Leadership Team
Mary BeaucagePatient Advisor
Mary Beaucage
Patient Advisor
Co-Chair, Patient Governance Circle
Co-Chair, Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council
I am from Nipissing First Nation near North Bay ON. I am an Anishnaabekwe woman who lives a full life with Chronic Kidney Disease after receiving a living kidney from my cousin in 2015. I have been part of the Can-SOLVE CKD family since 2016 and have gradually taken on more responsibilities and leadership roles as the network has matured. As co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples Engagement Research Council (IPERC), I advocate for different ways Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are incorporated into the Can-SOLVE CKD ethos. I am also a patient partner on four Can-SOLVE CKD research teams, a co-chair of the Patient Governance Circle (PGC), and I sit on several committees, including the Research Operations Committee and the Knowledge User/Knowledge Translation Committee.
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.
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.
Melanie TalsonPatient Partnerships and Training Manager
Melanie Talson
Patient Partnerships and Training Manager
mtalson@cansolveckd.ca
Leah GetchellPatient Partnerships and Training Lead
Leah Getchell
Patient Partnerships and Training Lead
lgetchell@cansolveckd.ca
Leah has held numerous leadership roles and has been facilitating groups for more than 20 years. Her training as an Anthropologist coupled with her natural ability to connect with people makes her a relationship builder extraordinaire. In her current role as Patient Partnerships & Training Lead for the Can-SOLVE CKD Network, Leah uniquely combines her academic & professional training with her lived experience with chronic kidney disease (she lost her mother to the illness in 2014). She supports patient partnerships throughout the network and leads the Training & Mentorship committee, tasked with developing and implementing renal focused POR tools and resources. Fun Fact: Leah wanted to be an astronaut when she was little and went to Space Camp when she was 12yrs old.
Amanda GreenCommunications Coordinator (Maternity Leave)
Amanda Green
Communications Coordinator
Amanda looks forward to supporting the network in her role as Communications Coordinator. Her partner is a living kidney donor for his younger brother. 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 Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council Coordinator
Jocelyn Jones
Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council Coordinator
jjones@cansolveckd.ca
Jocelyn Jones grew up in Vernon, British Columbia and has recently graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan with her Indigenous Studies degree. Jocelyn is Anishinaabe and a member of Shoal Lake 40 located in Ontario on the Saulteaux First Nations territory. She brings experience in outreach community support work and employment services to her role as the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council Coordinator (IPERC). She brings personal experience in health advocacy for Elders. Jocelyn’s passion for Indigenous health and knowledge will help guide her to support Indigenous voices through the Can-SOLVE CKD network. She is excited to develop her knowledge in supporting Indigenous peoples and communities in research.
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!
Alicia MurdochProject Manager
Alicia Murdoch
Project Manager
amurdoch@cansolveckd.ca
Alicia is a certified Clinical Research Professional (ACRP-CP) with over 12 years of clinical research experience. Prior to joining Can-SOLVE CKD, she worked as a research coordinator, review manager at a Research Ethics Board (REB) and ethics and regulatory coordinator. Her past employment experiences have given her a wide breadth of knowledge about the research process. In her current role as a Can-SOLVE CKD Network project manager, she is responsible for the Canadian Nephrology Trials Network and Can-SOLVE CKD Network Pediatric Committee, helping these core infrastructures move their initiatives and ideas forward in the pursuit of improving the lives of those affected by chronic kidney disease.
Graham PollockCommunications & External Relations Lead
Graham Pollock
Communications & External Relations Lead
gpollock@cansolveckd.ca
Graham Pollock is a health research communications professional with a background in journalism and digital storytelling.
Graham oversees the Can-SOLVE CKD Network’s communications portfolio, leading the development and execution of strategies and tactics to increase awareness of network activities among a wide range of audiences. He also leads the network’s efforts to develop and maintain strong relationships with funding partners and key external organizations.
Prior to joining Can-SOLVE CKD, Graham was Senior Communications Specialist for the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (now Michael Smith Health Research BC). In this role, he led content development across digital and print channels to communicate the impact of health research projects.
Vaishali SharmaResearch & Administrative Coordinator
Vaishali Sharma
Research & Administrative Coordinator
vsharma@cansolveckd.ca
Vaishali Sharma, also known as Shelly, is originally from India and came to Canada to study neuroscience at Simon Fraser University. As a research enthusiast, she thoroughly enjoys being at the heart of the Can-SOLVE CKD network, collaborating with researchers, patient partners and the Operations team. While contributing to a full range of tasks across the network, Shelly dedicated a lot of her time to working on the BC DCE study with Dr. Matt James in 2021, and is currently assisting the Kidney Check project and Research Operations Committee. In her spare time she loves hiking and exploring new places.
Craig SetteeCultural Competency Manager
Craig Settee
Cultural Competency Manager
csettee@cansolveckd.ca
Craig Settee is Anishinaabe and Néhinaw (Swampy Cree) from Fisher River Cree Nation and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is a living kidney donor to his brother and previous patient partner with the Network. He brings this lived experience to his role as Coordinator of the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council (IPERC).
Craig has several years of experience working as a cultural support worker, Action Therapist and community organizer with First Nations and inner-city community-based organizations. He is passionate about increasing Indigenous representation and amplifying Indigenous voices to foster more collaborative working relationships. He is a strong believer in patient-oriented research and provides support to Indigenous patient partners, projects and partnerships within the Can-SOLVE CKD Network.
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.
Claudia WildeCommunications Coordinator
Claudia Wilde
Communications Coordinator
cwilde@cansolveckd.ca
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