Government of Canada invests over $3.7M in innovative health research projects at the University of Regina Français

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Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Oct 11, 2017, 12:00 ET

Researchers to study Parkinson's disease, mental health, and Indigenous youth

REGINA, Oct. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, while touring facilities at the University of Regina, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, made an announcement on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health. The Government of Canada awarded three grants to university researchers that will total over $3.7 million. These research projects will help address the challenges facing Indigenous youth, people living with Parkinson's disease, and people who receive mental health care.

Dr. Mohan Babu, an associate professor at the University of Regina, will use his $1.9M grant to shed light on the genes linked to Parkinson's disease. This work will yield new models, provide valuable data, facilitate the discovery of potential new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders, and inspire further research into novel treatments.

Depression and anxiety are prevalent and disabling conditions that often go untreated. Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos and her team will use internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT), a relatively new approach to treatment, to increase the potential for patients to access important mental health care more conveniently online, with weekly therapist support by secure phone calls or email. Dr. Hadjistavropoulos's work is supported by a grant of $971,000.

Finally, Dr. Tarun Katapally will use his $772,000 grant to study how to adopt culturally appropriate ways to integrate physical activity into the daily lives of Indigenous youth to foster better physical, mental and emotional health.

Quotes

"The work of health researchers across Canada elevates the standard of science and health care delivery from coast to coast to coast. By supporting these three teams of innovative researchers in Regina, the Government of Canada will help address the health challenges facing Indigenous youth, as well as people living with Parkinson's disease, and mental health injuries. We will deliver on our commitment to research today, so that our scientists will achieve health care breakthroughs tomorrow."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

"Saskatchewan is home to some of Canada's leading health researchers. This project is an example of the leading-edge research being done in the province. It also highlights the strong support for research and innovation at the University of Regina."
The Honourable Ralph Goodale
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The University of Regina is a proud leader in health research. The almost $4 million boost from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research means our researchers can continue the critical work of making breakthrough discoveries and finding innovative solutions to some of the biggest health issues of our time in order to help create a healthier future for the people of Saskatchewan and for all Canadians."
Dr. David Malloy, Vice-President (Research), University of Regina

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Backgrounder – Project Descriptions

At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

The University of Regina—with campuses located on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories, the ancestral lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, and Lakota nations and the homeland of the Métis—is a comprehensive, mid-sized university that traces its roots back to the creation of Regina College in 1911. Today, more than 15,000 students study within the University's 10 faculties, 25 academic departments/schools, 18 research centres and institutes, and three federated colleges (Campion College, First Nations University of Canada, and Luther College). The University of Regina has an established reputation for excellence and innovative programs that lead to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. In 2017, the University of Regina was ranked in the Top 200 Best Young Universities in the world by Times Higher Education.

Backgrounder

University of Regina researchers to study Parkinson's disease, mental health, and Indigenous youth

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. The Project and Foundation competitions support the best health research proposals submitted to CIHR from eligible researchers across Canada. The projects are selected for funding based on a system of scientific peer review.

Three projects were funded at the University of Regina for a total of $3,721,687.

Researcher	Project	Funding Amount
Dr. Mohan Babu	Dr. Babu will use the latest in proteomic and genetic platforms to provide the first high-resolution view on the organization and operation of human mitochondrial protein, and to uncover the relationships for genes linked to Parkinson's disease. This work will yield molecular models, provide valuable data resources for the community, facilitate the discovery of potential new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders, and inspire further research into novel treatments for sustainable health care.	$1,977,535
Heather Hadjistavropoulos	Depression and anxiety are prevalent and disabling conditions that often go untreated. Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos and her team of researchers will use internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT), a relatively new approach to treatment, to increase the potential for patients to access important mental health care more conveniently. Patients will receive brief weekly support from a therapist via secure emails or phone calls. The research will ultimately advance how ICBT is used in clinical practice and is expected to lead to improvements in mental health outcomes and mental health care delivery.	$971,552
Dr. Tarun Katapally	The benefits of physical activity are far-reaching, and individuals with high physical activity have better mental, physical and emotional health. However, our population is more inactive than ever and to tackle this health issue it is important to act early, especially in populations that are most vulnerable. In Canada, one of the most marginalized groups is Indigenous youth. Dr. Tarun Katapally, an assistant professor with the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, at the University of Regina, seeks to address this issue by adopting culturally appropriate ways to integrate physical activity into the daily lives of Indigenous youth.	$772,650

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Government of Canada invests over $3.7M in innovative health research projects at the University of Regina