Funded research
Since 2017, we've awarded more than $2.5 million in research funding focused on a wide range of lung diseases and conditions. We are very proud to have supported so many up-and-coming researchers across the country.
Thank you to our funding partners:
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (CIHR-ICRH)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Gender and Health (CIHR-IGH)
- Asthma Canada
- Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation
- Canadian Respiratory Research Network (CRRN)
- Cystic Fibrosis Canada
- Astra Zeneca Canada
Asthma
2023
Francis Lissanga Dendo, Université de Moncton
CRRN AGM travel award, $1500
Asthme et pollution atmosphérique au Nouveau Brunswick
Clarus Leung, University of British Columbia
Clinical Fellowship, $33,000
Endo-phenotyping of asthma and COPD overlap by airway inflammation
Approximately one-third of asthma and COPD patients have features of asthma- COPD overlap or ACO. These patients experience worse symptoms and more serious respiratory attacks than those with asthma or COPD alone. ACO is under-recognized, under-diagnosed and may be improperly treated because of the limited understanding of its biology. Dr. Clarus Leung’s post-doctoral research at UBC will help uncover the disease mechanisms of ACO so that clinicians can better diagnose and prescribe the most effective therapies for ACO.
Dr. Leung will investigate the underlying inflammatory mechanisms in the airways of patients with ACO, collecting tissue samples and cells from the airways of volunteers with ACO using a technique called bronchoscopy to identify the key airway inflammation features of ACO. Dr. Leung will use high-resolution imaging techniques to investigate how inflammation relates to persistent changes in the structure of the airways and the lungs.
Shirley Quach & Teresa To
Hospital for Sick Children
Allied Health Research Grant, $10,000
Does the use of biologics in children with severe asthma improve health outcomes and quality of life? – A longitudinal cohort study
2022
Cristina Longo, Université de Montréal
Early Career Researcher Awards in Asthma*, $100,000
Treating asthma by integrating learning algorithms with omics research: Moving toward automated high-dimensional endotyping in children (TAILOR-MADE)
Zihang Lu, Queen's University
Early Career Researcher Awards in Asthma*, $100,000
Asthma phenotypes, risk factors and the implications for future management in Canadian children
Maria Medeleanu, SickKids
Studentship, $21,000
Interrogating the link between early viral infections and childhood asthma
Dheerendra Pandey, University of Manitoba
Studentship, $14,000
Multidimensional role of CD38 in oxidized phosphatidylcholine (OxPCs) induce obstructive lung diseases
2020
Jigneshkumar Vaghasiya, University of Manitoba
Studentship, $10,500
Oxidized phosphatidylcholines are unique drivers of asthma pathobiology
2018
Kozeta Miliku, University of Manitoba
Fellowship, $90,000
The role of human milk oligosaccharides in the developmental origins of lung function and asthma
*Led by Asthma Canada in partnership with AstraZeneca Canada, Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (CIHR-ICRH)
Children's Lung Health
2020
Chelsea Morin, University of Alberta
Fellowship, $55,000
A randomized control trial comparing three methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using an infant piglet model of asphyxia
Tara Janes, University of Alberta
Fellowship, $45,000
Progesterone promotes respiratory recovery in a rat model of congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: site of action and mechanisms
Shirley Quach, University of Ontario Institute of Technology Allied Health
Fellowship, $10,000)
The pediatric mechanical ventilation in Canada (PeMViC) study: A Delphi survey of pediatric mechanical ventilation practices by Canadian respiratory therapists
2019
Kawsari Abdullah, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
Fellowship, $54,000
Long-term respiratory outcome of children diagnosed with bronchiolitis in the first year of life: A prospective cohort study using linked clinical and health administrative data
Chanèle Cyr-Depauw, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Studentship, $12,000
Defining the next-generation umbilical cord-derived cell-therapy for treatment of neonatal lung disease
Shirley Quach, University of Ontario Institute of Technology Allied Health
Fellowship, $10,000
Common Canadian practices of pediatric mechanical ventilation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
2023
Konstiantyn Dmytriiev, University of Alberta
Studentship, $10,500
Pulmonary vascular dysfunction and exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Tania Janaudis-Ferreira, McGill University
Allied Health Research Grant, $10,000
Remote Physical Function Assessment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Shirley Quach, McMaster University
Allied Health Fellowship, $5,000
Perceptions and Usability of Publicly Available Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Apps
2022
Carli Peters, University of British Columbia
Fellowship, $45,000
Utilizing optical coherence tomography and exercise to develop novel biomarkers of respiratory impairment in people living with human immunodeficiency virus
Mika Nonoyama, Ontario Technical University
Allied Health Research Grant, $20,000
Testing the effects of temperature and humidity on individuals with COPD in the ACE climactic chamber: A feasibility and pilot study
Fatemeh Aminazadeh, University of British Columbia
Studentship, $21,000
The contribution of sex differences to small airways disease in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
In Canada and other developed countries around the world, the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to COPD is now greater for females than males. Despite this, females are less likely to receive spirometry testing, specialty referrals, or a physician diagnosis of COPD compared to males. This project will help by generating new knowledge on sex differences in the development of COPD. These data will provide researchers with new targets for early treatment of COPD, and help clinicians better diagnose female COPD patients to improve disease outcomes.
Meghan Koo, Toronto Metropolitan University
Studentship, $15,667
Inspiration-expiration CT texture-based delta radiomics: a new biomarker associated with COPD symptoms?
Dmitry Rozenberg, University Health Network
$500
Translating the Interplay of Cognition and Physical Performance to Daily Activities in COPD and ILD – Identifying Needs and Research Priorities
2021
Dina Brooks, University of British Columbia
Allied Health Research Grant, $20,000
A mobile electronic repository to address patients’ support needs in coping with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Shirley Quach, University of British Columbia
Allied Health Fellowship, $10,000
A mobile electronic repository to address patients’ support needs in coping with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
2020
Tania Janaudis-Ferreira, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Allied Health Research Grant, $35,000
Improving ACCEPTance and uptake of pulmonary rehabilitation after acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The ACCEPT PR STUDY
2019
Sunita Mulpuru, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Emerging Clinician Scientist Award, $175,000
In partnership with CIHR-ICRH and Astra Zeneca Canada
Validating the use of frailty measurements to predict care expectations and deteriorations in quality of life among people with COPD: A prospective cohort study
2018
Dina Brooks, West Park Healthcare Centre
Allied Health Research Grant, $20,000
Perspectives of Patients with COPD and Healthcare Providers on an Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour
Devin Phillips, University of Alberta
Studentship, $10,500
The effect of inhaled nitric oxide on dyspnea and exercise tolerance in mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Sachi O'Hoski, McMaster University
Allied Health Fellowship $10,000
Beyond function: Exploring participation in life roles in people with COPD
Nafeez Syed, University of British Columbia
Allied Health Fellowship, $10,000
Impact of diesel exhaust on exercise endurance, breathlessness and airway physiology in mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
2017
Kate Johnson, University of British Columbia
Studentship, $42,000
Evaluating strategies for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Didier Saey, Université Laval
Allied Health Research Grant, $20,000
Measuring quadriceps muscle endurance in patients with COPD
Infectious Diseases & Immunology
2022
Danuzia Marques, Université Laval
Fellowship, $30,000
Linking neonatal stress and anomalies of immune development in rats: novel insights into the origin of sex-based differences in viral infection severity
Nicole Sarden, University of Calgary
Studentship, $13,500
Investigating the role of neutrophils during respiratory viral infections
2018
Craig Dale, University of Toronto
Allied Health Research Grant, $20,000
A multi-centered stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the de-adoption of oral chlorhexidine prophylaxis and implementation of an oral care bundle for ventilated critically ill patients (The CHORAL study)
Cameron Griffiths, University of Alberta
Studentship, $10,500
Interactions between respiratory syncytial virus and cell surface nucleolin during viral entry
Lung Transplant
2022
Anne Fu, University of Toronto
Studentship, $11,000
Respiratory Oscillometry for Early Diagnosis of Chronic Rejection After Lung Transplant
Population Health / Public Health
2023
Cole Bowerman, Dalhousie University
Studentship, $10,500
Hidden Amongst Healthy: Normalization of Respiratory Pathology and Health Disparities by Reference Equations
Maks Dziura, University of Windsor
Studentship, $2,500
Investigating the Isomeric Effect of Synthetic Nicotine on Respiratory Functionality
2022
Tina Afshar, University of British Columbia
Studentship, $14,000
Lung Health Effects of E-Cigarette Cessation
Justin Turner, University of British Columbia
Allied Health Fellowship, $10,000
Wildfire Smoke and Emergency Planning for First Nations People Living with Lung Disease in Remote and Rural British Columbia
Pulmonary Hypertension
2023
Saeid Maghsoudi, University of Manitoba
Studentship
Inhibition of Adenylyl Cyclase Isoform 6 by Cysteine Nitrosylation in Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension, and Rescue with Novel Forskolin Derivatives
In partnership with the Manitoba Lung Association
2019
Neil Goldenberg, Hospital for Sick Children
Emerging Clinician Scientist Award, $200,000
Immunological Dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
In partnership with CIHR-ICRH and Astra-Zeneca Canada
2017
Steven Wright, University of Toronto
Studentship, $42,000
Exercise Hemodynamics for the Evaluation of Breathlessness & Suspected Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Sleep & Exercise
2023
Felix Girard, McGill University
PhD Studentship, $10,000
Effects of (Un)Loading Stimuli on the Human Diaphragm Activation at Rest and During Exercise: Implications for a Better Understanding of Dyspnea
2022
Silvia Cardani, University of Alberta
Fellowship, $45,000
Sex hormones and their use in hypoventilation syndromes: site of action and mechanism
Mohammadreza Hajipour, University of British Columbia
Studentship, $21,000
Alternative metrics of sleep apnea severity derived from polysomnography
The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) has served as a primary metric for assessing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Nevertheless, the literature reveals inconsistent findings regarding the correlation between AHI and adverse health outcomes. In our study, we present compelling evidence that a novel measure, event-related hypoxic burden, not only gauges the severity of respiratory events but also correlates with physiological responses to these events, distinguishing it from AHI. Consequently, these innovative metrics hold promise not only for predicting health outcomes but also for more precisely identifying patients who would benefit from treatment.
2018
Veronique Pepin, Concordia University
Allied Health Research Grant, $20,000
APNex: A pilot randomized trial of combined cognitive-behavioural therapy and exercise training versus exercise training alone for the treatment of chronic insomnia in obstructive sleep apnea
Annette Pisanski (Abad-Hernandez), University of Alberta
Studentship, $14,000
Role of parafacial respiratory group on the stabilization of sleep disordered breathing