The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has announced the Government of Canada and partners are investing $19.3 million to support nine research teams to study ongoing, new, and emerging threats to lung health.
PI Dr. Chris Carlsten will lead a team focusing on the long-term health effects of wildfire smoke and how exposure to wildfire smoke affects people differently based on age, sex, genetics, exercise habits, and socioeconomic status. Their findings will guide public health advice during wildfire emergencies to help keep people safe.
Project Title: Lungs on Fire: Wildfire Smoke, Incident Diseases, Susceptible Populations, and Community Values in Canada – $1,999,990
“We are thrilled to have support for our work on understanding the long-term effects of wildfire smoke. Unfortunately, these particulate-rich exposures are anticipated to increase and we need knowledge about how our communities will be affected in order to best target interventions to protect them.”
– Dr. Chris Carlsten
PIs Dr. Janice Leung and Dr. Don Sin will lead a team featuring Drs. Jordan Guenette, Jonathon Leipsic, Rachel Eddy, and Ana Hernandez Cordero, researching the impact of vaping in the lungs of Canadian adolescents and adults using breathing, imaging, exercise, and airway sampling techniques. This study will represent one of the most detailed evaluations of e-cigarette users in the world, helping everyone make informed decisions about vaping.
Project Title: The Canadian Lung Outcomes in Users of Vaping Devices (CLOUD) Study – $1,999,635
“Many Canadians are asking questions about what vaping does to their lungs. We are honoured to have the opportunity to help answer these questions so that they can keep their lungs healthy!”
– Dr. Janice Leung
Recruitment for Dr. Leung’s CLOUD study will open in the fall. If interested, please email respiratory.research@hli.ubc.ca or call 604-806-9465. Her ongoing studies include CANUCK, TORCH, and AGE-HIV, all of which continue to search for participants.
Read the Government of Canada’s press release here: https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2024/07/nine-research-teams-to-tackle-new-and-existing-threats-to-lung-health.html
Should e-cigarettes be banned? Regulated? Or even recommended by clinicians? While respirologists can inform us of the potential benefits or detriments to using e-cigarettes over regular tobacco, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to setting the policies around their usage. Drs. Harvard, Winsberg, Duan, and Carlsten argue that current discussion of e-cigarettes and related policies reflects hidden disagreements over three ethical questions:
1) Decision Procedures – What procedure should be followed to make the decision?
2) Relevant Duties or Outcomes – What public health duties or outcomes are relevant to the decision, and what is their relative importance?
3) Standards of Evidence – What evidence is appropriate to include in the decision-making process?
Disagreements in policy debates often arise from ethical differences rather than empirical questions. By addressing ethical questions directly, respirologists can help better inform public deliberations around e-cigarettes.
Read the full paper published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society: https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202402-186IP
HLI students, staff, and Dr. Delbert Dorscheid at ATS 2024
The annual American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference made its return in May, where 14,000 physicians and scientists across disciplines gathered to discuss their experiences, challenges, and research in understanding pulmonary disease, critical illness, and sleep disorders. This year, the ATS International Conference was held in sunny San Diego from May 17-22, with over 20 HLI members in attendance helping to bring home the following awards:
Dr. James Hogg was awarded the Solbert Permutt Trailblazer Award in Pulmonary Physiology and Medicine, given to an established investigator who has performed pioneering research in the area of respiratory structure and function and has guided and inspired others in the field.
Dr. Chris Ryerson was awarded the Assembly on Clinical Problems Annual Mentoring Award, given in recognition of outstanding contributions to mentoring, training, and guidance of junior pulmonary/critical care medicine individuals and/or colleagues in research, or clinical care.
Fatemeh Aminazadeh and Clarus Leung won Assembly on Respiratory Structure and Function Abstract Scholarships, awarded to trainees based on the quality of abstracts submitted as reviewed by the Assembly Program Committees.
Firoozeh Gerayeli finished as Second Runner Up in the Canadian Thoracic Society Research Poster Competition for the James C. Hogg Basic Research Award, which recognizes excellence in respiratory research and showcases the contributions of up and coming Canadian researchers.
Gillian Goobie, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Tillie Hackett’s lab, is no stranger to the ATS International Conference, having attended it 9 years running.
“ATS has always presented a fantastic opportunity for learning and connecting with colleagues and friends from all around the world,” she says.
An attending Respirologist and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Respiratory Medicine at UBC, she finds value in spending time with people from both the interstitial lung disease and environmental health spheres, citing the conference as the perfect place to make new connections, establish collaborations, and catch up with friends.
“It’s also one of the best venues to showcase your research to a wide audience.”
When asked if she would recommend the conference to new trainees, Gillian’s answer was a definitive YES: “I would also strongly advise getting involved in different opportunities provided by ATS including Early Career groups, participating in Assembly Meetings, and applying for apprenticeship positions within your Assembly.”
On the other hand, it was Fatemeh Aminazadeh’s first time attending the conference. A PhD student also in Dr. Hackett’s lab, her research explores the mechanisms that contribute to women’s susceptibility to developing severe early-onset COPD, highlighting systemic changes needed to address the biases against women that exist even prior to diagnosis.
“Presenting my research at ATS through poster discussions gave me helpful feedback on my research and new ideas for improving my project,” she says.
Like Gillian, she finds human connection to be one of the most valuable aspects of the ATS International Conference.
“It helped me connect with professionals in both industry and academia, which has been crucial for my career growth. Attending ATS was an extremely valuable experience that I highly recommend to future trainees.”
And of course, the trip helped everyone who attended create memories that will last a lifetime (or until next year’s iteration in San Francisco!)
On June 27, we celebrated the retirement of long-time staff member Dean English, who had been with us for over 40(!!) amazing years. Dean has held nearly every position imaginable at the centre, ranging from animal caretaker to lab technician before finally settling on imaging extraordinaire.
The HLI family joined Dean for cake, and everyone had a blast recounting his infectious personality and infamous practical jokes. Dean had a particularly fond memory of the time he was asked to be a house sitter for Dr. Hogg, which he found as the perfect destination to host parties alongside Dr. Hogg’s daughter.
Ever the life of the party at HLI and its various names over the years, Dean will surely continue to liven up wherever he goes next.
Wishing you the very best in retirement, Dean!
This past year, HLI celebrated 46 years of excellence in science. In 2023, the inaugural HLI Day was held to recap the past, celebrate the present, and anticipate the future of our centre. As HLI approaches its 50th birthday, we plan on organizing HLI Day every two years.
In 1977, Dr. Jim Hogg, accompanied by Dr. Peter Paré, was recruited from McGill University to UBC to start the Pulmonary Research Laboratory. In his talk, Dr. Paré rolled back the years, telling the audience: “I marveled at [Dr. Hogg]’s courage. I was reluctant to follow him, but then he said ‘Stick with me kid, and you’ll be farting through silk!’” The rest was history; the beginning of 30 years of collaboration and friendship.
At HLI, we pride ourselves in being a centre that bridges the gap between basic science and clinical knowledge, which would not be possible solely through the efforts of our PIs. Lisa Baile, another founding member of the Pulmonary Research Laboratory, compared HLI to the tip of an iceberg: “HLI would not be where it is today without the solid foundation of excellence provided by its support staff,” she said, “it is what’s underneath the iceberg that keeps it afloat and visible.”
That connection from top to bottom at HLI is why many staff consider themselves “lifers” who wish to stay at the centre for as long as possible. Dr. Gurpreet Singhera, registry manager of the Bruce McManus Cardiovascular Biobank with over 23 years of experience at HLI, explains that it is because of our culture of camaraderie: “It’s that family feeling, that sense of belonging, and on top of that, we are contributing to the greater scientific good.”
In addition to our PIs and staff, much of HLI’s work consists of providing opportunities for education and training for our students and trainees. The HLI Trainee Association, established in 2018, has since organized new scholarships, awards, events, and the Mentorship Program to enhance the academic experience for students, giving them opportunities to flourish and connect in ways that were previously unavailable. Students and trainees have now taken the reins on organizing our annual HLI Research Day, with knowledge translation at the forefront of their priorities. In conjunction with the EDI Committee, the Trainee Association has also worked to support students’ mental wellbeing, with plans for an online resource hub and self-governing collective model on the horizon.
Over the next decade, the HLI looks to put the centre in a position to take advantage of the top advances in health innovation to phenotype and treat diseases. Using the evolution of the St Paul’s Hospital building as an example, Dr. Tillie Hackett stressed that adaptability is key to HLI’s future.
“Science is best done when we have an open mind,” she said. “It’s important to listen to others. Don’t be afraid to have your ideas challenged.”
At the turn of the 20th century, colour revolutionized the film industry. The technology had its sceptics and believers, but in the end, those who failed to keep up faded from the spotlight.
Dr. Hogg was a believer, and he still is, in the future of health care.
“Let’s just dream in Technicolor.”
The first launch of the CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI; pronounced “ready”) Early Career Transition Award was designed to facilitate the transition of promising researchers who self-identify as Black or racialized women into independent research faculty positions in Canadian academic, health system and research institutions. The competition sought to address underrepresentation in Canadian faculty, and is directly aligned with the Government of Canada and Tri-agency priorities to address systemic racism, sexism, and discrimination in Canadian institutions.
Today, it was announced that two of HLI’s postdoctoral fellows, Dr. Ana Hernandez Cordero and Dr. Yasir Mohamud, will each be receiving up to $660,000 to support their training to become independent investigators over the next 3-6 years.
Congratulations to Dr. Hernandez Cordero who placed first in the national competition and Dr. Mohamud who ranked sixth, out of 200+ candidates across Canada!
The REDI award provides salary support for the next few years of their postdoctoral training, as well as matching funds that can be leveraged towards their independent research program.
What is your research about?
Ana: The current focus of my research is on epigenetic aging, a marker of biological age, and its relationship with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in People Living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). My findings have shown for the first time that the lungs of people living with HIV and COPD are characterized by age acceleration. More recently, my work has focused on whether other modifiable environmental factors (such as exercise and cannabis smoking) can affect epigenetic aging and change the risk of age-related diseases. As an independent researcher, the REDI award will allow me to continue pursuing my interests in investigating the epigenetic and molecular regulation of aging and the impact of aging in the development and progression of complex chronic diseases. I will apply a computational approach to multiple Canadian cohorts to advance the current knowledge on aging in a way that reflects the diversity of the Canadian population.
Yasir: As an early career investigator, my research is focused on establishing a translational virology program that leverages my unique expertise in molecular virology and cell biology to explore novel and effective therapeutic strategies against RNA viruses which are broadly responsible for the world’s greatest pandemics. My current research interest is to better understand how cardiotropic viruses, such as coxsackievirus B3, cause heart failure in at-risk individuals. Additionally, my research will explore the interactions between everyday viral infections and chronic illnesses of the ageing population, with relevance to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, eventually expanding to include other emerging viral pathogens, such as coronaviruses.
How will this award help you transition to an independent academic career after your postdoctoral training?
Ana: In the short term my goal is to continue building a strong foundation and track record in the aging field so that I can establish an independent laboratory after my postdoctoral training. The support of the REDI award will be central to continuing my training at the UBC Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, a world-renowned research institution. In the next few years, I expect to grow my professional network, establish myself as a field expert by advancing the field of aging in the context of health and human disease, and start securing funding for my independent research lab.
Yasir: With the support of the CIHR REDI Award, I see myself transitioning to an early career academic position within the next 2-3 years. The REDI Award will provide me with the necessary mentorship support, networking and leadership opportunities, and initial start-up funds to help establish my independent laboratory in Canada. I am eager to embark on this next phase of my academic career, transitioning to independence and making significant contributions to both health research and education in Canada.
How do you see this new CIHR initiative addressing underrepresentation in Canadian faculty?
Ana: As a racialized woman in biomedical sciences, I recognize the current underrepresentation of racialized groups in research and academia, and its negative impact on public health. Through the support of the CIHR REDI award, racialized young researchers, such as myself, have a unique opportunity to help close this gap to fully reflect the interests of Canadians. In my view, initiatives that promote the recruitment of underrepresented faculty through tangible actions (mentorship, networking, and matching funds), such as the CIHR REDI award and our own UBC Black Faculty Cohort Hiring Initiative, are contributing to increased representation of Black faculty, and other racialized groups across Canadian universities. Recognizing the importance of different voices, perspectives, and backgrounds and the rich experiences and contributions that diverse people can offer, I am dedicated to studying the under-researched aspects of tobacco smoking: sex and gender, racialized groups, such as Indigenous, as well as LGBTQ+ communities. As I build my laboratory, I aim to implement practices to promote EDI and to create a safe, inclusive, and creative environment. I will encourage the free flow of ideas in a constructive and respectful manner, and promote continuing EDI education within my research team in order to overcome individuals’ unconscious biases, amongst other approaches.
Yasir: In recent years, I have seen a visible effort and commitment to addressing systemic inequities at Canadian institutions through thoughtful and strategic initiatives. Among these, the CIHR REDI program promises to have a strong and meaningful impact in addressing inequity by providing support to those most underrepresented in our academic communities. As an underrepresented individual, I have faced unique challenges and obstacles in my academic journey but I am grateful to say that the research environments where I have worked have been inclusive towards all and provided support to diverse trainees. I’m proud to see UBC and the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation working together with initiatives, such as the CIHR REDI program, to recruit and retain underrepresented researchers like myself. Building on the success of this program, I believe we have the tools and support to build a diverse and thriving research environment not only for students and trainees but also early career researchers and young investigators seeking to establish independent research programs. Although we face many challenges as early career researchers (for example, access to funding and research space), I believe our commitment to EDI initiatives will bring together a diverse group of thinkers and leaders that can share unique perspectives in addressing the obstacles ahead. For this reason, I hope to build an inclusive research team that values and promotes diversity in my future independent lab.
Congratulations to Drs. Janice Leung and Zachary Laksman on their successful CIHR Project Grants!
Project Title: Accelerated Lung Aging in People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Project Title: Personalized drug safety and targeted drug therapies for individuals with truncating titin variants
In the ever-evolving landscape of cancer research, oncolytic virotherapy – using viruses to specifically target and kill cancer cells – could be a breakthrough therapeutic strategy for certain cancers.
HLI Principal Investigator and UBC Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Honglin Luo, and her research team have combined the anti-cancer properties of CVB3, a tumour-killing virus, with melittin, a molecule in bee venom known to damage cancerous cells, as well as an immune activator to create a potent combination therapy for breast cancer and melanoma. CVB3 was first modified to increase its safety profile, making it less likely to destroy non-tumour cells.
“We showed that the combination therapy led to a significant anti-tumour synergy, as evidenced by a substantial inhibition of tumour growth and improved survival rates compared with individual treatment in both breast cancer and melanoma mouse models. This exciting breakthrough holds promise for advancing more effective cancer therapies, emphasizing our shared dedication to overcoming this complex challenge” – Amirhossein Bahreyni, Graduate Student in Dr. Luo’s lab
In addition to directly killing tumour cells, the combination therapy can also promote anti-tumour immunity; that is, the treatment can enhance the host’s immune system in its ability to clear cancer cells, further amplifying anti-cancer effects. In this study, the team showed that this enhanced anti-tumour immunity was able to suppress the growth of a distant tumour.
“Our study shows a new, promising combination therapy that is safe and effective. Our next step is to develop an effective delivery system to integrate all therapeutic agents, evading host immune surveillance and optimizing specific tumour targeting. This marks a crucial step toward translating this promising approach into a practical and transformative cancer treatment” – Dr. Luo
Read the full paper published in BMC Medicine: https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-023-02901-y