The Government of Canada has announced the latest round of funding for the Canada Research Chair (CRC) program. Over $198 million will support 259 new and renewed CRCs.
Congratulations to the following UHN researchers who have received new or renewed funding through the CRC program:
● Dr. Mohit Kapoor, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in the Mechanisms of Joint Degeneration (renewal). Dr. Kapoor is a Senior Scientist at UHN’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute and a Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto (U of T). His research focuses on understanding osteoarthritis and how it damages joints, finding biomarkers for early identification of disease, and developing treatments to prevent or reverse the disease.
● Dr. Rama Khokha, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Adult Tissue Stem Cell Niches (renewal). Dr. Khokha is a Senior Scientist at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a Professor in the Departments of Medical Biophysics and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at U of T. Funding from this Chair will support research on tumour microenvironments and adult stem cell populations, their role in cancer, and the development of advanced lab models and genetic tools to study human cancers.
● Dr. Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Cardio-Oncology (renewal). Dr. Thavendiranathan is a Senior Scientist at UHN and a Professor in the Department of Medicine at U of T. Funding from this Chair will support his research in improving prediction, prevention, and care for patients with cancer who are at risk of cardiovascular disease.
● Dr. Walter Swardfager, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Clinical Pharmacology of Cognitive Neurovascular Disorders (renewal). Dr. Swardfager is an Affiliate Scientist at UHN’s KITE Research Institute, a Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and Associate Professor and Associate Chair in Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at U of T. His research focuses on the key molecules underlying how type 2 diabetes damages small blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk of dementia. He is also studying whether new diabetes drugs can help protect brain health.
● Dr. Goldie Nejat, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Intelligent Assistive and Collaborative Robots (new). Dr. Nejat is an Affiliate Scientist at UHN’s KITE Research Institute and a Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. Funding from this Chair will support the development of a new generation of intelligent, collaborative robots to assist people who are living with dementia and other chronic conditions.
The CRC Program is a national initiative designed to make Canada a global leader in research. Through this program, the federal government has invested approximately $311 million annually to support world-class researchers across disciplines, enhancing academic excellence, competitiveness, and the training of future skilled professionals.
See here for a full list of results and here for the press release.