London leads study on preventing surgical infections

LONDON, Ont. – Dr. Kelly Vogt (pictured), scientist at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) and surgeon at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), has been awarded $707,625 through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant competition to lead a multi-site study aimed at reducing infections following emergency surgery.

Dr. Vogt will serve as principal investigator of the two-year randomized controlled trial, which will evaluate the best methods for closing surgical wounds after common emergency procedures used to treat conditions such as appendicitis, perforated ulcers, and bowel obstructions. Researchers will compare three wound closure strategies to determine which approach most effectively reduces the risk of infection.

Conducted in partnership with the IMPACTS platform at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the study will involve seven hospitals across Canada, with LHSC serving as the lead site.

“We are thrilled to receive CIHR funding for this work,” said Dr. Vogt. “Funding for research in surgery is important for advancing care and this support is a meaningful step for the Canadian Collaborative on Urgent Care Surgery group.”

For patients, the research could lead to fewer surgical site infections and better recovery following emergency surgery. The study will also evaluate a new Canada-wide research model designed to make it easier to conduct large clinical trials in emergency care settings, accelerating the generation of evidence that can improve outcomes for patients nationwide.

Dr. Vogt was among a number of London-area researchers funded through the Spring 2026 CIHR Project Grant competition, which awarded more than $16 million to local research projects. Other projects with LHSCRI researchers receiving funding through Western University include:

Samuel Asfaha, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Cell-intrinsic regulation of colorectal cancer stem cells by transposable element-driven viral mimicry

Lindsay Bodell, Faculty of Social Science
Using High-Resolution Ecological Momentary Assessment to Measure Subjective Reward Responses and Emotions during Binge Eating

Jacquelyn Marsh, Faculty of Health Sciences
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