Research Impact in Action
Our aspiration to attain greater national and global prominence hinges on enhancing the success and impact of our research. Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s research profile is gaining momentum as we increase our share of funding opportunities and bring to the School some of the world’s top researchers, as evidenced by these stories that illustrate the recent milestones we’ve achieved.
Research Impact in Numbers
Supporting scientific discovery and bench-to-bedside research
$164
million
Record amount of research funding generated in 2023
Enhancing interdisciplinarity in our graduate programming
17%
More research funding than previous year
Strengthening learner assessment
$24
million
In federal funding garnered in 2023 to establish a research platform (TRIDENT) to accelerate drug development for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
$16
million
In federal funding to expand the School’s Biocontainment Level 3 (CL3) facility and establish a new Pathogen Research Centre (PaRC)
Investing in research infrastructure
15.2
Tesla
Canada’s first 15.2 Tesla MRI system added to the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping (CFMM)
5
Newly Established Endowed Research Chairs in 2023 (Chin-Hardie Chair in Urologic Oncology, Marcel and Louise Brunette Research Chair in Ophthalmology, Research Chair in Auditory Biophysics and Engineering, Research Chair in Neurotology and Translational Hearing Innovation, William F. Clark Chair in Nephrology)
Recruiting top-tier talent and enabling research-intensive faculty
1
New Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neurovirology and Neuroimmunology, Dr. Robyn Klein, recruited to pioneer Canada’s first research program on the effects of infectious diseases on brain function
Enhancing interdisciplinarity in our graduate programming
5
Newly announced or renewed Canada Research Chairs in 2023 (HIV Pathogenesis and Viral Control* Eric Arts, PhD 1, Primary Health Care and Health Equity* Maria Mathews, PhD 1, Computational Approaches to Health Research* Pingzhao Hu, PhD 2, Pathogen Genomics and Bioinformatics* Jennifer Guthrie, PhD 2, Translational Neuropsychopharmacology* Jibran Khokhar, PhD 2)
Strengthening learner assessment
1
Newly announced Western Research Chair in 2023 (Viral Pathogenesis* Miguel Quiñones-Mateu, PhD)
Training the next generation of researchers
$8.2
million
In research grants and award funding for graduate students in Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience in 2022/23
Enhancing interdisciplinarity in our graduate programming
7.9%↑
Increase over previous year in research grants and awards funding for graduate students in Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience
Strengthening learner assessment
1
New student-directed research project course created in Biochemistry
Research Impact in Action
World AIDS Day: Decoding HIV’s stealth strategy
December 01, 2023
Virologist Stephen Barr, PhD, is on a mission to unveil and fight a ‘trickster’ HIV virus mechanism that evades the immune system.Research shows men sleep better than women, sleep quality improves with age
November 29, 2023
Researchers at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry have unveiled crucial insights into the sleep health of middle-aged and older Canadians.Canada’s most powerful MRI system arrives at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry
November 23, 2023
The 15.2 Tesla pre-clinical scanner – only the second of its kind in North America and sixth in the world – enables researchers to study the brain with unprecedented resolution.Western recruits top neuroimmunologist as Canada Excellence Research Chair
November 16, 2023
With $8 million in funding, Dr. Robyn Klein will set up Canada’s first-ever research program focused on studying the impact of infectious diseases, like COVID-19, on the brain.Research shows prenatal exposure to cannabis may increase diabetes risk in offspring
November 10, 2023
A study led by researchers at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry finds exposure to CBD impacts glucose intolerance in male rats.AI-generated genetic guides improve CRISPR’s accuracy to target disease-causing superbugs
October 18, 2023
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry researchers have created a new CRISPR training tool that will help solve the problem of antimicrobial resistance, currently costing the health-care system $1.4 billion a year.Researchers reveal link between Alzheimer's disease and sex hormones
October 17, 2023
In a new study, researchers have shown female sex hormones play a significant role in how Alzheimer’s manifests in the brain.Old Friends, New Foes
September 20, 2023
About 20 years ago, they scratched out ideas for a viral vaccine seed bank on a paper napkin. Now, a trio of old friends is finally making it happen, positioning Schulich Medicine & Dentistry as a world leader in the fight against emerging infectious diseases.Failing Faster
September 20, 2023
How can we make it less expensive and risky to develop cures for diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s? That’s the question Ravi Menon and his all-star team are pursuing. And their mission is intensely personal.Puff. Puff. Pass.
September 20, 2023
At the crossroads of teen culture and technology lies vaping – a health crisis that few are paying attention to, and fewer still understand. At Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, researchers are attempting to deconstruct this phenomenon and its impact on the health of our youth.Adolescent girls were severely affected by pandemic stress, find Western researchers
September 19, 2023
New study finds Canadian children’s visits to the ER for mental health concerns increased during the pandemicResearchers use AI to predict recovery after serious brain injury
September 11, 2023
Researchers use AI to predict recovery after serious brain injuryIn major breakthrough, researchers close in on preeclampsia cure
September 08, 2023
Researchers from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and Brown University have made groundbreaking progress towards identifying the root cause and potential therapy for preeclampsia – the leading cause of maternal death worldwide.New study finds exercise, cognitive training combo boosts mental sharpness in seniors
August 14, 2023
Researchers found the effect of the combined intervention was larger than the individual effects of exercise or cognitive training alone. The study also found vitamin D supplements did not enhance cognition in seniors with mild impairment.Study suggests cannabis use during pregnancy could cause lifelong cognitive deficits
August 03, 2023
Researchers also find impact of prenatal cannabis exposure on cognition and memory differs by sex.Schulich researchers discover molecule with promise to enhance vaccine efficacy
July 19, 2023
Findings have significant implications for strengthening the global response to current and future viral threats.Researchers find potential in nerve block treatment for post-COVID smell distortions
July 12, 2023
Study offers crucial insights into post-COVID smell dysfunction, including a procedure reported to be most effective in treating this debilitating condition.Fecal transplants show promise in improving melanoma treatment
July 07, 2023
Using a technique pioneered by a Schulich Medicine researcher, a world-first clinical trial has found fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) are safe and show promise in improving response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma.New insights lead to a better understanding of long COVID
July 03, 2023
Using advanced research techniques, including a form of artificial intelligence, researchers have discovered unique patterns of blood plasma proteins in patients with suspected long COVID that could help improve outcomes.New study investigates how probiotics can improve outcomes in knee replacement surgeries
June 15, 2023
Research teams focuses on how a healthy gut biome – a core aspect of our health – can improve surgical outcomesNew study using nuclear medicine and rare isotopes in the fight against cancer
June 13, 2023
Study uses specially designed molecules that work like a homing device to deliver radioactive isotopes to cancer cells.Researcher’s new online platform demonstrates the power of physical activity in chronic disease management
June 08, 2023
Founded by Dr. Jane Thornton, the activity platform provides tailored exercises for those living with chronic health conditions, demonstrating the transformative power of physical activity.Schulich Medicine researchers fast-tracking drug development process among four recipients to receive grants
May 24, 2023
A project to fast-track drug development for neurodegenerative diseases by a team of researchers at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry was one of two Western projects among four across Canada awarded grants through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF).Windsor Campus recognizes its shining stars at gala awards event
April 27, 2023
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry recognized the exceptional faculty, residents, staff, and learners who have made its Windsor Campus a critical part of the health care fabric of the Windsor-Essex region.Study reveals alarming trend in nicotine vaping among high school students
April 04, 2023
More than a quarter of Canadian high school students reported vaping in the previous month, and 12 per cent have exclusively smoked vapes containing nicotine, study says.New $3.5M endowed chair establishes Schulich Medicine as a kidney research powerhouse
March 31, 2023
The William F. Clark Chair in Nephrology - named in honour of Dr. William F. Clark, professor emeritus at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry - will help attract and retain top talent, and enhance life-saving research .Schulich prof develops AI-powered bedside lung ultrasound
March 27, 2023
New investor funding will enable Deep Breathe to expand research and development as it inches closer to market launchStudy finds co-infection with ‘superbug’ bacteria increases SARS-CoV-2 replication
March 20, 2023
Study identifies a common protein from the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria boosts SARS-CoV-2 replication up to 15 times, making the COVID-19 outcome even more deadly.Learning how our brain’s rewards systems work
February 21, 2023
With cutting-edge technology, Miguel Skirzewski and fellow researchers are learning how our brain’s rewards systems work, and gaining insights into new treatments for neuropsychiatric disease.Associate Dean receives significant funding to make clinical trials more efficient
January 19, 2023
A Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry Associate Dean’s mission to make it easier and more efficient to conduct clinical trials received a funding boon today, with Dr. Amit Garg at the centre of two major grants announced by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).Research team develops new open-source app for precise brain mapping
January 12, 2023
Professor Ali Khan and former PhD student Jordan DeKraker and team have developed a web-based tool that uses artificial intelligence to iron out the complex hippocampusSchulich Medicine research leads to new understanding of how HIV hides itself in the body
January 10, 2023
A new joint study led by Stephen Barr at Schulich Medicine and University of Ottawa’s Marc-André Langlois could help lead to more effective HIV therapies.ImPaKT Facility receives $16M to fight future pandemics, expand COVID-19 research
November 16, 2022
Schulich Medicine and Dentistry’s ImPaKT Facility gets $16 million to fight future pandemics, expand COVID-19 research, and become “the leader in pathogen-fighting research in Canada, ” says Eric Arts, Executive Director.Largest trial ever done in hemodialysis care examines optimal dialysis temperature
November 08, 2022
New data suggests lowering dialysis temperatures does not lead to improved patient outcomes, despite previous studies suggesting otherwise.Researchers working to uncover consequences of prenatal cannabis exposure
October 06, 2022
A team of Western and Schulich Medicine researchers is investigating how cannabis exposure during pregnancy may impact the developing brain of the fetus.Western team achieves international holographic teleportation
August 04, 2022
Game-changing tech can have implications for health care, space workNews: Innovative lung imaging technique shows cause of long-COVID symptoms
June 28, 2022
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry researchers are the first to show a potential cause of these long-COVID symptoms and pave the way for targeted treatment.Research Impact: Lost in translation
November 24, 2021
Researchers at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry are expanding the genetic code to better understand disease.Research Impact: Imaging the long-term effects of COVID-19
November 02, 2021
Sophisticated technology and key collaborations have propelled important research forward that seeks to answer questions about the devastating impact of the disease on human health.
