Email: wcmr.manager@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 519.573.3349
Office: Biology 1, room 375A, University of Waterloo
Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research
University of Waterloo
Biology 1 – 375A
200 University Ave. W.
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
N2L 3G1
Members of the Waterloo community are invited to participate in the Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research COVID-19 Asymptomatic Saliva Testing Research at Waterloo (ASTRAW) study. This research initiative led by Dr. Trevor Charles and Dr. Jozef Nissimov will aim to determine if frequent saliva-based COVID-19 testing is a feasible method for prevention of COVID-19 community and workforce spread, and to monitor the prevalence of other viruses on campus.
Please continue to provide samples even if you have been vaccinated as infections are still possible following vaccination and information about new strains that may infect vaccinated individuals will be very important.
We do not yet know how sensitive this test is and whether it is as good or better than the conventional nasopharyngeal swab and laboratory test performed at an approved provincial testing site. Thus, participation in this study is not a substitution for monitoring your health, staying home from work and getting tested at a provincial testing site (if eligible) if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
Please continue to follow the University of Waterloo’s COVID-19 guidance if you are experiencing symptoms, or have tested positive through this study or a rapid antigen test.
University of Waterloo - Coronavirus Health and Safety
Below is a link for a webpage from the Government of Canada listing symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
To participate in this study, first read about how to begin participation and see if you are eligible.
If you are eligible to participate, please, review the information letter, sign into our portal, and complete the informed consent questionnaire.
In this study confidentiality and privacy is of the utmost importance. Participating in the study or forgoing participation will remain confidential, in addition any potential positive results will remain confidential and be communicated to ONLY the volunteer at their preferred email address. Supervisors and employers will NOT be contacted regarding their employees’ results from this study. COVID-19-positive individuals will be notified within 24-48 hours and will be encouraged to get tested via the Health Canada approved qPCR test, if eligible, and to follow all University of Waterloo protocols. Participants testing positive for any other virus will not be notified of the results at an individual level, these tests will be for larger trend monitoring only since they are not diagnostic.
Volunteers interested in participating in this study must meet all of the following criteria:
If you believe you are able to meet the above criteria and interested in participating in this study, please continue on to our participant registration. If you have any further questions please feel free to communicate with the study team following information available on our contact page.
On behalf of Dr. Trevor Charles and Dr. Jozef Nissimov and the participating faculty and staff we thank-you for your time and your consideration.
How to provide a saliva sample
LOCALLY RESPONSIBLE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Trevor Charles
519-591-9817
CO-INVESTIGATORS:
Dr. Jozef Nissimov
RESEARCH COORDINATORS:
Dr. Carly Huitema
Dr. Patricia Dörr de Quadros
Jennifer Knapp
Phone: 519-888-4567 x40570
MAIN OFFICE:
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W
Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
Tel: 905-525-9140 x21551
Email: wcmr.manager@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 519.573.3349
Office: Biology 1, room 375A, University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.