Innovation Anthology #331:

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A unit on the heart in Grade 11 biology has possibly changed the life path of Edward Spink.

Barely 16 years old, this student from JH Picard high school in Edmonton is spending his summer working in a cardiac research lab at the University of Alberta.

Edward is one of 45 students from across Alberta chosen to participate in the Heritage Youth Researcher Summer Program.

Under the watchful eye of Dr. Gary Lopaschuk and his team of cardiac researchers at the University of Alberta, Edward is learning gels, proteins, and experiments on the heart.

EDWARD SPINK: So what I’m specifically looking at is a cardiac disease called cardiac hypertrophy and due to different causes such as high blood sugar, valve disease or even genetics, it can become enlarged. And because its enlarged it requires more energy to function because its less efficient at producing energy. So what we’re trying to look at is what exactly are the changes in the energy metabolism of these enlarged hearts, and what exactly are the key molecules that cause these alterations of the energy metabolism in these hearts.

Edward Spink says thanks to the HYRS program, he’s now considering a career in medicine as well as engineering.

Thanks today to Alberta Innovates Health Solutions.

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

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Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions)

As the newly formed Alberta Innovates corporation, we still fund top quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans. We provide leadership for Alberta’s health research and innovation enterprise by directing, coordinating, reviewing, funding and supporting research and innovation.

Working with our many partners  in the health system, we ensure that research achieves innovation in care, policy and practice, and that the needs of patients and clinicians influence research.

Our background

Alberta Innovates consolidation was launched November 1, 2016.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions was established as part of the Alberta Innovates system by an Act of Legislation of the Government of Alberta. It is a agency  of the Government of Alberta. We receive a yearly allocation from the Ministry of Health and report through the ministry to the people of Alberta.

Our Mandate and Roles document reflects our role and responsibilities and outlines the government statues and regulations with which we comply.

Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy (AHRIS) sets out Alberta’s health research agenda for the coming decade to ensure our considerable investments in research align with our priority—to improve the health of Albertans.

Program Date: 2010-08-17