Funded Research
Investing in Local Respiratory Research
One in five Nova Scotians and Islanders has lung disease. Lung Cancer claims more lives than breast, ovarian and prostate combined. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is the number one reason for hospitalization in Canada. And at least 13% of our children live with asthma. Those figures are disturbing enough, never mind the terrible toll chronic lung disease also imposes on families, businesses, and the economy (about $12 billion at last count). Something needs to change. We urgently need to better understand these devastating diseases, improve detection, discover new treatments, encourage protection, and, most importantly, save lives. That's why we're committed to investing in respiratory research, right here at home.
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Dr. Somayeh Kafaie
Dr. Kafaie’s research applies advanced machine learning techniques to enhance the delivery of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer patients. Her project seeks to optimize the radiation dose planning process, helping clinicians reduce treatment delays and avoid unnecessary replanning. By improving the accuracy and efficiency of treatment protocols, this work aims to enhance patient care, reduce stress on healthcare systems, and improve outcomes for those undergoing radiation therapy for lung cancer.
Dr. Carley O'Neill
Dr. O’Neill is leading a feasibility study focused on supporting people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rural Maritime communities. Her project will explore the development of a virtual pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) exercise program aimed at helping individuals maintain physical activity and social connection after completing traditional PR. These post-rehab factors are known to extend health benefits, reduce hospital readmissions, and lessen social isolation. In addition to improving patient outcomes, the program will also serve as a training opportunity for future health professionals.
Dr. Sanja Stanojevic & Dr. Stephanie Connidis
Sanja's research involves better understanding how how breathing tests are done, and whether they can be done effectively in the community, resulting in correct diagnoses. This work can lead to better outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
Dr. Valerie Chappe
Dr. Valerie Chappe's research interests include the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, the role of the neuropeptide VIP in respiratory health and diseases, ion channels and drug screening and epidemiology. Her collaborative and interdisciplinary team contributes to the molecular and cellular understanding of the respiratory system and tests promising strategies to treat respiratory diseases.
Dr. John Frampton
Dr. Frampton's laboratory develops new technologies and approaches for microscale tissue engineering with an emphasis on neural tissues. The laboratory is also actively involved in the development of microtechnologies for user-friendly, cost-effective in vitro assays and analysis systems for cells and biomolecules.
Dr. Geoffrey Maksym & Dr. Paul Hernandez
Dr. Maksym conducts research on airway smooth muscle function and why the airways of asthmatics narrow too easily and too much. He also develops biomedical instrumentation to measure both airway constriction in humans and also to measure cell structure-function under the microscope.
Dr. Zhenyu Cheng
The main theme of Dr. Cheng’s lab is to utilize systems biology approaches to study the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. He is interested in understanding how complex signaling pathways control the flow of cellular information as an integrated system.
Dr. Scott Kehler & Dr. Paul Hernandez
Scott's research involves frailty management to address the complexities of aging. Scott believes that knowing patient frailty levels could have a significant impact in the delivery of prevention and rehabilitation programming, and that understanding frailty could guide healthcare decision-making to tailor or provide more intensive therapy so that those who are in the worst health can benefit.
Dr. Denys Khaperskyy
Dr. Denys A Khaperskyy is affiliated to Department of Microbiology and Immunology,and is currently providing services as Professor. Dr. Denys A Khaperskyy has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed scientific papers and presented works at many national and International conferences.
Dr. Jong Sung Kim
The long-term goal of Dr. Kim’s research is to improve human health by undertaking, translating and teaching innovative human and environmental health sciences research in toxicology and exposure science. His lab has actively worked on a broad spectrum of topics including, but not limited to, nanotoxicology, exposomics, metabolomics, mechanistic toxicology and biomarkers.
Dr. Juan Zhou
Professor Zhou’s research interests include investigating the role of endocannabinoid system in immune regulation in inflammation disorders (e.g., experimental sepsis, interstitial cystitis, central nerve system injury-induced immunosuppression), development of new pharmacological approaches for inflammation, and immunomodulation in transplantation tolerance.
Dr. Daria Manos
Dr. Manos is the Associate Head - Education for the QEII Health Sciences Centre. She is the initiator and primary author of LURADS, a Lung Reporting and Data System, with Dr. Joy Borgoankar as Co-Author. LURADS is an evidence-based expert opinion guideline for reporting of CT screens for lung cancer.