The CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH), in partnership with the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF), Asthma Canada, and the Canadian Lung Association (CLA), continues to support the next generation of researchers advancing asthma care across Canada.

Dr. Eva Kaufmann’s project is challenging how we understand allergic asthma. Her research explores a surprising idea: that eosinophils, immune cells long known for driving inflammation, may also develop a form of “memory.” Instead of simply reacting in the moment, these cells may remember past allergen exposures and respond more aggressively over time, contributing to persistent and worsening symptoms.

By uncovering how this memory-like behavior works, and whether it can be safely redirected, this work aims to break the cycle of repeated allergic reactions at its source. The ultimate goal is to open the door to new, more targeted therapies that improve quality of life for people living with asthma.

This recognition highlights not only innovative science, but also the growing momentum of early-career researchers working to transform respiratory health.

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Congratulations to the 2025 Early Career Researcher Awardees in Asthma! CIHR Website. April 22, 2026.

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Dr. Diab’s research focuses on severe asthma, challenging traditional lung-focused treatment models by examining how co-existing conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, influence disease progression and treatment response. Inspired in part by personal experience with a family member affected by severe asthma, Dr. Diab aims to move toward truly individualized, whole-person care.

Receiving the award was both surprising and validating for Dr. Diab:

“When I found out I won, I experienced a brief moment of surprise,” she said. “I’m new to the MUHC, so this was incredibly validating for my career and for the research I’m passionate about working on here in Montreal. I was thrilled.”

Dr. Marc Rodger, Chair of the Department of Medicine, confirmed the choice of award recipient, and emphasized that this award is often a turning point, helping clinician-scientists gain momentum, secure future funding, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

“Dr. Diab’s research is not only highly promising, but it will also lead to tangible improvements in respiratory care,” he explained. “This award is often a turning point. It helps young clinician-scientists build momentum, secure salary awards, and ultimately deliver even greater impact for patients.”

Funded through philanthropy, the Rising Star Program reflects the powerful role of donor support in advancing research and care, helping ensure that promising discoveries translate into real-world impact for patients.

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Nermin Diab receives Rising Star Award for early career clinician-scientists. By the MUHC Foundation. McGill Health e-News, March 26, 2026.

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Backed by the River Philip and Trottier Family Foundations and the McGill University Health Centre Foundation, this initiative helps researchers maintain momentum, refine their proposals, and strengthen future applications.

This year’s funded projects span a wide range of impactful areas, from lung health and vaping-related disease to infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and innovative therapies. By bridging funding gaps, the program ensures that promising discoveries continue to move forward and contribute to better health outcomes.

Congratulations to everyone, especially our RESP program members:

• Carolyn Baglole is investigating how vaping impairs the lung’s natural defense systems, contributing to respiratory disease.
• Elizabeth Fixman is exploring sex-specific immune responses in the lung, with implications for allergic airway diseases like asthma.
• Tania Janaudis-Ferreira is leading a web-based exercise and education program for mild COPD, improving access to care and self-management tools.

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Sustaining Excellence competition supports top-ranked researchers. Outstanding CIHR applicants maintain research momentum thanks to funding support from generous donors. The Institute News. March 19, 2026.

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Deborah Assayag (Priority Announcement)
The Longitudinal Use of Oscillometry in Interstitial Lung Diseases

Jonathon Campbell
Co-Investigators: Benjamin Smith, Kevin Schwartzman, Dick Menzies, Andrea Benedetti
Functional Outcomes, Lung health, and Livelihood Outcomes among people With Tuberculosis (FOLLOW-TB): a pan-Canadian prospective cohort study

Maziar Divangahi
Harnessing the power of trained immunity in disease tolerance against influenza virus

Elizabeth Fixman (Priority Announcement)
Sex-specific mechanisms by which environmental triggers promote durable changes to the lung to exacerbate type 2 innate and adaptive immunity

Irah King
Mechanisms of tissue-resident T cell activation for intestinal host defense

Larry Lands (Co-Principal Investigator)
Nominated Principal Investigator: Juan Ianowski (University of Saskatchewan)
Function of pulmonary ionocytes and club cells in human airway and their contribution to cystic fibrosis lung disease

Larry Lands (Co-Principal Investigator)
Nominated Principal Investigator: Sze Man Tse (Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine)
Predicting biologic therapy response in children with severe asthma: the Medication response and Asthma Therapy in CHildren with severe Asthma (MATCHA) Study

Sushmita Pamidi
Co-Investigators: Andrea Benedetti, John Kimoff
Sleep-Disordered Breathing During Pregnancy and Long-Term Postpartum Blood Pressure Pattern

Bryan Ross
Co-Investigators: Jean Bourbeau, Jun Ding, Sabah Hussain, Larry Lands
Enhancing the Clinical Benefits of COPD Chronic Management: The SUPplementation with URolithin-A during Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD (SUPRA-COPD) Trial

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About the project: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a serious complication of autoimmune diseases that causes lung scarring, breathing problems, and reduced lifespan. Current treatments are often ineffective because ILD is rare and highly variable between patients. Our research aims to identify simple blood-based markers that can help diagnose ILD earlier and guide more personalized treatments. We are testing whether a specific immune cell marker can predict which patients will benefit from a medication called rituximab. By combining clinical data with advanced genetic and protein analysis, we aim to improve care for people with ILD and develop better, individualized therapies.

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D2R Clinical Research and Development (CRD) funding program. November 26, 2025 D2R Newsletter

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Dr. Baglole and fellow guest Dr. Sean Gillman expressed concern that selling cannabis vapes through a government-run retailer may be interpreted by the public as an endorsement of safety. While cannabis may be considered relatively safe for adult recreational use, vaping is not risk-free, and the long-term health effects remain unknown. Dr. Gillman described the decision as particularly troubling given that vaping products are especially popular among youth, the brain continues to develop until about age 25, and Québec and Canada are already facing a vaping epidemic. Vaping is often perceived as easier and more appealing than smoking, largely because of the delivery device, which may further increase its appeal to young people who might otherwise avoid smoking.

The SQDC has stated that its decision is based on consumer trends showing a shift away from smoking and toward vaping. The agency argues that offering regulated products reduces reliance on the black market and ensures that ingredients and THC concentrations are known and controlled, with a maximum THC content of 30 percent. While both experts acknowledge that regulation improves transparency compared to unregulated products, where THC levels can reach much higher concentrations, they emphasize that regulation does not mean safety.

Dr. Baglole reiterated that nothing we smoke or vape should be considered safe. She noted that while there is a long history of tobacco use and medicinal cannabis use, vaping is relatively new, having only become widespread since around 2007. Heating chemicals can change their composition, and inhaling these altered substances may affect lung health. Because there are so many vaping products and formulations on the market, it is difficult for research to keep pace, and there is still insufficient long-term data to fully understand the health effects.

Dr. Baglole stressed that the public needs clear, accurate information to make informed decisions. She emphasized that “safer” does not mean “safe” and called for a strong public education campaign to communicate risks, particularly to youth and parents.

Listen to the Interview

The SQDC is about to sell vaping products for cannabis. Is that a good idea? We talk with Carolyn Baglole, a McGill Medicine professor who studies the impact of smoking and vaping on the body. CBC Listen Radio Noon Quebec with Shawn Apel. November 20, 2025.

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Building on over three decades of research on the TC-PTP (PTPN2) gene, this project aims to develop a novel mRNA-based therapeutic platform to precisely modulate immune responses. The team will engineer antibody fragments that can either inhibit or activate TC-PTP inside cells and deliver them using lipid nanoparticle mRNA technology. In preclinical models, TC-PTP inhibitors will be explored for cancer immunotherapy, while activators will be evaluated in inflammatory conditions such as colitis.

This innovative approach lays the groundwork for next-generation intracellular mRNA immunotherapies, with broad implications for immune-mediated diseases.

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Foundational Projects | Cycle 2. The Foundational Projects funding program supports high-risk, early-stage projects with the potential to be game-changers in the fields of D2R’s areas of interest. Nov 6, 2026. D2R News.
Principal Investigator: Caroline Wagner (McGill University)
Co-Investigator(s): Khanh Huy Bui (McGill University), Larry Lands (McGill University), Adam Shapiro (McGill University), Darcy Wagner (McGill University)

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At the center of the celebration were the 2025 Montreal General Hospital Foundation Research Awards—an investment of $2.8 million across 121 awards supporting 78 researchers. These projects span vital areas including surgical innovation, cancer care, neurology, and mental health. As Dr. Rhian Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of The Institute, noted, philanthropy is a catalyst for discovery that transforms potential into progress. Congratulations to this year’s recipients whose groundbreaking work continues to shape the future of patient care.

Recipients from the RESP Program and the Meakins-Christie Laboratories

Strauss Chair in Respiratory Medicine
Provided by Mr. Luc Villeneuve, Mr. Richard & Mrs. Edith Strauss Foundation
Awarded to Dr. Maziar Divangahi

Tom Hum and Eileen Hum Chang Research Award
Provided by The Chang family and descendants of the late-patriarch Tom Hum
Awarded to Dr. Bryan Ross 

Goldberg/Tabac Research Award
Provided by Mr. Steven Tabac
Awarded to Dr. Bryan Ross 

Deane Nesbitt Award
Provided by Mr. A.R. Deane Nesbitt
Awarded to Dr. Augusto Montezano, Dr. Bryan Ross & Christina Wolfson, PhD 

Jawaid Khan Award in Interstitial Lung Disease
Provided by Mrs. Susan Khan and Family
Awarded to Dr. Deborah Assayag 

Brigadier-General Herbert Stanley Birkett Memorial Research Award (MGH)
Awarded to Jun Ding, PhD, Momar Ndao, PhD & Dr. Giada Sebastiani 

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Philanthropy fuels discovery at the Montreal General Hospital. The Montreal General Hospital Foundation’s 2025 Research Awards invest $2.8 million in more than 120 projects led by researchers shaping the future of healthcare. The Institute News. October 22, 2025.

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At McGill and the Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Darcy Wagner’s team is developing bioengineered human lung tissue that could one day replace damaged air sacs (alveoli) responsible for gas exchange. Using state-of-the-art biomanufacturing methods pioneered in her lab, they aim to create transplantable alveolar tissue units that can be delivered minimally invasively via bronchoscope. Her project focuses on producing clinical-grade biomaterials, generating alveolar cells from stem cells, and assessing tissue functionality using light sheet fluorescence microscopy, advanced 3D imaging, and RNA sequencing.

About the CFI

Bioengineering and monitoring the development of transplantable human lung alveoli using microfluidic-based approaches
Professor Darcy Wagner, Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Medicine
$800,000

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McGill researchers awarded $9.7 million in CFI funding. 32 projects funded through the CFI’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund, matched by Quebec, set to create solutions for global challenges, from innovations in quantum science and technology to biomedical engineering. McGill News. by Robin Koning. October 10, 2025.

CFI investments will equip researchers to advance national priorities and build prosperity. $134 million in research infrastructure support will strengthen Canada’s innovation capacity. CFI News. October 10, 2025.

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While many young people view cigarettes as a social or aesthetic choice, medical experts stress the dangers are real and addiction sets in quickly.

Dr. Carolyn Baglole warns that “there is no such thing as a safe cigarette.” She also notes that while vaping may feel like the unknown alternative, her research shows it is far from harmless: “Just because we don’t know what it’s doing doesn’t mean you should use something that is knowingly bad for your health.”

Bottom line: whether it’s smoking or vaping, neither is safe, and prevention is still the most powerful tool.

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Just a drunk cigarette? The nouveau smoking epidemic. What doesn’t kill you makes you cooler. by Ellie Garry-Jones, The Dalhousie Gazette, September 18, 2025.

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