Our Funded Research Projects

Updated February 2025

Title Principal Investigator / Supervisor Program Project Start Date Project End Date Total $ Awarded
Modulation of biofilm formation, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance by Staphylococcus aureus during platelet storage Principal Investigator: RAMIREZ-ARCOS, Sandra

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: SAD, Subash, MAH, Thien-Fah 		Intramural Research Grant Program $323,253
Controlling coagulopathy and bleeding in a mouse model of hemorrhagic shock Principal Investigator: SHEFFIELD, William

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: NAZY, Ishac 		Intramural Research Grant Program $274,854
Facilitating RBC-mediated Nitric Oxide Release and Boosting Antioxidant Capacity during Ex Vivo Heart Perfusions as a Strategy to Improve Oxygen Delivery Principal Investigator: ACKER, Jason

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: FREED, Darren 		Intramural Research Grant Program $377,997
Influence of eryptosis and storage on transfused red cell recovery in sepsis Principal Investigator: SHEFFIELD, William

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: BRANCH, Donald, LIAW, Patricia, HEDDLE, Nancy, QADRI, Syed 		Intramural Research Grant Program $283,569
New cryosolution for stem cell-based therapeutics Principal Investigator: PINEAULT, Nicolas

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: BEN, Robert, HARPER, Marie-Ellen, CHAKRABORTY, Nilay 		Intramural Research Grant Program $180,000
Residual risk of transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus infection: incidence and pathogenesis Principal Investigator: PREIKSAITIS, Jutta

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: O'BRIEN, Sheila F., FEARON, Margaret, NAHIRNIAK, Susan 		Intramural Research Grant Program $260,451
Biomarkers in patients with anemia-induced thrombocytopenic bleeding (BAIT): A pilot study Principal Investigator: ARNOLD, Donald

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: WEBERT, Kathryn, LIAW, Patricia, BERG, Tobias, HEDDLE, Nancy 		Intramural Research Grant Program $200,000
Improving platelet storage and blood transfusion: unveiling the role of apolipoprotein A-IV Principal Investigator: NI, Heyu

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: LAZARUS, Alan, BRANCH, Donald 		Intramural Research Grant Program $400,000
Monovalent Fc receptor blockade using novel fusion proteins: The road towards an IVIg replacement Principal Investigator: LAZARUS, Alan

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: SHEFFIELD, William, BRANCH, Donald 		Intramural Research Grant Program $400,000
Enabling next generation hematopoietic-based therapeutics and manufacturing Principal Investigator: PINEAULT, Nicolas

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: MCCOMB, Scott, JEZIERSKI, Anna, MAGALHAES, Ana, IQBAL, Umer 		Intramural Research Grant Program $300,000
Antibodies to CD44 as a potential replacement for IVIg in ITP Principal Investigator: LAZARUS, Alan

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: SEMPLE, John W., SHEFFIELD, William 		Intramural Research Grant Program $300,000
Fc receptor blockade in transfusion medicine Principal Investigator: LAZARUS, Alan

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: NI, Heyu, GUPTA, Akash, SHEHATA, Nadine, KJELDSEN-KRAGH, Jens, NEWMAN, Peter J., CSERTI-GAZDEWICH, Christine, RAVETCH, Jeffery 		Intramural Research Grant Program $400,000
Blocking human Fcγ receptor 1 in transfusion medicine Principal Investigator: LAZARUS, Alan

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: NI, Heyu 		Intramural Research Grant Program $400,000
Evaluating the role of donor characteristics and blood component manufacturing on the quality of red cell concentrates Principal Investigator: ACKER, Jason

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: BRANCH, Donald, CLARKE, Gwen, NAHIRNIAK, Susan 		Intramural Research Grant Program $398,383
Assessing the impact of donor manufacturing characteristics on survival of transfused red blood cells Principal Investigator: TINMOUTH, Alan

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: ACKER, Jason, FERGUSSON, Dean, CHASSÉ, Michaël 		Intramural Research Grant Program $90,935
Elucidation of the mechanism of IVIG-associated hemolysis Principal Investigator: BRANCH, Donald

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: PENDERGRAST, Jacob , CSERTI-GAZDEWICH, Christine , SHEHATA, Nadine , PAVENSKI, Katerina , LAU, Wendy , CALLUM, Jeannie , LIN, Yulia , LIEBERMAN, Lani , HANNACH, Barbara 		Intramural Research Grant Program $393,712
Small molecule inhibitors of phagocytosis Principal Investigator: BRANCH, Donald

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: KOTRA, Lakshmi P. 		Intramural Research Grant Program $399,130
Increased cell product potency through improved storage solution  Principal Investigator: PINEAULT, Nicolas

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: BEN, Robert 		Intramural Research Grant Program $261,812
TAD-POL (Transfusion-Associated-Dyspnea: Prospective observation and laboratory assessment) Principal Investigator: CSERTI-GAZDEWICH, Christine

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: BRANCH, Donald, LAZARUS, Alan, CALLUM, Jeannie, LIN, Yulia, PENDERGRAST, Jacob, LIEBERMAN, Lani, SHEHATA, Nadine, PAVENSKI, Katerina, SKEATE, Robert 		Intramural Research Grant Program $278,027
Translating novel clotting factor X function to treat thrombosis Principal Investigator: PRYZDIAL, Ed

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: MACVICAR, Brian, SHEFFIELD, William 		Intramural Research Grant Program $369,052
Defining the components of transfusable plasma that reduce bleeding Principal Investigator: SHEFFIELD, William

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: PRYZDIAL, Edward, NI, Heyu 		Intramural Research Grant Program $218,230
Development of a small molecule cocktail for the expansion of cord blood stem cells Principal Investigator: PINEAULT, Nicolas

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: BLAKE, John, AUDET, Julie 		Intramural Research Grant Program $237,600
Development of porcine equivalent RCC and plasma units for translatable ex vivo organ perfusion research Principal Investigator: ACKER, Jason

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: FREED, Darren 		Intramural Research Grant Program $121,834
Monoclonal antibodies with anti-D-like activity in the amelioration of murine immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) Principal Investigator: LAZARUS, Alan

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: SEMPLE, John W., NI, Heyu 		Intramural Research Grant Program $400,000
Plasma transfusion or plasma protein product infusion in a murine model of trauma Principal Investigator: SHEFFIELD, William

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: PRYZDIAL, Edward 		Intramural Research Grant Program $257,415
Canadian cord blood banking: Legal and policy responses Principal Investigator: CAULFIELD, Timothy

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: MURDOCH, Blake, MARCON, Alessandro 		James Kreppner Award Program $50,000
COVID-19 vaccination refusal and access to transplantation: an ethical conundrum. A legal analysis and a qualitative study with key stakeholders Principal Investigator: FORTIN, Marie-Chantal

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: CHANDLER, Jennifer, GILL, Justin, GOLDBERG, Aviva, GRUBEN, Vanessa 		James Kreppner Award Program $49,952
Determining potential policy solutions for normothermic regional perfusion in organ donation in Canada through analysis and resolution of two key ethical challenges Principal Investigator: WEIJER, Charles

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: BADENOCH, Heather, BASMAJI, John, BRAHMANIA, Mayur, CHANDLER, Jennifer, HEALEY, Andrew, LINGARD, Lorelei, MURPHY, Nicholas, OTT, Mary, SHEMIE, Sam, SKARO, Anton, SLESSAREV, Marat 		James Kreppner Award Program $50,000
The role of stakeholder trust in OTDT policy change: public and professional attitudes to ante-mortem interventions in organ donation Principal Investigator: CHANDLER, Jennifer

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: McKAY, Lindsey 		James Kreppner Award Program $50,000
Of skin, sperm, and blood: A comparative analysis of exemptions in Canadian human tissue legislation Principal Investigator: CATTAPAN, Alana

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: VON TIGERSTROM, Barbara, NELSON, Eric, DAWSON, Rosanne 		James Kreppner Award Program $43,275
Legal and policy strategies to optimize organ donation in Alberta Principal Investigator: TOEWS, Maeghan

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: 		James Kreppner Fellowship Program $150,000
Organ donation in Canada: Engaging with stakeholders and proposing solutions to current legal and ethical challenges Principal Investigator: GRUBEN, Vanessa

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: 		James Kreppner Fellowship Program $150,000
Prospective observational study of organ deceased donor management in 3 ICUs - a pilot study (the DONATE pilot study) Principal Investigator: MEADE, Maureen

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: D'ARAGON, Frederick, RIBIC, Christine, SHARPE, Michael, BALL, Ian, WILLIAMSON, David, DHANANI, Sonny, HANNA, Steven 		Kenneth J. Fyke Award Program $89,555
Developing a Canadian policy on the responsible use of umbilical cord blood for proven indications in regenerative therapy Principal Investigator: ALLAN, David

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: HUTTON, Brian, CAULFIELD, Timothy 		Kenneth J. Fyke Award Program $100,000
Canadians’ attitudes and opinions regarding cardiac donation after cardiocirculatory death: A mixed-methods study Principal Investigator: BALL, Ian

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: WEISS, Matt, D'ARAGON, Fred, PARSONS LEIGH, Jenna, HONARMAND, Kimia, BASMAJI, John, SIBBALD, Robert 		Kenneth J. Fyke Award Program $95,929
The pan-Canadian immunoglobulin database: Enabling utilization reporting and personalized treatment using data mining techniques for immunoglobulin Principal Investigator: LI, Na

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: DOWN, Douglas, CHIANG, Fei, LEE, Joon, HEDDLE, Nancy, ARNOLD, Donald, CALLUM, Jeannie, SIDHU, Davinder, BARTY, Rebecca 		Kenneth J. Fyke Award Program $100,000
Evaluating transfusion medicine patterns of practice across GEMINI sites Principal Investigator: CALLUM, Jeannie

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: ARNOLD, Donald, VERMA, Amol, SRIVASTAVA, Siddhartha, CHENG, Calvino, ESMAIL, Tariq, DESVEAUX, Laura, TYRYSHKIN, Kathrin, KARKOUTI, Keyvan, LADHA, Karim, LI, Na, PAVENSKI, Katerina, PENDERGRAST, Jacob, PRESSEAU, Justin, SCHNEIDER, Henry, SHEHATA, Nadine, SHIH, Andrew, THIRUMURTHY, Harsha, BREHAUT, Jamie, RAZAK, Fahad, MCLCEARY, Nicola, ZUCKERMAN, Jesse 		Kenneth J. Fyke Award Program $98,822
Awareness and understanding of apheresis plasma donation and effectiveness of alternative donor screening questions for diverse gbMSM and trans populations Principal Investigator: GAHAGAN, Jacqueline

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: HAW, Jennie, LACHOWSKY, Nathan, DRYDEN, OmiSoore, MANNING, Eli, FOSTER, Terrie, O'BRIEN, Sheila, HACHETTE, Todd, MULLOWNEY, Mike 		MSM Plasma Program $200,500
Assessing the acceptability and feasibility of a plasma donation program for gbMSM in Montréal from the point of view of cis and trans gbMSM, volunteers from Héma-Québec, current donors, and plasma product recipients Principal Investigator: OTIS, Joanne

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: GERMAIN, Marc, HAW, Jennie, MONTEITH, Kenneth, MYHAL, Geneviève, PRESSEAU, Justin, PIRNAT, Bojan, LAPIERRE, Don 		MSM Plasma Program $390,970
The Calgary Plasma Study: feasibility of implementing source plasma donation with alternative screening eligibility criteria for men who have sex with men Principal Investigator: PRESSEAU, Justin

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: GOLDMAN, Mindy, O'BRIEN, Sheila, MACPHERSON, Paul, OTIS, Joanne, FOSTER, Terrie, VESNAVER, Elisabeth, GERMAIN, Marc, ROSSER, Andrew, LAPIERRE, Don, HILL, Nolan 		MSM Plasma Program $399,875
Assessing acceptability, understanding and effectiveness of alternative screening questions for current donors Principal Investigator: FISHER, William
HAW, Jennie

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: HAW, Jennie, GOLDMAN, Mindy, FOSTER, Terrie, O'BRIEN, Sheila, HOFKIRCHNER, Alexander 		MSM Plasma Program $129,400
Mathematical modeling - comparing HIV risk between MSM donation strategies Principal Investigator: O'BRIEN, Sheila

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: GRÉGOIRE, Yves, SEED, Clive, CUSTER, Brian, STEELE, Whitney, DAVISON, Katy, PILLONEL, Josiane 		MSM Research Grant Program $18,000
Évaluation de l’acceptabilité et de la faisabilité d’un programme de dons de plasma destiné au fractionnement, pour les hommes ayant des relations sexuelles avec d’autres hommes de la communauté gaie montréalaise Principal Investigator: OTIS, Joanne

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: GERMAIN, Marc, GODIN, Gaston, PRONOVOST, Frédérick, MONTEITH, Kenneth, MYHAL, Geneviève, GIRARD, Gabriel, MORIN, Michel 		MSM Research Grant Program $229,507
Assessing unintentional creation of bias against MSM as a function of exposure to blood donor screening questionnaire and assessing sexual behaviour risk factors of those successfully passing blood donor screening Principal Investigator: FISHER, William

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: 		MSM Research Grant Program $56,000
Feasibility of implementing source plasma donation with alternative eligibility criteria for men who have sex with men Principal Investigator: PRESSEAU, Justin

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: GOLDMAN, Mindy, O'BRIEN, Sheila, MACPHERSON, Paul, OTIS, Joanne, GERMAIN, Marc, DEVINE, Dana, ROSSER, Andrew, LAPIERRE, Don 		MSM Research Grant Program $309,940
Attitudes, behaviours, and acceptability related to current and future blood donation policy: A qualitative study of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal Principal Investigator: GRACE, Daniel

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: HART, Trevor, LAMBERT, Gilles, COX, Joseph , ADAM, Barry , BRENNAN, David , LACHOWSKY, Nathan, MOORE, David 		MSM Research Grant Program $60,000
Mathematical Modelling – Comparing HIV Risk Between MSM Donation Strategies Principal Investigator: O'BRIEN, Sheila

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: GERMAIN, Marc, GRÉGOIRE, Yves, SEED, Clive, CUSTER, Brian, STEELE, Whitney, DAVISON, Katy, PILLONEL, Josiane 		MSM Research Grant Program $24,000
Assessing alternative Canadian Blood Services blood donor deferral screening policies for men who have sex with men Principal Investigator: BRENNAN, David

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: ADAM, Barry, HART, Trevor, LACHOWSKY, Nathan, GRACE, Daniel 		MSM Research Grant Program $60,000
Understanding general population impact and opportunities from changes to blood donation deferral screening and criteria for men who have sex with men Principal Investigator: LACHOWSKY, Nathan

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: BRENNAN, David, CARD, Kiffer, DRYDEN, OmiSoore, GASPAR, Mark, GILBERT, Mark, GRACE, Daniel, KNIGHT, Rodney, LEBOUCHÉ, Bertrand, MORGAN, Jeffrey, SALWAY, Travis 		MSM Research Grant Program $310,000
A longitudinal analysis of behavioural and biological risk among men who have sex with men in metro Vancouver Principal Investigator: LACHOWSKY, Nathan

Co-Investigator(s) / Trainee: HOGG, Robert, MOORE, David, ROTH, Eric, ARMSTRONG, Heather 		MSM Research Grant Program $50,000