Funding enables researchers to tackle coronavirus issues
Academic and health-care institutions share $143,000 in grants for 21 projects
Local researchers have received $143,000 in grants to address public health challenges caused by COVID-19.
The funding comes from the We-spark Health Institute and the Office of Research and Innovation at the University of Windsor.
We-spark is a collaboration among the University of Windsor, Hotel-dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College and Windsor Regional Hospital.
“The seed funding provided through this important initiative enables researchers, clinicians, health-care professionals and community members to collaborate in the fight against COVID -19 in our region by accelerating the innovation and implementation of crucial medical and social solutions to this global challenge,” said Michael Siu, University of Windsor’s vice-president of Research and Innovation.
More than 100 people are working on 21 projects. Each of the Wespark partner organizations are involved in multiple grants along
with 16 academic, community and industrial partners.
“The world is facing unprecedented challenges,” said David Musyj, CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital. “These grants will allow some of the most talented and passionate experts in our region to help us minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our patients, team members and the community. Working together we will meet the challenge of this unprecedented situation. Together we stay strong.”
The 21 projects will involve thousands of participants. Research avenues include designing personal protective equipment, optimizing rapid detection of COVID-19 and examining the pandemic’s psychological and physical effect.
“All health-care employees are facing unique challenges due to the COVID -19 outbreak, and these challenges will undoubtedly impact their well-being over time,” said Janice Kaffer, president and
CEO of Hotel-dieu Grace Healthcare. “These WE-SPARK grants will allow us to engage with healthcare providers across Windsor-essex to determine how we can best support, promote and restore their emotional well-being during, and after, the pandemic.
“This work is a great example of how the WE-SPARK Health Institute’s ongoing support of local researchers and health-care providers will fundamentally improve health care in our area.”