October 6, 2006 Source: :
http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2006/scholarship_6oct.html Researchers at Acadia University
awarded $134,000 CANADA-HOPE scholarship to implement aging and health
research in
India
(Wolfville, NS) - Dr. Sabu Aliyar of the Centre for Development Studies in
Trivandrum, India is teaming up with mentor Dr. Shanthi Johnson of Acadia
University to implement research on healthy aging in India with the help of
the new CANADA-HOPE Scholarship.
Dr. Aliyar and Dr. Johnson are the first of three CANADA-HOPE Scholarship
recipients announced this week in Ottawa by the Honourable Tony Clement,
Minister of Health, Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes
of Health Research (CIHR), and Mr. Jérôme Silvestre, President of
sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. The value of the scholarship is $134,000. The scholarship recipients are studying healthy aging, organ damage and
stroke research. The funding for this initiative was announced by CIHR in
October 2005. "Dr. Shanthi Johnson has shown time and time again that her research has
global implications," said Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb, President and
Vice-Chancellor of Acadia University. "Acadia is pleased to host Dr. Aliyar
on campus and we are hopeful that his work with Dr. Johnson will lead to
improved health for our aging population." Under this program, during the first two years, the three researchers are
mentored in Canada where they are exposed to some of the best Canadian
science, laboratories and training environments. Their research projects
will be transferred to their home institution when they return to India for
the remaining two years of the program. The aging population phenomenon is observed in several developed and
developing countries like Canada and India. These demographic transitions
have taken place for over 100 years in developed countries, but within a
short span of only 35 years in developing countries. In developing
countries, there is a lack of promotion of population-based healthy aging. Dr. Sabu Aliyar, with mentor Dr. Shanthi Johnson, will implement long-term
aging and health research collaboration in India. In particular, they will
be examining health status and healthy life expectancy as well as
multidisciplinary approaches to the prevention of falls and health promotion
among the elderly both in community-based and long-term care settings in
Canada and India. The scholarships announced today are supported by the CANADA-HOPE
Scholarship Program. This joint program was developed and supported by CIHR
via its CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program, in partnership with
sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. CIHR is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's
mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its
translation into improved health, more effective health services and
products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13
Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 10,000 health
researchers and trainees across Canada. CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program enables scientists, clinicians and
members of the full spectrum of health professions, and Rx&D members to
optimize opportunities in clinical research benefiting the health of
Canadians. CIHR/Rx&D is a national association representing over fifty research-based
pharmaceutical companies in Canada. The mission of Rx&D is to improve the
quality of life of all Canadians and enhance our health care system by
fostering the discovery, development and availability of new medicines. Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, is recognized as one of
Canada’s premier undergraduate institutions. With its nationally and
internationally recognized research initiatives, small class sizes, and its
technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students a
personalized education that includes rigorous academic programs combined
with personal growth and development. For more information about Acadia,
visit our website at www.acadiau.ca. -30- For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs Office of Communications & Public Affairs
Acadia University
P: 902.585.1362
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