Airborne Disease Transmission
This cross-campus team of researchers is developing infection isolation and removal solutions and devices designed to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses in healthcare settings. Working in close collaboration with partners in diverse clinical settings, this expert team of researchers aims to break the transmission of respiratory infections to make healthcare delivery safer.
Cluster members have expertise in fluid science, multiphase flows/aerosol/droplet dynamics, health/immunology/clinical trials, air quality simulation, biofluid mechanics, assistive health technology, dentistry, public health, epidemiology, surgery and anesthesiology.
Interested in partnering?
Contact:Jake Winkler |
CLUSTER LEADs
CLUSTER RESEARCH TEAM
Mario Brondani (UBCV)
Sina Kheirkhah
Vicki Komisar
Stephan Mostowy (Kelowna General Hospital)
The ADT cluster leads three integrated, multidisciplinary teams:
1 – Health
Lead: Jonathan Little
The health team will assess high-risk healthcare settings, including hospitals, walk-in clinics and dental offices, develop procedures, analyze behaviours, and co-design airborne isolation and infection control solutions. Researchers will collaborate with health care providers, such as Kelowna General Hospital, Interior Health, Care Dental Centre, and DGA Health Services, to trial devices developed by the R&D and prototyping teams.
2 – Indoor environment
Lead: Joshua Brinkerhoff
The indoor environment team will investigate how the design of indoor spaces, their ventilation and infection control systems, and the actions of human occupants in and through these spaces impact the transport of air and airborne droplets and aerosols. Researchers will will work closely with HVAC specialists, such as Delta-T consultants, to model practical and realistic airflow parameters.
PhD Position – now recruiting
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3 – R&D (technology development and design)
Lead: Sunny Li
The R&D team will develop devices focused on isolating and removing aerosols and droplets that transmit infections. Researchers will work with industry partners, such as CareHealth Meditech, to prototype and manufacture devices, with the ultimate goal of commercialization.
CLUSTER partners
Care Dental Center (Dr. Dionysius David)
Care Health Meditech (Stephen Munro)
Kelowna General Hospital (Mark Masterson, Chief of Staff)
Delta-T Consultants (Eric Schredl, P.Eng)
DGA Health Services Ltd. (Turtle Bay Medical Clinic) (Kiffer Walker)
