Research success

Aug 21st, 2018

School of Pharmacy

Research success

The 2017-18 academic year was a research success, drawing in nearly 20 grants.

- The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development awarded $87,935 to Principal Investigator (P.I.) Dr. Leslie Phillips for, "Pharmacist-led Smoking Cessation Initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador". Co-investigators: Drs. Terri Genge, Debbie Kelly, Cathy Balsom, Hai Nguyen, Joy Maddigan (School of Nursing).

- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant awarded $140,000 ($28,000/year for five years) to Dr. Laleh Alisaraie for, “Biomechanics and Interrelations of Microtubules and Intracellular Trafficking: A Guide for Characterizing Carbon Nanotubes Cytotoxicity”.

- NL SUPPORT awarded a Patient Oriented Research Grant of $71,243 to Dr. Laurie Twells for, “Access to Weight Management and Treatment for Obesity in NL: An Innovative Patient-Centred Approach” (Co-investigators: Jennifer Donnan, Dr. Hai Nguyen, Dr. Zhiwei Gao [Faculty of Medicine], Dr. Tanis Adey [Eastern Health], Jenn Deon [patient], Dave Pace [Eastern Health]).

- Ocean Frontier Institute (OCI)’s Vitamin Research Fund awarded two grants to Dr. John Weber: $70,000 for, “Potential Protective Effects of Sea Cucumber Extracts and Seal Oil in Models of Neurodegenerative Disease”, and $30,000 for, “Potential Protective Effects of Sea Cucumber Extracts and Seal Oil in Models of Neurogenerative Disease.” (Co-investigators: Drs. Hu Liu, Lili Wang, Jacqueline Blundell [Faculty of Science]).

- Ocean Frontier Institute’s Vitamin Research Fund awarded $30,000 to Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab for, “Vitamin B12 supplementation: Interacting Role of High Dietary Salt on Vascular Function and Risk of Stroke.

- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)’s Engage fund awarded $25,000 to Dr. John Weber for, “Development of a Novel Nutraceutical Product”.

- Janeway Foundation awarded an Independent Researcher Grant of $15,000 to Dr. Hai Nguyen for, “Public HealthPolicy to Protect Children: The Effects of Banning Electronic Cigarette Sales to Minors on their Smoking and Risk Perception.” Co-investigators: Drs. Roger Chafe (Faculty of Medicine), Stephen Bornstein (NLCAHR), J.M. Gamble (University of Waterloo).

- Memorial University's Seed Bridge Multidisciplinary grants awarded Dr. Erin Davis with $10,000 for "Pharmacist Perceptions of their Role in Medical Assistance in Dying and their Willingness to Participate in Newfoundland and Labrador" (Co-investigator: Dr. Jason Kielly).

- NL SUPPORT’s Clinician/allied health professional led research grants awarded $10,000 to two groups in the School of Pharmacy: Dr. Terri Genge for “Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an intensive individualized smoking cessation support program delivered by pharmacists: a randomized controlled trial” (Co-investigators: Drs. Leslie Phillips, Debbie Kelly, Cathy Balsom, Hai Nguyen, Joy Maddigan [School of Pharmacy]). Dr. Debbie Kelly received $10,000 for, “Impact of a Deprescribing Intervention on Nursing Home Residents: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. (Co-investigator: Dr. Cathy Balsom)

- Memorial University’s Seed Bridge Multidisciplinary Fund awarded $10,000 to Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab for, “Effect of Direct and Circulating IL-17A on Cerebrovascular Function”

- Janeway Foundation awarded an Independent Researcher Grant of $15,000 to Dr. Tiffany Lee for, "A Description of Ankyloglossia and Infant Nutrition in Newfoundland and Labrador." (Co-investigators: Drs. Laurie Twells, Anne Drover [Faculty of Medicine], Jessica Bishop [Faculty of Medicine], Brenda Oldford [Eastern Health]).

- Memorial University’s Seed Bridge Multidisciplinary Fund awarded $10,000 to Dr. Hai Nguyen for, “Impacts of Marijuana Legalization and the Effectiveness of Public Health Policy to Protect Children.” Co-investigator: Dr. Cathy Balsom

- Canadian Institute of Heath Research (CIHR) awarded a SPOR iCT Researching Success operating travel grant of $2500 for, “Expectant Mother’s Attitudes and Knowledge Towards Infant Feeding: A Pragmatic Innovative Randomized Controlled Trial 9iRCT) Using Informed and Targeted Technologically-based Interventions to Increase Breastfeeding Behaviour, Improve Health Outcomes and Reduce Costs” (Co-investigators: Dr. Kevin Chan [Faculty of Medicine], Dr. Amanda Pendergast [Faculty of Medicine], Dara Squires [patient], Dr. Amanda Hall [Faculty of Medicine], Dr. Leigh Anne Newhook [Faculty of Medicine]).

- Memorial University’s Quick Start Fund for Public Engagement awarded $1000 to Dr. Lisa Bishop for, “A Youth-Friendly Clinic to Improve Access to Health Care.” Co-investigator: Dr. Stephen Darcy (Faculty of Medicine)

- Memorial University’s Seed Bridge Multidisciplinary Fund awarded $10,000 to Dr. John Weber for, “Potential Protective Effects of Wild Blueberries in a Model of Parkinson’s Disease”