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Meet our Researchers

Diabetes Action Canada facilitates a meaningful connection between primary healthcare providers, their patients and relevant specialists. This network strongly believes engaging patients early on with scientists will modify the conduct of research that is for optimal impact on health.

The Network will provide timely access to new, safe and effective interventions for optimal glycemic control, improved lifestyle, and targeted therapies for specific complications. 15 Principal Investigators (PIs) from across Canada and their Co-Investigators are involved in various research projects focusing on diabetes and its related complications. The Network’s goals uniquely position our investigators to promote their activities across disciplines and provincial boundaries through strategic collaboration.

“The Network’s goals uniquely position our investigators to promote their activities across disciplines and provincial boundaries through strategic collaboration.”

Our SPOR Network PIs and partners will prioritize and implement research strategies by first mapping and constantly monitoring the most important concerns of patients with diabetes and their care providers. Many of our investigators have long-standing collaborations with each other. This Network serves to provide the infrastructure for ongoing exchanges between investigators who otherwise may not have the opportunity to interact. Top researchers at our nine collaborating institutions across Canada will interact with individuals living with diabetes and their caregivers, policymakers, health care professionals and other interested stakeholders (public/private). Our SPOR Network Goal & Theme Leads and PIs will create changes through visionary shared leadership with patients and healthcare providers. These changes will be achieved through collaboration and the sharing of resources among the members of our Network.

Become an Associate Member

  • Listing on the Diabetes Action Canada Website and networking with researchers and patients with common interest in the treatment and prevention of diabetes complications

  • Opportunity to collaborate on Diabetes Action Canada projects

  • Receives Newsletters and News-blasts from the Scientific Co-Leads from Diabetes Action Canada

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Co-Scientific Leads

André Carpentier

Professor, Department of Medicine Université de Sherbrooke Researcher and Scientific Director Centre de recherche du CHUS
Dr. André Carpentier’s research interests include: 1) the role of postprandial fatty acid metabolism in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases; 2) the investigation of brown adipose tissue metabolism in diabetes; and 3) the anti-diabetic mechanisms of bariatric surgery. He is also involved in translational research in collaboration with private partners using in vivo investigations techniques his laboratory develops to help advance diagnostic and treatment of diabetes and lipid disorders.
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Gary F. Lewis

Co-Scientific Lead – Diabetes Action Canada Professor, Department of Medicine and Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Sun Life Financial Chair in Diabetes Drucker Family Chair in Diabetes Research
The Lewis lab has had a long interest in the mechanisms of various aspects of diabetic dyslipidemia, including postprandial lipemia, HDL lowering and hypertriglyceridemia. We have also had a long standing interest in the mechanisms of type 2 diabetes. Previously we have performed both animal and human mechanistic studies but currently are focusing exclusively on the human.
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Researcher List

Mahavir Agarwal

Dr. Mahavir Agarwal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and a Clinician-Scientist in the Schizophrenia Division at the Centre for Addiction at Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto. He is also the Medical Head for Clinical Research in the Schizophrenia Division and co-leads the Metabolic Clinic and the Clozapine Clinic at CAMH.

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Mohammed Al-Omran

Head, Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
Dr. Mohammed Al-Omran is a clinician investigator and currently appointed as a Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital. His research interests include: atherosclerosis bench to bedside with a special interest in peripheral arterial disease and Diabetic Foot; clinical epidemiology and health services research with a focus on using large healthcare administrative databases to conduct population-based analyses of individuals with aortic, carotid, and peripheral arterial disease; knowledge translation; and systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
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Ananya Tina Banerjee

PhD Assistant Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health – Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences (division cross-appointment in Epidemiology), University of Toronto Assistant Professor (non-budget cross-appointment), Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto
Dr. Ananya Banerjee’s unique dual training in qualitative and quantitative research methods enables her to study the social determinants and lived experiences of diabetes among South Asian migrant communities living in Canada and design health promotion programs for this high-risk ethnic population. The focus of her public health research exemplifies a commitment to providing a strong foundation in methodology guided by principles of the socio-ecological framework, intersectionality, community-based participatory research and cultural safety.
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Ereny Bassilious

FRCPC, FAAP, MHPE Associate Professor and Fellowship Program Director, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, McMaster University
Dr. Ereny Bassilious’s academic interests are in medical education research, particularly in interprofessional education and technology enhanced patient education. Her current study examines the role of numeracy in diabetes management for teens with type 1 diabetes and the effect of an innovative video game intervention on numeracy skills. Dr. Bassilious has an academic and clinical interest in pediatric obesity and type 2 diabetes
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Jacqueline Beaudry

Dr. Jacqueline Beaudry is an Assistant Professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine in the department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. Dr. Beaudry’s lab focuses on trying to better understand how the body regulates energy homeostasis under hormonal stimuli, and energy demanding conditions and how abnormalities in these processes can lead to obesity and chronic disease development such as Type 2 Diabetes.
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Mathieu Bélanger

Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke; Director of Research, Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick; Epidemiologist, Vitalité Health Network
The primary focus of Dr. Mathieu Belanger’s research program is to develop a better understanding of how behaviours develop and change over time, particularly with regard to participation in physical activity. Specific aspects of the research include identifying determinants of behavioural change and investigating the effects of behaviour change on health outcomes, including the management of diabetes. Other determinants of optimal diabetes care are also investigated from an epidemiological perspective using administrative databases.
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Onil Bhattacharyya

MD, PhD Senior Scientist, Women’s College Research Institute Frigon-Blau Chair in Family Medicine Research, Women’s College Hospital Director, Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health Systems Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV)
Dr. Onil Bhattacharyya, Frigon-Blau Chair in Family Medicine Research, works closely with policy makers and system partners to evaluate new virtual care models that address system needs and are poised to scale, particularly for patients with complex needs. His research focuses on implementing new virtual care models within a particular clinical context and modifying them until he finds a balance between benefits and barriers for both patients and providers.
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Virginie Blanchette

Dr. Virginie Blanchette’s research interests focus on the prevention and management of lower limb complications of diabetes, such as diabetic plantar ulcers and amputation
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Denis Blondin

Professeur, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé FMSS Département de médecine
Denis P. Blondin is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Université de Sherbrooke and researcher at the Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS). His research focuses primarily on identifying organs, mechanisms and therapeutic strategies that can be stimulated to dissipate excess energy and investigating the impact of differentially timed lifestyle interventions on preventing the development of type 2 diabetes (TIMED consortium).
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Gillian Booth

MD, MSc Scientist, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Adjunct Scientist, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) Professor, Department of Medicine and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto
Dr. Gillian Booth’s research focuses on health outcomes related to diabetes; specifically how socioeconomic, environmental and health care factors influence the risk of diabetes and its complications. She has extensive experience in using large provincial health care and survey databases, and in using geographic information systems (GIS) methodology to study contextual factors influencing the development of diabetes. One of her major research interests is on the built environment and its role in the obesity and diabetes epidemics.
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Jim Bowen

Program Manager, Health Technology Assessment and Network Analytics (BScPhm, MSc)
Jim Bowen is a Clinical Research Manager within the Program for Health System and Technology Evaluation at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, and a co-investigator with Diabetes Action Canada, as a part of the PHSTE he is involved in designing interventions to increase diabetic retinopathy screening and the evaluation of foot and wound care pathways for individuals living with diabetes, supported by hospital or provincial administrative data where possible. He is an Assistant Professor (Status) within IHPME at the University of Toronto, and an adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact (HE&I), Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. He is a pharmacist and currently practices in a community setting.
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Anne-Sophie Brazeau

RD, PhD, Assistant Professor Program Director of Dietetic Education and Practice, McGill University
Dr. Anne-Sophie Brazeau’s research aims to understand the patients’ experience with diabetes self-management, to inform on the effectiveness, benefits and risks of different diets and to explore strategies for timely access to diabetes education and support. Her approach builds on close collaboration between patients, clinicians and researchers. She is co-directing the development and management of a prospective registry of patients with type 1 diabetes in Quebec (BETTER registry) and she is leading the development of an online self-guided training program to improve access to diabetes education.
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Michael Brent

Clinician Scientist, Krembil Research Institute
Dr. Michael Brent is a participating team member in the development of a national Diabetic Retinopathy screening program that will be accessible to all Canadians living with diabetes. A best practices approach for early diagnosis and management of Diabetic Retinopathy will reduce blindness and visual disability. Tele-ophthalmology will be an important program component, with emphasis on indigenous and inner city communities. Patient engagement in research protocols, and attention to sex and gender issues will be essential cornerstones of program development.
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Sonia Butalia

MD, FRCPC, MSc Associate Professor, Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary
Dr. Sonia Butalia is a Clinician-Scientist in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences. Her research interests are in innovative tools and strategies to improve diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors in the community. Her multi-method research program includes epidemiology (i.e., the use of large clinical and administrative data sources), health services research, and pragmatic clinical trials. Her award-winning program of work importantly engages and is informed by people (i.e., patient partners), health care providers and decision makers.
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Joseph Cafazzo

PhD PEng Executive Director, University Health Network Biomedical Engineering Healthcare Human Factors Centre for Global eHealth Innovation Wolfond Chair in Digital Health Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Dr. Joseph Cafazzo is the inaugural Wolfond Chair in Digital Health and Senior Investigator Center for Digital Therapeutics, University Health Network. As a biomedical engineer, Dr. Cafazzo observes healthcare delivery from the inside-out and works on ways to keep people out of hospital by creating technologies that allow for self-care at home.
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David J. T. Campbell

Departments of Medicine, Community Health Sciences and Cardiac Sciences University of Calgary
Dr. David Campbell is a specialist in Endocrinology and Metabolism and an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Medicine, Community Health Sciences and Cardiac Sciences. His research interest is improving equity in health services delivery for those with chronic diseases.
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André Carpentier

Professor, Department of Medicine Université de Sherbrooke Researcher and Scientific Director Centre de recherche du CHUS
Dr. André Carpentier’s research interests include: 1) the role of postprandial fatty acid metabolism in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases; 2) the investigation of brown adipose tissue metabolism in diabetes; and 3) the anti-diabetic mechanisms of bariatric surgery. He is also involved in translational research in collaboration with private partners using in vivo investigations techniques his laboratory develops to help advance diagnostic and treatment of diabetes and lipid disorders.
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Varun Chaudhary

Vitreo-retinal surgeon, Chief of Ophthalmology & Associate Professor of Surgery, Hamilton Regional Eye Institute, McMaster University.
Dr. Varun Chaudhary is Professor of Surgery and Chief of Ophthalmology at McMaster University. He is the Chair for the Retina Evidence and Trials INternational Alliance (R.E.T.I.N.A.). He is the current President for the Canadian Retina Society.
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David Cherney

Professor, Department of Medicine & Division of Nephrology, University of Toronto
Dr. David Cherney is currently Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto and a Clinician Scientist at the University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospitals, where he is a Senior Scientist and director of the Renal Physiology Laboratory.
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Karen Cross

MD, Ph.D., FRCSC Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon and a Surgeon Scientist, St. Michael’s Hospital. Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Adjunct Professor at Ryerson University
Karen Cross MD, Ph.D., FRCSC is a Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon and a Surgeon Scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and an Adjunct Professor at Ryerson University. She is also the Co-Founder and CEO of a startup health technology company called MIMOSA Diagnostics. She performs basic science and clinical translation research developing non-invasive optical technologies to assess skin physiology. Her research aims are to bring innovative technology from the bench to the bedside.
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Kaberi Dasgupta

Professor of Medicine- McGill University Physician- McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Director & Senior Scientist- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), Research Institute of the MUHC
Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta’s studies focus on the remission, prevention, and management of gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes and related complications. In collaboration with her multidisciplinary team, including patient partners, she develops and tests strategies to enhance self-management support. This includes the creation of VPN, a virtual peer support group for youth with type 1 diabetes, formed after demonstration of high levels of stigma in this population, associated with both elevated A1C and severe hypoglycemia (JMIR, 2018).
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Charles de Mestral

Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery Vascular Surgeon, St. Michael’s Hospital Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital Adjunct Scientist, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences
Dr. Charles de Mestral’s goal is to pursue population-based health services research focusing on people living with diabetes who undergo lower limb amputation. He is interested in better characterizing the epidemiology, outcomes, health-resource use and costs of lower limb amputation in people living with diabetes as well as limb preservation therapies. The purpose of this work is to inform population-level interventions to reduce diabetes-related foot complications.
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Jean-Pierre Després

Professor – Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval Director of Research in Cardiology – Québec Heart and Lung Institute Research Centre Director of Science and Innovation, Alliance santé Québec Scientific Director – International Chair on Cardiometabolic Risk
Dr. Jean-Pierre Després is a professor at the Department of Kinesiology at Université Laval in Québec City, Canada. Dr. Després’ research interests include obesity, adipose tissue distribution, visceral obesity, type 2 diabetes, lipids, lipoproteins, cardiovascular disease and their prevention through physical activity and healthy living. More than 30 years ago, he was the first to report that an excess of fat in the abdominal cavity (visceral obesity), was particularly harmful to health. He is personally involved in major education and mobilization activities to prevent chronic societal diseases.
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Sophie Desroches

Professor, Université Laval School of Nutrition Scientist, Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods, Université Laval
Dr Sophie Desroches, PhD, RD, is Professor at Université Laval School of Nutrition, in Quebec City, Canada. She is also a research scientist at the Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS) at the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods of Laval University. Her research program aims to identify, develop and evaluate knowledge translation strategies that will optimize adherence to dietary advice for preventing and managing chronic diseases.
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Joyce Dogba

Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University
Dr. Joyce Dogba is trained as a physician in Togo. She holds a Master degree in health economics and a PhD in Public Health. She is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Emergency Medicine at Laval University. Her research agenda comprises evaluation of collaborative practices with patients-users in research and the education of health professionals. She is also interested in advancing stakeholders engagement science regarding how to meaningfully involve the underserved including immigrants in patient-oriented research.
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Laura Drudi

Dr. Laura Drudi is currently pursuing a Diploma of Implementation Science at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) to develop the skills and knowledge to implement an amputation prevention program across Quebec. She also holds the Michael Zinner Fellowship in Health Services Research. Her goal is to continue to build a platform for frailty research and amputation prevention at the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) and become a national and world-renowned clinician scientist.
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Arnaud Duhoux

PhD Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal
Arnaud Duhoux worked 6 years as a Registered Nurse, mainly with the homeless population. He is trained in epidemiology and public health and is an expert in quantitative analysis of administrative health data to measure performance in primary care. He is also the director of the strategic grouping on population mental health of the Quebec Population Health Research Network.
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Jean-François Ethier

Dr Jean-François Ethier is a clinician scientist and an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Computer Science at the Université de Sherbrooke. He also practices as a general internal medicine attending physician at the Sherbrooke University Health Centre.
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Michael Farkouh

Vice-Chair Research & Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Director, Heart & Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence, University of Toronto Peter Munk Chair in Multinational Clinical Trials, University Health Network
Dr. Michael Farkouh is internationally known for his work in cardiovascular prevention and acute coronary syndromes. He has a special interest and expertise in the field of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. He is currently the project officer for numerous clinical trials on questions related to diabetes and heart disease including the NIH-sponsored FREEDOM trial. He chairs the committee on diabetes and heart disease at the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre at the University of Toronto and serves as Section Editor for Diabetes and Metabolism at the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Paul Fernyhough

BSc PhD Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics; Professor, Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba Director, Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research
There is no FDA-approved treatment for diabetic neuropathy, a condition that afflicts half of the 27 million North Americans who suffer from diabetes. The neurodegeneration seen in diabetes leads to sensory fiber depletion and loss of protective sensation – a primary trigger of the diabetic foot and lower limb amputation. With financial support from several key stakeholders in the field of diabetes, a small start-up company, WinSanTor Inc, was established in 2012 and is developing a proprietary first-in-class therapy to prevent and reverse nerve damage.
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Thomas Lawrence Forbes

MD, FRCSC, FACS, DFSVS R. Fraser Elliott Chair and Division Head of Vascular Surgery at University Health Network Professor of Surgery and Chair of the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Toronto
Dr. Thomas L. Forbes is the Surgeon-in-Chief and James Wallace McCutcheon Chair of the Sprott Department of Surgery at the University Health Network, and Professor of Surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Vascular Surgery, and a Section Editor of Rutherford’s Textbook of Vascular Surgery. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers, editorials and book chapters and given over 100 invited lectures or guest professorships.
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Michael Fralick

Degrees, Title/Position: MD, PhD, MSc, FRCPC Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Assistant Professor, Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto Clinician Scientist, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health Affiliate Scientist, Li Ka Shing Centre for Healthcare Analytics Research & Training [LKS-CHART] Locum Physician, General Internal Medicine, Sault Area Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie
Dr. Mike Fralick’s main research interest is in understanding the safety and effectiveness of novel medications for adults living with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, including sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) analogues. Mike splits his research time between GEMINI and LKS-CHART, integrating pharmacoepidemiology with Machine Learning in his work.
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Rebecca Leigh Ganann

PhD Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Tenure Track, McMaster University Co-Lead (Acting), McMaster Collaborative for Health & Aging Co-Scientific Director, Aging, Community and Health Research Unit Lead, Patient Expertise in Research Collaborations – Primary Health Care, INSPIRE-PHC Network
Dr. Rebecca Ganann is a researcher with the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging. Her research program is focused on integrated health and social service delivery innovations to promote physical and mental health, and mobility among community-dwelling older adults. Her previous research has explored mental health and health services accessibility for immigrant women.
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Hannah Geddie

BA, MSc, MD, FRCPC Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, McMaster University
Dr. Hannah Geddie is a Pediatric Endocrinologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital. She completed her medical degree, residency training, and fellowship training in Pediatric Endocrinology at McMaster University. She has a Masters degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has a strong interest in the intersection between public health and health promotion and Type 1 Diabetes. Her current research pertains to health policy related to Type 1 Diabetes in school, and the use of interactive tools to support patients and families in managing Type 1 Diabetes.
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Michelle Greiver

MD, MSc, CCFP, FCFP Associate Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto Gordon F. Cheesbrough Research Chair in Family and Community Medicine, North York General Hospital Director, University of Toronto Practice-Based Research Network (UTOPIAN) Lead, Primary care Ontario Practice based Learning and Research Network (POPLAR)
Dr. Michelle Greiver’s work centres on using Canada’s increasingly large amounts of electronic health data to improve the health and lives of Canadians; diabetes is now a critical health issue for more Canadians than ever.  She is the lead for the Primary care Ontario Practice Learning and Research Network (POPLAR), combining EMR data from all seven Networks across Ontario’s six Departments / Sections of Family Medicine and the Alliance for Healthier Communities (Ontario’s Community Health Centres).
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Huaxiong Huang

PhD Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University
Professor Huaxiong Huang has an impressive research record with publications that involve a surprisingly broad cross-section of applied mathematics including partial differential equations, asymptotics, fluid mechanics, probability, stochastic processes, and scientific computing. His work impacts a broad sphere of influence to the study of applications ranging from industrial sectors such as banking, insurance, biomedicine, energy, and material science.
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Liisa Jaakkimainen

Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto Senior Core Scientist and Program Lead, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) Program Director of the DFCM Enhance Skills – Clinician Scientist Program for Research
Dr. Liisa Jaakkimainen’s research interests include examining primary health care access, continuity of care, primary health care indicators and benchmarks, measuring wait times from primary to specialist care, improving the coordination of care in primary care, caring for marginalized and frail seniors in the community, and performance feedback to primary care providers. In 2006, Dr. Jaakkimainen co-lead the “Primary Care in Ontario: An ICES Atlas”. I
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Caroline Jose

Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine at the Université de Sherbrooke Researcher at the Vitalité Health Network, New Brunswick
Dr. Caroline Jose is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the Université de Sherbrooke and Research Associate for the Maritime Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit in Moncton since 2015. By collaborating with patients, researchers, clinicians, and policy makers from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, her current research seeks to integrate the lived experience of patients into research to facilitate the knowledge transfer into care.
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Monika Kastner

Associate Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto Research Chair, Knowledge Translation and Implementation, North York General Hospital Affiliate Scientist, KT Program at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital
Dr. Monika Kastner is the Research Chair in Knowledge Translation (KT) and Implementation at North York General Hospital, an Affiliate Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, and Associate Professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) as well as through the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) at the University of Toronto.
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Ahmed Kayssi

MD FRCSC Assistant Professor, Vascular Surgery, University of Toronto Vascular Surgeon, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Dr. Ahmed Kayssi is a clinical trialist with an interest in vascular surgery and wound care interventions that promote limb preservation and prevent amputation. His other interests are developing capacity and improving health care services among First Nations.
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Calvin Ke

PhD Assistant Professor, Division of Endocrinology, University of Toronto 
Dr. Calvin Ke is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, a clinician scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, an adjunct scientist at ICES, and a staff endocrinologist at the Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. He completed his PhD in clinical epidemiology and global health as a Global Scholar at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto.
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Jessica Kichler

Dr. Jessica Kichler, CDCES, Ph.D., C.Psych, is a Clinical & Health Psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Windsor. She specializes in clinical intervention research initiatives related to psychosocial adjustment and coping with type 1 diabetes in youth and families.
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Malcolm King

Professor Community Health and Epidemiology
Dr. Malcolm King, a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, is co-lead of Pewaseskwan (the Indigenous Wellness Research Group) and faculty in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) where he serves as the Scientific Director of SCPOR, the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research. Dr. King’s research is aimed at improving wellness and achieving health equity for First Nations, Métis and Inuit through strengths-based approaches that respect self-determination and privilege Indigenous ways of knowing.
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Stephen E. Kosar

MD, FRCSC
Dr. Stephen Kosar is a Sudbury Ontario ophthalmologist specializing in Retinal Diseases. He is past Chief of Ophthalmology at Health Sciences North. He is a Director on the Board of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). Dr. Kosar worked as a Family Doctor in Northern Ontario from 1982 to 1986. He continues to carry on a busy practice in Sudbury while participating in various telemedicine projects involving remote screening for Diabetic Retinopathy.
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Audrey L’Espérance

Audrey L’Espérance is an Assistant Professor of Health and Social Services Management at École nationale d’administration publique (ÉNAP) in Montreal. At the intersection of clinical, professional and research environments, she has worked on evaluative research projects and developed management practices that emphasize partnerships with patients and the public in several areas of health and social services.
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Maude Laberge

PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Operations and Decision Systems, Faculty of Administration, Université Laval
Ms. Laberge is interested in the economic analysis and evaluation of health policies and services, and in particular the transformations that can improve the quality, efficiency and equity of services. His research interests include health systems performance, resource allocation and distribution, and population health outcomes.
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Anita T. Layton

PhD Canada 150 Research Chair in Mathematical Biology and Medicine Professor of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Pharmacy and Biology at the University of Waterloo.
Anita’s research focuses on the development and application of mathematical models to gain insights into the physiology and pathophysiology of the mammalian kidneys. In particular, she is interested in understanding the cardiovascular benefits of novel antiglyceamic therapies in diabetes and chronic kidney diseases, and in unraveling the mechanisms underlying the sex differences in blood pressure regulation. She is the Deputy Editor of the American Journal of Physiolog–Renal Physiology, an Associate Editor of SIAM Review Book Section, and an Associate Editor of SIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems.
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Iliana Lega

MD, MSc, FRCPC, Endocrinologist, Women’s College Hospital and Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Toronto
Dr. Lega is an endocrinologist and clinician scientist at Women’s College Hospital. Her diabetes research focuses on unique populations with multiple comorbidities. Currently her focus is on diabetes overtreatment and risks associated with hypoglycemia in nursing home residents. She currently co-leads a CIHR funded research program that aims to improve diabetes deprescribing and deintensification in nursing homes in Ontario.
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France Légaré

C. Q., B. Sc. Arch, MD, MSc, PhD, CCMF, FCMF, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Shared Decision Making and Knowledge Translation, Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval
Dr. France Légaré’s research program is to contribute to sustaining health and well-being in society by supporting high-quality diabetes care. It will focus on scaling up shared decision making by applying it to decision contexts and on building shared decision making capacity among health professionals.
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Gary F. Lewis

Co-Scientific Lead – Diabetes Action Canada Professor, Department of Medicine and Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Sun Life Financial Chair in Diabetes Drucker Family Chair in Diabetes Research
The Lewis lab has had a long interest in the mechanisms of various aspects of diabetic dyslipidemia, including postprandial lipemia, HDL lowering and hypertriglyceridemia. We have also had a long standing interest in the mechanisms of type 2 diabetes. Previously we have performed both animal and human mechanistic studies but currently are focusing exclusively on the human.
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