CIHR Supports Carleton Study on the Impact of Pollutants on Diabetes
Carleton University’s Jenny Bruin, professor in the Department of Biology is receiving approximately $750,000 from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) to support her innovative research on the factors that trigger diabetes onset and progression.
“This funding will enable Bruin’s team to carry out thorough studies on factors impacting this serious health issue facing Canadians and to contribute to informed policy development,” said Rafik Goubran, vice-president (Research and International).
Cases of diabetes are rising at an alarming rate, yet the factors that trigger its onset and drive its progression are still poorly understood. Generally, diabetes is caused by a deficiency in insulin-secreting beta cells, which are located throughout the pancreas in endocrine clusters called islets. There is mounting evidence that exposure to environmental chemicals is linked to increased diabetes risk, but the effects of pollutants on beta cells are only beginning to emerge.
“We will study how environmental pollutants impact the specialized cells in our pancreas that produce insulin and regulate blood sugar levels,” said Bruin. “We will also measure the concentration of pollutants in the pancreas of human organ donors to evaluate the level of exposure in Canadians. Our work will inform clinicians and policy-makers about chemicals that may be involved in diabetes risk.”
About Carleton Research:
Carleton is a dynamic, interdisciplinary research-intensive institution with a creative international approach to research that has led to many significant discoveries and works in science and engineering, business, public affairs and the arts. Home to many noted award-winning researchers, Carleton is uniquely committed to discovery, knowledge, and understanding of the world around us. Carleton’s location in Ottawa, the nation’s capital, allows unique access for our researchers across many disciplines to such places as Canada’s national labs and museums, Library and Archives Canada, federal government departments and, of course, Parliament Hill. Through building sustainable communities, we foster new ideas to create a more prosperous future for Canada and the world.
Media Contact
Steven Reid
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 8718
613-265-6613
Steven_Reid3@Carleton.ca
Carleton Flipboard account: https://flipboard.com/@carletonstories/carleton-stories-0gbu905my
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Cunewsroom
Need an expert? Go to: www.carleton.ca/newsroom/experts
Related News
Carleton Celebrates 2026 Spring Convocation Medal Winners
From June 8 to 12, Carleton University celebrates Spring Convocation as more than 6900 graduates cross the stage to receive their degrees. Among them are ...
Carleton-Led Hub Expands Support for Black Entrepreneurs
Carleton University welcomes the renewed federal support for the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) through March 2028, reinforcing the university’s leadership role in advancing research, ...
Carleton Experts Available – Federal Spring Economic Update
The federal Liberals will table their spring economic update today, and Carleton experts are available to comment. If you are interested in speaking with the ...