Projects ranging from using artificial intelligence to detect tumours and new approaches for breast cancer detection are among 32 receiving funding from the WE Spark Health Institute and its funding partners.
Grants totaling $499,000 were recently awarded during the institute's awards ceremony at the Ambassador Golf Club.
The projects address pressing health concerns in the region, including cancer detection, mental health, aging, and community health and education.
Smaller grants were awarded to projects that support pilot projects, preliminary studies, and quality improvement initiatives. They lay the groundwork for future research focusing on physical activities in schools, arts-based approaches to understanding women's health journeys, and enhancing nursing education to reduce medication errors.
"These grants highlight the incredible talent and collaborative spirit in Windsor-Essex," said WE Spark's interim director, Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved. "Thanks the the generosity and commitment of our local sponsors, we're able to support bold new ideas and pilot projects that help build the foundation for research aimed at improving health and well-being in our community and beyond."
Some of those local sponsors include GreenShield Canada, the Katelyn Beddard Bone Marrow Association, Unifor Locals 2458 and 444, In Honour of the Ones We Love, ChildCan, and the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation.
The projects are expected to start this month and involve researchers, students, community members, and volunteers at the institute's five supporting institutions: Erie Shores Healthcare, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor Regional Hospital, the University of Windsor, and St. Clair College.
Since launching its grants program five years ago, WE Spark has awarded $2,299,000 to local health research projects.