Three York University researchers in the Faculty of Science are leading new research projects that aim to strengthen mental health care, deepen understanding of brain function and advance knowlendge on how genes are regulated in cells.
Funding was awarded through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant competition, a national program that supports research with the potential to improve health outcomes, systems and science across Canada.
Close to $2 million in funding will support two projects led by York researchers. A third project led by Unity Health, with $823,905 in funding, will be co-led by York faculty.
“York is demonstrating national leadership in interdisciplinary health research that tackles complex medical and social challenges,” says Amir Asif, vice-president, research and innovation. “These projects – ranging from gene regulation and neuroscience to AI-driven mental health – interventions showcase the talent and collaborative efforts of our researchers across diverse disciplines, advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes for all Canadians.”
Emanuel Rosonina, associate professor in the Department of Biology, was awarded $921,825 over five years to examine how cells decide which genes to use and when.
Titled "Examining transcription dynamics with biotin pulse labeling (BPL)," the project builds on a technique developed by Rosonina’s team that allows researchers to observe how proteins – the molecules that help cells read and control genes – interact with DNA in real time. Unlike traditional methods that provide only static snapshots, Rosonina’s approach captures how gene regulation changes over time. Because disruptions in this process are linked to many human diseases, his work could improve understanding of conditions caused by errors in gene expression.
Jeffrey Schall, a professor in the Department of Biology and Canada Research Chair in Translating Neuroscience, received $1,055,700 over five years to study how the frontal cortex – the front part of the brain – helps us plan, make decisions, control impulses and adjust behaviour.
Schall’s project, "Neuro-computational mechanisms of executive control: Functional architecture of dorsal and cingulate frontal cortex," will use advanced brain imaging and recording techniques to track how different parts of the frontal cortex send signals during decision‑making, error monitoring and behaviour changes. Because similar tasks are used to study response control in people with psychiatric or neurological disorders, this work could eventually help improve diagnosis and treatment for these conditions.
Divya Sharma, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, is a co‑principal investigator on a pan‑Canadian interdisciplinary project led by Unity Health Toronto that received $823,905 over five years to address gaps in care for post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with AI.
"Trauma-focused Responsive AI Using MIRA (TRAUMIRA): Development and Evaluation of a Trauma-Focused AI Conversational Agent for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Care" will adapt MIRA, an AI‑powered virtual mental health assistant co‑developed by the team and the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, into a trauma‑focused tool.
TRAUMIRA will provide personalized, anonymous support including coping strategies, education about PTSD and recovery, and links to resources. Designed to complement – not replace – clinical care, the platform will be co‑designed by people with lived experience, clinicians, researchers and technologists to leverage AI to create a scalable, accessible and ethically sound model to strengthen mental health care across Canada.