At the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), research is closely integrated with clinical care. Affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we align research with clinical needs to establish a seamless linkage, effectively translating research from “bench to bedside.” Indeed, we are uniquely placed to achieve complete integration and synergy between clinical care and research innovation and excellence through our large patient population base.
Our investigators regularly publish in prestigious journals and our extensive network of partnerships encompass regional, national, and international activities. Since 2011, the Institute has been ranked in the top 3% of worldwide research institutions for normalized research impact, by Scimago Institutional Rankings (SIR), the most comprehensive ranking in this area. In 2014, we placed as the number one cardiovascular research centre in Canada.
ORACLE
Together with our regional partners, UOHI is building on a solid foundation following the implementation of the 2013-17 Ottawa Region for Advanced Cardiovascular Research Excellence (ORACLE) Strategic Plan. The ORACLE 2 strategic directions for 2018-24 (pdf) maximize regional and interdisciplinary research to solve major questions in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. This will accelerate our global leadership in cardiovascular health innovation.
In disease areas with the greatest patient burden, we are creating and supporting unique Innovation Hubs of interdisciplinary research groups who will work with our Heart Teams in addressing key clinical care gaps. The Innovation Hubs foster collaboration and leverage Ottawa’s unique regional advantage, and generate lateral connectivity to harness talent, expertise, resources and opportunities. In turn, Ottawa is defining the next cutting edge and becoming a magnet for the global talent of trainees, rising research stars, and established investigators alike. To learn more, read our Research Strategic Goals and the ORACLE 2 strategy.
Research infrastructure
The UOHI’s research infrastructure includes advanced equipment, endowed fellowships and research chairs, and data analysis and administrative support offices, all of which foster the pursuit of excellence, scientific achievement and clinical impact. Our research endeavours are supported through competitive funding obtained via grants and contracts, as well as a vigorous fundraising campaign by the Heart Institute Foundation (which includes a more than $50 million research endowment).
Our researchers are highly successful in obtaining competitive peer-reviewed grants awarded from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Genome Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, among others. State-of-the-art research facilities at UOHI include the Ruddy Canadian Cardiovascular Genetics Centre (the only one of its kind in Canada), advanced cardiac imaging and analysis capabilities, electron microscopy, and a cyclotron facility. In addition, the Ottawa region is home to world class centres such as the Canadian Vascular Network, Heart Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery, the Brain and Mind Research Institute, the Stem Cell Network, and the Canadian Stroke Network. Other core facility service laboratories, such as those provided by the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, are available in the Ottawa region.
Education
In close collaboration with the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, the Heart Institute educates and trains undergraduates, graduates and post-graduates in an environment that mandates a vigorous pursuit of research.
Research publications
Our research has received worldwide recognition through publications in prestigious journals. See our recent publications.