CIHR invests in future research leaders in maternal, reproductive, child and youth health and highlights innovative and impactful knowledge translation initiative

News release

March 11, 2019 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The foundation for good health begins at the earliest stages of life. It starts with the reproductive health of parents and then continues throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and into the early years of life. This period is associated with numerous health challenges for both mother and baby. Solid evidence is needed to provide the highest quality care to pregnant women, newborns and infants and to promote the health of children and youth.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor today announced nearly $1.7 million from the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, to support the work of 17 outstanding early career investigators who will conduct research projects that may have a significant impact on maternal, reproductive, child and youth health. This funding has been matched by each of the recipients through partnerships with their host institutions, charitable foundations and other partners. The projects include a wide range of topics from addressing insomnia during pregnancy, through supporting children with motor difficulties, to identifying risk and resilience factors influencing mental health and wellness among First Nations children and youth.

The funding recipients include researchers working at the University of British Columbia and its affiliated research hospitals:

  • Dr. Manish Sadarangani will develop tests to assess the immune response of the pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap) for HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected pregnant women and their newborns.
  • Dr. Michael Anglesio will study the effect of cancer-mutations on immune-reactions to endometriosis (in a non-cancer setting).
  • Dr. Ryan Flannigan will investigate the keys to spermatogenic niches among men with non-obstructive azoospermia.

At the funding announcement, Dr. Shoo K. Lee, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (CIHR-IHDCYH) also highlighted the Institute’s IHDCYH Talks video competition, which has been running annually since 2014. The competition profiles videos that highlight key findings from across CIHR-IHDCYH’s mandate with the aim of sharing these messages with the wider community to enhance the impact of research evidence on the health of Canadians. The winner and runner-up for the 2018 IHDCYH Talks competition are both from the University of British Columbia:

Quotes

“We’re committed to investing in research that will improve the health of Canadian families. These researchers will help solve health problems facing parents and children and play a role in creating a healthier future for Canadians.”

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health 

"With the funding of this second cohort of early career investigators, I am pleased to see the program go from strength to strength. The grantees represent the width and breadth of our mandate to improve maternal, reproductive, child and youth health and I'm sure will become leaders in their fields. We are also very grateful for the support of the applicants’ funding partners who made this opportunity possible. I am also excited to showcase our IHDCYH Talks video competition. Through it we are highlighting Canadian research in maternal, reproductive, child and youth health to the world."

Dr. Shoo K. Lee
Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health

“We’re proud to be part of this announcement of new grants to further health research spanning pregnancy, infancy and beyond. The grantees from the University of British Columbia are among Canada’s most promising young investigators. Their work will go beyond advancing knowledge and improving care; together they’ll help give kids and families the best possible start so they can lead the healthiest possible lives.”

Dr. Allison Eddy
Professor and Head, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia
Chief of Pediatrics and Hudson Family Hospital Chair in Pediatric Medicine, BC Children’s Hospital

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Contacts

Thierry Bélair
Office of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Stephanie Dunn
Manager, Research Communications
BC Children's Hospital, Provincial Health Services Authority
604-875-2401
sdunn@bcchr.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

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