Six Thompson Rivers University researchers receive inaugural Health Research BC awards
TRU researchers recognizedJosh Dawson- Aug 10, 2026 / 6:00 pm| Story: 627619Photo: TRUFILE - A sign welcomes visitors to the campus of Thompson Rivers University. Six researchers from Thompson Rivers. . .
TRU researchers recognizedJosh Dawson- Aug 10, 2026 / 6:00 pm| Story: 627619Photo: TRUFILE - A sign welcomes visitors to the campus of Thompson Rivers University. Six researchers from Thompson Rivers University are among the first in B. C. to receive Health Research BC’s inaugural Engage Awards. The awards are part of Health Research BC’s new Impact Pathways Program and provide $5,000 for a term of up to four months. The awards aim to support collaboration between researchers and research users. “The awards provide short-term funding for early-stage activities that build relationships, strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities to co-develop research that can inform practice, policy and community decision-making,” a press release from TRU reads. Shannon Wagner, vice-president of research at TRU, said the awards recognize the strength of “collaborative, community-connected” research that’s taking place on campus. “By bringing researchers together with communities, health-system partners and people with lived experience, these projects are building the relationships needed to address complex health challenges and create meaningful impact across British Columbia,” she said. Projects by TRU researchers that were awarded include work in areas such as social work, nursing, biology and computing science. The six recipient researchers at TRU are Dr. Lorry-Anne Austin, Dr. Lisa Creelman, Dr. Florriann Fehr, Dr. Will Garrett-Petts, Dr. Nisha Puthiyedth, and Dr. Natasha Ramroop Singh. Further information on their research projects can be foundonline. The Engage Awards support 50 teams across B. C. and TRU said they will support efforts to engage with health system staff, policymakers, community organizations, Indigenous peoples and organizations, those with lived experience and private and not-for-profit agencies. “Some of the most important conversations in health research happen before research begins,” said Geoff Payne, president and CEO of Michael Smith Health Research BC. “By supporting engagement early, the Engage Award helps ensure future research and knowledge mobilization are informed by the people who will contribute to and use research knowledge. ”