20
Awards
120
Trainees
950+
Publications
3.1
Million in Funding
Welcome to QVasC, based in Kingston, Ontario. At our core, we are a passionate team dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of vascular diseases. Our interdisciplinary approach brings together experts from various fields, including cardiology, emergency medicine, and obstetrics, to tackle the complex challenges of vascular health. Through cutting-edge research, we strive to uncover new insights into the mechanisms behind vascular diseases and develop innovative strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Our Story
Vascular disease is the leading cause of death and illness.
Female and Minority patients experience a disproportionate risk.
The role of mental health and AI in vascular health has yet to be fully explored.
October 2023: QVasC officially recognized as a Queen's University Research Excellence Cluster
What We Do
Our research is aimed at improving the lives of individuals affected by heart and vascular conditions. With a strong commitment to collaboration, discovery, and patient-centered care, we are proud to be at the forefront of vascular health research in Canada and beyond.
Mental Health
Assessing the multi-system dynamic relationship between brain, vascular, and mental health outcomes. Incorporating and assessing both mental health and socioeconomic parameters with adverse vascular-related outcomes
Female Vascular Health
Identifying and addressing sex disparities in vascular health outcomes and diagnostic capabilities. Development of a woman’s vascular clinic.
Indigenous Health
Addressing inequalities in vascular healthcare access and assessing remote delivery of CV-related services. Implementing diagnostic vascular education and training to physicians in remote and rural regions.
Artificial Intelligence
Advancing vascular risk assessment based on a combination of traditional CV risk factors and novel ultrasound imaging-biomarkers.
Cardiovascular Emergencies
Creating new methods, technologies, and approaches for preventing and treating cardiovascular emergencies and utilizing point-of-care ultrasound to assess cardiac ischemia in both ER and outpatient settings.
Our Team.
Our core members have a well-established track record of working together including grants,
publications, and co-supervision of trainees. Through an organic process, we recently collated our individual relationships and developed a formal partnership.
Dr. Amer Johri
MD MSc FRCPC FASE
Cardiology
Research Interests:
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3D echocardiography
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Point-of-care ultrasound
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Interventional echocardiography
Read more about Dr. Johri's lab, here.
Dr. Graeme Smith
MD PhD FRCSC
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Research Interests:
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Pre-eclampsia
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Adverse pregnancy outcomes as a marker of future health
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Maternal Health Education and Screening
Dr. Karen Yeates
MD MPH
Nephrology
Research Interests:
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Improving access to care
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Maternal Health
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Mobile health solutions
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Non-communicable disease
Dr. Steven Brooks
MD MHSc FRCPC
Emergency Medicine
Research Interests:
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Bystander resuscitation for out of hospital cardiac arrest
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Post cardiac arrest syndrome
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Technological solutions
Dr. DJ Cook
MD PhD
Neurosurgery
Research Interests:
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Neurological dysfunction related to autonomic nervous system function and vascular regulation
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Chronic ischemic neurologic function and recovery
Dr. Nazanin Alavi
MD FRCPC
Psychiatry
Research Interests:
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e-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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Suicidal behaviors related to bullying
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Improving suicidal risk assessment in the emergency setting.
Read more about Dr. Alavi's lab, here.
Funding & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Community Interventions for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Resource-Limited Settings: A Scoping Review
N Grubic, B Hill, KS Allan, KN Dainty, AM Johri, SC Brooks
Read more, here.
Impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on circulating von Willebrand factor in patients with severe aortic stenosis
Depression and Anxiety following Acute Myocardial Infarction in Women
K Liblik, SL Mulvagh, CT Hindmarch, N Alavi, AM Johri
Read more, here.
Read more, here.
Revolutionizing Vascular Health
Uniting Science, Innovation, and Compassion.