Endowed Research Chairs

QEII Foundation Endowed Research Chairs are financially fueled by a generous community of donors.

Our Endowed Research Chairs continue to support growth in dedicated research fields at the QEII. These endowment funds are invested permanently, where only the interest from the investment is used to fund the long-term research position in perpetuity. The impact that these appointed experts have had is vast, but a few of the recent, major developments include:

QEII Foundation Chair in Transplantation Research

Optimizing organ transplants

QEII Foundation Chair in Transplantation Research, Dr. Karthik Tennankore's research aims to improve outcomes for organ transplant patients in Nova Scotia, while increasing evidence-informed decision-making among healthcare providers in this critical area of care. Applying extensive expertise in kidney transplantation to a wide variety of organ transplant procedures, his work focuses on three core areas, including:

developing machine-learning models to identify novel risk factors and combinations of risk factors for patient outcomes after transplantation—in partnership with Dalhousie’s Faculty of Computer Science;
incorporating measures of a patient’s frailty into the transplant decision-making process in Nova Scotia, given new data distinguishing frailty from chronological age; and
developing behavioural interventions to increase physical activity in post-transplant patients, for improved recovery and quality of life—in partnership with colleagues in the Department of Medicine.

Dr. Karthik Tennankore

J & W Murphy Foundation Chair in Palliative Care Research

Amplifying Success in Palliative Care in Nova Scotia

With extensive experience in palliative care, Dr. Mary Ellen Macdonald, during her tenure as our inaugural chairholder, investigates the strengths and challenges of end-of-life care. Her approach begins by inviting Nova Scotians to share what they believe is working exceptionally well in the province, with the goal of amplifying and expanding those successes to benefit more people across Nova Scotia. Learn more here >

Dr. Mary Ellen Macdonald

QEII Foundation Chair in Arthroplasty Outcomes

Raising the bar for orthopaedic care

One of the top 22 knee surgeons in North America, Dr. Dunbar is considered a thought leader in his field. He has devoted his career to improving care for patients requiring hip and knee surgeries caused by conditions like arthritis or injuries - including reducing their risk factors.

His team works with clinicians, administrators and policy makers within Nova Scotia to enhance medical services provided to orthopaedic patients province-wide.

Dr. Dunbar and team have a keen interest in the intersection of technology and orthopaedic care and how it relates to outcomes.

Most recently, Dr. Dunbar and his network of colleagues celebrated the arrival of Canada's second orthopaedic robot - long considered the missing piece in his research. Now, researchers will be able to accumulate data at the time of surgery. This is key, as they have long studied what happens before and after surgery.

Dr. Glen Richardson, Dr. Janie Wilson and Dr. Michael Dunbar with the orthopaedic robot.

Dr. Glen Richardson, Dr. Janie Wilson and Dr. Michael Dunbar with Canada's second orthopaedic surgical robot.

Canadian Cancer Society Nova Scotia Division Chair in Population Research

Uncovering links to cancer

Canadian Cancer Society Nova Scotia Division Endowed Chair in Population Cancer Research, Dr. Robin Urquhart’s research focuses on improving cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as helping cancer survivors manage their needs post-treatment. Since taking on the Chair position, Dr. Urquhart is expanding the scope of her previous research to include everything from access to care for those in underserved, underrepresented communities to lifestyle and environmental risk factors. Her core research areas include:

studying the entire cancer continuum, from primary prevention to survivorship and end-of-life care
examining the high pockets of lung cancer in Nova Scotia where there are also high levels of radon, a naturally occurring gas produced by the decay of uranium found in most rocks and soils in the province
conducting genetic-based research aiming at improving diagnoses and developing more personalized treatments with fewer side effects that offer a longer-life prognosis with good quality of life

Dr. Robin Urquhart

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Atlantic Region Chair in Breast Cancer Research

Advancing Breast Cancer Research Towards Clinical Care

As chairholder, Dr. Paola Marcato collaborates with local, national, and international programs and organizations to develop a research program focused on cancer genomics and immunotherapy. Her leadership in this role enabled her to bring experts together and advance the understanding and treatment of breast cancer. Dr. Marcato's unique expertise in studying aldehyde dehydrogenase, an enzyme that helps cancer cells resist treatment, has earned her international recognition and funding. Learn more here >

Dr. Paola Marcato

Heart & Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia Chair in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research

Spearheading improved, innovative treatment options

During his time as chairholder, Dr. Jafna Cox’ led many national research initiatives focused on the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the role that web-based health management tools can play in improving the care journey and care outcomes for heart health patients. Most recently, Dr. Cox's research focus expanded to COVID-19 and its impact on the hearts and health of Canadians. Learn more here>

Dr. Jafna Cox

Learn more about the Endowed Research Chairs we are currently fundraising for here.