OUR HISTORY

In 1987, CHRI was founded by the Department of Paediatrics of the Faculty of Medicine at The University of Western Ontario in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario and the Board of the Children’s Health Foundation. In the first decade, CHRI’s research was focused on paediatric pain and limited biomedical sciences.


In 1997, CHRI was reviewed by an External Review Team which recommended renewing and increasing support to CHRI including the building of a new structure. Dr. Victor Han, a clinician-scientist who is recognized internationally for his research on fetal growth restriction (low birth weight) and preeclampsia, was appointed as the new Director in 1999, with a mandate to develop a new research institute. CHRI was reorganized into a “virtual research institute” with researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario, The University of Western Ontario, Lawson Health Research Institute and the Robarts Research Institute.

Five programs were established to maximize the existing strengths of child health research and to focus to achieve international prominence.

1. Developmental Biology Program

This Program explores the fundamental processes of early embryonic and fetal development. These scientists study signals controlling cell determination and differentiation, and cellular interactions that may lead to infertility, birth defects, and children’s diseases such as diabetes, muscular dystrophy and growth failure.

2. Molecular Genetics Program

This Program investigates into the genetic causes of childhood diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, metachromatic leukodystrophy and mental retardation. Some scientists are investigating into how certain children’s diseases such as cancer and growth failure are caused by non-genetic sequence-based regulation of gene expression called “epigenetics”.


3. Fetal and Newborn Health Program


The internationally recognized scientists of this Program are studying the mechanisms of normal and abnormal fetal, placental and newborn development. They are also exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the short and long-term consequences of being born small (low birth weight) or premature.


4. Children’s Optimal Therapeutics Program

This Program is studying ways by which we can diagnose children’s diseases faster and treat them optimally with minimal untoward effects. These scientists are conducting research trials aimed to address the causes and outcomes (including treatment outcomes) of children’s diseases such as paediatric cancers, autism and respiratory ailments of premature infants. Their research also examines the safety of drugs in pregnancy and lactation, and in children.


5. Child Health and Well-Being Program


This Program focuses on the social determinants of child and family health. It also investigates the quality of life of children with chronic illnesses, such as epilepsy, and evaluates the effectiveness of psychosocial outreach interventions.


In 2001, CHRI became a research institute within the Lawson Health Research Institute, when all of the hospital-based research programs were amalgamated into one single umbrella organization.

The Scientists and Associate Scientists of CHRI Programs are committed to improving the health of newborns, children and youth. The research questions being asked today will become the health care breakthroughs of tomorrow.


Milestones:


2003

  • Consolidation of Developmental Biology, Fetal and New Born Health, and Molecular Genetics Programs at Victoria Research Laboratories (VRL), LHSC-VH
  • New linkages with Vascular Biology Group and London Regional Cancer Program
  • Large animal research models moved to UWO
  • Endowed chair position, Douglas and Vivian Bocking Chair in Fetal and Newborn Growth, completed and awarded to Dr. Victor Han
  • Interdisciplinary infrastructure projects funded through CFI/OIT/ORDCF
  • Recruitment of 3 basic scientists (Drs. Dick, Rozmahel, Berube), and 1 clinician scientist (Dr. Fraser)

2004

  • Endowed Chair in Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology with UWO, established for Dr. Michael Rieder
  • Recruitment of clinician researchers, Dr. Mahmud in endothelial dysfunction research in children, and Dr. Bharwani in paediatric gastroenterology
  • Intellectual property developed, patented/licensed
  • Successful external scientific review
  • Opening of UWO Transgenic Core Animal Facilities at the VRL
  • Salary awards to CHRI Scientists (Drs. Dick and Fraser)
  • Major infrastructure grants to CHRI Scientists (Drs. Berube, Fraser, Dick and Rozmahel)

2005

  • Recruitment of basic scientists, Drs. Andy Babwah and Mellissa Mann
  • Successful funding of a CIHR RFA in Healthy Pregnancy for 5 years
  • Major infrastructure grants to CHRI Scientists (Drs. Babwah and Mann)
  • Salary awards to CHRI Scientists (Drs. Pin and Berube)
  • Premier’s Research Excellence Awards to CHRI Scientists (Drs. Dick and Rozmahel)
  • Opening of the London Regional Innovarium
  • Successful LHRI external review including CHRI
  • Dr. Victor Han appointed the Associate Dean, Research, of the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry