Women and Children's Health Research Institute

Congratulations to all the poster and oral awards winners at #wchriRD2024! Your dedication to improving the lives of women and children’s health is inspiring. 🎉👏 https://wchrird.ca #wchriRD2024

We’re thrilled that the Government of Alberta officially declared March Women’s Health Research Month! The Alberta Women's Health Foundation’s inaugural Luminaries Luncheon on March 7 raised over $500K to support groundbreaking research by WCHRI members. At the luncheon, AWHF launched its new report, Shining the Light: The Choices, Challenges and Considerations around Contraceptives, highlighting the need for equitable access to contraception. https://lnkd.in/gYwQjbei #WomensHealthResearchMonth

Meet Lia Daniels, a U of A educational psychologist who brings innovative approaches to classroom assessments. By applying principles of motivation and emotion, her research explores how tests, essays, and other evaluations can be redesigned to reduce stress and foster a more supportive learning environment. https://lnkd.in/gUbSV7fh

Last week, our inaugural Luminaries Luncheon, proudly presented by The Scotiabank Women Initiative, brought together nearly 400 passionate individuals at the JW Marriott in Edmonton to celebrate and support women’s health research, raising OVER $500,000 for the cause. ✨ A highlight of the event was the announcement of an official declaration of March as #WomensHealthResearchMonth by Alberta’s provincial government, just in time for International Women’s Day. This declaration highlights the importance of ongoing research in improving the lives of women across our province. 🔬 A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors for their support and to everyone who attended and helped make this inaugural event a monumental success. Together, we are not just making a difference—we are shaping the future of women’s health, ensuring groundbreaking research continues to transform lives for generations to come. 🤍 🔗 Read more about this in our blog post: https://lnkd.in/gksWQBU5 Alberta Blue Cross Accenture UROSPOT Hologic, Inc. Ascend FS Lois Hole Hospital for Women - Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation Women and Children's Health Research Institute Women's Health Collective Canada / Association canadienne pour l’équité en santé des femmes

Meet Jenna Wowdzia, WCHRI research coordinator, specializing in maternal health and exercise science. Currently, Jenna is coordinating the SPPIN Study on maternal health, gut microbiome & child neurodevelopment. She’s also researching how physical activity may ease menopause symptoms. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ggbsbrGX

WCHRI members Carla Prado, Catherine Field and Andrea Haqq found that restoring the gut microbiome may help reduce diabetes and heart disease risks. Read more:  https://lnkd.in/gkmsjnk9

Too many women’s health issues have been pushed into the shadows for far too long. It’s time to bring them into the light. Our new report, financially supported by Organon Canada and Women and Children's Health Research Institute, addresses the challenges surrounding contraception. In this report, we shine the light on the barriers women face—misinformation, stigma, and limited healthcare options. With over 2,000 voices, we’re calling for more awareness, research, and respect for women’s health choices. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Organon Canada for supporting this thought leadership report. Your investment means so much. Thank you, Organon Canada! 🤍 🔗 Read the full report and help us shine a light on women’s health: https://lnkd.in/g73qAhud

A new imaging test developed at #UAlberta could revolutionize lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. Afsaneh Lavasanifar and Frank Wuest, WCHRI members, have created a method that uses an antibody and radioactive isotope to track tumors more precisely and monitor treatment effectiveness. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gkXGGWkh

Toshifumi Yokota, WCHRI member, and his team have developed a molecule that bypasses genetic mutations to restore a crucial muscle-repairing protein. This could be life-changing for those with muscular dystrophy. Read more about the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation-funded research:  https://lnkd.in/gcYr_Rqh

Indigenous grandmothers are sharing traditional teachings with new moms, thanks to an initiative led by Stephanie Montesanti, WCHRI member. The project bridges generations, blending wisdom with modern maternal health for stronger, healthier communities. Listen to the interview on CBC/Radio-Canada: https://lnkd.in/gRSi4gTU