Federal prisons deprive people of health education, which has adverse health impacts, including truncating opportunities for critical health literacy, agency, social inclusion and holistic health. The majority of people in prison have less than a grade ten education, and opportunities for learning are minimal. Despite evidence that education can support health literacy by increasing self-efficacy and socio-economic opportunities, there is a persistent gap between study findings and testing real-world benefits of formal education in prison. This Participatory Action Research will focus on developing and testing transformative social justice curriculum in two BC prisons, guided by the wisdom of currently and formerly incarcerated people. Anticipated outcomes are increased health literacy, positive identity formation, and improve holistic health. Knowledge mobilization focus on expanding and sustaining curriculum, working towards course accreditation, and work towards national policy change to improve health and education outcomes in prisons.
Research Location: University of British Columbia - Vancouver Campus
Unraveling the immunotherapy obesity paradox in triple-negative breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is particularly difficult to treat due to a lack of typical treatment targets. Obesity is linked to higher incidence of TNBC and worse cancer progression; as obesity rates rise, it is important to consider the effects of obesity on TNBC.
Cancer cells evade the immune system by deactivating immune cells. Anti-PD-1 drugs restore immune response against tumours, but most patients do not experience a benefit. Paradoxically, recent research suggests that obesity enhances anti-PD-1 therapy.
We will investigate the effects of obesity on lipid utilization in TNBC tumour and immune cells and anti-PD-1 effectiveness. We hypothesize that obesity will enhance anti-PD-1 and studying changes in lipid usage in tumour and immune cells will reveal mechanisms responsible for increased anti-PD-1 effectiveness. Mice will be fed a regular or high-fat diet and implanted with TNBC cells into mammary fat tissue. We will compare lipid profiles in the tumour and immune cells of lean versus obese mice and evaluate anti-PD-1 efficacy. By studying how obesity alters lipid metabolism in TNBC, we will uncover mechanisms responsible for modulating anti-PD-1 effectiveness.
Targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors to Improve Neurovascular Coupling in Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that affects many Canadians. It causes problems with memory and thinking due to the insufficient blood supply to the brain. The cause of this poor blood supply is unclear. Therefore, we will study how this occurs in brain cells, by testing the ability of an interesting molecule present in the brain, known as metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), to reduce blood supply to the brain by attaching to another toxic molecule called tau, which is commonly found in Alzheimer’s brain. We will isolate brain cells from male and female mice and use them to study how tau binds to mGluR5 and affects its function. We will also use mice sick with Alzheimer’s disease to study how this attachment between mGluR5 and tau causes the reduction in blood supply to the brain. We will then test if drugs acting on mGluR5 can correct the poor blood supply. This research will show if drugs acting on mGluR5 could be a promising treatment option for management of Alzheimer’s disease and how this varies between sexes. Findings will be shared via presentations at national and international conferences, with outreach for press releases and social media platforms.
ACTIVE: Adding Life to Years in Cognitive Frailty by Preventing Falls and Promoting Cognitive Function
With age, some individuals experience physical frailty and difficulties in their thinking abilities (i.e., cognitive frailty). This increases the risk of falls and dementia, both of which negatively impact one’s ability to function and quality of life. Falls are a major reason why older adults suddenly go from independent living to long-term care. Thus, it is important to find ways to reduce falls and promote cognitive health in cognitively frail older adults.
Past research shows exercise can reduce falls and promote cognitive function in older adults. However, it is not known whether these benefits apply to those with cognitive frailty. To address this knowledge gap, we will conduct a 12-month home-based exercise program, delivered by physical therapists (PTs), in 328 community-dwelling adults aged 70-89 with cognitive frailty and a history of falls. To increase participation and follow through with the home-based exercise program, PTs will work with each older adult to set exercise goals and create action plans.
Given the immense health burden of falls in cognitively frail older adults, our study could have major health benefits and guide future strategies that positively add life to years among those with cognitive frailty.
Understanding the social processes of cancer self-management amongst South Asian older adults with chronic health conditions
Canada is undergoing a socio-demographic shift –as a result, older South Asians (SA) are the largest ethnocultural community in British Columba (BC) and have unique healthcare needs. As a collective, SA immigrants represent a diverse community with a wide range of ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds, mainly from the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Statistics reveal that cancer rates among SA older adults are steadily rising. Additionally, many SA older adults face an elevated risk of comorbidities like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Although comorbidities are common in all older adults, the SA population requires a nuanced approach to understanding their self-management strategies. The increasing SA population is changing the face of Canadian society and those who experience cancer, which is of significant concern for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers. The proposed project will provide a unique opportunity to convene with the SA community in BC to understand the current landscape of cancer for older adults and collaboratively develop culturally appropriate and linguistically acceptable community-based models of care.
Hormones and Inflammation among Women Living with HIV
HIV is a lifelong condition. While effective life-sustaining treatments have increased life expectancy, in Canada, women living with HIV (WLWH) live 7 years less and experience age-related illnesses earlier than men living with HIV and live 5-10 years less than women without HIV. The British Columbia CARMA-CHIWOS Collaboration (BCC3) is a study of WLWH and control women without HIV. It takes a holistic society-to-cell approach to address questions on healthy aging and involves WLWH in the research. Sex hormones are more often low in WLWH, perhaps due to HIV or its treatment. Low hormone levels impair immune function and increase inflammation, yet the link between HIV, hormones, and inflammation remains largely unexplored. My project will assess how levels of three key hormones – estradiol, estrone, and testosterone – known to be associated with age-related illnesses in women, are linked to immune responses and markers of inflammation. Ongoing knowledge sharing will include in-person and virtual events throughout BC with presentations, art-based activities, and take-home materials. This project will help understand the biological impacts of altered hormones in WLWH, and inform potential avenues to improve care for women.
Dynamic Microbe-Interfacing Nanomaterials to Study and Treat Bacterial Biofilm Infections
The majority of bacterial infections grow as biofilms: bacteria surrounded by nanoscale structures made of biomolecules such as DNA, sugars, and proteins. Antibiotics often attach to these sticky nano-architectures and fail to reach their bacteria targets, leading to severe antibiotic resistance. Nanoparticles (NPs) can act as tiny drug carriers that protect drugs within NPs until they reach their targets. However, it is unknown how NPs should be designed to travel within biofilms and deliver antibiotics most effectively. This challenge in designing NPs is compounded by a lack of benchtop biofilm models that represent the biofilm nano-architecture found in infections. My lab develops nanoscale materials such as NPs that have directed bacterial interactions to guide them within the biofilm environment and trigger drug release. This will improve drug efficacy and reduce side effects. We are also developing nanomaterials that mimic the natural biofilm architecture to be used as a new biofilm model that will help us develop next generation nano-therapeutics. By using advanced microscopy and mouse models of infection, we will assess and optimize nanomaterial design to improve antibiotic efficacy and treat resistant biofilm infections.
Convening and Collaborating to Assess Mental Health Needs in the Filipino Community
Filipino people are a growing population in Canada. However, there is limited information available on the mental health of this population, including the factors and conditions that shape mental health outcomes, help-seeking, and access to care. This proposed project will bring together researchers, research users, and community members to co-identify research and knowledge mobilization gaps and priorities in enhancing the mental health of Filipino communities in British Columbia, Canada. Through the convening and collaborating activities outlined in this proposed work, our team will co-develop research that is directly informed by community perspectives and experiences.
Healthy Aging Among Trans People Using Hormone Therapy: Setting the Research Agenda
Although trans people have always existed, with improved clinical care, growing numbers of trans people who have accessed gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) are reaching middle age and beyond. We know little about what to expect or how to optimize health for midlife trans people using GAHT. Better understanding the science of these midlife health experiences can reduce disparities faced by trans people, and possibly offer insights to improve well-being of cisgender people experiencing troubling midlife hormonal symptoms.
This proposed project will be a 1-year process of convening researchers, trainees, and knowledge users to collaboratively develop an agenda for research priorities, methods, language, and other key elements of science into the well-being of aging trans individuals using GAHT.
This 1-year project has 6 steps:
1. The Core Team will draft discussion guide.
2. Expert Advisory Committee will meet and develop draft research priorities.
3. Broader Community Survey will elicit feedback on draft priorities.
4. Core Team will analyze survey and revise research priorities.
5. Expert Advisory Committee will review and refine this revision.
6. We will share findings with the community, clinicians, and researchers.
Climate Readiness in British Columbia’s Long-term Care Home Sector
Healthcare is one of the largest industrial contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, and is responsible for 5.2% of national emissions. We are also increasingly aware of the health impacts of climate change, which disproportionately affect older adults. Long-term care homes (LTC) homes, where frail older adults requiring complex care receive round-the-clock nursing care, are a critical component of the healthcare continuum of services. Yet, in comparison to hospitals, the LTC home sector receives relatively little attention in climate policy or research. The purpose of this project is to (a) assess climate readiness of the LTC home sector in British Columbia and (b) identify priorities for research, policy and practice in this area. We will assess climate readiness by: (1) conducting a cross-sectional survey of LTC homes in British Columbia to collect information related to sustainability and climate readiness, and (2) have a sub-set of LTC homes complete the Long-term Care Scorecard developed by the Canadian Coalition for Green Healthcare. After gathering this information, we will hold a virtual summit to share the findings and develop climate readiness priorities for research, policy and practice.