Alberta Innovates injects $2.1 M into COVID Research

September 10, 2020

Alberta Innovates is pleased to announce an additional $2.1 M investment in research and innovation projects that will slow the spread and lessen the impact of COVID-19.  

A panel of provincial partners recommended these seven projects for funding from a pool of 28, excellent, Alberta-led applications that ranked highly (4.00+) on the recent federal competition titled: COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity (May 2020). This secondary review by Alberta Innovates, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services focused on strategic relevance, feasibility, and potential to impact the health and/or economic wellbeing of Albertans. 

Principal Investigator Organization Title Funding Recommendation 
Chen, Jie University of Alberta Development and Clinical Validation of a Rapid Antibody Detection Device for COVID-19 $304,200 
Drabovich, Andrei  University of Alberta Rational design and standardization of serology diagnostics using immunoaffinity-targeted proteomics assays $182,098 
Hoben, Matthias  University of Alberta COVID-19 and Caregivers of Assisted living Residents: their Experiences and Support needs (COVCARES-AB/BC) $328,376 
Hu, Jia  University of Calgary Changing COVID-19 Behaviors through a data-driven targeted marketing campaign $392,080 
Lewis, Mark University of Alberta Predicting and managing COVID-19 pandemic dynamics using machine learning $220,545 (supported through the Pfizer Alberta Collaboration in Health)  
Parhar, Ken  University of Calgary The Evaluation of a PRONe Positioning Knowledge Translation Toolkit in COVID-19 ARDS (PRONTO) study $362,285 
Tandon, Puneeta University of Alberta Reconnecting vulnerable outpatients with multidisciplinary care - an RCT assessing online programming in the time of COVID-19 $326,297 

Background  

Alberta Innovates invests in research, innovation and entrepreneurship to drive provincial economic growth and diversity. We ignite the power of innovation through our work with researchers, industry and entrepreneurs to move Alberta to a lower-carbon future, enhance the responsible use of land and water, and contribute to the improved health and well-being of Albertans. 

Alberta Innovates provides technical expertise, entrepreneurial advice and support, opportunities for partnerships, and funding to advance the best ideas. We support a broad range of research and innovation activity - from discovery to use. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do - bringing together bright minds and great ideas to drive innovation. 

Find out more atalbertainnovates.ca