Medical imaging

Robarts receives $2.5 million from ORF

LONDON, Ont. – A dozen University of Western Ontario research projects, including a Robarts-led project in image-guided minimally invasive surgical techniques, have received $19-million from the Ontario Research Fund. In helping attract and retain top researchers who will strengthen the province’s competitiveness in the global innovation-driven economy, more than 250 world-class researchers at Western will be supported with this latest funding.

The Robarts project:

Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Intervention and Simulation – Improving surgical techniques through real-time imaging

Lead Researcher: Terry Peters (pictured)

Provincial Funding: $2,577,602

Researchers Affected: 30

Ushering in a new era of surgical intervention is the goal of research being conducted by Terry Peters at Robarts Research Institute. Peters and his colleagues are developing minimally invasive surgical procedures guided by real-time imaging, providing surgeons with surrogate eyes and hands inside the body. These new procedures will significantly reduce post-operative discomfort and recovery time, and lead to lower healthcare costs.

“We are extremely proud of our researchers, and grateful to the Province of Ontario for its continued support of advanced research through the ORF,” says Western President Amit Chakma. “Innovative discoveries made by researchers across the disciplines are resulting in new knowledge that improve health, social and economic welfare throughout the province.”

Funding world-class research is part of Ontario’s plan to build an innovation economy that turns new knowledge into new jobs, better healthcare, a cleaner environment and endless possibilities for Ontario families, says London West MPP Chris Bentley.

“We are recognizing the work that our researchers do and the wealth and jobs they create in London,” says Bentley. “Today’s investment will support the work of more than 250 London researchers. New discoveries will continue to be made and we want those people, those ideas and those jobs right here in our community.”

This investment at Western is part of a broader $268-million province-wide investment that will support 214 projects and more than 3,300 researchers in 14 cities - creating and preserving more than 1,300 construction jobs over the next four years across the province.

Posted Jan. 14, 2010