Up to half of patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit (ICU) will develop ICU-Acquired Weakness (ICUAW). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) holds promise to both prevent and treat ICUAW. NMES applies electrical impulses to muscles through electrodes placed on the skin to induce muscle contractions, and is highly effective in maintaining […]

Many babies die within the first month of life from infectious diseases. Despite successful neonatal vaccination programs, it is not yet possible to accurately predict if a vaccine will work on a newborn child, at the individual “personalized” level. We need to better understand the mechanism of antibody generation after vaccination to improve immunization programs. […]

The projects will involve the modifications of a small automated ventilator (breathing machine) suitable for use in pandemics and underresourced settings (outside hospital, in patient transport, small hospitals), especially suited to patients with severe lung disease. Partner organization will be able to improve the design of the current ventilator to make it better suited for […]

There currently are no approved treatments for COVID-19, as global case counts increase daily. High infectivity and long time-to-recovery for COVID-19 cases is straining health-care systems globally. There is an urgent need to discover therapeutics that treat patients and improve clinical outcomes. Research and Development timelines associated with vaccines and new chemical entities will not […]

Dental procedures generate a large quantity of airborne droplets. With the concern that COVID-19 transmits through respiratory droplets, dental personnel are at high risk of being exposed to the virus if an asymptomatic patient comes to their clinic. However, limited studies have been performed on the characterization of aerosols generated during dental procedures, how far […]

When blood-vessels in the brain are damaged, substances can leak from the blood into the brain. Such leakage can affect cognition and mental health, however there are currently no clinically-available tests for detecting such leakage. In this project we are developing a method for diagnosing blood-vessel leakage using MRI. We believe that this technology may […]

This research will help VUCAVU.com, a non-profit online streaming platform for independent Canadian film and video artworks, determine how best to serve a widening range of users and partners given growing interest prompted by COVID-19 restrictions. The primary focus will be on educational stakeholders who need online access to audio-visual resources due to significant expansion […]

Various blood clotting disorders have been associated with COVID-19. The underlying cause of the problem remains unknown. This research project aims to tease out the underlying biological causes and evaluate potential treatments.

ImmunoBiochem is developing novel anti-cancer therapeutics to address unmet need in intractable solid tumors. Because solid tumors are highly heterogeneous and evasive, recognizing cancerous cells, while avoiding damage to normal tissue, is a challenge. As a result, many targeted therapies quickly come up against resistance, resulting in patient relapses. ImmunoBiochem is solving the issue of […]

My doctoral research investigates mental health challenges of Canadian farmers, to more effectively address them. My research includes a nationwide epidemiological survey examining the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and burnout. Additionally, I conducted 75 one-on-one qualitative interviews with farmers and others in the agricultural industry to provide an in-depth understanding […]

The Healthcare Foundation plays an active role in improving patient experiences across Newfoundland and Labrador. The significant findings from research funded by the Healthcare Foundation helps improve the way we diagnose and treat our population. After a grant is received a board member from the foundation is updated on the findings of the research, who […]

COVID-19 is the largest pandemic of the 21st century, affecting over 6.6 million individuals and claiming over 391,000 lives worldwide as of June 4, 2020. It is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2), which uses a receptor to gain entry into the host and cause active infection. This project involves the expertise […]