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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. Manuel Montero-Odasso, Clinician Scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute and Director of the Gait and Brain Lab, has been named as one of the 10 most influential Hispanic Canadians for 2019. Presented by TD Bank, those on the list were honoured at an awards ceremony in Toronto, Ontario in November. 

A geriatrician at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Dr. Montero-Odasso is recognized as a world expert in dementia and gait disorders. The main focus of his research is on the interaction of mobility and cognitive decline in aging. He is the team leader for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), a collaborative research program advancing dementia research, and leads the Mobility, Exercise and Cognition (MEC) Team in London, comprised of top researchers in the area of mobility, exercise and brain health.

Dr. Montero-Odasso says that one aspect of his career that he is most proud of is being able to collaborate with other researchers in his field and “contribute to new approaches to combat mobility and cognitive decline in aging.” This is evident through the clinical trials he pioneered by implementing an approach of “improving cognition to improve mobility.”

TD Bank’s “10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians” is awarded to individuals from the Hispanic community across Canada to recognize their outstanding achievements. Dr. Montero-Odasso’s influence is displayed on a global scale as he has received over 100 invitations to give international lectures and has published over 200 manuscripts and book chapters. He has a close relationship with the Spanish-speaking community and has hosted visiting scientists from Argentina and Spain. 

 “I feel honoured and privileged, particularly this kind of award where you are nominated by your peers. I am also glad my work is reflecting the role that my Hispanic background plays,” says Dr. Montero-Odasso, who is also a professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics at Western University. “Additionally when you look at the other nominees, and those who have received the award in the past, it really gives you a sense of the amazing things Hispanics who live and work in this country are contributing to Canadian society.” 

Dr. Montero-Odasso emphasizes the value of diversity and learning from different backgrounds when seeking solutions. As he continues working in this important field as a physician and researcher, Dr. Montero-Odasso’s goal is to, “find effective ways to treat and delay aging disability in order to add, as they say, life to the years, and not only years to the life.” 

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)

Congratulations to Dr. Ting-Yim Lee who was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross from the Governor General of Canada. He was recognized for his development of CT Perfusion to measure blood flow in the body which has transformed the way stroke is assessed and treated around the globe.

The Civil Division Cross recognizes a deed or an activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, or with uncommonly high standards; the activity is often innovative, sets an example for others to follow, improves the quality of life of a community and brings considerable benefit or honour to Canada.

Dr. Lee, a scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute and Medical Physicist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, as well as professor at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and scientist at Robarts Research Institute, fits the bill perfectly. Through his research program, Dr. Lee pioneered the development of CT Perfusion technology which is compatible with existing CT scanners and uses X-ray dye to assist doctors in assessing blood flow in the event of stroke.

The technology is now in use in more than 8,000 hospital imaging departments worldwide and has drastically improved patient care.

“I am humbled by this award. The work I’ve accomplished would not have been possible without the support of the institutions and collaboration of colleagues too many to name and the tireless effort of all members of my lab: graduate students, fellows, technicians and assistants,” said Dr. Lee. “I am really happy that this work has been found to help patient care. It gives me impetus to continue to search for new innovations that would benefit patients.”

The Meritorious Service Decorations recognize Canadians for exceptional deeds that bring honour to the country. The cross was originally created in 1984 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for members of the military. In 1991, both the cross and medal were introduced for civilians to recognize remarkable contributions in many different fields including advocacy initiatives and health care services, to research and humanitarian efforts.

The recipients of the awards were announced by Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and will be presented at an official ceremony later this year.

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.