In April, three UWinnipeg researchers were honoured with Manitoba Medical Service Foundation (MMSF) research operating grants at a reception at Manitoba Blue Cross headquarters. MMSF awards these grants to Manitoba-based researchers and educators to help improve health care in the province. The UWinnipeg awardees were Dr. Qian Liu, Dr. Marcella Cassiano, and Dr. Chi-Chun Lin.
Dr. Qian Liu, of Applied Computer Science, was awarded for her research on extracellular vesicle-based risk model for neurodegeneration with AI-enhanced radiogenomics. Her research could help with neurodegenerative diseases by analyzing brain scans and genetic information to get a more fulsome understanding of the disease. This analysis produces a large amount of data to interpret, and that’s where AI-enhanced radiogenomics comes in.
“By using these advanced techniques, we hope to predict how these diseases will progress, find new treatments, and even tailor treatments to fit a person’s unique genetic makeup,” said Dr. Liu. “This could change the game in fighting neurodegenerative diseases. It could lead to earlier diagnosis, better treatments, and more understanding of how these conditions work, making a big difference for people and their families.”
Dr. Marcella Cassiano, of the Department of Criminal Justice, received the Kerry Bittner Communications Award for her research on employee wellness among public safety communicators in Manitoba, also known as Manitoba CARES. Public safety communicators, such as 911 operators, dispatchers, and tactical support communicators, are the first point of contact in emergencies. They need to stay calm while gathering crucial information while people are in distress. It’s a demanding job that requires a high level of skill and resilience.
Dr. Cassiano’s study will survey 300 public safety communicators across Manitoba to evaluate their stress, health and wellness outcomes, and coping strategies to help improve working conditions, well-being, and improve training.
“Through this research, we aim to support communicators’ health and wellness,” said Dr. Cassiano. “Our findings will help inform wellness programs and advocate for recognizing public safety communicators as first responders.”
Dr. Chi-Chun Lin, of the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy Program, was recognized for his research on improving utilization of mental health services for senior immigrants in Winnipeg. Members of that community often face barriers such as language or being unfamiliar with Canadian social systems, which can lead to poor mental health outcomes. These can be made worse by racism, ageism, and other stress.
Dr. Lin’s study will include focus groups for senior immigrants from the Philippines, India, and Mainland China to explore their experiences.
“Relevant studies about mental health services for senior immigrants in Winnipeg are lacking,” said Dr. Lin. “Our findings will increase the cultural competence of mental health professionals in Canada. They’ll also help mental health services in developing culturally tailored interventions and services for senior immigrant clients.”
“We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our researchers, whose bold and imaginative work is improving lives. We thank the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation for their vital support in advancing discoveries that truly matter,” said Dr. Jitendra Paliwal, Vice-President, Research and Innovation.
