MEET THE TEAMS

CLEAR-LUNG spans multiple academic institutions and research groups across Canada

Arsenic

In Canada, arsenic can contaminate drinking water, particularly for those who use well water. Chronic exposure to low concentrations of arsenic, even below the established risk threshold, can contribute to the development of lung cancer. Our teams focus on understanding and establishing risk thresholds for people's exposures to arsenic and identifying regions most at risk for arsenic exposure to increase community awareness.

Dr. Trevor Drummer

University of British Columbia

Dr. Victor Martinez

Dalhousie University

Dr. Graham Dellaire

Dalhousie University

Community Perspectives

Our team focuses on Canadian community perspectives around their exposure to lung cancer. It is currently unknown to what extent communities are aware of their risk. Understanding high-risk communities’ awareness of their exposure and how the cancer risk associated with that exposure can be communicated is essential in reducing cancer risk. Increased understanding of community awareness could aid in tailoring communications about risk as well as available mitigation strategies to reduce their risk.

Dr. Robin Urquhart

Dalhousie University

Dr. Cynthia Kendell

Dalhousie University

Laura Jimenez

Research Assistant

Radon

Our team focuses on understanding how exposure to radon affects long-term health, in particular in developing lung cancer. Radon is found across Canada. Around 1 in 5 Canadians live in buildings where radon concentration recommendations are too high. Those living in rural communities are more likely to be exposed to radon than those in urban centres. Identifying and better understanding radon exposure can contribute to increasing awareness and reducing risk of lung cancer for those living in high-risk environments.

Dr. Alison Wallace

Dalhousie University

Kassandra Coyle

MD student, Dr. Wallace's lab

Dr. Ziba Rovei Miab

Post-doc, Dr. Wallace's lab

Dr. Aaron Goodarzi

University of Calgary

PM2.5 (air pollution)

In Canada, wildfires are already the largest contributors to air pollution, and their severity and frequency is expected to increase as result of climate change. Currently, very little is known about the short and long-term impacts of wildfire smoke exposure in human health. Our team is looking to better understand how wildfire exposure impacts health using fruit flies.