SPARC Ignite Grants
SPARC Ignite Grants, previously know as Clinician-Scientist Seed Grants, were developed to support projects or generate pilot data that develop or strengthen collaborations between clinicians and researchers from the McCaig Institute.
![SPARC logo](/sites/default/files/styles/ucws_hero_cta_mobile/public/2024-03/SPARC%20resized%20for%20web%203.png?itok=X-oGii2U)
Launched in 2016, this initiative has significantly amplified scientific research and discovery, despite the temporary halt in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID. Overall, 42 projects have been enriched through a total funding of $640,000. A testament to the effectiveness of our seed grants, an examination of the first 10 funded projects revealed a remarkable fivefold increase in external funding, contributing to numerous publications and larger research studies.
2024 Seed Grant Recipients
Sarah Manske & Alex Meldrum
Uncovering the origins of bone marrow lesions in knee osteoarthritis using spatial transcriptomics
Matt Jordan & Prism Schneider
Building blocks for pediatric knee health: A catalyst for specialized care
Roman Krawetz & Holly Sparks
Investigation of Proteoglycan 4 to mitigate the negative side effects of steroid treatment on equine joint derived cells
May Choi & Mina Aminghafari
Decoding “healthy” from “pathogenic” antinuclear antibody patterns using Artificial Intelligence
Emily Rogers-Bradley, Joe Kendal & Koren Roach
Biomechanical impact of an actuated knee orthosis on patients undergoing proximal tibial reconstruction
Koren Roach & Neil White
Identifying optimal treatment strategies for distal biceps brachii tendon ruptures: Surgical or conservative treatment?
Prism Schneider & Matt Jordan
Evaluation of postoperative hypercoagulability and increased blood clotting risk in patients with surgically repaired knee injuries
Joe Kendal & John Holash
ACTIVATION: Activity Capture To Investigate Voluntary AcTivity in Oncology and Normal populations
Fred Nicholls & Dave Hart
Effects of Childbearing On Spinopelvic Alignment (EChOS)
2024 Grant Supporters
- Arthur J.E. Child Chair in Rheumatology Research
- Celltrion Healthcare Canada Ltd
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Calgary
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
- Section of Orthopaedics, University of Calgary
- Workers’ Compensation Board - Alberta
2023 Seed Grant Recipients
Dr. Ejaife Agbani & Dr. May Choi
Role of Platelets in the Thromboembolism Associated with Janus kinase Inhibitors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Dr. Michael Monument & Dr. Brent Edwards
Quantifying the Response of Bone Metastases to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Using Clinical CT
Dr. Ranita Manocha & Dr. David Hart
Menstrual cycle effects on knee laxity and structure in females with Hypermobile Spectrum Disorders and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Dr. May Choi & Dr. Jeff Biernaskie
Anti-KIF20B Antibodies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Peripheral Nervous System Disease
Dr. Leigh Gabel & Dr. Emma Billington
Strength Training for Osteoporosis Prevention During Early Menopause (STOP-EM): a Pilot Study
Dr. Koren Roach & Dr. Andrew Dodd
Longitudinal dual fluoroscopy analysis of altered ankle and hindfoot kinematics following ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty
Dr. Prism Schneider & Dr. Sarah Manske
WBCT for Syndesmosis Injuries
2023 Grant Supporters
- Arthur J.E. Child Chair in Rheumatology Research
- AstraZeneca Canada
- Celltrion Healthcare Canada Ltd
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
- Section of Orthopaedics, University of Calgary
- Workers’ Compensation Board - Alberta