Dr. Phillip Joy and Dr. Shannan Grant, faculty members and researchers in the Department of Applied Human Nutrition at MSVU, have been awarded a $99,785 grant from Research Nova Scotia (RNS) to gain an understanding of the nutrition and food needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nova Scotia.

People living with HIV/AIDS in Nova Scotia face barriers to meeting their healthcare needs, including nutritional needs. Optimal nutrition is critical to their health and wellbeing, including maintaining their immune system and preventing disease progression. It is important that those living with HIV/AIDS receive nutrition knowledge and foods skills, programming, and support to sustain and improve their health and quality of life.

Despite this, there is a lack of knowledge and resources in NS on the impact of stigma, homophobia, and food security on nutritional programming. Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge about community wants and needs for nutritional programming. Moreover, people living with HIV/AIDS now face novel challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Joy’s research will take a community-based approach, engaging healthcare workers, several HIV/AIDS service providers, and people living HIV/AIDS in Nova Scotia.

The award was announced by Research Nova Scotia today. Their full announcement appears below.

 


Research Nova Scotia Announces $2 Million in Funding for New Health Researchers

HALIFAX, NS (December 10, 2020)

Research Nova Scotia (RNS) is pleased to announce over $2 million in funding for new health researchers in Nova Scotia to help increase capacity in this critical area. The 21 recipients are located at Dalhousie, Acadia, St. Francis Xavier, Saint Mary’s, Mount Saint Vincent, and Cape Breton University as well as Nova Scotia Health and the IWK.

The New Health Investigator Grant supports new health researchers who are engaged in work that aligns with the province’s health research priorities. The grant aims to provide two years of support of up to $100,000 for researchers who are within the first five years of their academic appointment in Nova Scotia or who are new to the field of health research. For the 2020-21 academic year, funding for this grant is provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.

“There has never been a greater need to support new health researchers in Nova Scotia to help inform practice, policy and decision making,” says Stefan Leslie, CEO of Research Nova Scotia. “Today, we’re pleased to announce funding for these researchers and are confident their work will positively impact the health of Nova Scotians.”

Research projects span a broad range of topics including diabetes, cancer and dementia care, preterm infant gut health, and food security during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a complete list of recipients and projects visit researchns.ca/new-health-investigator-grant-recipients/.

Funding provided will support the establishment of independent programs of research, support and expand the research productivity necessary for obtaining long term funding from national and external agencies, and expand the potential for early career investigators to make significant contributions in their field.

For more information, contact:
Stephanie Reid
Director of Marketing & Communications
902.223.9450
stephanie.reid@researchns.ca

About Research Nova Scotia

Research Nova Scotia is an independent, not-for-profit corporation with the mandate to support,
organize and co-ordinate the funding of research in Nova Scotia. RNS was established to enhance
research capacity, as well as align research funding, with provincial priorities and promotes a
mission-oriented research ecosystem to help solve Nova Scotia’s biggest challenges.