Tackling the province’s pressing health challenges

VIU professors receive funds to continue research 

This year, 26 outstanding scientists and health professionals will receive Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar and Health Professional-Investigator (HP-I) salary awards, providing the support they need to expand their impact.

VIU Chemistry Professor Dr. Kyle Duncan is receiving funding through the Scholar Program to support his research, which delves into tumour behaviour. Dr. Caroline Variath is funded through the Health Professional-Investigator Program to pursue her research that aims to better support patients and families who are considering the medical assistance in dying program. More information on their projects: 

Profiling tissue metabolism at near-cellular scales with ambient ionization mass spectrometry imaging:

Human bodies use tiny molecules called metabolites to power cells and keep them working properly. Duncan’s research focuses on creating new imaging technology to map where these metabolites are in tissues, instead of just breaking the tissue apart like older methods. This will help researchers better understand how diseases like cancer change metabolism in specific areas of tissue and how that may suppress the immune system or reduce the success of cancer treatments.

Building community capacity to support patients and families considering and receiving medical assistance in dying:

Since medical assistance in dying (MAiD) became legal in Canada in 2016, most efforts have focused on training doctors, but things like family support and fair access to care are often missed. People who face health and social challenges, especially those whose death isn’t near, often can’t get the care they need, according to Variath’s research. She is exploring how to support these people and their families by creating a community-based program that connects them with health and social resources on Vancouver Island.

Learn more