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Faculty of Health Sciences

Chanchlani Research Centre

Sonia Anand, pictured second from left, meets with families involved with the SouTh Asian biRth cohorT (START) study at the Population Health Research Institute.
Our Research

About Us

Our History

The late Vasu Chanchlani was an Indo-Canadian serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and builder of transnationalism. He was the co-founder of the Sigma Group of Companies and a founding member of the Canada India Foundation. He is remembered for his efforts towards improving Canada-India relations through his philanthropic activities and engagement with Indian Diaspora to serve bilateral interests of both Canada and India.

Vasu and his wife, Dr. Jaya Chanchlani, created a $10M fund (through $1 million seed) to set up the Chanchlani Research Centre. The centre aims to encourage scientists to find environmental and genetic causes of cardiovascular diseases widely prevalent within South Asians and those of South Asian origin in Canada. Chanchlani also endowed $250,000 at McMaster to give every year the Chanchlani Global Heath Research Award along with $25,000 for the best global research for heart and diabetes among South Asians.

Jaya and Vasu Chanchlani at the Chanchlani Research Centre
Jaya and Vasu Chanchlani
Benefactors of the Chanchlani Research Centre.

Advancing Health Equity

Diagram showing the cycle of research, community engagement and advocacy, education, and policy that together affect health equity.
The Chanchlani Research Centre plans to advance health equity through research, community engagement and advocacy, education and policy.

We are conducting community-based research projects in partnership with communities.

Current studies:

  • Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in South Asian CHildren in CAnada (ASHA)
  • COVID CommUNITY South Asian
  • COVID CommUNITY First Nations
  • COVID CommUNITY Youth
  • COVID CommUNITY Riverdale
  • A culturally tailored personaliseD nutrition intErvention in South ASIan women at risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (DESI-GDM)
  • Nutrition and Genomics (NutriGen)
  • Strengthening COmmunity Roots: Anchoring Newcomers in Wellness and Sustainability (SCORE!)

Past research studies:

  • Indigenous Birth Cohort (iABC)
  • SMART START
  • South Asian Youth as Vaccine Agents of Change (SAY-VAC)

We are engaging with our communities, to align our interests with theirs and to advocate to agencies and governments.

Current networks for engagement:

  • South Asian Health Network
  • Municipal Public Health Agencies (e.g., Peel, Hamilton)
  • Hamilton agencies and organizations
  • Local families, service users and neighbourhood residents

Past networks for engagement:

  • South Asian COVID Task Force

Train undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows:

  1. Global-local” or glocal: MSc/PhD projects that focus on health equity research in local contexts
  2. Provide training in quantitative and qualitative research methodology, health advocacy and health policy
  3. Provide a strong focus on:
    1. Social determinants of health
    2. Interventions to reduce barriers to healthcare access or improve equity/diversity (e.g., reduce systemic racism)

We aim to affect policy by:

  • Building partnerships and accessing funding with local, provincial and federal governments
  • Developing experiences working with government and non-profit or charitable organizations to effect change

Information Box Group

Our Mission

Conduct health equity research in local contexts, in particular South Asian, First Nations and new immigrant communities in and near Hamilton.

Our Vision

Improve health equity for under-served populations in our community.

Our Values

Training students and fellows in research methodologies, health advocacy and health policy, with a strong focus on social determinants of health and reducing barriers to healthcare.