joseph’s: Lawson Research Institute’s inaugural Transforming Workplace Health Through Research Catalyst Grant competition has now opened for applications. These grants will provide rapid funding for research related to musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain and mental health, with a focus on prevention, treatment/rehabilitation and return to work. As we continue to refine the mandate, strategy and brand of our emerging Workplace Health program, in partnership with WSIB Ontario, these grants will ensure this important work continues at St. Joseph’s. Proposed research projects must contribute, examine or translate to discovery in the field of workplace injury. Download a copy of the application form here by Nov. 24. Please contact Hannah Westenberg with any questions.

Bridging worlds: Bringing partners together to advance care and recover

On Sept. 15, the MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre at Lawson hosted the national Research Impact Summit in Toronto, bringing together nearly 40 experts from Veterans Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence and other sectors. The event focused on integrating treatment and prevention, sharing knowledge, supporting families, connecting mental and physical health and fostering collective impact. Andrey Andriets, Lawson Director of Research Strategy and Operations, highlighted Lawson’s leadership in workplace injury research, supported by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. By connecting experts and sharing insights, the Summit demonstrated how research collaboration drives meaningful progress for military members, veterans and others affected by occupational trauma.

Mental health and addiction system innovation pitch 

On Oct. 3, MINDS of London-Middlesex hosted the Mental Health and Addiction System Innovation Pitch, an event bringing together local professionals passionate about addressing the complex challenges faced by youth in London-Middlesex's mental health and addiction system. Researchers, clinicians and community members listened to bold, courageous and creative solutions designed to enhance patient care and support recovery. The event showcased three innovative pitches: one leveraging social media to improve system navigation, another using storytelling and engaging content to educate about cannabis use and a third introducing a proactive support model that connects youth on waitlists with community resources, transforming delays into opportunities for growth. This event was the culmination of the Mindful Social Innovation Training Program, spearheaded by Lawson scientist, Dr. Arlene MacDougall. To learn more about the program, the pitch ideas shared, and how you can become a mindful social innovator, please reach out to Dr. MacDougall.

In the News

Clinical trials are a vital part of how new treatments, devices and care strategies are discovered, tested and improved for patients. In October, Lawson supported 833 clinical research studies, underscoring the dedication to advancing patient-centered medical innovations. Visit Lawson’s Webpage to discover more about our clinical trials and how to get involved. 

Explore the world of pragmatic clinical trials with HDRN Canada Pragmatic Trials Training Program

Each week, the program releases open-access learning modules that dive into key aspects of trial design and implementation - from randomization and data analysis to truth and reconciliation in pragmatic trials. Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or health professional, these modules offer practical insights to strengthen your understanding of how trials can improve real-world care. Discover the full series at pragmatictrialstraining.ca

NOTICES

Mandatory use of new informed consent template for clinical trials - effective January 1, 2026

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Health Sciences Research Ethics Board (HSREB) will require the use of a standardized informed consent form template for all new clinical trial applications.

Western University’s template has been developed in alignment with the Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO) model to promote consistency across institutions in Ontario and to reflect feedback from industry partners who are now familiar with this format. The template also integrates the documented institutional ethics requirements applicable to research conducted at London’s hospitals.

This requirement will apply to all clinical trials. The new informed consent template is available on the Western Research website under the HSREB guidelines section.

Please note: For non-clinical trial submissions, the current Letter of Information/Consent (LOI/C) guidance documents will continue to apply.

For further information or clarification, please contact the Office of Human Research Ethics at ethics@uwo.ca

Notice of institutional adoption of ICH GCP E6(R3) - Effective April 1, 2026

The International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) has recently made significant updates to the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. ICH GCP E6 (R3)

Health Canada's official adoption of the revised GCP E6 R3 guideline is scheduled for April 1, 2026.

The updated ICH GCP E6(R3) training module is now available through CITI. To ensure a smooth transition, we encourage all research personnel to complete the revised training at their earliest convenience.

Please note: If not done prior, completion of the updated CITI GCP E6(R3) training will be mandatory starting April 1, 2026 for all new and existing clinical trials.

For questions or assistance, please contact: researchqualityandeducation@sjhc.london.on.ca

Office of Research Services

The Grants Team in the Office of Research Services (ORS) supports researchers at Lawson and London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) by guiding them through the entire grant application process. From project conception to final submission, services include notifying teams about new funding opportunities, liaising with funding agencies, facilitating team coordination, providing feedback on proposal and budget, and coordinating institutional signatures and letters of support. The team also provides internal reviews, supports patient engagement in research initiatives, and manages the internal funding competition offered by Lawson and LHSCRI.

General contact email addresses:

• Lawson staff:

Grantsubmission@sjhc.london.on.ca

Internalresearchfund@sjhc.london.on.ca

Researchpatientengagement@sjhc.london.on.ca

• LHSCRI staff:

Grantsubmission@lhsc.on.ca

Internalresearchfund@lhsc.on.ca

Researchpatientengagement@lhsc.on.ca

Macarena Pampillo, PhD, serves as the Grant Development Manager at the ORS. With over a decade of experience in research administration, a certificate from Mohawk College in research administration and extensive background in bench research, she brings deep expertise to the team. After earning her PhD in Neuroendocrinology in Buenos Aires, she pursued postdoctoral research at Robarts Research Institute. Then, Pampillo managed a confocal microscopy core facility and worked in research labs at Victoria hospital for nearly ten years before joining ORS in 2015, where she advanced from Grant Development Officer to manager. She oversees daily operations of the team, focuses on large strategic funding applications, leads internal review processes and patient engagement in research initiatives and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders.

Niveen Fulcher, PhD, joined the ORS as a Grant Development Officer in October 2024. She supports researchers in preparing and submitting grant applications for a variety of funding streams. Fulcher also leads the identification and sharing of targeted funding opportunities with hospital-based researchers and helps new investigators understand research funding procedures. Her research background began at the University of Toronto in 2010, followed by a PhD in Neuroscience at Western University and a postdoctoral fellowship in neuro-oncology. Her combined interests in preclinical and clinical research, writing and achieving a healthier work-life balance led her to this rewarding and intellectually-stimulating role.

Marina Childs, PhD, is a Grant Development Officer at the ORS. She supports researchers in preparing and submitting grants across diverse opportunities, including team grants and major infrastructure projects. Childs also coordinates the Internal Research Fund (IRF) competition, which offers seed funding to promote innovative research in both basic and clinical areas. Before joining ORS in 2021, she completed a PhD in Organic Chemistry at Western University, earning several scholarships for her imaging molecule work. Passionate about supporting innovation and quality research, Childs draws on her expertise in grant writing and science communication to help advance health research that improves patient care.

Matthew Maksoud, PhD, is a Grant Development Officer at the ORS. Since joining in 2021, Maksoud has combined his expertise in molecular and cellular neuroscience with over a decade of writing experience to help researchers succeed. He supports grant submissions for competitions like PSI and CIHR and provides guidance on research data management and research security considerations – ensuring projects are both competitive and compliant. He enjoys collaborating with researchers to turn innovative ideas into funded projects. 

Jeksy Manalil, PhD, is a Grant Development Officer at the ORS. She is also the alternate Internal Research Fund (IRF) coordinator for the internal competition that is launched twice every year. She has a background in Biotechnology with a PhD in Biochemistry from India. Manalil joined the ORS in 2024 and was previously a toxicology scientist at a Contract Research Organization that supported premarket product applications to Health Canada. With a strong background in GLP practices and regulatory standards, she brings this expertise in reviewing grant applications and provides feedback that enhances grant competitiveness and research excellence. 

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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: 

Sue Peters, Lawson associate scientist and physiotherapist, was awarded funding from the Heart and Stroke Foundation for the study, “Enabling bedside brain measurement to maximize motor outcomes after stroke.” This award provides salary support to the best young researchers in Canada.

This research project seeks to help stroke survivors regain arm movement using a portable neurofeedback device. Because strokes often damage the part of the brain responsible for arm function, many survivors are left with weakness. Our approach uses imagination—asking patients to think about reaching a cup, which activates the brain in ways like actual movement. With our technology, survivors receive real-time visual feedback on their brain activity as they imagine moving. This instant feedback helps them practice and potentially strengthen the affected areas. The funding will support studies to measure how neurofeedback impacts brain function and movement recovery.

Check out a few examples of the research published in September-October 

Coleman KKL, Finger E. (2025). Executive function and the feasibility of clinical trials for frontotemporal dementia. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe.

How do problems with executive functions like planning and decision-making affect participation in clinical trials for frontotemporal dementia? To find out, researchers assessed patients’ decision-making and planning abilities and how these skills influenced clinical trial involvement. They found executive difficulties can limit participation, highlighting the need for tailored clinical trial designs. Clinicians, researchers and families interested in dementia care and representation in research should read this article. #Aging

Sedrak P, Dounaevskaia V, Mancini GBJ, Zieroth S, McKelvie RS, Chiu W, Bewick D, Ducharme A, Mansour S, Lepage S, Pearson GJ, Welsh RC, Udell JA, Connelly KA. (2025). Vaccination in patients with cardiovascular disease: A case-based approach and contemporary review. CJC Open.

How do you best protect heart patients from infections through vaccinations? Researchers reviewed real cases and current evidence to guide vaccine choices for people with cardiovascular disease. They found tailored vaccination strategies can lower risks and improve outcomes. This article is an important read for patients, families and healthcare providers interested in heart health and infection prevention. #EndorinologyMetabolismChronicDiseases

Steele N, Huggins AA, Morey RA, Hussain A, Russell C, …, Lanius R, Densmore M, Theberge J, ... (2025). Image-Based Meta- and Mega-Analysis (IBMMA): A unified framework for large-scale, multi-site, neuroimaging data analysis. NeuroImage.

How can researchers analyze the data from large scale research with multiple sites and complex neuroimaging data sets to better advance our understanding of the brain? Researchers developed a new software tool, Image-Based Meta- & Mega-Analysis (IBMMA) allowing for improved modeling, analysis and detection of findings missed in older software. This breakthrough advances neuroscience and clinical insights. Clinicians, researchers and data scientists should read this article to explore the clinical utility of this tool. #Imaging

Ariba O, Oudshoorn A, Forchuk C, Wathen N, Easton C, Isard R. (2025). Mothering through experiences of homelessness with a particular focus on child separation in high-income countries: A scoping review. Child & Family Social Work.

Do you wonder about how homelessness affects mothers, especially regarding separation from their children in high-income countries? Researchers conducted a scoping review to explore this question. They examined global studies and found that marginalized mothers, those under state surveillance, racialized or facing health and economic challenges, were at higher risk of being separated from their children. The findings highlight urgent policy and care gaps. Healthcare providers, social workers and policymakers interested in mothers experiencing homelessness and how to preserve and reunite families should read this article. #MentalHealth

Hung SH, Ackerley S, Connell LA, Bayley MT, Best KL, Donkers SJ, Dukelow SP, Ezeugwu VE, Milot MH, Peters S, Sakakibara BM, Sheehy L, Yao J, Eng JJ. (2025). Real-world experiences of therapy staff implementing an intensive rehabilitation protocol in Canadian stroke inpatient rehabilitation settings: A multi-site survey study. Physical Therapy.

What are the real-world implementation factors that influence how therapy staff deliver an intensive walking rehabilitation protocol in inpatient stroke rehabilitation settings? Researchers surveyed 47 staff across 12 Canadian rehabilitation units who participated in the Walk ‘n Watch trial. While most staff delivered the protocol successfully, time constraints and device issues were barriers. The findings highlight practical challenges and support future implementation planning. Clinicians, rehab leaders and implementation scientists would find this a valuable resource. #Rehabilitation

Abu Al-Burak S, Butt F, Li X, Garg AX, Hutnik CM, Malvankar-Mehta MS. (2025). Anterior vitrectomy incidence in cataract surgery among experienced surgeons and residents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Ophthalmology.

Does cataract surgery complications differ between experienced surgeons and residents? To find out, the researchers conducted a systematic review and analysis of the literature, focusing on adult in-patients who received cataract surgery from residents and experienced surgeons. Based on limited evidence, they found residents could have a higher rate of anterior vitrectomy, a complication that can affect vision. The findings stress the need for better training and mentorship. Ophthalmology educators, surgical teams and hospital leaders should read this to improve patient care and safety. #SurgicalSpecialties

For more information about grant opportunities and grant applications please email grantsubmission@sjhc.london.on.ca.

Please visit the research funding announcement page to find out more about these funding opportunities:

• Catalyst Grant Digital Health
• CIHR Health System Impact (HSI) Embedded Early Career Researcher Award
• CIHR Summer Institute Summer Programs – Host Planning Grant
• Team Grant: Health Effects of Ultra-Processed Foods
• Project Grant: Spring 2026
• Team Grant: Pan-Canadian Network: Emerging Learning Health System in Perinatal Mental Health
• CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award 2025

Notice of upcoming funding opportunities:

• Beyond treatment – advancing cancer survivorship team grants
• Advancing 2S/LGBTQI+ Health Through Research

Cardiac Arrest Research Team Grants

Heart & Stroke together with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (CIHR-ICRH) and Brain Canada are collectively committing $5,000,000 over five years to fund the Cardiac Arrest Research Team Grants (CA) funding opportunity.

This funding opportunity is coordinated with the American Heart Association (AHA) Cardiac Arrest funding opportunity to encourage collaboration and partnership of those funded to leverage, amplify and coordinate research activities where appropriate.

The registration deadline is Dec. 16 at 3 pm ET. Eligible registrants will be notified and invited to submit a full application, which will be due by March 17, 2026.

• Competition Guidelines
• Registration Form
• Frequently Asked Questions

Funding opportunities for trainees: 

These funding opportunities support the next generation of researchers. Trainees and researchers should confirm internal deadlines and application procedures with their institutions (i.e., Western University, Lawson Research Institute, etc.). 

Register for DocTalks with Dr. Kristin Clemens

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

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