$1.2 Million Invested in Health Research: 2026-27 Establishment Grant Recipients

Millions of people live with depression or bipolar disorder, and many continue to face persistent symptoms, relapse, and struggles to find treatments that truly help. Increasing evidence suggests that energy production, linked to small but mighty structures called mitochondria, may play a critical role in these mood disorders. Mitochondrial problems are also connected to metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, which commonly occur alongside mood disorders.

My proposed research program aims to better understand how mitochondrial and metabolic changes contribute to depression and bipolar disorder. We will develop a new evaluation tool using blood samples from patients, called the Peripheral Mitochondrial Integrity Index. It combines blood markers to identify patients with dysfunctional mitochondrial-related forms of mood disorders. In addition, we will examine genetic and metabolic indicators of mitochondrial health and test a portable biosensor that could allow rapid assessment of mitochondrial function and guide treatment decisions.

Type 2 diabetes is a health concern in Saskatchewan, affecting 29% of individuals and costing the healthcare system $114 million annually. South Asians are eight times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to individuals of European backgrounds. Despite this higher risk, limited research in Saskatchewan focuses on preventing type 2 diabetes in South Asian adolescents.

The South Asian Adolescent Thrive through Health (SAATH) study aims to address this gap by testing whether culturally tailored group sessions on nutrition, physical activity and mental wellness will build healthy lifestyle patterns that reduce risk for type 2 diabetes among South Asian adolescents. The SAATH study will recruit 120 adolescents aged 13-17 years from Saskatoon and surrounding areas. Participants will complete knowledge questionnaires, dietary recalls, activity monitoring, and health assessments. A photovoice (i.e. sharing experiences through photography) project with 20 participants will explore barriers and support type 2 diabetes prevention. Findings will be used to guide type 2 diabetes prevention efforts across Canada.

Spinal cord injury is a life‑altering condition affecting a person's body, emotions, mental health, and relationships with others. Saskatchewan has a high number of people living with spinal cord injury, and First Nations and Métis people are affected at even higher rates. Despite this, the province does not have a spinal cord injury care pathway, and the experiences of First Nations and Métis Peoples remain largely undocumented. This project aims to develop respectful, long‑term partnerships with communities to better understand their needs and priorities.

Using community‑based participatory action research, and guided by the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada, the Cultural Responsiveness Framework, Wâhkôhtowin, and Ethical Space frameworks, we will hold Sharing Circles co‑led with Elders, patient partners, and First Nations or Métis Scholars. What we learn will help identify barriers and supports related to spinal cord injury care and will guide the development of a culturally grounded provincial spinal cord injury strategy that improves access, equity, and long‑term health outcomes.

Tooth decay (also called cavities or dental caries) is one of the most common health problems worldwide and affects many people in Saskatchewan. Cavities begin when the bacteria in dental plaque shift from a healthy balance to a harmful state that produces acids and damages tooth enamel. However, scientists still know very little about the early changes that trigger this shift.

This study looks at the tiny layer of fluid inside dental plaque, which plays a key role in how bacteria grow, communicate, and react to sugar. In this study, we will grow plaque under normal conditions and under repeated sugar exposure. We will then analyze the plaque fluid using advanced techniques to identify the earliest chemical and microbial changes that lead to tooth decay.

By understanding these early warning signs, this research may help create better ways to detect cavities sooner, improve prevention strategies, and ultimately support healthier smiles across Saskatchewan communities.

Many teens who start mental health or addictions care fall behind at school at the exact time they most need routine, connection, and support. This project will test a practical Saskatchewan solution: a Well-Being Credit Pathway that lets students in Grades 10–12 earn a high school credit while they are engaged in mental health or addictions care. The goal is to help youth stay connected to school, keep moving toward graduation, and stay engaged in care. This study is feasible because it uses a credit option Saskatchewan already has, works with schools and care teams already in place, and will be piloted with about 50 youth in 1–2 school divisions and 1–2 care pathways. The project will produce practical tools (workflows, scripts, templates) and evidence to guide decisions about province-wide expansion.

Blood glucose levels are tightly controlled in the body. After we eat, specialized cells in the pancreas called β cells release insulin, a hormone that lowers blood glucose. In the short term, β cells can work more efficiently and increase their number to meet higher insulin demand. However, prolonged high demand can overwork β cells, reducing insulin production and impairing blood glucose control.

My research investigates how β cells respond to increased insulin demand and how this affects their long-term health. We are particularly interested in whether some β cells become especially active, whether they have unique features, and how their numbers change during disease progression. Using a mouse model with increased β-cell insulin production, we will study the impacts of sustained insulin production stress on β-cell function and survival. Understanding these processes may reveal new ways to protect β cells and improve treatments for type 2 diabetes.