Dr. Jonathan AngelDespite great strides in HIV research, over 75,000 Canadians are living with HIV and approximately seven more contract it every day. And this incurable virus continues to take a huge toll around the world.
The Government of Canada recently announced new funding for HIV research, including $17 million for three projects co-led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa.
The first project, co-led by Dr. Jonathan Angel, aims to eliminate HIV-infected cells that can hide from current treatments, hopefully resulting in a true cure. Dr. Eric Cohen at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute is Principal Investigator (PI) on this project, together with Dr. Angel and seven other PIs and 14 Co-Investigators.
The second project, co-led by Dr. Kednapa Thavorn, will examine novel and cost-effective ways to test for HIV, HCV and other sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections (STBBI) testing, especially in marginalized populations. This team grant aims to significantly reduce, and eventually eliminate, the burden and impact of HIV and STBBIs on Canadians. Dr. Sean Rourke from St. Michael’s Hospital is PI on this project, together with Dr. Thavorn and 16 other PIs and 34 Co-Investigators.
Dr. Kednapa Thavorn
The third project, also co-led by Dr. Thavorn, Dr. Rourke and 15 other PIs, aims to enhance a nation-wide interdisciplinary network on reaching the undiagnosed, linkage and retention in care and stigma reduction for people living with HIV, HCV and other STBBIs.
Co-Investigators from The Ottawa Hospital (for all projects) include Drs. William Cameron, Paul MacPherson and Claire Kendall.
Learn more about HIV research at The Ottawa Hospital.
Research at The Ottawa Hospital is possible because of generous donations to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.
University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas
The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca
Media Contact
Jennifer Ganton
Director, Communications and Public Relations
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73325
Cell: 613-614-5253
jganton@ohri.ca
