Angels Den 2024

Dr. Claudia dos Santos

Critical Care Clinician-Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science and Pitts Research Chair of Acute and Emergency Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital

Dr. Amin Ektesabi

Postdoctoral Fellow, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital

THE CHALLENGE: Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency caused when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Worldwide, there are 50 million cases each year. As the only treatments are antibiotics, which aren’t always effective, and organ support, one in five people will die from this common hospital complication.

THE SOLUTION: Dr. Claudia dos Santos and Dr. Amin Ektesabi have developed a new treatment to block inflammation, supercharge the white blood cells’ ability to kill bacteria, and protect against heart and lung failure. Now they want to test it in pre-clinical trials–so they can move quickly to save lives.

Dr. Darren Yuen

Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, and Nephrologist at St. Michael’s Hospital

THE CHALLENGE: Chronic kidney disease – caused when diabetes or high blood pressure irreversibly damages the organs by scarring them – affects one in 10 Canadians. The usual way to diagnose kidney disease is by a needle biopsy. Not only is the procedure painful, it can be dangerous: it may cause bleeding, sending patients to the ICU.

THE SOLUTION: Dr. Darren Yuen has developed a simple, non-invasive ultrasound scan that can take a picture of the kidney to see if there is scarring and how extensive it is. This first-of-its-kind innovation will revolutionize care for people around the world who are living with chronic kidney disease.

Dr. Venkat Bhat

Clinician-Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and Psychiatrist, St. Michael’s Hospital

Dr. Manav Vyas

Clinician-Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and Neurologist, St. Michael’s Hospital

THE CHALLENGE: Every five minutes, someone in Canada is diagnosed with a stroke. Six in 10 stroke survivors develop depression due to biochemical changes in the brain. Medications and psychotherapy are effective treatments for only one in three. That leaves too many struggling with treatment-resistant depression.

THE SOLUTION: Dr. Venkat Bhat and Dr. Manav Vyas want to test the effectiveness of an accelerated course of brain stimulation, called rTMS, that is targeted to a precise region of the brain. Their aim is to offer stroke survivors who have no other options rapid relief and to improve their quality of life.

Dr. Dalia Rotstein

Clinician Investigator, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and Neurologist, St. Michael’s Hospital

Dr. Amirah Momen

Neurologist, St. Michael’s Hospital

THE CHALLENGE: One in 20 Canadians will develop an autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis, lupus or  rheumatoid arthritis.  90 percent of the world’s population has been exposed to Epstein-Barr virus, which is the virus causing mononucleosis infection. New research suggests that this infection might trigger autoimmune disease later in life.

THE SOLUTION: Dr. Dalia Rotstein and Dr. Amirah Momen want to explore the link between mono and autoimmune diseases in different populations. The goal?  To see if a vaccine against Epstein-Barr virus, currently in clinical trials, could in fact prevent all these diseases in people who are susceptible. If it does, the impact on health and wellbeing would be massive.

Dr. Christopher Witiw

Surgeon-Investigator, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and Neurosurgeon, St. Michael’s Hospital

Dr. Alun Ackery

Clinician-Investigator, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and Emergency Physician, Trauma Team Leader, St. Michael’s Hospital

THE CHALLENGE: 165,000 Canadians will suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) this year. TBIs can cause serious long-term disability and even death. In fact, it’s the leading cause of death in young people. A rapid diagnosis and transfer to a hospital with a neurosurgeon are critical to save lives. But only one in five cases will end up needing surgery – and as it is, neurosurgeons are overwhelmed by the volume of consults.

THE SOLUTION: Dr. Christopher Witiw and Dr. Alun Ackery have developed an AI-based tool trained using brain imaging from thousands of TBI patients to help doctors decide who will need to undergo surgery. Now they want to test it at community hospitals without a neurosurgeon on staff to see if they can improve system-wide efficiencies.

Dr. Benita Hosseini

Scientist, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital

Dr. Andrew Pinto

Clinician-Scientist, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and Family Physician, St. Michael’s Hospital

THE CHALLENGE: Right now, more than 850,000 children in Canada live with asthma. Worldwide, that figure is 150 million. This year, half of those children will experience an asthma attack: their symptoms will flare up and they will struggle to breathe. About one in six will end up in the emergency room. With worsening air quality globally, those numbers will only skyrocket.

THE SOLUTION: Dr. Benita Hosseini and Dr. Andrew Pinto aim to create an AI model using medical and environmental data to predict severe asthma attacks in children three months before they happen. The goal is to use it to inform families and doctors about the risks so they can take proactive measures. This effort aims to shape public health interventions that lessen environmental asthma triggers–so kids can play outdoors safely, and just be kids.