In a significant boost to mental health and professional development in the research community, WE-SPARK Igniting Discovery Grant launches Program LEAD: How Can a Program Focused on Professional and Lifelong Learning Support the Mental Well-Being of Highly Qualified Personnel Engaged in Health Science Research?
Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved, Dr. Isabelle Barrette-Ng and Dr. Stephanie De Franceschi pose for a photo at the WE-Spark Grant Awards night on Aug. 27, 2025. (WE-Spark)
The grant, set to launch this fall, supports an innovative collaboration led by Dr. Isabelle Barrette-Ng, principal investigator, Integrative Biology, Faculty of Science at the University of Windsor, in partnership with leading educators and researchers from across Canada, including St. Clair College.
A Timely and Transformative Initiative
In today's fast-paced research environment, the mental health and well-being of highly qualified personnel (HQP) including college students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scientists are increasingly at risk. Program LEAD aims to address this urgent issue by creating and evaluating professional and lifelong learning initiatives that directly support the mental well-being and resilience of those at the front lines of health science research.
Funded through the WE-SPARK Health Institute's Igniting Discovery Grant, the project explores how structured learning opportunities in leadership, self-awareness, community building, and professional identity can foster a healthier, more sustainable research culture.
A Canada-Wide Collaboration
Led by Dr. Barrette-Ng, the project brings together an exceptional team of collaborators from across the country:
- University of Windsor: Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved
- St. Clair College: Dr. Stephanie De Franceschi, and Dr. Karamjeet Dhillon
- Carleton University: Tiffany Chang, Dr. Kim Hellemans, Dr. Ashley Thompson
- University of British Columbia: Dr. Gino DiLabio
- University of Ottawa: Dr. Alison Flynn, Dr. Jeremy Kerr
This interdisciplinary team merges expertise from science, education, mental health, and institutional leadership to ensure the program is impactful, evidence-based, and scalable.
With support from GreenShield, Canada's only national non-profit health care and insurance organization, research from these academic partners can move forward and shape the future of health science.
Backed by a Shared Mission
GreenShield believes health care is a right, not a privilege. They are dedicated to improving health outcomes, driving systemic change, and building a future where every Canadian can reach their full health and well-being potential. Founded in Windsor, Ont., GreenShield has deep roots in the community and a longstanding commitment to advancing health equity across Canada. Their mission of Better Health for All drives every initiative they support, from mental health programs to access to care and beyond. By investing in innovative projects like Program LEAD, GreenShield continues to honour its founding principles and expand its impact, ensuring that health and well-being are accessible to all Canadians, regardless of background or circumstance.
The WE-SPARK Igniting Discovery Grant provides seed funding for high-potential, early-stage projects designed to spark innovation, collaboration, and lasting change in health research and education. Program LEAD exemplifies that vision and is poised to have a lasting impact on how we support those doing the vital work of scientific discovery.
What's Next?
With funding in place and a powerhouse team ready to lead, Program LEAD will move forward in developing a research-informed framework for supporting HQP mental well-being, piloting professional development strategies, and building communities of practice across institutions.
