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How PHA Canada contributes to critical PH research 

PHA Canada’s scholarship program awards up to $10,000 to outstanding trainees in support of their research into the field of pulmonary hypertension. This research program allows emerging PH researchers—whose projects will contribute to the better understanding or treatment of PH—to fully delve into their scientific studies, in collaboration with specialized PH clinics in Canada. PHA Canada currently supports up-and-coming PH researchers in Canada through four named PH research scholarships: the Paroian Family PH Research Scholarship, the Mohammed Family PH Research Scholarship, the Loretta Chu Memorial PH Research Scholarship and new this year, the Bell Family Pediatric PH Research Scholarship.


Named Research Scholarships 

PHA Canada currently supports up-and-coming PH researchers in Canada through three named PH research scholarships: the Paroian Family PH Research Scholarship, the Mohammed Family PH Research Scholarship, and the Loretta Chu Memorial PH Research Scholarship. 

The Paroian Family PH Research Scholarship was founded in 2015, thanks to a major donation by Phil Paroian in honour of his sister, Sherry Paroian. Since 2015, the Paulin Family (Brampton, ON) has raised nearly $50,000 in support of this scholarship through their Annual GolPH for PH Tournament. 

The Mohammed Family PH Research Scholarship was founded in 2017, thanks to funds raised by siblings Renae and Joseph (Ajax, ON), in honour of their mom, Judy Mohammed. The Mohammed Family's popular Annual Ajax Walk/Run for PH Research has since raised over $40,000 for this scholarship.

The Loretta Chu Memorial PH Research Scholarship was created in 2021 to honour Loretta Chu and her many contributions to the PH community, including during her many years as the co-leader of the Toronto support group. This special memorial scholarship was funded thanks to a major donation by PHA Canada Founder and Eternal PHriend, Darren Bell, and the fundraising efforts of the PH community. 

The Bell Family Pediatric PH Research Scholarship is our new research scholarship specifically to support pediatric PH research, thanks to the generous donation of Darren Bell in memory of his son Dylan, who passed away from PAH in 2007.
 
Learn more about our Fundraising & Donor Relations Policy.

For more information on how you can acquire a named research scholarship, please view our Donor Directed Gift Policy.


Scholarship Recipients 

As of 2023, PHA Canada has awarded $170,000 worth of scholarships (17 awards at $10,000 each) through its PH Research Scholarship Program.
 
Image of Yann Grobs

Yann Grobs

Implication of APEX1 in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (2023)


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Image of Yongneng Zhang

Yongneng Zhang

A critical contribution of a genetic variant in the transition from normal function to failure of the right heart in pulmonary arterial hypertension


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Image of Dr. Ruaa Al-Qazazi

Dr. Ruaa Al-Qazazi

The role of the NLPR3 inflammasome and macrophages in right ventricular failure in pulmonary arterial hypertension


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Image of Rachel Bentley

Rachel Bentley

Why do two key fetal blood vessels, the ductus arteriosus and the pulmonary arteries, have opposite responses to the rise in blood oxygen that occurs with the newborn’s first breath?


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Image of Alice Bourgeois

Alice Bourgeois

Role of FOXM1 in DNA Damage Response and Cell Cycle Progression in PAH


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Image of Karima Habbout

Karima Habbout

Implications of EZH2 in PAH


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Image of Pierce Colpman

Pierce Colpman

Epigenetic upregulation of Dynamin 2, a regulator of mitochondrial fission, promotes human and experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension


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Image of Sarah-Eve Lemay

Sarah-Eve Lemay

The role of hypusine signalling in pulmonary arterial hypertension


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Image of Dr. François Potus

Dr. François Potus

Linking inflammation and the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension


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Image of Austin Read

Austin Read

Mechanisms of fetal oxygen sensing and the role of the electron transport chain in the pulmonary artery and ductus arteriosus


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Image of Sylvia Rinaldi

Sylvia Rinaldi

Nutritional Status of Patients with PH


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Image of Virginie F. Tanguay

Virginie F. Tanguay

Metabolic Syndrome and PH


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Image of Géraldine Vitry

Géraldine Vitry

Involvement of NUDIX proteins in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension


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Image of Dr. Ping Yu Xiong

Dr. Ping Yu Xiong

Significance of Elevated Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure on Echocardiogram


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