Previous CFWH Grant Recipients

Through the generosity of individual donors and corporate partners, the Foundation is able to provide research grants each year to those seeking cures, new treatments and a better understanding of the illnesses that afflict women in Canada and around the world.

With the help of our donors, the following research projects were made possible.

2011-

The Duchesnay International Elective Fellowships for Obstetrics and Gynaecology Resident

Dr. Naana Afua Jumah
Third year OB/GYN resident at the University of Toronto to pursue an elective at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Western Kenya was awarded a $4,000 prize.

Read Dr. Jumah's final report.

The W. Garfield Weston Foundation Awards

These research grants focus on projects that advance evidence-based research in pertinent female health issues, with this year’s awards directed to the area of obesity and reproductive health.

Dr. Darine El-Chaâr
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Neonatal Care, OMNI Research Group, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital, for working on “The impact of Maternal Body Mass Index on Postpartum Obstetrical Outcomes”. Dr. El-Chaâr was awarded a $17, 000 prize.

Dr. Dean Van Vugt
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Physiology at Queen’s University in Kingston for his work on “Effect of exercise on corticolimbic brain responses in obese individuals with metabolic syndrome; critical role of insulin sensitivity”. Dr. Van Vugt was awarded a $17, 000 prize.

The CFWH General Research Grant

Dr. Jessica Lefebvre
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Laval University, University Health Centre of Quebec, for her work on “Essai randomisé contrôlé sur le traitement des femmes avec une vestibulodynie secondaire provoquée à l’aide d’une crème ostrogénique : Prémarin®”. Dr. Lefebvre was awarded a $11, 000 prize.

The Collaboration and Advocacy in Residency (CARE) Project

Ms. Julie My Van Nguyen
Baby and Me: Workshops to empower the pregnant adolescent and the adolescent mother.

2010- $123,125

The Duchesnay International Elective Fellowships for Obstetrics and Gynaecology Resident

Dr. Erin Adams- "8 Weeks At Howard Hospital, Zimbabwe". Click here to read the report. Dr. Erin Adams was awarded a $4,000 prize.

The 2010 W. Garfield Weston Foundation Awards

These research grants focus on projects that advance evidence-based research in pertinent female health issues, with this year’s awards directed to the area of obesity and reproductive health.

Dr. Andrée Gruslin: Influence of obesity on placental growth and development. A $17,000 prize was awarded. 

Dr. Jennifer Marks: Evaluate the use of levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in obese women with various uterine disorders. A $17,000 prize was awarded. 

The Alva Foundation Grant in Neonatal and Newborn Health

This grant in neonatal and newborn health promotes research in the field of neonatal and maternal health. A $40,000 prize was awarded.

Dr. Alon Shrim: Folic acid supplementation and red blood cell folate in an urban Quebec population: Are pregnant women reaching the recommended level?

The CFWH General Research Grant

This grant focuses on finding solutions to reproductive health issues that face women, both in Canada and around the world. Open to any area within the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, this grant aims to help make further advancements in women’s health treatment, research, and education. A $25,625 prize was awarded.

Dr. Gina Ogilvie: Women’s attitudes and intentions to receive cervical cancer screening in the setting of HPV testing

The MSFHR/CFWH Research Trainee Award

In July 2009, the CFWH was pleased to enter into a new partnership with British Columbia’s Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR), co-funding research in the area of obstetrics and gynaecology in order to better understand and seek new treatment options for women’s reproductive health issues. A prize of $19,500 was awarded.

Dr. Angela Kaida: Reproductive trends among HIV-positive women in British Columbia’s HAART era: examining the interplay between pregnancy, antiretroviral adherence, and HIV disease progression

2009- $59,500

CFWH General Research Grant
Dr. Lisa Hornberger and Dr. Consolato Sergi from the University of Alberta were awarded a $15,000 grant to research, "Digital Three Dimensional Reconstruction of the Early Fetal Heart".

Alva Foundation GRANT in Neonatal and Newborn Health
Dr. Denis Crankshaw from McMaster University for his work on “The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor as a new target for the delay of preterm labour”. A prize of $40,000 was awarded.

The Duchesnay International Elective Fellowship for Obstetrics and Gyneacology Residents
Dr. Amanda Morris from the University of Manitoba to pursue an elective in Kenya. A prize of $4,500 was awarded.

Dr. Angela Kaida from the University of British Columbia was awarded the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Jointly-Funded Grant for research into, "Reproductive trends among HIV-positive women in British Columbia's HAART era: Examining the interplay between pregnancy antiretroviral adherence and HIV disease progression".

2008- $84,500

Dr. Jim Petrik from the University of Guelph, was awarded a $16,000 grant to research, " The Relationship Between Dysglycemia and Ovarian Cancer"

Dr. Robert Casper from the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute was awarded a $13, 500 grant to research, " Can Aromatase Inhibitors Improve the Diagnostic Sensitivity and Specificity of Breast MRI?"

Dr. Laurie Elit from McMaster University was awarded a $15,000 grant to research, " What do adolescents understand about HPV and how does it affect their behavior?"

Dr. Andrée Gruslin from Ottawa University was awarded a $40,000 grant to research, "Mechanism of Placental Dysfunction in Obese Mothers".2009

2007- $36,759

Dr. Anne Croy from Queen’s University was awarded a $19,229 grant to research, "Impaired uterine natural killer Lymphocyte function contributes to elevated pre-eclampsia risk in diabetic women".

Dr. Patricia Janssen from the University of British Columbia was awarded a $17,530 grant to research, "Can safety planning improve perinatal outcomes among pregnant women exposed to intimate partner violence?".

2006- $122,824

Dr. Angel Arnaout from Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre was awarded a $20,000 grant to research an Immunohistochemical study of the correlation of EGFR and CSRC with ER status in primary breast cancers.

Dr. Angela Baerwald from the University of Saskatchewan was awarded a $20,000 grant to research ovarian follicular wave dynamics during the menstrual cycle.

Dr. Howard Berger from Mount Sinai Hospital was awarded a $19,920 grant to research, "Is postpartum anemia an independent risk factor for postpartum depression?"

Dr. Walter Gotlieb from McGill University was awarded a $19,984 grant to research "Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor targeting as treatment for ovarian cancer."

Dr. Alison Holloway from McMaster University was awarded a $16,035 grant to research "Female infertility: Long-term effects of fetal and neonatal exposure to chemicals in cigarette smoke."

Dr. Priscilla Koop from the University of Alberta was awarded an $8,035 grant to research "Family care giving at the end of life: A women’s health issue."

Dr. Wendy Whittle from the University of Toronto was awarded an $18,850 grant to research "The role of Meloxicam in the treatment of Preterm Labor: Evaluation of safety and efficacy.

2005- $173,280

Dr. Emmanuel Bujold from the University of Montreal was awarded a $19,683 grant to research "Randomized placebo-controlled trial using nifedipine as tocolytic for external cephalic version."

Dr. Joan Crane from Memorial University of Newfoundland was awarded a $22,464 grant to research "Remote Umbilical arterial blood pH analysis in prediction of Fetal Acidemia."

Dr. Katharina Kieser from Princess Margaret Hospital was awarded a $26,164 grant to research "Tumour microsatellite instability in women with early and advanced endometrial cancer."

Dr. Peter Leung from the University of British Columbia was awarded a $22,073 grant to research "GnRH II: A novel therapeutic target for endometrical cancer."

Dr. Derek Lobb from McMaster University was awarded a $27,000 grant to research "Control Mechanisms of Cervical Remodelling."

Dr. Janice Richman-Eisenstat from the University of Manitoba was awarded a $22,500 grant to research "The role of IgA receptors in preterm labour."

Dr. Jackie Thomas from Mount Sinai Hospital was awarded a $33,396 grant to research "A pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an all purpose nipple ointment in treating damaged nipples among breastfeeding women."

2004- $252,359

Dr. Shinya Ito from the Hospital for Sick Children was awarded a $29,307 grant from the Duchesnay Fund for Better Use of Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation to research "Pregnancy Exposure to HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: Fetal and Neonatal Outcome."

Dr. Keith Choi from the University of British Columbia was awarded a $22,400 grant from the Wyeth Fund to research "Ovarian cell function and the interference of environmental endocrine disruptors."

Dr. Colin MacCalman from the University of British Columbia was awarded a $24,727 grant from the Wyeth Fund to research "Elucidating the interplay between Steroids, Xenoestrogens and Cadherins in the development and progression of Uterine Leiomyoma."

Dr. Johanne Weberpals from the University of Toronto was awarded a $24,915 grant from the Wyeth Fund to research "Comparative gene expression between BRCA-dependent and sporadic serous ovarian cancer. Is the DNA repair pathway a common link?"

Dr. Gustaaf Sevenhuysen from the University of Manitoba was awarded a $10,310 grant from the University Support Fund to research "Improving the accuracy of dietary advice on the calcium content of individual diets."

Dr. Emmanuel Bujold from the University of Montreal was awarded a $25,000 grant to research "Randomized controlled trial using Azithromycin, after second trimester amniocentesis, to decrease the incidence of adverse obstetric outcomes."

Dr. Sue Chandra from the University of Alberta and Memorial University of Newfoundland was awarded a $15,700 grant to research "Predicting successful labour induction with a bedside biochemical test."

Dr. Anthony Cheung from the University of British Columbia was awarded a $25,000 grant to research "Establishing a Canadian Registry for the study of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)."

Nicole Flory from McGill University was awarded a $25,000 grant to research "The Psychosexual effects of total and subtotal Hysterectomy."

Dr. Anie Philip from McGill University was awarded a $25,000 grant to research "Role of a novel steroid hormone, estradienolone (ED), in human pregnancy."

Dr. Janice Richman-Eisenstat from the University of Manitoba was awarded a $25,000 grant to research "Functional expression of IgA receptors by human uterine smooth muscle (UtSM)."

2003- $30,563

David Knoppert from the University of Western Ontario was awarded a $14,800 grant from the Duchesnay Fund for Better Use of Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation to research "Effect of domperidone on milk production in mothers of premature newborns: A comparison of 2 dosages."

Dr. Denis Crankshaw from McMaster University was awarded a $15,763 grant from the University Support Fund to research "The reproductive consequences of chronic elevation of cytochrome P450 1A1."

2002- $231,043

Dr. Victoria Allen from Dalhousie University was awarded a $40,000 grant to research "Ultrasonographic measurement of the lower uterine segment thickness in women with a previous caesarean section."

Dr. Emmanuel Bujold from Hôpital Sainte-Justine was awarded a $29,742 grant to research "Thickness of low uterine segment and uterine rupture: A Multicenter study."

Dr. Peter von Dadelszen from the University of British Columbia was awarded a $20,550 grant to research "The fetoplacental response to poor intrauterine nutrition: Circulating placental debris in pre-eclampsia and normotensive intrauterine growth restriction."

Dr. Louise Duperron, Ms. Ema Ferreira and Ms. Lise Gauthier from Hôpital Sainte-Justine were awarded a $19,464 grant to research, "Évaluation de l'impact d'un programme de cessation du tabagisme chez la femme enceinte."

Dr. Dan Farine from the University of Toronto was awarded a $38,328 grant to research "The perceived risks and benefits of screening for gestational diabetes mellitus."

Dr. Jane Richmond from McGill University was awarded a $19,252 grant to research "Thrombophilia and neurodevelopmental delay in infants with birth weight <1250 grams."

Dr. Elizabeth Shaw from McMaster University was awarded a $31,707 grant to research "Timing of the postpartum papanicolaou smear: A randomized controlled trial."

Dr. Graeme Smith from Queen's University was awarded a $16,000 grant from the University Support Fund to research "Effect of caffeine on gestational diabetes screening."

Dr. Shinya Ito from The Hospital for Sick Children was awarded a $16,000 grant to research "Propylthiouracil use during breastfeeding: The cost of misinformation."

2001- $263,478

Dr. Myroslava Romach from University of Toronto was awarded $27,000 from the Duchesnay Fund for Better Use of Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation to research "An exploratory study of the effects of Sertraline or placebo on allopregnanolone levels and clinical outcome in women with postpartum depression."

Dr. Derek Lobb from McMaster University was awarded $21,000 to research "Understanding the actual mechanisms of cervical ripening."

Research grants for the Fall 2001 Competition were awarded to:
Dr. Frances Abbott from McGill University was awarded $34,062 for her research in "Somatosensory sensitivity and psychological function in women suffering from headache."

Dr. Catherine Allaire from the University of British Columbia was awarded a $30,734 grant for her research in "Use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device for the treatment of pelvic pain in endometriosis patients."

Dr. Wee-Shian Chan from the University of Toronto was awarded a $40,000 grant for her research in "PENCIL: Paediatric neurodevelopment following in-utero exposure to labetolol."

Dr. Sandra Jittler from McGill University was awarded a $23,418 grant for her research in "Hormone replacement therapy, chronic stress and cognition in post menopausal women."

Dr. Dan Grisaru from the University of Toronto was awarded a $15,520 grant for his research in "Molecular predictors of recurrence of cervix cancer after radical surgery."

Dr. Rachel Kupets from the University of Toronto was awarded a $9,860 grant for her research in "COX-2 expression in vulvar intra-epithelial neoplasia (VIN)."

Dr. Colin MacCalman from the University of British Columbia was awarded a $35,439 grant for his research in "Cellular turnover and extracellular matrix remodelling in the progression of ovarian cancer: Function of ADAMTS protease and their putative endogenous inhibitors."

Dr. Robert Walley from Memorial University of Newfoundland was awarded a $26,445 grant for his research in "Misoprostol for the management of the third stage of labour."

2000- $23,000

Dr. Evelyne Rey was awarded a $23,000 grant from the Duchesnay Fund for Better Use of Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation for her research in "Prévention par la daltéparine des complications reliées aux infractus placentaires chez les femmes sans thrombophilie documentée. (Prevention of poor obstetrical outcomes with dalteparin in women with placental infarcts and no thrombophilia.)"

1999- $69,250

Dr. Shinya Ito was awarded a $19,250 grant from the Duchesnay Fund for Better Use of Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation for his research in "The maternal use of beta-blockers during breastfeeding."

Dr. Michael Wilkinson was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Fournier Pharma Fund for Research Into Menopause for his research in "Hormone replacement therapy and cardiac gene expression."

Dr. Erica Eason was awarded a $10,000 grant to research Transportation and preservation techniques for laboratory diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.

Dr. Riaz Farookhi was awarded a $10,000 grant to research "Cadherins in ovarian cancer."

Dr. Stephanie Fisher was awarded a $10,000 grant to research "Letrozole versus clomiphene for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in normal ovulatory women."

Dr. John Jarrell was awarded a $10,000 grant to perform "A feasibility study to determine the relationship of reproductive tissue chemical contamination and adverse human reproductive outcomes."

1998- $60,000

Dr. Graeme N. Smith was awarded a $10,000 grant "To determine both the pharmacokinetics of transdermal nitroclycerin (GTN) in maternal and fetal blood and the maternal and fetal metabolic and cardiovascular responses."

Dr. Ayman Al-Hendy was awarded a $10,000 grant to research "The Molecular genetics of familial polycystic ovarian syndrome."

Dr. Denis Crankshaw from McMaster University was awarded a $40,000 grant to research, "The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor as a new target for the delay of preterm labour".