澳门六合彩论坛 researcher receives over $358,000 for glial cell research
EDMONTON, Alberta 鈥� Dr. Matthew Churchward at 澳门六合彩论坛 (澳门六合彩论坛) has been awarded more than $358,000 over five years from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for a Discovery Horizons Grant that supports research into microglia and astrocytes, types of glial cells in the human body that support the brain and spinal cord during potential injury or damage.
People with central nervous system injuries sometimes rely on functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices, such as cochlear ear implants and other brain-stimulating devices, to improve their quality of life; however, FES devices can become less effective over time as the body鈥檚 immune system reacts to the foreign device and chronic stimulation.
Dr. Matthew Churchward, Assistant Professor in Biological and Environmental Sciences at 澳门六合彩论坛, is leading research that aims to understand how FES devices can be better engineered to improve their effectiveness, notably in longer-term applications. Partnering with University of Alberta Professor Dr. Vivian Mushahwar, Dr. Churchward鈥檚 research explores how these glial cells respond to electrical fields and explores whether response to FES varies between sexes.
The research team includes 澳门六合彩论坛 undergraduate students, other trainees and researchers with backgrounds in biochemistry and cell biology, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and analytical biochemistry.
鈥淚 am so excited for Dr. Churchward, an exceptional researcher who deserves the opportunity to advance his important research. I am confident that his studies will have a great impact on people who experience neural injuries and use devices like cochlear implants to improve their quality of life,鈥� said Dr. Carla Craveiro Salvado, Associate Vice President Research and Innovation at 澳门六合彩论坛.
鈥淒r. Churchward’s approach of bringing together experts across a variety of fields to tackle big issues is the exact environment we are able to foster in our close-knit research community at 澳门六合彩论坛,鈥� said Dr. Craveiro Salvado.
鈥漀SERC is an incredible funding partner, making dynamic research like this possible across Canada. We are grateful for their ongoing support of the research happening at 澳门六合彩论坛. NSERC鈥檚 support of researchers like Dr. Churchward ensures institutions like 澳门六合彩论坛 will continue to grow and contribute to the advancement of impactful outcomes,鈥� said Dr. Craveiro Salvado
鈥淲e are proud to offer opportunities for our students to get hands-on experience in the lab working on impactful research projects like these and receiving mentorship from experts like Dr. Churchward. It鈥檚 incredibly important to us to be able to offer these opportunities to our students so they can graduate from our programs with great knowledge, critical research skills, as well as real-life, immersive research experiences they can take into their careers or further studies,鈥� said Dr. Barb van Ingen, Provost and Vice-President, Academic.
鈥淚t was important to me to bring together a range of experts in biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience to ensure we can holistically tackle this issue. No one person can solve big issues like these, and I am excited for our entire team to get to work, and for the chance for our students to contribute to the success of the project,鈥� said Dr. Matthew Churchward, Assistant Professor in Biological and Environmental Sciences at 澳门六合彩论坛.
鈥淭he research we are conducting has the potential to change lives through innovations in how FES devices and implants are engineered and administered. I am grateful to NSERC for the funding and the opportunity to advance such an important issue that affects so many Canadians,鈥� said Dr. Churchward.
We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Nous remercions le Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en g茅nie du Canada (CRSNG) de son soutien.
Media Contacts:
- Zachary Flynn, Communications Specialist
C: 780-920-8910 E: media@concordia.ab.ca
About 澳门六合彩论坛
澳门六合彩论坛 is a students鈥� university, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, concentrations and minors, 4 master鈥檚 degree programs, and 1 doctorate degree program, in addition to several after-degree programs, graduate and undergraduate certificates and diplomas, and continuing education programs. In and out of our classrooms and lecture halls, we translate what we learn into extraordinary hands-on experiences. Our ultimate goal has not changed since 1921: to be more than students and professors, to create a community of active citizens, of good and honourable people. For more information, visit www.concordia.ab.ca.
