Clinical dietitian Courtney Wedemire recently received the Michael Smith Health Research BC Health Professional-Investigator award of $450,000. Wedemire currently works at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and wants to use the money to further her research on a disease known as sarcopenia and help those affected by it.
According to Wedemire, this illness usually affects the elderly, targeting the muscles and making them weaker. She wants to utilize the money to further study this disease in the hopes of aiding patients who suffer from it, which includes looking at malnutrition in the elderly.
The hefty award will be given to Wedemire over the next five years which will aid in her endeavours to find a breakthrough. She shared how this monetary award will benefit her goal to help others in the long-term and she is grateful for the doors this has opened up for her research.
Wedemire expressed her gratitude in receiving the award money in an article from The Chilliwack Progress.
“This award gives me the time and capacity to grow my research program and answer questions that matter to patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.”
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.