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In the News

Trial studies ‘poop pill’ role in helping treat pancreatic cancer

Scientists at Lawson and at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute are the first in the world to study whether capsules containing microbes from the gut of healthy volunteers can improve the response of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer to chemotherapy. Researchers hope the fecal microbial transplants - using LND-101 “poop pills” developed by and processed in Dr. Michael Silverman’s lab – can boost the body’s immune response, make treatment more effective and improve patients’ survival rates. You can read our story online or watch and read CTV News coverage about the study. 

Igniting Prevention and Recovery: Combating Firefighters' Musculoskeletal Injuries 

Physical therapist and epidemiologist Joy MacDermid, PhD, understands the musculoskeletal stresses firefighters face. For years she has worked with firefighters from across the country to better understand their injuries and to develop FIREWELL – a health and wellness community supporting firefighters. MacDermid recently sat down with Canadian Firefighter magazine to discuss the most common musculoskeletal injuries faced by firefighters and factors that contribute to those injuries. MacDermid, co-director of the Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre’s Clinical Research Lab, is internationally renowned for this research. Read her insights into how to better support the health and well-being of firefighters by improving recovery and preventing future injuries.

Dr. Tamara Spaic and her team at the Diabetes Clinical Trials Unit are recruiting participants for a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind clinical trial sponsored by Eli Lilly. This study investigates retatrutide, a triple hormone receptor agonist (GLP-1, GIP, and GCGR receptors), to assess its potential to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events and kidney function decline, along with evaluating safety and side effects. 

Eligibility criteria: 

• Age ≥ 45 
• BMI ≥ 27 
• Chronic kidney disease with or without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 
• No diabetes, or T2D with HbA1c ≤ 10% 

To learn more, email Lian Buwadi (Research Assistant) at lian.buwadi@sjhc.london.on.ca or contact the Diabetes Clinical Trials Unit at 519-646-6100 ext. 61222. 

Alexandre Legros, a dedicated Lawson Scientist and Associate Professor at Western University, passed away on Feb. 10, 2025, in Montpellier France. Alexandre was a dedicated imaging researcher whose work in bioelectromagnetics was internationally renowned. He played a pivotal role in the development of the Vestibular Testing lab at Lawson. Beyond his considerable professional accomplishments, his kindness, genuine warmth and enduring spirit have left an impact on all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and two children and his extended family, colleagues and friends. A travel scholarship is being set up in Alexandre’s honour, should you wish to donate please contact Lawson Research for information.

Activities planned for PWLE:  

1. Collect data to document participation and progress. For example, gather information from PWLE and researchers about their experiences engaging in research (e.g. roles, # involved, level of engagement in research, feedback, satisfaction, etc.). 
2. Serve as a model for collaboration with other committees. For example, identify possible committees to work with. 
3. Offer education/consultation. For example, they offer training workshops for researchers and PWLE. 
4. Specific research involvement opportunities. For example, serve as potential co-investigators on research projects. 
5. Work with Lawson, St. Joseph’s Partnership Care Office, patient and family councils at each hospital site, Offices of Research Services and others to support PWLE across the research spectrum. 

If you are interested in specific activities or attending one of the PWLE Committee volunteer information sessions, please contact Taryn Sendzik by email taryn.sendzik@sjhc.london.on.ca or by phone 519-685-8500 ext. 75720 by March 31st. 

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CLINICAL RESEARCH COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE (COP)

We are excited to announce a new initiative aimed at supporting clinical research staff across London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London – a Clinical Research Community of Practice (CoP).  

We invite you to join us at our first meeting and official launch on Thursday, April 27 from 3-4 p.m. via Microsoft Teams where you will learn more about the purpose and goals of this initiative and have an opportunity to ask questions and suggest topics for future CoP meetings. 

CoPs support people who share a specific expertise and/or field of interest and who are seeking to learn from one another, create new knowledge to advance a domain of professional practice and maintain best practices. The goal of the Clinical Research CoP is to provide a forum where members of our research community can connect, share, learn, grow and excel with one another. The CoP is led by a small group of volunteers from across the research institutes – making it a program for the research community, by the research community.  

If you have any questions or are interested in attending the CoP Launch and participating in this exciting initiative, please contact Reem Ansari. 

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.

Fall 2024 Internal Research Fund Competition 

We received 36 applications, including 12 from Lawson researchers. The following received internal funding through this competition: 

Chemistry trainee Ghazaleh Takalloobanafshi (supervisors: Justin Hicks, PhD, and Len Luyt, PhD) was awarded $20,0000 in funding for a studentship entitled “New 99mTc radioligands to expand access to molecular imaging of neuroinflammation and synaptic viability“.  

This 1-year funding award will allow for the collection of preliminary data exploring the use of single photon emission computed technology (SPECT) tracers for neuroinflammation and synaptic health to develop highly accurate, reduced cost, and real-time methods for diagnosing disease.  

Imaging specialists Keith St. Lawrence, PhD, and Justin Hicks, PhD. secured $20,000 for the study “An Imaging Tool to Quantify Glymphatic Flow”.  

This funding will be used to conduct a small feasibility study in healthy adults to demonstrate the ability to measure the brain’s waste clearance system known as the glymphatic system, using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. This research could provide insights into Alzheimer’s disease, which may be linked to poor clearance of harmful proteins rather than overproduction. 

An interdisciplinary team of mobility and activity experts, Dalton Wolfe, PhD, Amanda McIntyre, PhD, Jacobi Elliott, PhD, Ali Bateman, PhD, Janelle Unger, PhD, and Aleksandra Zexevic PhD, and Peter Athanasopolous.  

$19,816 in funding was awarded to these researchers for the study “Improving Access to Assistive Devices: Identifying Impacts, Barriers and Pathways to Equity in Device Provision”. This 1-year of funding will enable the research team to explore the impact of assistive devices and identify barriers to access, with the goal of informing policy changes that can improve the provision of these essential tools. 

External funding awarded to our researchers: 

Professor Len Luyt from Western University, departments of Chemistry and Oncology, has been awarded a CIHR Catalyst Grant for the development and validation of new biomedical techniques and technologies. The project titled “Cyclic peptide nanotubes as a platform technology for cancer imaging agents and theranostics,” has received $300,000 in funding over a two-year period. Imaging experts Mike Kovacs, PhD, and Ting Lee, PhD, are co-applicants.  

The funding will support the development of a cancer-targeting nanoparticle that can be used in imaging and cancer therapy. 

Check out a few examples of the research published in January and February: 

Smith EE, Phillips NA, Feldman HH, Borrie M, Ganesh A, Henri-Bhargava A, Desmarais P, Frank A, Badhwar A, Barlow L, Bartha R, Best S, Bethell J, Bhangu J, Black SE, Bocti C, Bronskill SE, Burhan AM, Calon F, Camicioli R, Campbell B, Collins DL, Dadar M, DeMarco ML, Ducharme S, Duchesne S, Einstein G, Fisk JD, Gawryluk JR, Grossman L, Ismail Z, Itzhak I, Joshi M, Harrison A, Kroger E, Kumar S, Laforce R, Lanctot KL, Lau M, Lee L, Masellis M, Massoud F, Mitchell SB, Montero-Odasso M, Myers Barnett K, Nygaard HB, Pasternak SH, Peters J, Rajah MN, Robillard JM, Rockwood K, Rosa-Neto P, Seitz DP, Soucy JP, Trenaman SC, Wellington CL, Zadem A, Chertkow H; Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging Investigators. (2025). Use of lecanemab and donanemab in the Canadian healthcare system: Evidence, challenges, and areas for future research. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. 

This article explores how two Alzheimer’s treatments, lecanemab and donanemab, are being integrated into Canada’s health care system. The researchers highlight the evidence supporting the use of these treatments, challenges faced in implementation and areas needing further research to optimize their impact on patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. This article is an essential read for Canadian decision-makers on the approval and use of these drugs. 

Sedano R, Solitano V, Vuyyuru SK, Yuan Y, Hanžel J, Ma C, Nardone OM, Jairath V. (2025). Artificial intelligence to revolutionize IBD clinical trials: a comprehensive review. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming health care. Discover how AI is lly changing clinical trials for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This review delves into AI’s potential to enhance trial design, accelerate the discovery of new therapies, improve outcomes for people living with IBD and discusses challenges related to technical barriers, ethical barriers and producing biased outcomes. The article urges professionals in the field to collaborate in addressing these limitations and creating patient-centered AI frameworks, aiming to deliver more effective treatments and improved care. 

Shoemaker LN, Matern T, Kamar F, St. Lawrence K, Ortega-Gutierrez S, Zanaty M, Shoemaker JK. (2025). Blood pressure in human large cerebral arteries: A feasibility study. Journal of Applied Physiology. 

This study investigates the feasibility of measuring blood pressure in large human brain arteries to address a gap in understanding brain pressure-flow relationships and their control. The findings could pave the way for better understanding and managing conditions like stroke and other cerebrovascular disease. This article is a valuable resource for anyone involved in cerebrovascular research, clinical practice, or the development of medical technologies aimed at understanding and improving the treatment of brain blood pressure related conditions and diseases. 

Gyamfi S, Forchuk C, Booth R, Luginaah I. (2025). Predictors of patient stigma perception appraisal: testing a dynamic stigma model of mental illness. SAGE Open. 

This research tests a dynamic model to predict how a group of outpatients receiving care in Ghana perceive stigma related to mental illness. If offers insights into the social and emotional toll of stigma, which can deter individuals from seeking treatment, and the factors that predict stigma perception and appraisal. This is a valuable read for anyone working in mental health, underscoring the need for compassionate and inclusive approaches to support individuals with mental illness. 

Cimino SR, Crozier O, Lizotte D, Shabbir A, Stoikos J, Wolfe DL. (2024). A co-design process to develop personalized mobility programming for individuals with mobility impairments. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences.  

The trainee-led article describes a co-design process involving individuals with mobility impairments, clinicians and researchers to develop tailored mobility programs that address diverse needs through innovative and adaptable interventions. This publication was recently featured in the Frontiers Research Topic Co-Design of Rehabilitation Programming E-Book in January 2025. 

Furtado R, MacDermid JC, Ziebart C, Bryant D, Faber KJ. (2025). Bridging the gap: Understanding patient and clinician preferences when designing preoperative education programs. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice. 

This study bridges the gap between patient and clinician preferences in designing educational programs that occur before surgery. Interviews with patient and health care providers reveal and emphasize the importance of aligning educational content with the needs of both patient and clinician preferences to improve surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Patients, patient advocates, clinicians, health care educators and administrators would gain valuable insights into designing pre-surgery educational programs that are multi-modal to improve engagement, adherence, and outcomes. 

The 2026 Transformation stream competition of the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) has launched. 

The Grants Development team at the Office of Research Services (ORS) would like to know if you are planning to submit an application to this competition. Please email grantsubmission@sjhc.london.on.ca by April 1 at 10 am if you are considering applying to this round. 

You can find competition details on their website and the competition can now be accessed via the Convergence Portal. The Transformation competition has three stages: 

• Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI) stage with a deadline of April 15 (at 8 pm Eastern Time) 
• Letter of Intent stage with a deadline of June 17 (at 8 pm Eastern Time) 
• Full Application stage – by invitation only – with a deadline of March 3, 2026 (at 8 p.m. Eastern Time) 

The role of exercise on cognition and falls 

Join researchers from the Gait & Brain Lab for a talk by guest speaker Stephen R. Lord, PhD, Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales and a globally recognized expert on balance, gait and falls in older adults. He will be joined by Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso speaking on “Exercise as the holy grail for brain health and falls prevention.” The event takes place at the Parkwood Main Auditorium, April 11, 2:45pm – 4:45 pm. Register. 

Lawson students and trainees, your research matters 

If you are a graduate trainee, clinical fellow or postdoctoral scholar whose work aligns with medical and dental sciences, health sciences, health policy or any related health fields, we encourage you to submit an abstract for consideration at London Health Research Day (LHRD) 2025.

Abstracts are due Monday, March 24, at 11:59 pm. 

Don't miss this opportunity to expand your professional network, engage in meaningful peer learning and stay up to date with the latest in health research. LHRD takes place on Tuesday May 13 at Western University’s Mustang Lounge and is a great opportunity to network with peers, faculty, researchers, staff and clinicians. 

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.

The Centre for Translational Cancer Research is hosting a one-day Symposium on Wednesday May 7, 2025, at Western’s Great Hall, Somerville House and is inviting trainees/post-docs to submit an abstract for presentation during the event. 

Abstracts due: Wednesday March 26, at 4pm EST.  

Top six abstracts to be selected for Oral Presentations. Abstracts not selected for oral presentations will be asked to present their research in a poster format. Details available here. 

Register today! 

Inviting all Quality Improvement Enthusiasts to “Stay Curious,” Attend and Share Projects

All Quality Improvement enthusiasts with a passion to explore new and innovative approaches for enhancing patient care and system performance are invited to SPARQ 2025, happening Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre. Visit SPARQ online to register or submit an abstract. Abstracts are due Monday, March 31. 

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 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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