WE-SPARK Think Tank Opens the Door to Collaboration on Emerging Health Research Ideas

WE-SPARK Health Institute is inviting researchers, health care professionals, students, and community organizations to take part in its upcoming Virtual Think Tank on Friday, June 19, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The WE-SPARK Think Tank is designed to bring people together around emerging health research ideas, community priorities and opportunities for collaboration. Participants will hear from local presenters who are looking to build partnerships, gather feedback and move their projects forward through meaningful discussion.

All are welcome to attend, especially those who enjoy exploring new ideas, solving problems, making connections and supporting research that responds to real-world health needs.

Think Tank Topics

Advancing Sexually Transmitted Blood-Borne Infections Awareness and Access

Presenters Roselyn Kyeame and Razane Diab from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will introduce the development of a community-informed sexual health committee focused on strengthening collaboration and guiding local priorities related to sexually transmitted blood-borne infections.

This session will bring together academic, clinical and community partners to identify gaps, share perspectives and co-create strategies that improve sexual health outcomes. Discussion will focus on reducing stigma, increasing awareness and improving access to testing, prevention and treatment services.

The presenters are seeking connections with partners involved in areas such as core medical services, shelter health, harm reduction, community support, hepatitis C outreach, teen health, pregnancy centres, correctional health, mobile outreach and related community-based services.

Advancing Psychological Closure in Mental Health Research and Practice

Dr. Chantal Boucher from the University of Windsor will lead a discussion on psychological closure and its role in mental health research and practice.

Many people continue to struggle with unresolved life experiences that affect their mental health, yet there is still a need for clearer ways to define, measure and support psychological closure in practice. This session will explore how researchers, clinicians, community organizations and people with lived experience can help shape future research and develop practical mental health supports.

Dr. Boucher is looking to connect with voices from across psychology, mental health care, community organizations and lived experience to help strengthen this important area of work.

Targeting Better Outcomes in AML Transplantation: Risk Models, Relapse and Biomarker Innovation

Dr. Ayman Sayyed from Windsor Regional Hospital will present on the challenges of stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia, with a focus on relapse, risk factors and the need for more personalized approaches to care.

This session will explore how better risk modelling, immune cell profiling, proteomic signatures and biomarker innovation may help predict which patients are most likely to benefit from transplant. The goal is to spark discussion and collaboration around improving outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Dr. Sayyed is seeking collaboration across hematology and oncology, transplant medicine, post-transplant care, biostatistics and proteomics research.

WE-SPARK Think Tanks provide an opportunity to share ideas early, gather input from different perspectives and build the collaborations needed to move health research forward.

By bringing together academic, health care and community voices, the June Think Tank will support new connections across sexual health, mental health and cancer research.

The event is open to all who are interested in contributing to health research and innovation in Windsor-Essex and beyond.

Please click here to register.