The Department of Medicine is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Jane Batt as our new Vice-Chair – Research, effective June 1, 2023.
Dr. Batt is a respirologist and scientist at the Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Sciences, St. Michael’s Hospital – Unity Health Toronto and associate professor of medicine in the Division of Respirology with a cross appointment to the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care.
She leads an internationally recognized research program aimed at delineating the cellular and molecular regulation of skeletal muscle mass and dysfunction in critical illness and trauma. Her program mandate is to utilize research findings to facilitate innovation that is transferrable to the bedside to prevent and treat skeletal muscle wasting and weakness. Her current projects include: MEND-ICU - a study of the molecular mechanisms underpinning Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness (ICUAW); the development of Smart Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Garments to prevent ICUAW and ultrasound mediated gene delivery (UMGD) to promote the repair and regeneration of traumatically-denervated muscle. Her research is consistently supported by competitive funding including Canadian Institutes of Health Research, New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration, Medicine by Design, Ontario Thoracic Society, Ontario Lung Association and Physicians Services Incorporated.
She has served as Chair of the Division of Respirology Research Advisory Committee, Chair of the Ontario Thoracic Society, Medical Director of St. Michael’s Hospital’s Tuberculosis program, has chaired or served on multiple national and international research grant and award peer review committees and is guest editor of Frontiers in Physiology.
We are thrilled to have Dr. Batt leading our Research portfolio and are extending our heartiest congratulations to her on this appointment. We would also like to thank Dr. Mike Farkouh for his leadership and guidance as Vice-Chair Research over the last eight years. Thank you Dr. Farkouh and congratulations Dr. Batt!
