CIHR

Lakehead Professors Among New and Renewed Canada Research Chairs

By: Melissa Burton

Three Lakehead University researchers have been recognized by the Government of Canada with new and renewed Canada Research Chair (CRC) appointments for their outstanding scientific contributions to our local and global communities.

Dr. Christopher Mushquash was appointed as a new Tier 1 CIHR CRC in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction. Dr. Alla Reznik, Tier 1 CRC in Radiation Medical Imaging Physics, and Dr. Lindsay Galway, Tier 2 CRC in Social-Ecological Health, received renewals.

“The work of Dr. Mushquash, Dr. Reznik, and Dr. Galway perfectly aligns with Lakehead’s research priorities, especially in areas like health and well-being; First Nations, Métis, and Inuit research; and sustainability, resources, and the environment,” explains Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President of Research and Innovation. “These appointments affirm our standing as a research-intensive university committed to generating innovative solutions for our regions and advancing knowledge that matters for both people and planet.

Chris Mushquash Dr. Mushquash, Psychology Professor and member of Pawgwasheeng (Pays Plat First Nation), is Lakehead’s first Tier 1 CRC holder from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Blending traditional scholarly activities with Indigenous ways of knowing, he has influenced national policy and improved systems of care for Indigenous people during his previous two terms as a Tier 2 CRC.

Over the next seven years, Dr. Mushquash and his research team will expand their community-based research program to develop culturally- and contextually-appropriate targets of intervention, develop methods for testing outcomes, and share knowledge with Indigenous and academic communities, clinicians, policy-makers, and decision-makers.

“This appointment provides the platform to broaden our impact, not only through community-driven research, but by training the next generation of researchers to engage in respectful engagement with Indigenous communities,” he says.

Canada Research Chair Renewals

Dr. Alla Reznik, Tier 1 CRC in Radiation Medical Imaging Physics (NSERC)

Physics Professor Dr. Alla Reznik is revolutionizing the early detection and diagnosis of cancer. Dr. Reznik and her team have developed a low-dose Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner for breast imaging that has shown promising results in clinical settings.

They are currently refining their device to target other organs and provide clearer and more detailed diagnostic images compared to current technologies while minimizing patients’ exposure to radiation. “The PET scanner is designed to be versatile, capable of imaging various body parts such as the breast, brain, heart, and prostate with improved accuracy and detail,” she explains.

Dr. Reznik's innovations in medical imaging technology are improving patient health outcomes and advancing the field of personalized medicine by tailoring scans to individual patient needs.

Dr. Reznik was renewed for a seven-year term.

Dr. Lindsay Galway, Tier 2 CRC in Social-Ecological Health (SSHRC)

Dr. Lindsay Galway Dr. Galway, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, investigates how urgent global challenges, including climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation, directly impact the well-being and equity of people.

“My research falls under the umbrella of planetary health - the idea that human health and the health of ecosystems and the planet are deeply interconnected,” says Dr. Galway.

Building on the successes of her first term, Dr. Galway and her interdisciplinary team are co-constructing place-based solutions that prioritize the perspectives and experiences of marginalized groups. By promoting both environmental sustainability and social justice, Dr. Galway aims to build a more resilient and equitable future for all.

Dr. Galway was renewed for a five-year term.

Keywords:

Canada Research Chair

CRC

Research

Innovation

CIHR

sshrc

NSERC

New study seeks to improve workplace mental health for Indigenous workers

Thunder Bay, Ont. - A new study will bring together members of the Nokiiwin Tribal Council and researchers from Lakehead University to address a pressing need for tailored mental health interventions for Indigenous workers in Northwestern Ontario. The study is receiving $1.97 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

“Indigenous individuals are less likely to seek help for mental health and accordingly have rates of suicide at least twice as high as non-Indigenous counterparts,” explained Dr. Vicki Kristman, principal investigator and the Director of Enhancing the Prevention of Injury & Disability at Work (EPID@Work) and the Ontario Research Chair in Injury and Disability Prevention at Lakehead.

In a recent study supported by CIHR, Kristman and her team evaluated the Wiiji app, an e-mental health tool designed to support Indigenous workers dealing with challenging work environments. Although the research team found that the app provided valuable assistance to some workers, they determined a more effective approach would be to create long-term changes within workplaces themselves to offer more impactful and sustainable improvements to mental health.

“By changing workplace environments to better support Indigenous mental health, we can increase participation in employment, reduce work-related disabilities, and improve overall well-being in Indigenous communities,” Kristman added.

Over the next five years, Kristman’s research team will work alongside Tribal Council members to identify workplace factors that contribute to mental health challenges for Indigenous workers and propose actionable interventions. The findings will help Nokiiwin serve their employer clients better, and support the Tribal Council as they work to establish an Indigenous-specific Health and Safety Association within Ontario.

"As we strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace, through our work together [EPID@Work and Nokiiwin], we are reaching a greater understanding on the role that workplaces play in providing support and appropriate resources to employees who may be experiencing mental health issues,” stated Audrey Gilbeau, Executive Director and Governance Advisor at Nokiiwin Tribal Council. “Acknowledging these challenges not only fosters understanding and compassion among colleagues, but also empowers individuals to seek the support they need to thrive. Together, we can build a culture of care that prioritizes mental well-being and strengthens our community as a whole.”

Improving workplace mental health for Indigenous workers has far-reaching benefits. By supporting Indigenous workers, employers can boost productivity, reduce absenteeism, and foster a healthier workforce. The anticipated improvements in mental health and employment participation will also ripple out to benefit Indigenous families, communities, and the broader economy.

In 2023/24, Lakehead University received more than $2 million in assistance from the Research Support Fund to support the indirect costs of research, which includes costs for supporting the management of intellectual property, research and administration, ethics and regulatory compliance, research resources, research facilities, and research security.

Keywords:

CIHR

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Vicki Kristman

Indigenous Mental Health

mental health

Workplace

Workplace Wellness