Photo by HSIMS These tiny telemeters shown on the palm of Dr. Bruce Van Vliet’s hand are surgically inserted into mice in order to transmit blood pressure readings 24 hours a day. Dr. Van Vliet was recently awarded a CIHR grant for research on the mechanisms of salt-sensitivity in hypertension.

Three researchers in the Faculty of Medicine were funded in the most recent competition of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Overall in 2002-03, six projects have been funded in the amount of $2.5 million dollars.

The most recent awards were to Drs. Karen Mearow, John Smeda and Bruce Van Vliet, all in basic medical sciences.

Dr. Mearow will receive $285,675 for her neuroscience research on the interactions of growth factor and integrin signaling pathways. “I am very proud of all our researchers,” said Dr. Ian Bowmer, dean of Medicine. “There is a paucity of women in science and Dr. Karen Mearow is an excellent role model to bring to people's attention. She is also associate dean of Basic Medical Science in the Faculty of Medicine, demonstrating that it is possible to hold a senior administrative position in the university and maintain an active research program.”

Dr. Smeda will receive $234,398 for research on cerebrovascular alterations associated with stroke. Dr. Van Vliet was awarded $334,327 for research on the mechanisms of salt-sensitivity in hypertension.

Other CIHR-funded projects at Memorial in the past year were to Dr. George Carayanniotis for his work on thyroid disease, Dr. Kenneth Kao for research on epithelial ovarian cancer and Dr. Guang Sun for research on genetics and obesity.

The CIHR-funded studies will be carried out over periods of one to five years.