BC Children's Hospital Research Institute

As we continue to celebrate the achievements of the BCCHR research community, we are highlighting Hebah Hussaina and Torin Halvorson for our third #BCCHR2024 Award Recognition. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship program recognizes doctoral students for exceptional leadership, research potential, and academic excellence. As part of Dr. Mariana Brussoni's Research Team, Hebah is making meaningful strides in supporting youth well-being through outdoor engagement. On Dr. Megan Levings' Research Team, Torin is pushing boundaries in advancing innovative therapies for solid organ transplantation. Read more about Hebah and Torin's projects here: https://bcchr.info/3ZH1Qda. BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC Children's Hospital Foundation #BCCHR2024 #VanierScholarship #ResearchExcellence #SSHRC #CIHR #BCCHR

The Austin Lab at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute is seeking patient participants for our research questionnaire on Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). The purpose of this study is to learn about the needs of adults (18+) living with hEDS in terms of medical, psychiatric, and other services and supports. They also seek to better understand the barriers people with hEDS face in accessing necessary services. They are asking eligible participants to complete a one-time, online questionnaire, that will take about 30 min to complete. Learn more: bcchr.info/4g3p7wk BC Children's Hospital Foundation BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia

Children who undergo a bone marrow transplant can later be affected by a lung complication known as pulmonary chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD). To provide kids who have signs of this complication with proper diagnosis and treatment, the 2014 National Institutes of Health guidelines recommend that clinicians obtain a lung biopsy or a breathing test called spirometry, but it’s a difficult test for younger kids, especially if they’re feeling weak. The findings from a BCCHR study played a part in integrating the multiple breath washout, an alternative test, into recent recommendations to screen children for lung cGvHD. Read the story at bcchr.info/3DcOkX3 BC Children's Hospital Foundation BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia #bonemarrowtransplant #cGvHD #lungs #breathing #MBW

For our second #BCCHR2024 Award Recognition, we're looking back at when, earlier this year, Dr. Stuart Turvey was presented with the Career Research Award at the Canadian Paediatric Society conference for his research in clinical immunology and mentorship of the next generation of child-health clinical scientists. Dr. Turvey's work focuses on childhood immune deficiency diseases and disorders of immune dysfunction. His numerous publications, professorship, and discoveries have translated into several other projects on precision health and medicine. Read more about Dr. Turvey's award: https://bcchr.info/4ebO6xs. BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC Children's Hospital Foundation Canadian Paediatric Society / Société canadienne de pédiatrie

For our first #BCCHR2024 Award Recognition, we're sharing Dr. Judith Goslin Hall's Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada. Dr. Hall has made a significant impact in the area of genetic factors that affect children's development. Her work with patients to explain genetic diseases has allowed families to become more informed about their child's health and make appropriate decisions for their care and wellbeing. Read more about Dr. Hall's award– received earlier this year– at the 4th International Symposium in Montreal, Quebec: https://bcchr.info/3OXqwcb. BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC Children's Hospital Foundation Shriners Children's

For our fifth and final #BCCHR2024 Media Activity, we’re highlighting over $47M in federal funding to support and retain members of the health workforce, including projects led by BCCHR investigators. Dr. Jennifer Coelho’s team will establish a Provincial Training Hub to improve clinical capacity to treat youth with eating disorders, while Dr. Alison Elliott’s team will expand genetics counseling into new areas of clinical service. Co-funded by Michael Smith Health Research BC, these projects represent a significant step forward for healthcare in BC. Read more: https://bcchr.info/4giRNSI. BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC Children's Hospital Foundation Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI) Provincial Health Services Authority #funding #health #workforce #federal #grant #youth #pediatrics #eating #disorder #care #clinical #genetics #counsellor

For our fourth #BCCHR2024 Media Activity, we’re spotlighting the Canada Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH) research teams that were awarded $140 million in federal funding to accelerate the development and manufacturing of lifesaving medicine for patients and communities across Canada. Dr. Megan Levings spoke with the Globe and Mail about how CIEBH is improving in-house capabilities for data-gathering and development processes: https://bcchr.info/3VBsx1D. Other BCCHR investigators who worked on associated projects include: Dr. Manish Sadarangani Dr. Amy Lee Dr. Annie Ciernia Read the UBC media release: https://bcchr.info/3ymXxcF. BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC Children's Hospital Foundation #CIEBH #HealthInnovation #Biomanufacturing

Congratulations to BCCHR investigators Dr. Kevan Jacobson and Dr. Genelle Lunken, recipients of the 2024 PIONEER Grant from the Canadian IBD Research Consortium. This grant will support their DISPENSE-T study that seeks to improve the effectiveness of using a biologic drug (a complex drug made from a living organism) by adding a nutritional therapy to help control inflammation, potentially reducing the amount of medication needed. "Dr. Lunken and I are honoured to receive this grant to assist in important pediatric research. Our research is designed to provide critical evidence on how diet can interact with medication to improve treatment outcomes, ultimately leading to better quality of life for our young patients," says Dr. Jacobson. Learn more about their study: bcchr.info/3Zx5ia8. BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC Children's Hospital Foundation Crohn's and Colitis Canada | Crohn et Colite Canada

For our third #BCCHR2024 Media Activity highlight, we're sharing BCCHR investigator Dr. Stuart Turvey's interview with Global News earlier this year, in which he discussed a new rare disease discovered at BC Children's Hospital. There are over 7,000 known rare diseases, but altogether they affect 1 in 25 people affected in British Columbia. Rare diseases can be an isolating experience for children and families. Two teenage brothers were facing issues with their neurological development, which was found to be the consequence of an overactive gene called MARK4, which is critical for the brain and nervous system to function. The two boys are the only known patients to have been diagnosed with this type of genetic variant of the MARK4 gene. The research into gain-of-function MARK4 was supported by Mining for Miracles and the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Read more and view Dr. Turvey's interview here: https://bcchr.info/3ONkmez. #RareDiseaseResearch #PediatricHealth #HealthInnovation BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC Children's Hospital Foundation Mining for Miracles

For the 2nd #BCCHR2024 Media Activity highlight, we're looking back to when BCCHR brought Mini Science Night to Salmon Arm, BC. Mini Science Night is a free public lecture that connects community members with world-class researchers. Community members were able to learn about groundbreaking innovations in health research and potential career opportunities in science and medicine. Keynote speaker Dr. Wyeth Wasserman presented on the Silent Genomes Project, which addresses health-care disparities for Indigenous children with genetic diseases, while PhD candidate Emily Mason highlighted cutting-edge vaccine research and development for antibiotic-resistant infections. Events like Mini Science Night continue to inspire students, teachers, and professionals to explore the future of health research and foster hope for transformative care. Read the whole story here: https://bcchr.info/3DaYAz5. To read the article on Castanet, click here: https://bcchr.info/3ONldMi. #scienceeducation #health #healthresearch