DISCOVERY-DRIVEN AND PATIENT-FOCUSED | | |
Welcome to the first Lawson LEADS newsletter, a monthly communication highlighting innovative research taking place at Lawson Research Institute (Lawson) of St. Joseph’s Health Care London. Our common goal is to inquire, inspire, innovate and LEAD. Together we can revolutionize health care through discoveries that transform lives and communities. Read on to discover more!
Lisa Porter, PhD
Scientific Director Lawson Research Institute and Vice-President Research
St. Joseph’s Health Care London
| | A spotlight on how Lawson discoveries impact real-world treatments, diagnostic tools, preventive strategies, patient care and overall health. | | |
This month, Surim Son, a PhD candidate working in dementia research with Gait and Brain Lab Director Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso, was featured in two news stories about how Canadians can improve their odds against dementia by making key lifestyle changes. Son’s published paper found that Canadians’ highest lifestyle-related risks – and their best bet at influencing their cognitive health – are physical inactivity, hearing loss, obesity and hypertension. She shared her work in interviews with CBC London and The London Free Press.
Key takeaways for Lawson LEADS readers: You may want to add workouts, a hearing test and weight loss to your New Year’s resolutions. And be sure to connect with ComDept@sjhc.london.on.ca if you have a story idea or upcoming publications you think the world needs to know.
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Clinical trials are the backbone of evidence-based medicine and ensure progress and safety in health care. As of December 18, 2024, there are 807 active clinical trials being conducted across Lawson sites. The tables below indicate the number of active clinical trials by site and study type.
Number of Active Clinical Trials
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RESEARCH TIP
Lawson’s new web presence is full of the latest news and details about public events, research specialties, scientists and more. Be sure to bookmark sjhc.london.on.ca/research
Specifically for Lawson researchers, our password-enabled intranet site includes a host of additional, just-for-you info about clinical research support, commercialization, facilities and human resources. (Reminder: You’ll need VPN installed on your device to log in.)
| | | | Excellent research requires a team with diverse expertise. Each month we will highlight a member or team within Lawson and showcase how they support Lawson research. | | Lawson Research Institute Board of Directors | | As an independent not-for-profit corporation, Lawson is guided and governed by a board of directors with skills in business, fiscal management and research accountability. The newly formed five-member Lawson board, chaired by Jonathan Batch of BMO Nesbitt Burns, brings energy and accountability to reinvigorate Lawson and helps ensure our research meets its full potential. The Lawson board reports to the St. Joseph’s Health Care London board of directors, who hold research as a core strategic priority. Administrative support for the board is provided by Terri-Lynn Cook and Amanda Aspden. | | |
Jonathan Batch - Chair
A highly qualified Senior Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager at BMO Private Wealth, Batch possesses extensive experience in investment management, financial planning, and wealth advisory services. His expertise is complemented by his leadership roles within BMO and active involvement in community organizations.
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Lesley Cornelius, ICD.D - Vice Chair
An accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, business development and corporate communications. In 2017, Cornelius retired as the Director of Business Development and Communications at Medbuy Corporation and has continued as an active community volunteer, serving on various boards.
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Roy Butler, PhD - Director
President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health Care London since August 2021 with over 20 years of leadership experience within the organization. Butler holds a doctorate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and has extensive expertise in patient care, risk management, strategic planning and quality improvement.
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Paul Dugsin - Director
A distinguished venture capitalist and strategic advisor with extensive experience in technology investments, innovation strategy, and complex international partnerships. He co-founded Raiven Capital, a global venture fund focused on AI, IoT, and 5G technologies. Additionally, Dugsin serves on multiple boards and actively contributes to various academic and healthcare institutions.
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Don J. MacDonald, FCPA, FCA - Director
A tax specialist and partner at Marcus & Associates Hoare-Dalton, MacDonald advises clients on various tax matters. Additionally, he serves as a lecturer at the Ivey Business School and hold leadership positions on several boards, including Chair of the former Lawson Health Research Institute Board of Directors.
| | PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE | | |
Embedding people with lived experience (PWLE) into research elevates the quality and relevance of our work and improves patient outcomes.
The PWLE Committee at Lawson is a vital component of the organization’s commitment to inclusive and impactful research. A person with lived experience is someone who has gained knowledge through direct, first-hand involvement. This includes people with specific health conditions, family or friends of people with specific conditions, caregivers and others who can offer unique perspective and expertise into a health condition and the health care system.
This year the PWLE Committee plans to develop a comprehensive strategy to attract diverse new members and assess the specific steps needed to meet the goals of research and researchers. The PWLE Committee will share regular updates on current activities and initiatives and how to get involved. To learn more about the PWLE Committee or to join, contact the Chair, Person with Lived Experience and epidemiologist, Linda Pederson, PhD.
| | LAWSON ASSOCIATION OF FELLOWS AND STUDENTS | | |
The Lawson Association of Fellows and Students (LAFS) is a trainee-led organization representing a diverse community of more than 100 post-doctoral, graduate, professional and undergraduate trainees from various research and professional disciplines. LAFS mission is to foster educational, social and career development opportunities that empower trainees to engage with the London research community.
LAFS promotes research excellence by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, personal development and knowledge exchange through diverse academic, social and career-oriented events. LAFS also works closely with Lawson leaders to provide input on strategic direction and ensure emerging researchers’ perspectives are reflected in future decisions.
You can keep current with LAFS through our mailing list, follow us on Instagram @lafs_london or email us at lafs@lawsonresearch.com
| | 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:
Medical imaging expert and head of Lawson's PET/CT research, Ting Lee, PhD, secured $1,998,568 in funding for the study "Improving Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis and Treatment through Cutting-edge Molecular Imaging and Theranostics" from the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence (ORF-RE) competition, with additional support from private sector partner GE.
This funding will support the development of advanced positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and analysis software to detect early brain degeneration leading to dementia and to improve tumor treatment.
Cellular biology and imaging specialist, Lisa Hoffman, PhD, was awarded a Heart and Stroke Foundation Grant-in-Aid for the study entitled "Angiopoietin-a (Ang-1) enhances the efficacy of microdystrophin (uDYS) replacement therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)-related cardiomyopathy", $225,387.
This three-year funding will be used to explore a promising new approach to help boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a severe muscle disease, potentially offering hope for better treatment and longer lives.
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Check out two examples of research published in December:
Létourneau SG, Jin H, Peters E, Grewal R, Ross D, Symonette C. (2024). Augmented Reality-Based Finger Joint Range of Motion Measurement: Assessment of Reliability and Concurrent Validity. Journal of Hand Surgery.
This study has found that using augmented reality technology on smartphones can reliably and accurately measure finger joint movements, potentially allowing for remote assessments in hand therapy.
Mah JC, Kanagalingam T, Best S, Elhayek S, Thain J, Morais JA, Lamarre M, Bhangu J, Borrie MJ, & Sirisegaram L. (2024). Determinants of First Practice Location among Canadian Geriatric Medicine Trainees and Recent Graduates: Findings of a Cross-sectional Survey in 2023. Canadian Geriatrics Journal.
Researchers explored factors new Canadian geriatricians and trainees consider when selecting their first practice location and found that they prioritize work-life balance, proximity to family and friends and support from colleagues over financial incentives.
| | UPCOMING GRANT COMPETITIONS | | |
The CIHR Project Grant Spring 2025 competition has officially launched.
CIHR Deadlines:
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Registration Deadline: Feb. 5, 2025, 8 pm
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Application Deadline: Mar. 5, 2025, 10 am
Internal Deadlines:
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For enhanced review/proof-reading and editing of your application (optional), please send your full proposal by Feb. 19, 2025.
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For mandatory administrative reviews, please submit via ResearchNet by Feb. 26, 2025.The Grants Development Office will download your application package and return it to you via ResearchNet to continue working before the deadline.
Send all inquiries to the Grants Development Office.
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Healthy Living Series – Urogenital Health and Your Microbes
The urogenital system is vital to overall health yet is often overlooked until issues arise. Conditions affecting this system range from serious illnesses to more common challenges like urinary tract infections, which can be debilitating for some and a persistent nuisance for others. Join microbiome trailblazer Jeremy P. Burton, PhD, in exploring the evolving understanding of how our microbiome influences urogenital health in preventing disease and supporting recovery.
Date: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025
Time: 12-1pm
Location: St. Joseph's Health Care London, 268 Grosvenor Street, Auditorium (D0-104)
Virtual: Click to join on Microsoft TEAMS
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Mental Health Research Pillar - Imaginarium Series
The Mental Health Imaginarium Series is an ongoing research-focused event hosted by Lawson's Mental Health Research Pillar. Researchers are invited to attend “Sacred Moments for Whole Health: Research, Application and Visioning” presented by Dr. Serena Wong on Jan. 21 from noon to 1 pm. By the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate theory and research on sacred moments
- Explore applications of sacred moments in psychotherapy and beyond
- Reflect upon ways to cultivate sacred moments in health care
The presentation will take place at the Finch Family Mental Health Care Building Auditorium – F2-235 and Microsoft Teams. Please RSVP to Nicole North by Friday, Jan. 17, and indicate whether you will be joining in-person or via Microsoft Teams. If you have any dietary restriction, please indicate in the RSVP email.
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Dr. Cindy Hutnik Discusses Glaucoma
How can a common, painless eye disease cause blindness? Learn more about the risk factors, diagnosis and management of glaucoma and hear about the newest research innovations and clinical treatments, during Ophthalmologist-in-Chief, Dr. Cindy Hutnik's DocTalks lecture, a feature from St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Register to join in-person on Feb. 5, from 7-8:30 pm at St. Joseph's Hospital. This event is sponsored by Chartwell Retirement Residences.
Register Now
| | | | 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 | | Did someone forward this email to you? You can subscribe here to get Lawson LEADS newsletter delivered directly to your inbox. | | | | |
