My Normative Partners with University of Alberta to Launch Groundbreaking Study on Female Health and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Edmonton, AB – January 27, 2025 – My Normative, a leading health research and innovation platform, is proud to announce a new partnership with the University of Alberta to address critical gaps in sex and gender data within neuroscience and multiple sclerosis (MS) research. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in understanding the unique health challenges faced by female-identifying individuals living with MS, with a focus on understanding the influence of the menstrual cycle and MS-related fatigue. Led by Primary Investigators, Dr. Penny Smyth at the University of Alberta and Dr. Sarah Morrow at the University of Calgary, Hotchkiss Brain Institute with support from the Digital Health Unit within the Clinical Trials Office at the University of Alberta, the project will recruit and manage participants across Alberta, leveraging My Normative’s platform for data collection and analytical support.
“The launch of this project is a powerful step forward not only in advancing our understanding of how MS affects female-identifying individuals, but also in demonstrating the University of Alberta’s leadership in addressing the sex and gender gap in health research,” said Danika Kelly, Founder and CEO of My Normative. “We are so proud to have our equity focused research platform supporting the brilliance of our research partners in this incredible task.”
The study will gather critical insights into the unique ways in which MS impacts women, who are disproportionately affected by the disease, yet often underrepresented in clinical research. My Normative’s platform will provide the infrastructure for remote, real-time, data collection and management that enables the identification of hormonal influence in fatigue reports.
“We’re thrilled to partner with My Normative on this innovative research initiative,” said Dr. Penny Smyth, Primary Investigator at the University of Alberta. “By incorporating menstrual cycle data into our study of MS, we’re taking a much-needed step toward understanding the broader, gendered aspects of the disease, and our hope is that this will pave the way for more personalized and effective care for women with MS.”
This collaboration is part of My Normative’s broader mission to disrupt the sex and gender health equity gap by generating actionable insights through validated data. The company’s platform is uniquely designed to address the health needs of women and people of diverse gender identities, providing both technical and research support to ensure comprehensive, impactful studies.
This study was made possible in part thanks to funding from PrairiesCan and University Hospital Foundation.
The study will commence in January 2025 and is expected to yield preliminary results by Summer 2025. If you are a person with MS who experiences regular menstrual cycles, consider participating. For more information about the study and how to participate, please contact the research coordinator at the University of Alberta at msstudy@ualberta.ca or at the University of Calgary at calgarymsresearch@ucalgary.ca.
About My Normative:
My Normative is a health and innovation platform committed to closing the sex and gender health equity gap. Through innovative data collection, management, and analytical processes. My Normative empowers researchers, healthcare providers, and organizations to better understand the unique health challenges faced by women and gender-diverse individuals. The platform serves as a vital tool for generating actionable insights, driving evidence-based research, and informing personalized healthcare practices.
About the University of Alberta:
The University of Alberta is a leading academic institution based in Edmonton, Alberta. With a strong focus on health sciences and innovative research, the university is committed to advancing knowledge in areas that impact global health and well-being. Its faculty and research teams are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing challenges in medical science, including the unique health needs of women and marginalized communities.
About the University of Calgary/Hotchkiss Brain Institute:
Located in Canada’s most enterprising city, the traditional territory of the peoples of Treaty 7 and Region 3 of the Métis Nation of Alberta, the University of Calgary is a global and innovative intellectual hub for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and community engagement. The Hotchkiss Brain Institute of the University of Calgary has the mission to inspire discoveries and apply knowledge towards innovative solutions for neurological and mental health disorders. The institute’s vision is “Healthy brains for better lives.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
My Normative
Allison Swelin, Director of Growth
403-619-9469
allison@mynormative.ca
For more information about the study (“My MS and My Menstrual Cycle”), please contact the research coordinator at the University of Alberta (msstudy@ualberta.ca) or at the University of Calgary (calgarymsresearch@ucalgary.ca).
