Researchers

Dr. Sergio Borgia is an Infectious Diseases Physician, Infection Prevention and Control Consultant and Researcher at William Osler Health System. His clinical and research expertise includes infection prevention, multidrug-resistant bacteria, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis.

Dr. Borgia completed medical training at Queen’s University, graduate studies in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Toronto and Mount Sinai Hospital, and specialty training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at McMaster University. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University.

His research includes clinical trials, viral hepatitis care models, Hepatitis Delta treatment, tuberculosis care and work related to national elimination strategies. As an ORIHI senior scientist, Dr. Borgia contributes expertise in infectious diseases, clinical research, population health, and collaborative academic program development.

Dr. Herbert Brill is a clinician scholar in pediatric gastroenterology whose research addresses evidence gaps in general pediatrics, neonatal jaundice, celiac disease, pediatric liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Brill practices Pediatric Gastroenterology at William Osler Health System and Hepatology and Advanced Endoscopy at McMaster Children’s Hospital. He holds academic appointments at the University of Toronto, McMaster University and Toronto Metropolitan University.

As Chair of Osler’s Research Ethics Board and an active researcher, Dr. Brill brings both scientific leadership and strong research governance expertise to ORIHI. His work includes collaborative multi-centre studies, student-supported research and projects focused on improving evidence-informed pediatric care.

Dr. Teresa Chan is an emergency physician, internationally recognized education scientist and academic leader. She is Dean of the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine and brings extensive expertise in medical education, digital scholarship, innovation, and health professions education.

Her scholarly work has focused on advancing how health professionals learn, collaborate and translate evidence into practice. As an ORIHI senior scientist, Dr. Chan contributes leadership in medical education research, digital innovation, mentorship and interdisciplinary scholarship. Her appointment strengthens ORIHI’s capacity to connect clinical care, education and research in ways that support learners, clinicians and the communities Osler serves.

Dr. Parneet Cheema is a medical oncologist, health system leader, and senior scientist at the Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation. She serves as Medical Director of Cancer Care and Head of Cancer Research at William Osler Health System, where she leads the strategic advancement of oncology care, research and innovation.

An internationally recognized expert in lung cancer, precision medicine and immunotherapy, Dr. Cheema completed her postgraduate medical training at the University of Toronto and holds a Master of Biotechnology. Her work bridges clinical care, science, and innovation.

Dr. Cheema has played a major role in transforming cancer care delivery at Osler, including through the development of the Osler Cancer Immunotherapy Program and expanded access to clinical trials. Her research focuses on real-world evidence, genomics, personalized cancer care and accelerating the translation of novel therapies into clinical practice.

Dr. Paula Chidwick is Director of Ethics at William Osler Health System and a senior scientist with the Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation. Her work focuses on advancing ethical practice, quality improvement and innovative responses to complex challenges in health care.

Dr. Chidwick holds a PhD in Philosophy with a specialization in Bioethics from the University of Guelph. She was the inaugural Director of Ethics at Osler and the first person to hold such a role in a community hospital setting in Canada. She is also the founding Director of Osler’s Ethics Quality Improvement Lab.

Her scholarly and applied work has focused on ethics quality improvement, health care consent, transitions in care and end-of-life decision-making. She has contributed to national and international work in health care ethics and has helped build collaborative networks that support ethically grounded, system-relevant research.

Dr. Shy Amlani is an Interventional Cardiologist and Physician Lead for Cardiovascular Research at William Osler Health System. He previously served as Medical Director of the Cardiac Procedures Unit and has helped advance cardiac quality improvement and interventional cardiology innovation at Osler.

His research focuses on improving outcomes in coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and complex percutaneous coronary intervention. He has contributed to clinical trials, real-world cardiovascular studies and research focused on improving cardiovascular care pathways.

As an ORIHI scientist, Dr. Amlani is helping advance cardiovascular research at Osler through clinical trials, heart failure and chronic disease work, knowledge translation and collaboration with internal and external partners. His work supports more precise, efficient, and evidence-informed cardiovascular care close to home.

Dr. Natasha Chandok is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at William Osler Health System. Her work reflects a strong commitment to digestive health, liver disease and evidence-informed clinical care.

As an ORIHI scientist, Dr. Chandok brings expertise in hepatology and gastroenterology that supports practice-relevant inquiry, prevention-focused care and improved outcomes for the diverse communities Osler serves. Her appointment strengthens ORIHI’s growing community of clinician researchers and contributes to academic research growth in digestive and liver health.

Dr. Masud Khandaker is Division Head of Cardiology and Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Health System at William Osler Health System. He joined Osler in 2016 as a staff cardiologist and has held several leadership roles across ambulatory and diagnostic cardiology, cardiac rehabilitation, echocardiography and cardiology services at Peel Memorial.

Dr. Khandaker completed a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at Western University and received his medical degree from the National University of Ireland. He completed internal medicine and cardiology residency training at the Mayo Clinic, followed by fellowship training in advanced cardiac imaging.

His clinical and research interests include complex valve disease, cardiomyopathies, pericarditis, spontaneous coronary artery dissection and cardio-oncology. As an ORIHI scientist, Dr. Khandaker is working to develop an Osler Cardiovascular Research Network that will strengthen cardiovascular research, partnerships, and knowledge translation for the communities Osler serves.

Dr. Rosa Marticorena is Manager of the Clinical Research Program at the Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation. She supports the planning, execution and operational excellence of research across William Osler Health System.

As a principal investigator and co-investigator in national and international studies, Dr. Marticorena brings clinical insight, epidemiological training and trial leadership experience to research that advances patient care. Her work bridges research infrastructure and applied clinical inquiry, helping strengthen ORIHI’s capacity to support high-quality studies, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Her research and leadership activities span clinical research operations, cardiology, nephrology, critical care, nursing and clinical research, and program development. As an ORIHI scientist, she contributes to building research systems that support evidence-informed care and improved outcomes.

Dr. Marc Ossip is Chief of Radiology and Medical Director of Diagnostic Imaging at William Osler Health System. He completed medical school and diagnostic radiology residency at the University of Toronto, followed by fellowship training in Interventional Radiology.

Dr. Ossip has played a key leadership role in advancing radiology operations, informatics, enterprise imaging systems and artificial intelligence integration. His work includes implementation and optimization of PACS and reporting workflows, as well as participation in governance initiatives focused on responsible AI deployment and clinical integration.

His research interests include imaging utilization, health system performance, artificial intelligence in radiology, lung cancer screening, diagnostic decision-making and innovation in diagnostic care. As an ORIHI scientist, Dr. Ossip contributes expertise at the intersection of imaging, oncology, digital innovation, and health systems research.

Dr. Marco Iafolla is a Medical Oncologist at William Osler Health System and an investigator with the Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation. His research focuses on advancing precision oncology and improving how clinicians identify which therapies are most likely to benefit individual patients.

His work includes the study of biomarkers such as circulating tumour DNA, or ctDNA, to support less invasive monitoring and more individualized treatment decisions. He is also involved in research related to emerging personalized cancer therapies, including mRNA-based cancer vaccine approaches.

Through his clinical and scholarly work, Dr. Iafolla contributes to cancer research that supports more precise, effective, and individualized care for patients. His work also strengthens Osler’s capacity to participate in innovative oncology research and clinical trials close to home.

Amrutha Kumar is a Professional Practice Leader for Nursing whose work as a researcher is grounded in practice-based inquiry and health system innovation. Her research focuses on nursing practice, supply chain, digital technology, workforce innovation and operational excellence.

She holds a Master of Health Management from McMaster University and is a Certified Health Executive and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality. She also serves on statutory committees with the College of Nurses of Ontario and holds an Adjunct Faculty appointment with the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto.

Her scholarly work explores emerging technologies in clinical environments, optimization of nursing roles, and sustainable models of care. As an ORIHI investigator, she contributes to research and innovation focused on workforce development, health systems improvement, quality, patient safety and academic partnerships.

Dr. Alexandra Binnie is a critical care physician and Lead for ICU Research at William Osler Health System. Her research focuses on critical illness, including sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction and on strengthening research capacity within community intensive care environments.

Dr. Binnie is a co-founder and co-chair of the Canadian Community ICU Research Network, an initiative focused on expanding opportunities for high-quality critical care research in community hospitals across Canada. Through this work, she has contributed to resources that support the development and sustainability of community-based ICU research programs.

Her work combines clinical care, research, education and collaboration to improve outcomes for critically ill patients and strengthen research capacity beyond traditional academic centres.

Dr. Henry Conter is a General Medical Oncologist/Hematologist at William Osler Health System with expertise spanning oncology, clinical research, health system innovation and drug development.

In addition to his clinical work at Osler, Dr. Conter has held senior leadership roles in cancer care and health system quality and currently works in oncology drug development at Hoffman-La Roche. His work has included clinical trial design, health technology assessment and the development and evaluation of innovative approaches to cancer care.

Dr. Conter brings a multidisciplinary perspective to oncology research, combining clinical medicine, health technology assessment, finance, quality improvement and system leadership to advance patient-centred cancer care and innovation.

Dr. Shaan Dudani is a Medical Oncologist at William Osler Health System and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. His clinical practice focuses on genitourinary and gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, and he serves as the GI oncology site lead at Osler.

His research focuses on clinical trials, health outcomes and effectiveness research using real-world data, with particular interests in kidney and colorectal cancers. He has also contributed to biomarker development aimed at improving personalized cancer treatment.

Through his clinical, research and educational work, Dr. Dudani contributes to advancing evidence-informed and personalized cancer care for patients at Osler and beyond.

Hina Marsonia is a Clinical Pharmacist and Residency Coordinator with the Complex Medicine Clinic at William Osler Health System. Her work focuses on chronic disease management, medication safety, digital health innovation, research and pharmacy education.

She has contributed to the development and implementation of remote management approaches for people living with complex chronic conditions, including tools designed to support patient self-management, clinical decision-making and communication between patients and health care providers.

As a pharmacy educator and research mentor, Hina supports residents in research and manuscript development and contributes to quality improvement initiatives focused on medication safety and health system innovation.

Theresa Nitti brings with her a wealth of experience from various health care settings. With a background spanning family practice, supportive housing, adult day programs, long-term care and hospital environments, Theresa's expertise is vast and diverse.

At Osler, Theresa has held nursing positions on both Palliative and General Medicine units, where she facilitated multiple safety and quality improvement initiatives.

Theresa's dedication to advancing health care ethics is evident through her contributions to various projects and initiatives. She presented at the World Congress for Public Health in Rome, where she shared insights from the publication 'Ethical issues in long-term care in low-, middle- and high-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.' Additionally, Theresa was invited to speak to a graduating class of nurses at the Humber College Career Summit.

Theresa's commitment to patient-focused care, coupled with her extensive clinical experience, underscores her dedication to enhancing health care delivery, research and ethical practices.

Dr. Jill Oliver brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as the Community Ethicist and PoET Project Lead. With a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Waterloo, she focuses on navigating complex ethical dilemmas, particularly within the realm of long-term care settings. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Oliver has been committed to understanding and addressing critical issues surrounding consent, capacity, substitute decision making, and end-of-life care. Her academic pursuits include an Academic Fellowship in Clinical and Organizational Ethics from the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, with hands-on experience gained in a number of health-care settings, including Mount Sinai, Toronto Rehab, Sunnybrook Hospital and Trillium Health Partners.

Dr. Oliver's dedication to applying her expertise in real-world settings is evident in her extensive internships in clinical ethics at renowned institutions such as the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and Osler. These experiences have provided her with invaluable insights into the practical challenges faced by health care professionals and patients alike, informing her approach to ethical decision-making and quality improvement initiatives.

Currently, Dr. Oliver is spearheading the PoET Project. This groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance ethics-related quality improvement measures within the health care system, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care while upholding ethical principles and values.

Beyond her academic and professional accomplishments, Dr. Oliver is a lifelong learner, continuously seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge and skills. Her pursuit of further education, including a certificate in Elder Law from York University - Osgoode Hall Law School and a program in The Art and Practice of Adaptive Leadership from Harvard University, underscores her goal of excellence and innovation in her field.

Dr. Oliver's advocacy for ethical health care practices extends beyond academia. Her contributions have left an impact on the lives of patients, families and health care providers, fostering compassion, integrity and excellence. As a leading expert ethicist in long-term care settings, she is dedicated to advancing ethical health care practices and enhancing patient outcomes.

Dr. Angel Petropanagos is an Ethicist and Researcher with the Ethics Quality Improvement Lab at William Osler Health System. She holds a PhD in Philosophy from Western University, specializing in bioethics and feminist theory, and completed postdoctoral training in bioethics at Dalhousie University. She also has training in adaptive leadership and teaches clinical bioethics at the University of Toronto.

Her research interests include informed consent, artificial intelligence, reproductive ethics, medical assistance in dying, health technology assessment, health equity, adaptive leadership and ethics quality improvement. Through research, education and knowledge translation, she contributes to practical approaches that can support ethical decision-making for patients, families, health care providers and organizations.

Dr. Leila Salehi is an Emergency Medicine physician with research interests in emergency department operations, physician practice patterns, diagnostic imaging utilization, health policy and quality improvement.

She completed medical training at McGill University and the University of Toronto and holds graduate degrees in Health Policy and Administration and Public Health. Her research has contributed to peer-reviewed publications, abstracts and conference presentations focused on improving emergency care and health system performance.

Dr. Salehi also holds academic appointments at McMaster University and the University of Toronto and has contributed to leadership in emergency department flow, quality improvement and research at Osler.

Dr. Brandon Sheffield is an anatomical pathologist with expertise in molecular genetic pathology and the use of precision diagnostics to support personalized cancer treatment.

His research and clinical work focus on applying molecular genetics to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment selection and patient outcomes. He has received national and international recognition for his contributions to pathology, lung cancer research and health advocacy.

At Osler, Dr. Sheffield has also contributed to advancing diagnostic capacity through the implementation of next-generation sequencing technology, supporting both clinical innovation and research in precision oncology.

Dr. Sohel Somani is an ophthalmologist with expertise in medical retina and cataract surgery. He completed his medical degree, ophthalmology residency and fellowship training in Medical Retina at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Somani is actively involved in clinical care, research, education and leadership in ophthalmology. His research interests focus on ocular health and improving the diagnosis and treatment of retinal and other eye conditions.

He also contributes to ophthalmology research, education and outreach through FORSEE Canada and has held leadership roles within Osler and other ophthalmology programs.

Dr. Rahim Valani is an Emergency Medicine physician whose scholarly interests include medical education, health systems, quality improvement and emergency care outcomes.

His academic work has focused on understanding and improving how emergency care is delivered, supporting health professions education and advancing system-level approaches to patient care and quality.

Through his clinical, educational, and research contributions, Dr. Valani supports the development of evidence-informed emergency care and the education of current and future health professionals.