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$66.75M GRANT POSITIONS LAWSON AS
CANADIAN LEADER IN WORKPLACE INJURY RESEARCH
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What a game-changer for Lawson and for occupational health research across Ontario!
On Jan. 24, St. Joseph’s Health Care London announced Lawson Research Institute will receive a massive, $65.75-million investment from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to create Canada’s first Occupational Injury Prevention and Treatment Research Network.
This new Network will research root causes and treatments for work-related injuries and illness, including: chronic-pain prevention and treatment; musculoskeletal injury prevention and treatment; and mental health. It will use purpose-built spaces, cutting-edge technology and world-class research teams. And it will generate and leverage partnerships with researchers, workplaces, industry, academia and health practitioners with an aim to translate innovation to better health for all Ontarians.
This is the largest-ever research investment made by WSIB and one of the largest investments of its kind in the region. The investment will be managed and stewarded through St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. For a photo gallery and more details, check out our story online.
$65.75M grant positions Lawson as Canadian leader in workplace-injury research | St. Joseph's Health Care London
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Cyclotron hits 10,000-bombardment milestone
Our cyclotron has produced its 10,000th life-changing bombardment of radioisotopes!
Vital to patient care from London to Windsor to Toronto, the cyclotron-produced isotopes help with ultra-precise cancer scans that guide patient’s medical treatment. A single “bombardment” can be batched out to as many as 25 patients.
The isotopes are also key to cutting-edge imaging research in fields diverse as oncology, cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, metabolic disease and infectious diseases.
“The real satisfaction is knowing every single bombardment means something important to a patient or a researcher working towards better patient health” says Michael Kovacs, PhD, Lead of Lawson’s Nordal Cyclotron & PET Radiochemistry Facility and leader of the Lawson’s Imaging Research Program. Read the full story on our website.
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Landmark Alzheimer's and cancer studies receive $7.2M boost
Lawson has received $7.2 million in funding for first-of-its-kind in Canada research to advance the detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and to personalize cancer care.
Lawson scientists led by Ting-Yim Lee, PhD, Director of PET/CT Research will partner with a broad team of researchers at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute, McMaster University, University Health Network and BC Cancer on the ground-breaking studies focused on molecular imaging and theranostics as a potential game-changer in detecting and treating neurodegeneration and cancer, particularly prostate and breast cancer.
The research offers hope for solutions to some of the most prevalent and destructive diseases affecting Canadians. Read the full story on Lawson’s website
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Researchers uncover new approach to predicting pain through international collaboration
Researchers from Lawson, Western University, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and Neuroscience Research Australia have made a breakthrough in predicting pain sensitivity. Their study published in JAMA Neurology on Jan. 27, identified two brain biomarkers that can accurately distinguish between high and low pain sensitivity in individuals.
According to Siobhan Schabrun, PhD, William and Lynne Gray Research Chair in Mobility and Activity at St. Josephs, “This study represents a major leap forward in the field of pain science. A biomarker that can predict pain sensitivity with 88 per cent accuracy has the potential to transform the treatment and prevention of pain in future.”
Discover the full story about how this reach could revolutionize chronic pain management in Western University's feature article by Cynthia Fazio.
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Dr. Kristin Clemens and her team of diabetes, obesity and kidney doctors, as well as nurses, dietitians, social scientists and patient partners, are beginning a clinical trial to study the effectiveness of a weight management program for people with diabetes, obesity and kidney disease. This clinical trial will help reduce barriers to better health and quality of life for those living with type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Click here to learn more about this trial and see if you are eligible to participate. Sign in to access a handout on this study.
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RESEARCH TIP
Branding – Downloadable Lawson Research Institute logos, letterheads, poster templates and more! You can find them all under the Communications tab on the Lawson intranet page, along with a PDF guide for how/when to use them. If you have additional questions about branding, contact comdept@sjhc.london.on.ca Please note the old Lawson Health Research Institute (LHRI) branding has been retired and should not be used.
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Lawson Research Institute Executive Board | |
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Dr. Michael Borrie, MB ChB, FRCPC, Aging Program Lead, is a Geriatrician and Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Western University. He is the Medical Director for the Aging Brain and Memory Clinic, an investigator with the Cognitive Clinical Research Group (CCRG) and leads the Aging Research Pillar. His research interests include investigator-initiated studies for predictors of conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer Disease (AD).
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Dr. Kristin Clemens, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Chronic Disease Research Program Lead, is a clinician-scientist and endocrinologist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London and leads the Endocrinology, Metabolism and Chronic Disease Research Pillar. As the Diabetes Canada Chair in Diabetes Management, Dr. Clemens directs the Metabolic and Chronic Disease Research Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital, which advances investigator-initiated research to improve the care and outcomes of underserved patients with diabetes and cardio-kidney-metabolic-syndrome.
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Dr. Cindy Hutnik, MD, PhD, FRCSC, Ophthalmology Research Program Lead, is Professor and Chair in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at the Ivey Eye Institute in London, Ontario, Canada. She holds the inaugural Marcel and Louise Brunette Chair in Ophthalmology at Western and serves on several committees and boards. Her research focuses on glaucoma pathophysiology and management, with an emphasis on developing novel and optimized treatments. Dr. Hutnik is committed to collaborative eye care models and was elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2023.
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Dr. Graham JW King, MD, MSc, FRCSC, MSK Research Program Lead, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in wrist and elbow surgery at the Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC). He is the Medical Director of HULC and the WSIB Upper Limb Specialty Clinic. King is also the co-director of the Roth | McFarlane Bioengineering Laboratory at Lawson and the Site Chief of Surgery at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.
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Michael Kovacs, PhD, Program Lead, Lawson Imaging Research. Lawson Scientist and founder of the Lawson Cyclotron and PET Radiochemistry Facility, Kovacs has led a self-funded clinical research program focused on producing Positron Emitting Radiopharmaceuticals (PERs) for both clinical imaging procedures and to support clinical and pre-clinical PET imaging research programs. Through his work, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to translating PERS from bench to bedside, contributing significantly to advancements in medical imaging and radiopharmaceutical development.
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Dr. Arlene MacDougall, MD MSc FRCPC, Mental Health Research Program Lead, is a psychiatrist and Director of Research and Innovation for Mental Health Care at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. MacDougall is also an Associate Professor at Western University. She leads trans-disciplinary initiatives like MINDS of London-Middlesex, Canada’s first social innovation lab focused on tackling complex community mental health challenges through innovative, youth-centered solutions. Her work bridges research, innovation and system-level change to address mental health needs locally and globally.
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Siobhan Schabrun, PhD, Mobility and Activity Program Lead, is the William & Lynne Gray Endowed Research Chair in Mobility and Activity for The Gray Centre of Mobility and Activity at St. Joseph’s Health Care and a Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at Western. Her research interests include better understanding, treating and preventing chronic pain after illness or injury.
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Dr. Alp Sener, MD, PhD, FRCSC, Urology Research Program Lead, is the Keith and Leanne Lavergne Chairman of Urology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Chief of Urology at London Health Sciences Center and St. Joseph’s Health Care London. He holds the inaugural Andrew Lazarovits Chair in Immunobiology and Transplantation at Western University. Dr. Sener’s research focuses on immune responses in graft rejection and mitigating organ injury in transplantation, pioneering the use of hydrogen sulphide to improve transplant outcomes.
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PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE | |
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The current PWLE committee goals are to:
1. Contribute to the development of PWLE-driven research, practices and programs at St. Joseph’s Health Care London
2. Promote active involvement and representation of PWLE in committees and research, including:
- serving as chairs, co-chairs and member advisors on committees,
- proposing research ideas and/or questions,
- increasing involvement in design and conduct of research
- serving as potential co-investigator on research
- reviewing and providing feedback to researchers on grants, study designs, publications, presentations, guidelines and policies
3. Provide communications about the outcome of research endeavors to communities at large
If you want to know more about being involved and specific activities, please contact Taryn Sendzik by email taryn.sendzik@sjhc.london.on.ca or by phone 519-685-8500 ext. 75720 by Feb. 28.
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LAWSON ASSOCIATION OF FELLOWS AND STUDENTS | |
LAWSON COMMITTEE ON EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING | |
Lisa Porter, PhD, and Savita Dhanvantari, PhD, are looking for volunteers to serve on the new Lawson Committee on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. The purpose of this committee is to strengthen the research mission of the Lawson Research Institute by incorporating values of inclusion and belonging, aligning with St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Strategic Plan and the Ontario Hospitals Association Research and Innovation mission. We aim to have representation from basic and clinical research faculty, staff, learners and the community. If you are interested in joining, please contact Taryn Sendzik by Feb. 28. | |
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. | |
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We recognize and congratulate some of the recent external funding awarded to our researchers:
Laura Fitzgibbon-Collins, Dr. Jaspreet Bhangu’s trainee, was awarded $150,000 in funding for the study entitled, “Longitudinal association of low cerebral blood flow during upright posture and cognition in adults with cognitive impairment” through the Post Doctoral Grant competition of the Alzheimer Society Research Program.
This funding will support a novel study exploring the relationship between upright brain blood flow measurements and cognitive decline, aiming to develop an earlier, more affordable and non-invasive diagnostic method for faster treatment.
Seema Parvathy, PhD, secured $300,628 over 2.5 years for the study titled “In-vitro gut microbiome modulation using prebiotics to overcome resistance to Immunotherapy in Melanoma” from Weston Family Foundation for 2024-27.
The funding will help to identify specific prebiotics that can augment immunotherapy by shifting the gut microbiome of non-responders towards that of responders.
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Check out a few examples of the research published in December and January:
D'Amico D, Savundranayagam MY, Biles R, Itzhak I, Anderson ND, Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group: Chertkow H, Belleville S, Feldman HH, Montero-Odasso M, et al. (2024). Engaging older adults in the process of aging research: a multimethod study evaluating the experience and efficacy of a citizen advisory group for a dementia risk reduction program. Research Involvement and Engagement.
Researchers explored how collaborating with older adults to develop an online dementia awareness program found the experience in terms of roles, whether the group achieved its goals and how it impacted the program.
Ahmed K, Joy T, Sukhera J. (2025). Seeing Ourselves in Others: Understanding and Addressing Biases in Medical School Admissions Processes. Perspectives on Medical Education.
The researchers examined how personal biases may influence decisions related to admissions to medical school. They suggested that fostering critical reflection about identity tensions, building and sustaining a community of practice and facilitating sustained dialogue may provide admissions committees with an evidence-informed, meaningful and sustained approach to bias recognition and management.
Nicholson AA, Lieberman JM, Hosseini-Kamkar N, Eckstrand K, Rabellino D, Kearney B, Steyrl D, Narikuzhy S, Densmore M, Théberge J, Hosseiny F, Lanius RA. (2025). Exploring the impact of biological sex on intrinsic connectivity networks in PTSD: A data-driven approach. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry.
A new study reveals how males and females with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have distinct differences in brain network activity, which were discovered using advanced imaging and machine learning. The findings may pave the way for more personalized treatments for PTSD, addressing unique needs based on biological sex differences
Ali P, Dinomais M, Labriffe M, Pieruccini-Faria F, Montero-Odasso M, Bartha R, Annweiler C. (2025). Mapping the neural substrate of high dual-task gait cost in older adults across the cognitive spectrum. Brain Structure and Function.
This study investigated the neural substrates of dual-task gait in older adults across the cognitive spectrum, finding that a high dual-task cost was associated with reduced gray matter volume in specific brain regions, particularly in those with dementia. This research provides new insights into why walking while performing mental tasks becomes more challenging as cognitive decline progresses, potentially offering a simple yet effective tool for early detection of cognitive impairment.
Johari S, MacDermid J, Parikh P, Grewal R. (2025). A Scoping Review of Interventions Aimed at Reducing Fear of Falling in Older Adults with Orthopedic Conditions. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy.
This study examined research on interventions to address fear of falling in older adults with orthopedic conditions, a common issue that can limit mobility and raise the risk of falls. The review identified seven different types of interventions, such as exercise training and cognitive behavioral therapy, with considerable variation in reasoning, content and reporting methods. The study highlights the need for tailored, comprehensive strategies to guide health care professionals in selecting effective interventions for this population.
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Dr. Jamie Fleet, a dedicated physician and clinician researcher at St. Joseph's Health Care London, has been honored as one of London Inc Magazine's 20 Under 40 recipients for 2024. At 36, Fleet balances patient care, stroke prevention research and academic work as an assistant professor at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Her remarkable achievement includes publishing over 35 research papers, showcasing her exceptional commitment to medical excellence and collaborative care.
Read about why a job at Parkwood Institute is her biggest achievement.
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Ting-Yim Lee, PhD, 2024 Radiology Editor’s Recognition Award for reviewing with Special Distinction. Recognized as part of a highly select group of reviewers who provide prompt, detailed and scholarly reviews. | | |
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Diksha was awarded a doctoral scholarship by the Foundation for graduate studies in Medical Biophysics at Western University. Her research is part of the Bacteria Imaging Group (BIG), an inter-disciplinary team of Lawson researchers working to translate microbial cell tracking to the clinic. In her studies, Diksha is developing methods to label bacteria and bacteriophages with a radiotracer for hybrid positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI). She is co-supervised by Drs. Mike Kovacs, Donna Goldhawk and Frank Prato.
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Don't miss an exciting opportunity to showcase your research
Join London's health research community at Western University’s Mustang Lounge in the University Community Centre on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
The event is gearing up to be an interactive and educational day where you’ll be able to:
- Present your research
- Expand your professional network by connecting with graduate trainees, clinical fellows, postdoctoral scholars and faculty members
- Draw inspiration from health care and research leaders
- Learn about the latest in health care research
How to submit:
Visit the abstract submission page to access the submission portal. Make sure to submit your abstract by Monday, March 24, 2025 for consideration.
For additional information, please visit the guidelines page.
“Submit online by March 24, 2025”
London Health Research Day is an annual research event featuring outstanding work from labs across Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, the Faculty of Health Sciences, Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's Health Care London and London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute.
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The Crawford MacLeod Foundation Fund for Imaging Research has funded:
A Doctoral Postgraduate Scholarship in Pre-Clinical Bacteria Imaging
Value: $40,000 per year for a maximum of four years.
Qualifications: MSc or MESc in Pre-clinical or Medical Imaging preferably in the area of Nuclear Medicine (i.e., Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)) and/or in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
For more information or to apply, prospective PhD students must apply through the Medical Biophysics Department at Western University. LIRP/SJHCF contact will be through Dr. Frank Prato (prato@lawsonimaging.ca).
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| 268 Grosvenor Street | London, ON N6A 4V2 CA | |
Lawson Research Institute, the health innovation arm of St. Joseph's Health Care London, is committed to making discoveries that improves lives. Every day, Lawson scientists work to translate their ideas into innovations that improve patient care. Lawson LEADS health research. Find us online at sjhc.london.on.ca/research and on social media @stjosephslondon | |
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