2011 Research Grants

Nine Canadian researchers have been awarded the 2011 brain tumour research grants to further investigate into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of brain tumours. The annual grants-in-aid program received 19 applications in 2011 and the nine Canadian researchers were awarded nearly $220,000.

Congratulations to all nine researchers. Thank you for all of the work that you do to bring hope to everyone on the journey with a brain tumour.

Research Project Award Winners:

Dr. Jean-Claude Bertrand J., Associate Professor of Medicine/Medicinal Chemistryat McGill University in Montreal was awarded $25,000.00 for his project that will examine Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumours. The research will study the ability of "combi-molecules" to penetrate the brain and strike tumours at multiple targets. Read a more detailed summary of this exciting project here.

Dr. Abhijit Guha, Professor and Senior Scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Ontario has received $25,000.00 to extend the understanding of the metabolic alterations in gliomas. You can read a more about this project here.

 
Dr. Pier Jr Morin, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Moncton was awarded $20,050.00 for research that will help to understand the impact of a specific type of protein expression and function as it relates to Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumours. You can read more about this project here.

Dr. Alan Nichol, a Radiation Oncologist with the BC Cancer Agency was awarded $25,000.00 for his research examining different types of imaging and whether they can lead to better tumour resections and improved survival. Read a more detailed summary of this project here.

Dr. Tamra Ogilvie, an Assistant Professor in the Regenerative Medicine Program in the Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba was awarded $25,000.00 for her research that will compare the stem cell properties of the most invasive and non-invasive malignant brain tumour cells. Read a summary of this project here.
 

Dr. Paula de Robles,a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta has received $25,000.00 to further research into Glioblastoma pseudo-progression.  You can read a more detailed summary of this project here.

Dr. James Rutka, Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto and Co-director of the Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has been awarded $24,766.00 to further research that examines novel treatment strategies for pedatric medulloblastoma patients. You can read a more detailed summary of this project here. 

 
Dr. Jaynie Yang, PhD and Professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta has been awarded $24,966.00 to develop enhanced recovery tactics to support children recovering from cerebellar tumours. The research also aims to inform surgeons on the critical regions for motor learning in the cerebellum. Read more about Dr. Yang's project here.

 

Dr. Gelarah Zadeh a Neurosurgeon and Clinician Scientist at the University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital has been awarded $25,0000 to examine the use of molecular and genetic analysis to find the signature that distinguishes invasive from non-invasive meningiomas. Read more about Dr. Zadeh's project here.