2019
World Health Organization document is evidence of the international impact of research ethics scholarship at Western University
December 17, 2019
Writing team led by Cross-Appointed Professor, Charles Weijer, produced the newly published World Health Organization document on “Ethical Considerations for Health Policy and Systems Research.” This new publication from the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (WHO) and the Global Health Ethics Unit (WHO) considers fourteen ethical questions when conducting health policy and systems research (HPSR).A Message from our Chair
December 02, 2019
Dr. Saverio Stranges would like to thank our department members for another wonderful year in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.Highlights from 2019
December 01, 2019
Take a look at some of the changes, events and news that took place over the past year.Researchers recognized for high citations
November 25, 2019
Brian Feagan, Director, Clinical Trials, at Robarts Clinical Trials, Inc. and Cross-Appointed Professor with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, is one of four Western professors lauded for multiple highly cited research papers, according to the Highly Cited Researchers 2019 list from the Web of Science Group.Media Release: Community-driven project improves patient outcomes for diabetes in Indigenous communities
November 05, 2019
The FORGE AHEAD project was launched in response to data showing the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes was significantly higher among Indigenous populations and that people living in Indigenous communities were less likely to receive adequate care. Dr. Stewart Harris, Cross-Appointed Professor with Epidemiology and Biostatistics, is the FORGE AHEAD program’s Principal Investigator.Research: Involuntary admission for psychosis higher among some first-generation ethnic minority groups
October 21, 2019
A new study by Kelly Anderson, PhD, and her team demonstrates that involuntary admission due to first-time diagnosis of psychosis is higher among some first-generation ethnic minority groups, particularly African and Caribbean migrants.The real low-down on diabetes
September 19, 2019
Principal investigators from the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Diabetes Alliance, Dr. Stewart Harris and Alexandria Ratzki-Leewing, PhD Candidate, and co-investigators Drs. Bridget Ryan and Guangyong Zou, from the Departments of Family Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, received more than $1 million to lead a global, real-world study on diabetes-related hypoglycemia.Can air pollution and noise lead to epilepsy?
September 13, 2019
As part of a research team led by Dr. Jorge Burneo, Tresah Antaya, an MSc candidate in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, has won funding via a Student Award from Lawson’s Internal Research Fund (IRF) for a new study that will examine data from the 2006 long-form Canadian census as well as environmental and health care data to determine whether long-term exposure to air pollution and city noise increases a person’s risk of developing epilepsy. In addition, the project is receiving funding through the Collaborative Research Seed Grant competition from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University.Survey explores nationwide trans, non-binary population
August 09, 2019
Epidemiology and Biostatistics professor Greta Bauer, PhD, expects the nationwide Trans PULSE Canada survey to bridge a massive “deficit of quantitative data across Canada on the health of trans and non-binary people.”Depression drives substance use during pregnancy
August 08, 2019
The discovery that depression is the single largest driver of substance use during pregnancy – more important than education, income, or age – highlights the need for greater supports for the mental health of mothers-to-be, according to a team of Western researchers, including Dr. Jamie Seabrook, Adjunct Associate Professor with Epidemiology and Biostatstics.New surgery method reduces transfusion need
August 01, 2019
A new method that limits the number of blood transfusions needed during heart surgery showed no additional risk to patients when it came to kidney injury, a common outcome of the surgery, according to a recent study. The findings could be a game-changer for a health-care system constantly seeking ways to balance demands on its blood supply. Professor Amit Garg, cross-appointee with Epidemiology and Biostatistics, stresses the importance of analyzing the use of blood transfusions during surgery. “A lot of people are generous in giving blood,” he said. “At the end of the day, we want to use this precious resource wisely.”Group calls on international community to prevent dementia by preventing stroke
July 18, 2019
The risk factors for stroke and dementia are the same, and a growing body of evidence demonstrates that preventing stroke can also prevent some dementias. Now, a group of experts led by Western University Professor and Cross-Appointee with Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dr. Vladimir Hachinski, are calling on the global community to come together to take action on preventing dementia by preventing stroke.Partnership brings hope to epilepsy patients in Peru
June 27, 2019
Dr. Jorge Burneo and Dr. David Steven, both cross-appointees with Epidemiology and Biostatistics, collaborate on the set up of epilepsy surgery programs in Peru.London scientists key players in national dementia strategy
June 24, 2019
Led by Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso, a Cross-Appointed Professor with Epidemiology and Biostatistics, researchers in London have been awarded $1.345 million over five years through the second phase of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), announced as part of Canada’s national dementia strategy. CCNA is a collaborative research program tackling the challenge of dementia and other neurodegenerative illnesses.Announcement: Shehzad Ali, PhD, named a CRC (Tier 2) in Public Health Economics.
June 17, 2019
An Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shehzad Ali has been named among Western’s nine new Canada Research Chairs (CRCs). The Canada Research Chairs Program aims to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. With this announcement, there are now 1,836 Canada research chairs at universities across Canada.News: London neurologist helps pen international dementia prevention guidelines
May 17, 2019
An internationally acclaimed Western University neurologist is going global once again, helping pen new international guidelines to help patients stave off dementia. Dr. Vladimir Hachinski, a Cross-Appointed Professor with Epidemiology and Biostatistics, contributed to and reviewed the recommendations released by the World Health Organization earlier this week — a gold-standard that will inform how doctors treat patients and how governments address the growing health issue.Awards: Congratulations to the H.O.P.E. Award Recipient, Kathy Nixon Speechley, PhD
May 13, 2019
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Professor, Kathy Nixon Speechley, PhD, recognized as the 2019 H.O.P.E. award recipient by Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario at the 33rd Annual Spring Gala.Bacterial communities and HIV: How the penile microbiome influences transmission
May 08, 2019
Researcher Jessica Prodger, PhD, a Cross-Appointee with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, is exploring why circumcision is protective and how the penile microbiome may contribute to HIV incidence in heterosexual men.Feature: Team to offer insights into Crohn’s treatment tools
May 07, 2019
A North American team of researchers co-lead by Dr. Brian Feagan, Cross-Appointee to Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the 2019 Allan Donner Lecturer, hopes their work will ultimately lead to treatments that reduce infections, pain, and hospitalizations for millions of Crohn’s disease sufferers around the world.News: Government of Canada supports HockeyFIT expansion across Canada
April 08, 2019
Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament, announced that the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will be investing up to $2.5 million over three and a half years to help expand Western University’s Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) program across the country. Hockey FIT is led by Dr. Rob Petrella. Co-applicants on the project include three members of faculty from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics: Dr. Saverio Stranges, Guangyong Zou, PhD, and Merrick Zwarenstein, PhD.Award: Lauren Cipriano recognized for advancing health technology assessment
April 05, 2019
Lauren Cipriano, PhD, a Cross-Appointed Assistant Professor with Epidemiology and Biostatistics, is being honoured as the 2019 recipient of the Dr. Maurice McGregor Award from Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). The award recognizes rising stars in the field of health technology assessment.Award: Janet Martin recognized for contributions to health technology assessment
April 05, 2019
Congratulations to Janet Martin, PharmD, associate professor in Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, on receiving an Anniversary Medal from the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH).Two-Eyed Seeing: The gift of multiple perspectives
March 22, 2019
CIHR-funded research project led by Maria Mathews, PhD, professor in Family Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, incorporates multiple perspectives to explore Indigenous participation in the physician workforce.Feature: Researchers explore the effects of a Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular health
March 13, 2019
The review published today in the high-profile journal Cochrane Review was led by Dr. Saverio Stranges, Professor and Chair, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, in collaboration with Manchester University and Warwick University in the UK. The review looked specifically at the effects of a Mediterranean-style diet on cardiovascular health.Dr. Ian Arra Appointed Medical Officer of Health at Grey Bruce Health Unit
February 13, 2019
The Board of Health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ian Arra to the position of Medical Officer of Health, effective January 25, 2019. Dr. Arra completed an MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University in 2011, supervised by Dr. George Rodrigues.Study debunks shortcuts to healthy lifestyle
February 04, 2019
A study led by Dr. Saverio Stranges has added further evidence to the growing understanding that not only do most nutritional supplements not prevent chronic disease or increase longevity, but their widespread use should be avoided.Media Release: More people die after surgery worldwide than from HIV, TB, and malaria combined
February 01, 2019
A new study co-authored by Janet Martin, PharmD, Associate Professor with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, shows the global burden of postoperative death.Announcement: Dr. Stewart Harris reappointed as the Canadian Diabetes Association Chair in Diabetes Management
February 01, 2019
Dr. Stewart Harris has been reappointed to his third term as the Canadian Diabetes Association Chair in Diabetes Management at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023.Congratulations: Maria Mathews, PhD and Dr. Emil Schemitsch, receive CIHR funding
January 31, 2019
Maria Mathews, core-appointee, to receive CIHR funding for: “Increasing Indigenous Participation in the Physician Workforce,” while Dr. Emil Schemitsch, cross-appointee, to receive CIHR funding for: “The DECIPHER Study: DEterminants of Function and Clinically Important outcomes in Proximal Humerus Fractures in the Elder Population: A National CohoRt.”Website Update Notice
January 04, 2019
Beginning Monday, January 7, our department website will be locked down as we update to the new template provided by Western University. During this process our website will still function as usual but we will be unable to publish any changes to content. Updates, news, events, etc., will be posted to our social media feeds during this time and we strongly recommend all faculty, students and staff follow our department on Twitter and Facebook (handle: westernuepibio).
