Research

Lucy Marzban, principal investogator

Short description of research
Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide. Two major types of diabetes are Type 1 (T1D; Juvenile onset) and type 2 (T2D; adult onset) diabetes. In both types of diabetes pancreatic islet beta cells fail to produce enough insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose but the underlying mechanisms are different. In patients with T1D insulin producing beta cells are destroyed by the body’s immune system, while in patients with T2D progressive beta-cell dysfunction and peripheral insulin resistance lead to beta cell failure.

Formation of toxic protein aggregates, named islet amyloid, is one of the important factors that contributes to islet inflammation, impaired beta-cell function and death in patients with T2D. Studies in our group focus on exploring the mechanisms by which amyloid promotes islet inflammation and causes beta-cell death in T2D. The ultimate goal of our studies is to develop new pharmacological strategies to protect pancreatic islets from amyloid toxicity thereby improving islet beta-cell survival and function in people with T2D. In this summer project, the student will examine the pharmacological effects of blocking interleukin-1 receptor on the steps of islet inflammation caused by toxic amyloid formation. 

The student will learn to perform immunolabeling of fixed cell/islet sections, quantifications, and imaging techniques. The student will also develop problem-solving, data analysis, and presentation skills by participating in our regular lab meetings. Our lab is located in the Apotex Centre at the Bannatyne Campus, a multi-disciplinary research environment that provides trainees various opportunities for interaction with scientists from other health research disciplines.

Abdullah Al Maruf, principal investigator

Short description of research
Pharmacogenetics (PGx) may predict an individual’s likely response to medications. PGx testing is being clinically implemented in more than 70 healthcare systems worldwide, including 20 children’s hospitals in the USA and Canada. One of the implementation hurdles is communicating the results to paediatric patients and caregivers, considering ethical, legal, and psychosocial implications. Moreover, misunderstandings about the results, their long-term consequences, and the difference between PGx vs. disease-risk tests can lead to confusion and unrealistic expectations. In pediatrics, poor communication of PGx test results may cause psychological distress, parental anxiety, and unnecessary restrictions on a child’s activities. No standardized guidelines currently exist to address these issues.

As such, in this study, we will update our group's previous scoping review on communicating PGx test results to patients and/or their caregivers, identifying their expectations, fears, and attitudes toward the test results. By analyzing communication gaps, we will then propose a paediatric PGx communication tool (PGx-PCT). This tool intends to ensure clear, evidence-based, patient-centred communication of the results, empowering patients and caregivers to make informed health decisions.

Abdullah Al Maruf, principal investigator

Short description of research
Pharmacogenetic testing, a specific type of genetic testing, has the potential to identify the right medication at the right dose for some individuals. This pharmacogenetics-guided approach can improve psychotropic drug efficacy and tolerability, reducing the morbidity, mortality, and cost associated with current prescribing practices. In the era of genomic medicine and the easy availability of direct-to- consumer genetic tests, patients are now more knowledgeable and forming strong perceptions or views about these tests. 

Although the perceptions of psychiatric pharmacogenetic testing are increasingly favourable among adult patients and the public, there is also the fear of privacy, genetic data being misused, incidental findings, and the costs associated with these tests, which are labeled as barriers to widespread implementation of these tests into practice. To our knowledge, no study has explored these issues of the perspective or attitude of Canadian youth and parents towards pharmacogenetic testing. Hence, we propose to co-develop a qualitative study protocol with youth aged 15 to 24 years and parents of youth with mental health conditions to understand knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes about the use of pharmacogenetic testing in mental health care. 

This study serves as fundamental work that will guide implementation, improve engagement strategies, and refine clinical pharmacogenetic testing service for paediatric mental health care.

Shweta Mital, prinicipal investigator

Short description of research
The objective of this project is to develop a cost calculator to estimate the cost for public plans in each province to reimburse type 1 diabetes interventions.

The student will collect epidemiological and cost information related to type 1 diabetes from publicly available online sources. Using these data, they will develop a calculator in Excel to estimate the size of the target patient population and the financial impact for public plans to cover type 1 diabetes interventions for these patients in each province.

Sherif Eltonsy, principal investigator

Short description of research
Co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a significant public health concern, particularly given the elevated risk of liver-related complications and mortality in this population. Although direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have transformed HCV treatment with high sustained virologic response rates, access to and uptake of these therapies among people living with HIV-HCV co-infection may be influenced by multiple factors including comorbidity burden, treatment complexity, and sociodemographic disparities.
Real-world data evaluating DAA utilization in co-infected individuals remain sparse, particularly within Canadian jurisdictions. Understanding the patterns and determinants of DAA prescribing in this high-risk population is essential to inform equitable treatment strategies and public health planning.

Objectives
This study aims to examine the temporal trends in DAA prescribing among individuals with HIV-HCV co- infection in Manitoba and to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with treatment uptake.

Methods
We will conduct a retrospective, population-based cohort study using data from the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository housed at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MCHP). The study cohort will include adults (≥18 years) with documented HIV and chronic HCV infection between September 2010 and December 2023.
DAA prescriptions will be identified from the Drug Program Information Network (DPIN). We will assess quarterly prescribing trends over time and use interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to evaluate any significant changes in utilization. Logistic regression will be used to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with DAA initiation, including sex, age, geographic region, income quintile, and comorbidities.

Student role
The student will perform a literature review on real-world DAA use among HIV-HCV co-infected populations, support cohort definition and data cleaning, and contribute to the statistical analysis plan. Under supervision, the student will prepare a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal and present findings at scientific conferences.

Sherif Eltonsy, principal investigator

Short description of research
Macrolide antibiotics, including azithromycin, erythromycin, and clarithromycin, are widely prescribed during pregnancy, yet evidence regarding their safety remains inconsistent. Concerns persist about potential associations with adverse outcomes such as congenital malformations, pregnancy loss, preterm birth, and neurodevelopmental disorders. While several observational studies have examined these risks, few have accounted for confounding by indication, and Canadian real-world data remain limited. This study will use comprehensive, population-based data to evaluate the perinatal and long- term neurodevelopmental safety of macrolide use during pregnancy.

Objectives
The primary objective is to assess the association between prenatal exposure to macrolides and adverse pregnancy and child health outcomes. We will examine the prevalence of macrolide use during pregnancy, compare risks across individual agents, and explore the influence of exposure timing and duration.

Methods
We will conduct a retrospective cohort study using linked administrative health databases from the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository at MCHP. Pregnancies from 2005 to 2023 will be identified, and macrolide dispensations during pregnancy will be captured from the Drug Program Information Network. Outcomes will include major congenital anomalies, pregnancy loss, preterm birth, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, and ADHD. Regression models with appropriate adjustment for confounding—including propensity scores matching—will be used to estimate risk differences and relative risks associated with macrolide exposure.

Student role
The student will support the literature review, cohort creation, and data cleaning, and contribute to the analysis plan and interpretation. Under supervision, they will help prepare a manuscript and present findings at scientific meetings.

Anna Maria Chudyk, principal investigator

Short description of research

asPERusual – a podcast for practical patient engagement – explores the current state of patient engagement in Canadian research, and how to make it better. Each episode aims to engage patient partner and academic researcher guests in conversations about pre-defined topics related to patient engagement in research. 

The podcast’s producer and host is Dr. Anna Chudyk, an assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy. The podcast has now entered it’s third season, and Dr. Chudyk is looking for a creative student to help the podcast establish a YouTube presence using video recordings from across the podcast’s first three seasons. 

If you are a creative person and want to have an innovative placement on your CV/resume then this is the opportunity for you! This opportunity may also involve creating other creative outputs (e.g., visuals) related to newly produced podcast episodes.