IAB Members - Biographies (September 2011 - August 2012)
Stephanie A. Atkinson, PhD (Chair)
Professor and Associate Chair (Research) the Department of Pediatrics
Associate Member in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences
McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario
Dr. Atkinson is Professor and Associate Chair (Research) in the Department of Pediatrics, and Associate Member in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She is also a Special Professional Staff member in McMaster Children's Hospital and founding partner of the McMaster Child Health Research Institute. As a nutrition clinician-scientist her research program explores the concept that nutritional and disease (or drug) exposures during fetal, neonatal and early childhood life program metabolic regulation that can alter growth and development and risk of adult-onset disease. Her current research focuses on early determinants of obesity, diabetes, and risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in children through a prospective, longitudinal birth cohort study. This research has evolved into a national leadership role in developing the Canadian Birth Cohort Research Network through the Maternal, Infant, Child and Youth Research Network (MICYRN). Research training activities include co-leadership of the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (CCHCSP), a 17-centre collaboration that is part of the CIHR Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research. She has recently served on the inaugural Governing Council of CIHR and as elected President of the American Society for Nutrition. Currently, she provides volunteer service to many national and international scientific panels and professional societies. Dr. Atkinson has received several prestigious awards recognizing her distinguished services and success in the field of nutrition in North America, most recently the Danone Institute Distinguished Nutrition Leadership Award (2008).
Karen Chad, B.Ed., MA, PhD
Associate Vice-President of Research
Professor
College of Kinesiology
University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Karen Chad is Associate Vice-President of Research at the University of Saskatchewan and a Professor in the College of Kinesiology with associate membership in the Colleges of Pharmacy and Nutrition and Medicine.
Dr. Chad obtained both a Bachelor of Physical Education degree (1980) and a Bachelor of Education degree (1981) at the University of Saskatchewan. She received a Master of Arts degree, with a concentration in physical education (1985), from the University of Victoria, and a PhD in human movement studies (1988) from Australia's University of Queensland.
A prolific researcher, she has a keen interest in health promotion and aspects of exercise physiology including metabolism, nutrition, body composition and human health. This has led to the development of an internationally-recognized, multidisciplinary program that builds community capacity through physical activity and health research. Through applied research, Dr. Chad works closely with community organizations, health boards, businesses, and government in an effort to help people make positive lifestyle choices and avoid lifestyle-related diseases. She is a member of numerous professional societies and provincial and national boards, including the Research, Policy and Planning Advisory Committee, as well as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Among her many accolades, in 1997 she received the YWCA Woman of Distinction (Health and Education) award. She has twice been awarded a Teaching Excellence Award by the University of Saskatchewan's student's union and received a Master Teacher Award at the school's 2005 fall convocation.
Amit X. Garg, MD, MA (Education), FRCPC, PhD
Professor
Departments of Medicine, Epidemiology & Biostatistics
University of Western Ontario
Dr. Garg received a Medical Degree and Masters Degree in Education from the University of Toronto (1995, 1998), and a PhD in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics from McMaster University (2005). He has practiced nephrology at the London Health Sciences Centre since 2003. He is the current Scientific Director of ICES@Western, Director of the London Kidney Clinical Research Unit, and Program Lead for the new ICES Kidney, Dialysis and Transplantation Program. He completed a four year term on the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) Executive Committee and is a current member of the CSN Scientific Committee. He is an Editorial Board member of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and American Journal of Kidney Diseases, and is an Associate Editor for Kidney Diseases, American College of Physicians (ACP) Journal Club.
Working in multi-disciplinary teams, Dr. Garg's research aims to improve health outcomes for patients with kidney diseases included those receiving dialysis or a kidney transplant. The research also aims to improve the efficiency by which renal care is delivered.
Dr. Garg currently holds a Clinician Scientist Award from the CIHR. As principal investigator he has completed projects funded by various CIHR committees: Clinical Investigation (Cardiac Disease, Kidney Disease), Health Services and Policy Research, Knowledge Translation, Chronic Disease Prevention, Research Synthesis, Food and Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health, and Population and Public Health. He has participated in a number of CIHR Peer Review Panels including Randomized Controlled Trials, Health Services Research, and Advancing Theory and Measurement. He also completed a 4 year term on the Biomedical Scientific Committee of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Loren D. Grossman, MD, FRCPC, FACP
Vice President, Research and Development
Eli Lilly, Canada
Dr. Loren Grossman is Vice President of Research and Development at Eli Lilly Canada. In this role he is responsible for overseeing basic and clinical research, medical education, medical information, regulatory affairs, product safety, and quality assurance and control in Lilly's four therapeutic areas of focus: oncology, endocrinology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular/critical care. He is also a member of the Senior Management Team of Eli Lilly Canada.
Dr. Grossman, an endocrinologist, joined Eli Lilly Canada in 1997 as a Clinical Research Physician supporting the areas of endocrinology and cardiovascular research. In 2002, Dr. Grossman was promoted to Medical Advisor with his role evolving to support the areas of endocrinology and men's health.
Dr. Grossman is currently a member of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and is a lecturer in the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
Prior to joining Eli Lilly Canada, Dr. Grossman was a Staff Endocrinologist and Chief, Department of Internal Medicine at Scarborough Grace Hospital in Scarborough, Ontario.
Dr. Grossman earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 1978 and a Medical Degree in 1982, both at the University of Toronto. He has specialist certificates in Internal Medicine, and Endocrinology and Metabolism from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Stephen James, MD
Director, Division of Digestive Diseases, NIDDK
National Institute of Health (Rockville)
Bethesda, Maryland USA
Dr. Stephen James is currently the Director of the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition in the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the NIH, a position he has held since 2004.
Dr. James received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and M.D. degree from the Johns Hopkins University. Following post doctoral training in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, he was an intramural scientist in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). From 1991 to 2001 he was Professor of Medicine and Head of Gastroenterology at the University of Maryland before returning to the NIH.
Jeffrey A. Johnson, PhD
Professor
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Alberta
Dr. Jeffrey A. Johnson is a professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta. He is also a Canada Research Chair in Diabetes Health Outcomes.
Dr. Johnson received a Bachelor of Social Policy degree with Distinction (1988) and a Master of Science degree in clinical pharmacy/pharmacoepidemiology (1994) from the University of Saskatchewan. He received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, with a specialty in pharmaceutical economics (1996).
Dr. Johnson's research is helping to improve the way our healthcare system deals with the growing epidemic of diabetes. He aims to improve the overall quality of care for people with diabetes, and determine the most effective way of reducing heart disease, which is the leading killer of people with diabetes. Recent research suggests that many people can avoid developing diabetes by losing weight through healthy eating and physical activity. Dr. Johnson is interested in the cost-effectiveness of implementing such programs for the whole population.
Dr. Johnson is a Fellow with the Institute of Health Economics in Edmonton, and holds adjunct appointments in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of Alberta and the College of Pharmacy at University of Arizona. He also chairs the Alliance for Canadian Health Outcomes Research in Diabetes (ACHORD), a group of multi-disciplinary researchers with interests in epidemiologic, pharmacoepidemiologic, cost and economic evaluations, and alternative care delivery strategies in diabetes.
Marie-France Langlois, MD
Professor
Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry and Physiology
Université de Sherbrooke
Dr. Langlois trained at the Université de Sherbrooke where she obtained her MD in 1990 and then specialized in Internal Medicine (1994) and Endocrinology (1995). She completed a research fellowship at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University (1995-1997). Dr. Langlois currently practices as an endocrinologist and Director of the Ambulatory Metabolic Unit, which includes diabetes, obesity and lipid disorders clinics, at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke. She is also Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Physiology at the Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé of the Université de Sherbrooke. She received the young investigator award of the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2007 and currently holds a National-Scientist award of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.
Her research interests include the mechanisms of action of nuclear receptors and the regulation of adipogenesis, the treatment and prevention of obesity and diabetes, and health system organization in the area of cardio-metabolic disease prevention and management. She has developed a strong interdisciplinary research team and partnerships with health system decision makers locally, and at the provincial and national levels. Her research projects are currently funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), FRSQ, Ministry of Health of Quebec, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Lawson Foundation and Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA). She is author or co-author of more than 150 articles and abstracts and regularly sits on per-review Committees. She is in charge of the Canadian Obesity Network Clinical Obesity Preceptorship Program.
Donna G. Lillie, RN, BA, CHE
Vice President
Research and Professional Education
Canadian Diabetes Association
Donna G. Lillie is Vice President of Research and Professional Education with the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Mrs. Lillie received her Bachelor of Arts degree at York University in 1982 after having received training as a Registered Nurse from the School of Nursing in 1969. She went on to become a Certified Health Executive and studied health care systems at the Rotman School of Management and Harvard University.
Mrs. Lillie's leadership and guidance of 22 staff members at the Canadian Diabetes Association helps in the production of healthcare professional publications and tools, the hosting of an annual professional conference, the allocation of research funding, and advocacy for people affected by diabetes through public policy and government relations work. This work is enhanced through the support of more than 500 expert volunteers.
Mrs. Lillie's comprehensive knowledge of the healthcare milieu is borne of her tremendous experience in a variety of roles. Professionally, she has been held positions in clinical and administrative roles in institutional and non-profit sectors. She has held numerous positions on various committees, including the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada, the National Diabetes Surveillance Systems, numerous task forces and advisory boards - and was integral in the development of the landmark Canadian Diabetes Association 2003 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada.
Mrs. Lillie is recognized as a leading voice of both the Association and people living with diabetes in Canada. She is called upon frequently as a spokesperson for diabetes and related health care and research issues in Canada.
Aleck Ostry, PhD
Canada Research Chair
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar
Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences
University of Victoria
Dr. Ostry is currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Victoria. He holds a Canada Research Chair in the Social Determinants of Community Health and is also a Senior Scholar with the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research in British Columbia. He has a MSc in Health Service Planning, an MA in history (specializing in the history of public health), and a PhD in epidemiology. He conducts an extensive program on the social determinants of health with a focus on food security and nutrition policy.
William G. Paterson, B.Sc., MD, FRCPC
Professor of Medicine, Biology and Physiology
Queen's University
Dr. Paterson is a clinician-scientist whose research focuses primarily on the physiology and pathophysiology of the esophagus. His CIHR-funded laboratory explores the neuromuscular mechanisms that control esophageal peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter tone and relaxation. He also studies the mechanisms whereby inflammatory mediators released during acid-induced esophagitis alter neuromuscular function of the esophagus. Dr. Paterson is Chair of the Division of Gastroenterology at Queen's University and holds a Queen's University Research Chair. He is also currently the President of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. Through this latter position he has taken an active role in developing evidence-based benchmarks for wait times and in projects designed to improve access to high quality digestive healthcare for Canadians.
Keith A. Sharkey, PhD
Professor of Physiology and Biophysics
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada Chair in IBD Research
AHFMR Medical Scientist
University of Calgary
Keith Sharkey was educated at the University of London (B.Sc. Hons.) and the University of Liverpool (PhD). After postdoctoral training in Hungary, the UK and Canada, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary (1990). He is currently Professor of Physiology and Biophysics, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada Chair in IBD Research and an AHFMR Medical Scientist. Dr. Sharkey's research has contributed to a greater understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of nerves in the gastrointestinal tract. His research has been focussed on understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of the enteric nervous system in intestinal inflammation and on aspects of brain-gut interactions in health and disease. In this context he studies the neural control of energy balance, as well as control of gut motor and secretory functions. He is Editor of Neurogastroenterology and Motility and an Editorial Board member of the American Journal of Physiology, GI and Liver. Dr Sharkey has over 150 peer-reviewed publications and receives support from CIHR, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.
Guang Sun
Associate Professor
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Guang Sun is an associate professor in discipline of medicine, faculty of medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland. He is the chair of Nutrigenomics Research Interest Group in Memorial University. Dr. Sun and his team have focused on the study of genetic (genomic) and nutritional factors and the interactions between these two on the development of human obesity and diabetes. Dr. Sun has been well funded by national funding agencies including 4 CIHR operating grants and 1 CFI new opportunity fund and many local grants. Three major studies covering gene expression, genetic association in both children and adults have been established since 2003. Dr. Sun has been productive in publishing research findings.
Tanya Verrall, PhD, RD
Researcher
Health Quality Council, Saskatchewan
Dr. Tanya Verrall is a Senior Researcher with Health Quality Council - an independent, provincially-funded organization with a mandate to measure and report on healthcare system quality as well as to promote and support quality improvement initiatives in Saskatchewan. She is also an adjunct faculty member with the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan. Prior to her current position, Dr. Verrall was a research associate with the College of Kinesiology (In motion program) at the University of Saskatchewan.
Dr. Verrall obtained her PhD in nutrition from McGill University (2004) and her Master of Science degree in nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan (1996). She also obtained her professional dietetics degree (BSc) from the University of Saskatchewan (1992) and the Kingston General Hospital Dietetic Internship program (1993). She is currently a member of the Saskatchewan Dietitians Association (SDA).
Dr. Verrall has extensive research and work experience planning and evaluating health promotion initiatives and she has worked with a variety of population groups, in both community and clinical settings. Her current research activities involve the design and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives. In particular, she is examining the implementation and outcomes of the Saskatchewan Chronic Disease Management Collaborative, a quality improvement initiative aimed at improving the care of people with diabetes and coronary artery disease.
Rickey Yada
Professor and Tier 1 CRC
University of Guelph
Dr. Rickey Yada received his PhD from the Department of Food Science at the University of British Columbia in 1984. He has served as Chair of the Department of Food Science and as the Assistant Vice President Research, Agri-Food Programs, both at the University of Guelph. He is presently a Professor in the Department of Food Science, a Canada Research Chair in Food Protein Structure, and the Scientific Director of the Advanced Foods and Materials Network, Networks of Centres of Excellence. He has participated on numerous research awards panels and committees, both at the national and international levels. Among other activities, he currently chairs the Scientific Council, International Union of Food Science and Technology, is the North American Editor for Trends in Food Science and Technology and is on editorial boards for several journals. He is the author of over 140 refereed journal publications and several book chapters. Dr. Yada is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology and of the International Academy, International Union of Food Science and Technology.