Leadership Team
Dr. Matthew JamesCo-Principal Investigator
Dr. Matthew James
Co-Principal Investigator
Associate Professor of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, O’Brien Institute of Public Health and Libin Cardiovascular Institute
University of Calgary
Dr. Matthew James is a specialist in Nephrology and an Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. Dr. James received his medical training at the University of British Columbia, and completed nephrology training and a PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Calgary. He is a co-lead of the Alberta Kidney Disease Network (AKDN) and Interdisciplinary Chronic Disease Collaboration (ICDC), director of Research for the APPROACH project, and has been a project lead with the Can-SOLVE CKD Network since the beginning of Phase 1. Dr. James’ research is focused on risk prediction, clinical decision support tools, and pragmatic trials designed to improve the quality of care and health outcomes of kidney and cardiovascular diseases. He holds research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Alberta Innovates, and his work has been recognized with a Mid-Career Research Leader Award from the O’Brien Institute of Public Health at the University of Calgary, a Killam Emerging Research Leader Award, and the Monique Bégin Award in Knowledge Translation from CIHR.
Dr. Malcolm KingIndigenous Health Research Advisor
Dr. Malcolm King
Indigenous Health Research Advisor
Professor, Dept. of Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan
Scientific Director, Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research
Dr. Malcolm King is one of Canada’s foremost Indigenous health scholars. A member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Dr. King is a health researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, joining the Department of Community Health & Epidemiology in October 2017. There, he serves as the Scientific Director of SCPOR, the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research; he also continues to teach and research in Indigenous health, with a particular focus on wellness and engagement. Dr. King served as Scientific Director of CIHR’s Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health (CIHR-IAPH). He was instrumental in leading CIHR in the development of a national health research agenda aimed at improving wellness and achieving health equity for First Nations Peoples, Métis and Inuit in Canada.
Dr. Adeera LevinCo-Principal Investigator
Dr. Adeera Levin
Co-Principal Investigator
Professor, University of British Columbia
Executive Director, BC Provincial Renal Agency
Dr. Adeera Levin is Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Nephrology at University of British Columbia. She is the Executive Director of the BC Provincial Agency, responsible for the planning, and delivery of kidney services in BC. She was Co-director of the Clinical Investigator Training Program at UBC, and is Curriculum Chair of the KRESCENT program , a unique pan-Canadian training program for Kidney Scientists, co funded by CIHR, Kidney Foundation of Canada and Canadian Society of Nephrology.
Her research interests are in early CKD, variability of progression and co-morbidities, health care delivery and outcomes research. She has contributed to the understanding of CKD trajectories, definitions and clinical care through numerous research activities and guideline development work. Dr. Levin is the principal investigator of a pan-Canadian study, Can-PREDDICT: Prediction of dialysis, death and interim cardiovascular events in CKD: a cohort study of over 2500 patients with biosamples followed for up to 5 years. She was the national lead for SHARP, and is currently the co lead for CREDENCE.
Dr. Levin has won numerous awards for teaching and research. She is a recipient of the Order of Canada and has received the Kidney Foundation of Canada Medal for Research Excellence and the Aubrey J. Tingle Prize in recognition of a body of work which has impacted patients in BC and elsewhere. She was inducted in the Canadian Academy for Health Sciences in 2014. She was elected President of the International Society of Nephrology 2015-17.
Dr. James ScholeyCo-Principal Investigator
Dr. James Scholey
Co-Principal Investigator
Professor of Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto
Senior Scientist, Toronto General Research Institute
Dr. James Scholey is a Professor of Medicine and Physiology and a Physician Scientist in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is also a Senior Scientist in the Toronto General Research Institute and a staff physician in the Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine at the University Health network and Mount Sinai Hospital.
Dr. Scholey’s research focuses on mechanism(s) responsible for the progression of chronic kidney disease with a special interest in diabetic nephropathy and the renin angiotensin system. His laboratory employs cell-based and murine models of kidney injury. He also has a longstanding interest in the physiology of human diabetic kidney hyperfiltration and the impact of proteinuria on the progression of glomerulonephritis.
Dr. Scholey’s research program in Can-SOLVE CKD is focused on the identification of kidney risk in youth with diabetes mellitus. These studies are a collaborative effort with researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and researchers at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute in Winnipeg.
Cathy WoodsPatient Partner
Cathy Woods
Patient Partner
Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council co-chair, Patient Governance Council member
Cathy Woods is a proud member of Naicatchewenin First Nation in Northwestern Ontario & now lives on Treaty One Territory in Winnipeg Manitoba. Her traditional name is Giwetashked Giniw Ikewe (Circling Golden Eagle Woman) and she is a member of the Bear clan. Cathy retired as an Indigenous Liaison Specialist.
Cathy has been involved as a patient partner with Can-SOLVE CKD since the network’s formation. She is the patient partner lead of the Kidney Check research project, which seeks to screen, triage, and treat Indigenous people living in rural and remote communities across Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Cathy also served as a founding co-chair of the Can-SOLVE CKD Patient Council and the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council, and she continues to be a member of these committees as well as many others within the network.
Cathy views her journey of kidney disease as her chance to give back to her community and to those who assisted her in dealing with her disease.
Operations Team
Heather HarrisExecutive Director
Heather Harris
Executive Director
hharris@cansolveckd.ca
Heather Harris has more than 25 years of experience in clinical research, spanning pharmaceutical and biotech companies, non-profit organizations, and academic centres. Most recently, Heather worked with BC’s SPOR SUPPORT Unit to build and enhance BC’s clinical and health research enterprise. She also served as inaugural Director of Operations for the British Columbia Clinical Infrastructure Network (BCCRIN).
As Executive Director of Can-SOLVE CKD, Heather acts as the primary liaison for the network and oversees the core operations team. She is responsible for monitoring network performance and activities to ensure the work is within scope and budget. She also facilitates communication within and outside the network, engages stakeholders, and facilitates development of knowledge translation products and reporting on network achievements.
Selina Omar AlluKnowledge Translation Broker and Implementation Support Practitioner
Selina Allu
Knowledge Translation Broker and Implementation Support Practitioner
soallu@ucalgary.ca
Selina Allu is a Knowledge Translation Broker with a Master’s degree in Health Geography. She has almost a decade of combined experience in knowledge translation, knowledge management, and outreach (provincial and national). Selina has led the development and delivery of comprehensive knowledge outreach plans, including the design, planning, and execution of targeted knowledge dissemination while building strong and collaborative working relationships with stakeholders and end-users to broaden research reach and impact.
As KT Broker for Can-SOLVE CKD, Selina ensures that research findings are applied in real world settings through effective knowledge translation strategies and collaborations with end-users.
Omo EnilamaResearch Coordinator
Omo Enilama
Research Coordinator
oenilama@cansolveckd.ca
Omo Enilama holds a Master of Science in Experimental Medicine from the University of British Columbia. Omo has extensive experience in patient screening/recruitment, data management, and knowledge translation, with a background in chronic kidney disease research through her work with both Can-SOLVE CKD and the BC Kidney Research Unit. In her current role, she is responsible for the Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) and supports various other initiatives within the network.
Amanda GreenCommunications Coordinator
Amanda Green
Communications Coordinator
agreen@cansolveckd.ca
Amanda is the Communications Coordinator at the Can-SOLVE CKD Network. She has been with the network since 2019, first supporting the network in an administrative capacity, then expanding to support the communications team in her current role. She supports the Communications Team in executing and monitoring communications strategies for the network.
Amanda has recently returned from maternity leave, having focused on her new role as a mother. Her journey at the network and in patient-oriented research is personal as she is a caregiver to her partner who is a living kidney donor to a family member. Additionally she contributes her voice to the Indigenous Initiatives Team at the network. She is a proud First Nation’s woman with paternal roots from Berens River First Nation and maternal roots from Peguis First Nation, both located in Manitoba. She is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba and currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Michelle HampsonMedical Writer
Michelle Hampson
Medical Writer
mhampson@cansolveckd.ca
Michelle Hampson is a science writer with a background in journalism. She has spent more than ten years communicating the complexities of scientific research for the public, including information about disease pathology and treatment options for patients. At Can-SOLVE CKD, she collaborates extensively with researchers, medical professionals, visual storytellers, patients, and others to produce content, ensuring that it remains clear, concise and accessible.
Grace JauodFinance Manager
Grace Jauod
Finance Manager
gjauod@cansolveckd.ca
Grace is a Chartered Professional Accountant with more than 20 years of experience in various fields of accounting and audit. Prior to joining the Can-SOLVE CKD team, she held financial and operations management roles at the University of British Columbia.
As Finance Manager for Can-SOLVE CKD, Grace provides financial management and strategic support. She is responsible for financial reporting to various stakeholders and budget management for the Network. She oversees the general ledger and accounts payable functions; interpretation of UBC, tri-council and funders’ financial policies and procedures; systems and internal controls design and implementation.
Jocelyn JonesIndigenous Initiatives Manager
Jocelyn Jones
Indigenous Initiatives Manager
jjones@cansolveckd.ca
As the Indigenous Initiatives Manager at Can-SOLVE CKD, Jocelyn Jones draws on her personal experience in health advocacy for Elders, her educational background in Indigenous Studies, and her work within the network with the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council (IPERC).
A member of Shoal Lake 40, located in Ontario on the Saulteaux First Nations territory Treaty 3, Jocelyn is of mixed heritage with Ojibway and European ancestry. Her passion for Indigenous health and knowledge has helped guide her to support the self-determination of Indigenous peoples and communities in research, and she continues to develop her knowledge.
Jocelyn is based in Kelowna, BC, on the unceded Syilx territory. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies from UBC Okanagan.
Cynthia MacDonaldProject Manager
Cynthia Macdonald
Project Manager
cmacdonald@cansolveckd.ca
Cynthia MacDonald has over 10 years of research experience. Her past roles have allowed her to work on various academic studies with a large patient engagement. More recently, she has been working on industry sponsored Clinical Trials (Phase 1 – 4). Her background is in Human Kinetics, and Exercise Science. Fun fact: Cynthia was a competitive figure skater for many years and wanted to go to the Olympics. When her skating career ended, she went into coaching and coached hockey players throughout university!
Tara OzbayAdministrative Coordinator
Tara Ozbay
Administrative Coordinator
admin@cansolveckd.ca
As the Administrative Coordinator at Can-SOLVE CKD, Tara Ozbay plays a key role in the network, overseeing the operational and logistical aspects of our initiatives and ensuring that processes are efficient to support their successful delivery.
Prior to joining Can-SOLVE CKD, Tara worked in fundraising at the University of British Columbia, where she raised funds to support students in need of financial assistance. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Economics from UBC.
Melanie TalsonPatient Partnerships & Capacity Building Manager
Melanie Talson
Patient Partnerships & Capacity Building Manager
mtalson@cansolveckd.ca
Melanie Talson, MA, is a medical anthropologist with a background in qualitative research, patient engagement, co-operative inquiry and participatory action research. She first became involved in the Network as a Research Coordinator for Dr. Bohm on the Triple I and Mind the Gap research projects. Now, she is thrilled to continue to support patient engagement in research as the Can-SOLVE CKD Patient Partnerships and Capacity Building Manager. Believing in the critical importance of conducting research ‘with people not on people’, Melanie maintains a strong emphasis on relationship-building, valuing the expertise patients bring to the research and recognizing patient partners as co-creators of knowledge every step of the way.
Catherine TurnerIndigenous Liaison Manager
Catherine Turner
Indigenous Liaison Manager
cturner@cansolveckd.ca
Catherine Turner is Red River Métis, her maternal and paternal families originate from the historic Red River Settlement in Manitoba. As the Indigenous Liaison Manager for the network, Catherine Turner is responsible for brokering and maintaining meaningful and authentic partnerships with Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Can-SOLVE CKD Network. Her work will guide network members and project teams in ensuring culturally safe and respectful engagements and implementation and evaluation of programs. Catherine is committed to amplifying Indigenous voices within the network and to advancing the inclusion of Indigenous ways of knowing and being throughout the network’s activities and work. Additionally, she will serve as the network’s liaison with Indigenous organizations such as the National Indigenous Diabetes Association, First Nations Health Authority and others.
Catherine is the past Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association and served as an executive board member for eleven years. Catherine has worked in health and primary prevention programs with Indigenous and First Nations communities for the past three decades, including administering an Aboriginal diabetes initiative for eight years. Recently Catherine completed a Pilot Indigenous Coach training, certified program, as well as a Trauma Informed Coach Certification program.
Isabela VarelaCommunications Manager
Isabela Varela
Communications Manager
ivarela@cansolveckd.ca
Isabela Varela is a strategic communications leader who brings over a decade of expertise in storytelling and strategy to her role as Communications Manager at Can-SOLVE CKD. Now based in Vancouver, she has honed her craft across diverse environments, including higher education, provincial government, nonprofit organizations in the U.S., and marketing agencies with a focus on nonprofit and public sector clients. Isabela believes effective communication is not only about the messages we share but also about how we enable others to share their voices.
As Communications Manager, Isabela leads the development and execution of Can-SOLVE CKD’s communications strategies and tactics to raise awareness of our activities among a wide range of audiences. She earned a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario and is also a proud alum of UBC, where she received an MA in Art History, Visual Arts, and Theory.
Claudia WildeCommunications Associate
Claudia Wilde
Communications Associate
cwilde@cansolveckd.ca
With a background in creative writing and public relations, Claudia transitioned into academia to explore the intersection of health, storytelling, and community engagement.
Through her work, Claudia aims to make research more accessible and meaningful, examining how digital platforms shape collaboration and how lived experiences inform understandings of health, illness, and the body. She is particularly interested in how storytelling mediates our experiences of healthcare, embodiment, and the external structures that shape them.
Claudia holds a degree in creative writing from the University of British Columbia and plans to return to school this fall to research the sociocultural dimensions of wellness within illness and what it means to conduct meaningful patient-oriented research.
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