Driving progress in cystic fibrosis: New research focuses on infection, personalized care, and long-term health

(Toronto, ON, March 31, 2026) – Cystic Fibrosis Canada is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 research grants and awards, investing more than $1 million in innovative work to improve care, reduce treatment burden, and address ongoing health challenges for Canadians living with cystic fibrosis (CF). 

For the more than 4,500 Canadians living with CF, daily life can involve hours of treatment, risk of infection, and managing a complex and evolving disease. While transformative therapies have changed what is possible for some, not everyone can benefit, and significant challenges remain. 

This year’s funding includes three Early Career Investigator Awards, two Research Fellowships, and a first-ever Publication Prize, supporting CF researchers across Canada. These projects focus on urgent priorities identified by the CF community, including better treatment of chronic lung infections, improved delivery of therapies, and more personalized approaches to care.  

As more people with CF are living longer and starting families, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has funded an additional research study at the seed level this year, focusing on cystic fibrosis and pregnancy. At its core, all of the funded  research is about improving everyday life from reducing treatment burden, to preventing complications, and helping people with cystic fibrosis live longer, healthier lives. 

“Research remains at the heart of improving outcomes for Canadians living with cystic fibrosis,” shared Dr. Rachel Syme, Program Director, Research and Clinical Trials, Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “These projects reflect both the progress that has been made and the work that must continue to ensure no one is left behind as life with CF continues to evolve.” 

Funded Research Projects 

Early Career Investigator Awards (Three-year awards supporting the next generation of CF research leaders) 

• Joel Finbloom, University of British Columbia 
  Biofilm-Interfacing Nanomaterials to Improve Antibiotic Delivery and Treat Chronic Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infections (Recipient of the Marsha Morton Early Career Investigator Award and Cathleen Morrison Research Impact Award) 
  How could this research help? 
  This research is developing tiny “delivery vehicles” that can carry antibiotics directly into hard-to-treat lung infections. By breaking through protective biofilms and delivering drugs more precisely, this approach could make antibiotics more effective and reduce side effects for people with CF. 
• Justin DiTrani, University of Alberta 
  Targeting the electron transport chain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to eliminate chronic lung infections 
  How could this research help? 
  This project is exploring how a common CF bacteria produces energy and survives in the lungs. By blocking this process, researchers aim to develop new types of antibiotics that could better treat chronic infections. 
• Rachel Eddy, University of British Columbia 
  Quantitative Structure-Function Pulmonary MRI for Personalized CF Care 
  How could this research help? 
  New MRI tools are being developed to detect subtle changes in lung health that current tests may miss. This could help people with CF and their care teams make more informed decisions, including whether certain daily treatments can be safely reduced. 

Research Fellowships (Two-year awards supporting emerging researchers) 

• Xianglei Fu, University of Toronto 
  Inhalable mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles for Precision Base Editing in Cystic Fibrosis (Named the 2026 Jennifer and Robert Sturgess Fellow) 
  How could this research help? 
  This research is working toward a treatment that could fix the underlying genetic cause of CF using inhaled nanoparticles. If successful, it could reduce the need for lifelong daily treatments and improve long-term health outcomes. 
• Hanna Ostapska, Université de Montréal 
  Membrane vesicle-mediated delivery of antimicrobials in disrupting cystic fibrosis polymicrobial biofilms and enhancing antibiotic efficacy 
  How could this research help? 
  This project is designing microscopic delivery systems that can carry antibiotics directly into bacterial communities in the lungs. By breaking down biofilms, this approach could make infections easier to treat and improve the effectiveness of existing therapies. 

New This Year: Publication Prize 

Cystic Fibrosis Canada is proud to introduce the John and Marika Wallenburg Publication Prize, recognizing outstanding peer-reviewed research. 

• Heather Girouard, McGill University 
  The Impact of Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review 
  How could this research help? 
  As people with CF live longer, new health considerations are emerging. This research examines how widely used CF therapies may affect factors like weight, blood sugar, and heart health, helping care teams better monitor and manage long-term risks. 

Seed Level Grant:  

• Janine Hutson, Western University 
  Evaluating placental transfer of CFTR modulators to guide cystic fibrosis therapy in pregnancy 
  How could this research help? 
  Little is known about how CFTR modulators affect a fetus during pregancy. This research will study how different CFTR therapies move across the placenta using donated tissue to better understand how much reaches the developing fetus. The goal is to support safer, more informed treatment decisions during pregnancy - ensuring the right dose for the parent while minimizing potential risks to the baby. 

All funded proposals were selected through a rigorous peer review process involving scientific experts and Canadians with lived experience of CF, ensuring that the research is both scientifically strong and meaningful to the community. 

This investment is made possible through the generosity of donors, fundraisers, and volunteers across Canada. Their support is essential to advancing research and improving the lives of all Canadians affected by cystic fibrosis. This funding is in addition to the Seed Grant awards Cystic Fibrosis Canada awarded earlier this year, for more information, please see here.  

Contact 

Dr. Rachel Syme 
Program Director, Research and Clinical Trials 
Cystic Fibrosis Canada 
rsyme@cysticfibrosis.ca