“A remarkable year”: Multiple ob-gyn department researchers awarded CIHR grants

In late January, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced the funding recipients for the fall 2025 applicants. Eleven ob-gyn faculty members were among those whose projects were granted awards.

“As a department, we take great pride in driving innovation in health care. One of the most impactful ways we can do that is through research,” says professor and chair of the department Kellie Murphy. “To see eleven of our faculty and a half-dozen projects receive funding in this cycle makes for a remarkable year. Congratulations to all.”

The CIHR is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency, which aims to support the discoveries and innovations that improve health for Canadians by strengthening Canada’s health care system.

Funded projects

Isabella Caniggia, professor, principal investigator: “Placenta-Heart Axis in Preeclampsia: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets,” $1,190,340 for 5 years

Preeclampsia, a disorder that manifests with a dangerous rise in blood pressure during pregnancy, is becoming more common and greatly increases a mother’s risk of cardiovascular problems in the future. The reasons for this long‑term risk are still unclear. This project will study how an abnormally developing placenta may damage the mother’s heart by releasing debris into her blood circulation. Using complementary mouse models and human samples, researchers will investigate how these placental signals affect heart and blood vessel health, and they will explore therapeutic strategies to restore placental signaling and improve long-term maternal cardiovascular health.

Sascha Drewlo, professor, primary investigator, John Kingdom, professor, co-investigator: “First-Trimester Molecular Screening to Uncover the Early Origins of Placental Dysfunction,” $1,044,225 for 5 years

Serious pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and poor fetal growth, often result from placental dysfunction. These issues are usually detected only after they have already caused harm. This project aims to create a non-invasive, first-trimester test that identifies placental dysfunction months before symptoms appear. Researchers will look for early warning signs by studying molecular expression patterns of placenta-derived trophoblast cells naturally shed into the cervical canal. Early detection could allow timely treatment, reducing risks and improving outcomes for mothers and babies.

Andrea Jurisicova, associate professor, principal investigator: “Modelling premature ovarian insufficiency by ubiquinone deficiency,” $1,143,675 for 5 years

Infertility affects about one in six couples worldwide; delayed motherhood is an important contributing factor, as well as cultural and societal changes. A woman's reproductive lifespan depends on the number and quality of her oocytes, or immature eggs, and her ovarian reserve is determined before birth. But little is known about what determines its supply or why some women experience early reproductive aging. Using genetic models and patient cells, this project will study molecules linked to early egg development and follicle depletion. The goal is to uncover causes of reduced egg quality and identify new treatments to improve fertility outcomes.

Co-investigators: John Kingdom, professor, Kelsey McLaughlin, assistant professor, Nir Melamed, professor, John Snelgrove, assistant professor: "Predicting Short-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in preeclampsia using Biomarkers (SARABI) Study,” $1,319,625 for 5 years 

Preeclampsia, a disorder causing high blood pressure and organ problems in pregnancy, affects up to five per cent of pregnancies and greatly increases the person’s risk of serious heart‑related complications and death. This study will develop a tool to identify which patients with preeclampsia are most likely to experience these problems. Across five sites in Quebec and Ontario, participants will undergo ultrasounds and lab tests that look at the function of the heart and placenta, with outcomes tracked through 12 weeks postpartum. The findings will help personalize cardiovascular care of a patient with preeclampsia, meeting an urgent clinical need.

Evangelia Vlachodimitropoulou Koumoutsea, assistant professor, principal investigator: “LEAP: Low molecular weight hEparin vs. Aspirin Postpartum, a multicenter pilot RCT,” $332,775 for 3 years

Pregnancy increases the risk of dangerous blood clots in the weeks after giving birth, especially for women who have had a blood clot before. The usual prevention after birth is six weeks of daily heparin injections; these are safe for breastfeeding and effective but can be uncomfortable and costly. This strategy is based on expert opinion rather than high-quality studies. This study will test whether three weeks of low-molecular-weight heparin followed by three weeks of low-dose aspirin is feasible, safe and a more practical option. Ninety participants across four Canadian centres will join this pilot trial. If successful, it could lead to a definitive international trial with the potential to reduce financial and injection burden, improve quality of life and inform future clinical guidelines.

Evangelia Vlachodimitropoulou Koumoutsea, assistant professor, co-investigator (Melissa Walker, assistant professor, and Noor Ladhani, associate professor, are project collaborators): “PANDA: Prevention of Anemia in Pregnancy,” $2,147,385, for 4 years

About half of pregnant women develop iron‑deficiency anaemia, which can increase health risks for both mother and baby. Preventing anaemia may be safer than treating it after it occurs. The PANDA study is a large international trial that will test whether low‑dose iron supplements started early in pregnancy can prevent maternal anemia and reduce complications such as preterm birth and low birthweight. Over 11,000 women will be randomly assigned to receive iron or a placebo, including 1,080 participants in Ontario. Results will guide whether routine low‑dose iron should be recommended.

Lauren Philp, assistant professor, co-investigator: “Evaluating the Effectiveness of CALM-TF: A Psychotherapeutic Intervention to Alleviate Traumatic Stress in Patients with Advanced Ovarian Cancer,” $952,425 for 5 years

A diagnosis or recurrence of ovarian cancer can cause severe emotional distress, yet patients do not routinely receive evidence-based psychological support. The brief psychotherapeutic intervention Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM) has been shown to be effective. This study will test a modified version of CALM called Trauma‑Focused CALM (CALM‑TF), adapted to address traumatic stress early in the cancer journey. Three hundred patients will be randomly assigned to CALM‑TF plus usual care or usual care alone. Over several months, participants will complete counselling and questionnaires measuring distress and wellbeing. If effective, CALM‑TF could become a standard of care to improve wellbeing for people facing advanced ovarian c