Innovation Anthology #611:

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Dr. Nicholas Ashbolt is striving to introduce new ways to recover waste from sewage and give it economic value.  At the same time, his research is also focused on how to protect the public safety of drinking water.

Dr Ashbolt holds the Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Translational Chair in Water at the University of Alberta. 

DR NICHOLAS ASHBOLT:  Another group of organisms which we were much less aware of, these are what we call the environmental pathogens.  These are bacteria largely that grow in piped water, particularly in warm systems in large institutions and buildings, for example, legionnella and legionnaire’s disease    So our research is understanding the ecology of these organisms.  What are the conditions that lead to the growth of microbacteria and legionalla environmental pathogens?  Because if we look at the actual health burden to society from water based pathogens, these environmental pathogens are actually now becoming more important and more costly to society than our traditional ones that we’ve now largely learned to manage. 

In another project, Dr. Ashbolt  is looking at real time testing of water quality to reduce pathogens and contaminants. 

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: 2014-05-13