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From crafting a global definition of probiotics to developing novel therapies used by millions, Dr. Gregor Reid has significantly advanced our knowledge of how beneficial microbes, especially bacteria, contribute to health. Recognizing his role as a world leader in probiotics research, Dr. Reid has now been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada.

The Royal Society of Canada was established in 1883 as Canada’s National Academy of distinguished scholars, artists and scientists. With over 2,000 fellows, the primary objective of the Society is to promote learning and research through its three Academies – the Academy of Arts and Humanities, the Academy of Social Sciences and the Academy of Science. Dr. Reid has been elected by his peers to the Life Sciences division of the Academy of Science.

“Being elected to the Royal Society of Canada is a huge honour and a recognition that the concepts of probiotics and beneficial microbes, and the work we are doing, are appreciated by distinguished Canadians,” said Dr. Reid, Endowed Chair in Human Microbiome and Probiotics at Lawson Health Research Institute (Lawson) and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Surgery at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide health benefits to their host. Dr. Reid’s research in probiotics has made a global impact. He has held 28 patents, published 473 peer-reviewed papers and given over 560 talks in 54 countries.

In addition to his current role as Director of the Canadian Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotics Research, located at Lawson in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dr. Reid has previously acted as President for the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics. In 2001 and 2002, he  chaired a United Nations/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Panel and Working Group on Probiotics.

Dr. Reid is especially interested in how his research can benefit those in need. He helped to establish Western Heads East, a Western University program that has established community kitchens in Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda, and through partnerships has expanded this in Uganda to reach over 40,000 people each day.  The community kitchens are owned and operated mostly by local women and youth where they produce a probiotic yogurt that helps counter malnutrition, side effects of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and enhances immunity. The yogurt was developed by Dr. Reid and Dr. Sharareh Hekmat of Western's Brescia University College.

“My research was not mainstream until very recently, so being inducted to the Society signifies that they recognize what I have achieved first and foremost,” said Dr. Reid, “but I hope my appointment helps to further bring the concepts of beneficial microbes to the forefront of research.”

An induction ceremony will take place in Kingston, Ontario on November 17 and 18, 2016. To learn more about Dr. Reid’s research, please visit his Scientist Profile and Google Scholar. 

Dr. Janice DeMoor is the 2020 recipient of the Staff Award of Excellence. Dr. DeMoor began working with Lawson in 2007 as a Scientific Writer on Dr. Frank Prato’s research team, helping to develop grant applications. Although funding for this role eventually ran out, it was obvious that Dr. DeMoor was extremely valuable to researchers and to the institute as a whole. She joined Lawson’s Administration team in 2013 and has established an outstanding Grant Development team, supporting all of Lawson’s researchers. 

Dr. DeMoor now serves as the Manager of Lawson’s Grant Development team where she is responsible for the review and institutional approval of grant submissions. With the goal of increasing grant success, her team works with Lawson researchers to identify grant and award opportunities, develops grant-writing tools and resources, and assists in the preparation of external grant applications. Throughout her time in this role, Dr. DeMoor has been devoted to supporting Lawson scientists, trainees, and residents in advancing their research career, and ensures that her team operates with the same level of drive and efficiency as herself. 

“Dr. DeMoor is a leader who makes a difference. She has molded her team to become more and more efficient in dealing with an ever-increasing load of grant applications,” says Dr. Prato, Lawson Scientist and Dr. DeMoor’s nominator. 

Dr. DeMoor serves as an excellent role model and mentor, openly sharing her knowledge and experience with peers from across the industry. She is a generous manager and has greatly enriched collaborative efforts across the organization, including the establishment of a patient engagement initiative at Lawson. 

“I am honoured to have received this award. Working with Lawson’s researchers and seeing how we can add value is extremely rewarding.  The hard work of my entire team has led to our success, and their dedication is integral to us meeting our goals,” says Dr. DeMoor. 

Dr. DeMoor is highly respected within the research community due to her knowledge of funding opportunities and grantsmanship, her dedication to her work, and commitment to her team. She is an exemplary and supportive manager, fostering her team in developing their skills, finding their passion in the field, and supporting them in related projects. She is a great leader, exemplified by her team’s attitude and work ethic. 

“I thank Janice for all the support she has given Lawson’s Imaging Research Program, and the amazing contribution she has made for all Lawson Scientists,” adds Dr. Prato. 

Dr. Miho Iijima, Associate Professor at John Hopkins School of Medicine, visited St. Joseph’s Hospital on Friday, November 17 to deliver a talk on the role of a protein called “phosphatase and tensin homolog” (PTEN) in cancer.

The talk was organized by the Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Sunil Parapuram, scientist at Lawson who invited Dr. Iijima, has been collaborating with her to study the role of PTEN in fibrosis.

Dr. Iijima’s talk focused specifically on controlling PTEN localization and function in cancer. Mutations and deletions in the gene encoding PTEN are associated with many cancers and autism. Dr. Iijima’s laboratory recently discovered a new class of cancer and autism-associated PTEN mutations that specifically interfere with membrane association. During her talk, Dr. Iijima discussed how PTEN is recruited to the plasma membrane and how enhancing the membrane recruitment of PTEN suppresses oncogenic signaling in cancer.

"Dr. Miho Iijima gave a very informative talk about the meticulous work her laboratory is doing about controlling the location and function of PTEN,” said Dr. Parapuram. “Her visit also provided an opportunity to reinvigorate the collaboration between our labs on the role of PTEN in fibrosis.”

To learn more about Dr. Iijima’s research, please visit the John Hopkins School of Medicine’s website.

WORLDiscoveries, the technology transfer and business development office for Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute and Robarts Research Institute, recently announced the recipients of the 2020 Vanguard Awards. 

Vanguard Awards recognize local researchers who, through partnership with WORLDiscoveries, have achieved various market-readiness milestones. 

Lawson’s Dr. Qingping Feng was named as the Innovator of the Year. He is being recognized for his research and intellectual property related to Annexin and its use to treat inflammatory disorders. He holds patents issued in Canada, United States, Europe, China and Japan.

This award is given to individuals who demonstrate excellence in innovation within their field. It highlights the achievements of those who contribute to the culture of commercialization and entrepreneurship by creating a product or service that is beneficial to society. 

Congratulations to Dr. Feng and all of the 2020 Vanguard Award recipients. 

As the research institute of LHSC and St. Joseph’s, our researchers work in the lab and directly with clinicians, patients, families and other partners to enhance diagnostics and treatments. They also address care at a system level by improving delivery of services for people in London and beyond. 

For any pressing health question, our work does not stop once the research is done. Commercialization and business development are vital components in driving innovation and transforming health care, all while supporting Canada’s knowledge economy. 

Learn more about Dr. Feng’s research: 

• Potential sepsis treatment could be ready in 5 years thanks to London, Ont., researcher (Global News)

• Vanguard innovator may have found first-ever sepsis treatment (Western News)

World-renowned brain researcher, Dr. Vladimir Hachinski, is named as this year’s recipient of the Canadian Medical Association’s (CMA) F.N.G. Starr Award for his contributions in stroke research and patient care. This prestigious award is the highest available to CMA members and is intended to recognize outstanding and inspiring lifetime achievement.

Dr. Hachinski, Lawson Scientist and Neurologist at London Health Sciences Centre is the co-founder of the world’s first successful stroke unit. Two earlier centres in the United States were deemed unsuccessful and eventually closed. Dr. Hachinski and his colleague, Dr. John W. Norris, applied their knowledge and fresh perspectives, and opened a stroke centre at Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, in 1975.

“We had a tremendous team of volunteer nurses, physiotherapists and other professionals who were very keen to have an impact,” explains Dr. Hachinski. “We implemented the A, B, C, protocol which focused on Accurate diagnosis, Balance and homeostasis in the patient’s physiology, and avoiding Complication. Dr. Josephine Somerville pioneered early rehabilitation in the stroke unit.”

At the time, stroke was still commonly misunderstood in medicine, until Dr. Hachinski coined the term “brain attack” in 1993, describing the similarities in urgency of strokes and heart attacks.

Realizing the success of their protocols on stroke patients, Dr. Hachinski and his colleagues also noticed improved outcomes for dementia rates in the stroke patients they saw. There is still no treatment for dementia, however they were confident they could delay onset through similar stroke prevention and treatment protocols.

After several studies on both animal models and humans, Dr. David Cechetto from Western University and Dr. Hachinski discovered that the region of the brain, known as the insula, is involved in regulating the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems - evidence that there is an important connection in how the brain impacts the heart.

Today there are several stroke centres operating in Ontario. “We were able to prove that our model was successful at improving the lives of stroke patients, so the government facilitated the opening of these centres across the province. We can now say that we have improved outcomes not just for individuals, but at a population level, where public health policy has its true impact,” says Dr. Hachinski.

Currently Dr. Hachinski and his team are seeking funding for a nation-wide study to examine stroke and dementia outcomes across the country, including how several environmental factors play a role in the development of stroke and dementia with the aim of preventing both. “Since this research is multi-disciplinary, it is challenging to find a funding agency as most of them tend to invest in very specific fields of research,” he explains. “We are hopeful that someone will recognize the importance of this research, and we will be able to move forward with our study.”

“I am extremely appreciative and proud to be recognized with the F.N.G. Starr Award, however I am just the face of this honour. Behind me stands an amazing team. I feel that my greatest strength is to recognize and work with talent.”

Chronic wounds represent a significant burden in Canada. Between four and 30 per cent of patients develop a chronic wound, depending on the health care setting. Over 85 per cent of all Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) survivors will experience health complications related to pressure ulcers, injuries to the skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure. These types of wounds can significantly reduce participation in meaningful activities and overall quality of life. 

Research from around the world shows that electrical stimulation can help speed the healing of pressure ulcers. This therapy is currently done by a trained health care provider and is not readily available for people across Canada.Electrical stimulation therapy (E-Stim) is a wound treatment that involves applying low levels of electrical current to the wound bed and surrounding tissues. It stimulates several healing processes, promotes local circulation and prevents infections. 

The E-Stim Collaboration: A Best Practice Implementation Project for Better Pressure Ulcer Care aims to improve the coordination of pressure ulcer care and promote the use of evidence-informed wound treatments for people living with SCI. In particular, the research project is studying how to best provide E-Stim to people with pressure ulcers, in their own communities.

“Over the years I’ve seen the serious impact pressure ulcers have on the lives of people with spinal cord injury and other health challenges. This is what drives my commitment to not only develop best practice guidelines, but also to ensure they are put into action,” says Dr. Pamela Houghton, Associate Scientist, Lawson and Professor, School of Physical Therapy at Western University. “Advances in technology make it possible for more people with care needs to live at home.”

The pilot project in the South West LHIN has a unique model that builds capacity in the community and taps into the lived experience of people with pressure ulcers and SCI. It brings together the expertise of researchers, clinicians and managers from academia, hospital centres and community care.

Partners include the Parkwood Institute Research program at Lawson Health Research Institute, Western University, Saint Elizabeth’s Health Care Research Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the South West Community Care Access Centre. An interdisciplinary specialized team, called SCIPUT, has been established within the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation program provided at Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph’s Health Care London.

“Our collaborative team is using the PLAN-DO-STUDY-ACT quality improvement model. This allows us to learn from each cycle and make adjustments as we go,” says Dr. Houghton. “We have just completed the first cycle and are reporting on lessons learned.” Funded by the Rick Hansen Foundation, the team hopes this will set the stage for a larger cross-country initiative.

Those interested in participating can contact phoughto@uwo.ca. The study is open to:

• Individuals with an open pressure ulcer and with a condition that causes limited mobility and/or requires a wheelchair;
• Those who are able and willing to participate in treatment plan, and communicate feedback; and,
• People who are eligible to receive services from South West CCAC.

Image Electrical stimulation (E-Stim) directly stimulates several wound healing processes, promotes local circulation and prevents wound infections. It produces faster healing and wound closure. A trained health care provider applies low levels of electrical current to the pressure ulcer using specialized equipment.

Community members, patients and families, and those working in the health field attended a special open house on November 28 by research groups at Lawson Health Research Institute. Together, they celebrated the holiday spirit and the gift of hope that is made possible through hospital-based research. 

A part of St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Parkwood Institute represents the next era in care, recovery and rehabilitation. Across the site, clinical and research teams in different disciplines and specialties collaborate not only with each other but also with patients and families. 

“Many people in the community know the high-quality and compassionate care that is supported by the various clinical teams at Parkwood Institute, but aren’t aware of the research happening at this site,” says Dr. Cheryl Forchuk, Beryl and Richard Ivey Research Chair in Aging, Mental Health, Rehabilitation and Recovery, and Assistant Scientific Director at Lawson.

“Lawson researchers at Parkwood are tackling important challenges with highly innovative and meaningful solutions that help improve care and quality of life.”

For the past three years, the open house gives guests a more in-depth understanding of hospital-based research and its impact. Dr. Forchuk notes that it is a great chance to talk to the researchers and their teams, and to learn about research in a really fun and interactive way. Guests may also learn about opportunities to participate in studies, as the research teams rely on people in the community getting involved.  

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There were 12 interactive program displays from Parkwood Institute Research, a Lawson program, in the areas of cognitive vitality and brain health, mobility and activity and mental health: 

• Cognitive Clinical Trials Group (CCTG)
• Collaboration of Rehabilitation Research Evidence (CORRE)
• Gait and Brain Lab
• Geriatric Mood Disorders Lab
• MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre (Occupational Stress Injury)
• Mental Health Nursing Research Alliance (MHNRA) 
• Mental Health INcubator for Disruptive Solutions (MINDS) of London
• Neuropsychiatry and Therapeutic Brain Stimulation Research Group
• Occupational Therapy and Spiritual Care Research Lab
• R2P (Research to Practice) 
• Rehabilitation Mental Health 
• Wound Care

The open house had a festive theme and many of the exhibits involved a problem solving or interactive elements to encourage learning and foster teamwork. 

Karen Vecchio, federal Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London, was among the over 200 people in attendance.  

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At the open house, from left: Dr. Cheryl Forchuk, MP Karen Vecchio and Roy Butler, St. Joseph's Vice President. 

“London is a great community to conduct research,” explains Dr. Forchuk. “We are a mid-size city surrounded by rural areas, in many ways reflecting Canada as a whole. A lot of our projects cover the country with multiple sites and results found here by our leading experts are being implemented in health centres and national strategies in this country and around the world.”