Threats to human health are becoming more frequent and serious as the impacts of climate change intensify and temperatures rise around the world.<\/p>\n
Brock\u2019s new Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Extreme Human Environments, Professor of Kinesiology Toby M\u00fcndel, is studying thermoregulation, the regulating of temperature under a variety of situations inside and outside the body.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis funding announcement comes on the heels of Environment and Climate Change Canada\u2019s seasonal summer outlook predicting higher-than-normal temperatures throughout most of the country,\u201d says Brock Acting Vice-President, Research Michelle McGinn.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Canadians and others around the world face increasingly frequent heatwaves, Dr. M\u00fcndel\u2019s focus on innovative solutions to regulate body temperature has become more important than ever,\u201d she says. \u201cHis particular emphasis on women\u2019s physiology and the experiences of vulnerable populations will ensure protection for a greater number of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
There needs to be better understanding of the body\u2019s responses to extreme heat, yet most of the research on heat stress has been largely conducted on young adult males, says M\u00fcndel, who has shifted his research to focus on underrepresented populations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe actually don\u2019t know how more than half the population regulates temperature because we ignore women, we ignore children, we ignore the elderly, we ignore the homeless,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
The human body\u2019s thermoregulation system includes the sweat glands, circulatory system, skin and a gland in the brain called the hypothalamus. To keep itself as close to 37 degrees C as possible, the body sweats, shivers and opens or restricts its blood flow, among other strategies.<\/p>\n
During his seven-year term as Canada Research Chair, M\u00fcndel\u2019s research will focus on three goals.<\/p>\n
Firstly, he will examine the role estrogen and progesterone play in regulating the body\u2019s temperature.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are all sorts of hormonal processes happening with women that could affect temperature regulation. Not just menstrual cycles, but contraceptive use, pregnancy and menopause,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
M\u00fcndel will also explore how fasting affects thermoregulation. He says \u201cvirtually nothing\u201d is known about that.<\/p>\n
He notes it\u2019s important to get that information to help protect pilgrims and others in hot countries who are fasting during religious holidays or events.<\/p>\n
Finally, M\u00fcndel will explore ways to detect heat strain early and to protect the body against extreme heat, mostly in the form of wearable sensors that monitor temperature in real time. These sensors would be particularly relevant for firefighters, military personnel and others who work in hot environments, he says.<\/p>\n
M\u00fcndel says he plans on teaming up with fellow Canada Research Chair Newman Sze<\/a> at some point to examine molecular biomarkers in blood to determine who might be at greater risk of heat stroke or other vulnerabilities to the heat.<\/p>\n The research is timely, says M\u00fcndel, because as climate change progresses, \u201cit\u2019s not just people living in the desert or tropics who will be affected by extreme heat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re continually breaking high temperature records and that’s very concerning,\u201d he says. \u201cEveryone is going to be facing some form of heat challenge, which could have serious impacts on health as well as performance and productivity, so we need to understand heat stress and try to mitigate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Supporting M\u00fcndel\u2019s research is a $205,000 grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation\u2019s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF)<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Government of Canada is deeply committed to mitigating the destructive impacts of climate change through its many policies and programs,\u201d says Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre.<\/p>\n \u201cDr. M\u00fcndel\u2019s research and expertise on human temperature regulation goes far in advancing our collective efforts to ensure the health of Canadians and our environment,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Canada Research Chairs program supports world-class researchers in the pursuit of knowledge that transforms society in this country and beyond,\u201d says Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines. \u201cDr. M\u00fcndel is a strong example of how innovative research improves many lives.\u201d<\/p>\n