Research Week 2025 celebrated discovery, impact and everyone who has the courage to try.
Research Week at The Ottawa Hospital was a great success, full of groundbreaking science, interactive learning opportunities and inspiring stories.
Organized by The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute (OHRI), the week also included surprising moments and heartfelt reflections that reminded us why we all work so hard to realize discoveries and bring them to life for patients.
Dr. Nancy Maltez kicked off the week with a keynote lecture highlighting The Ottawa Hospital’s leadership in stem cell transplantation for autoimmune diseases. She also described plans for an innovative clinical trial of CAR-T therapy for patients with systemic scleroderma, which will be part of the Canadian-Led Immunotherapies Collaborative.
The week also included interactive tours of cancer and neuromuscular research labs, led by Dr. Zaid Taha and Rebecca Yaworski, with support from many others. Both tours showcased some of the incredible work happening behind the scenes at OHRI, including a visit to the Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre, an in-depth look at the facilities and tools used to develop new therapies and an opportunity for visitors to try their hand at pipetting. Many of the participants expressed how amazing it was to see the passion that drives discovery and how an idea comes to life in the lab.
Dr. Peter Greenstreet of the Ottawa Methods Centre highlighted platform trials, an innovative and adaptive approach for comparing different treatments, while Amal Al Zayadi from TOH Analytics and Dr. Tetyana Kendzerska from Respirology showcased Cosmos (internal link) - a vast pool of global health data that will equip researchers with the tools to drive meaningful discovery.
A highlight of the week was the launch of The Ottawa Hospital’s INSPIRE Interprofessional Research Community of Practice (internal link), designed to foster and support research conducted by nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists and other health professions. This session featured an inspiring talk from nurse-scientist Dr. Dawn Stacey, an interactive workshop led by Nursing Professional Practice coordinator of research Sophia Gocan and a presentation on interdisciplinary health research from Dr. Stephen Daniels, Clinical Research Liaison for nursing and health professions.
OHRI’s Clinical Research Training Day also featured a variety of educational sessions on topics such as clinical research quality, contracts, patient engagement, consent and regulatory oversight. These sessions featured presentations from research staff (including Pascale Juneau, Talston Scott, Rebecca Porteous and Emily Hladkowicz), as well as from OHRI administration staff (Stephanie Myers, Ivy Salter and Jennifer Cox).
Many of the Research Week speakers touched on the theme of “Research is care,” highlighting how research often provides the best or only treatment option for patients. Researchers, clinicians, staff and patients also shared their perspectives on research in a video, highlighting how everyone at The Ottawa Hospital and OHRI plays a role in research.
Patient partners bring their unique perspective
Patients and patient partners played a major role in Research Week, with Casey Delaney, a former critical care patient and clinical trial participant sharing her story at OHRI Research Day.
“The fact that I’m standing here today is proof of how powerful medical research can be - how every study, every trial, every dedicated researcher contributes to saving lives like mine,” said Delaney, after being introduced by Dr. Shane English. “I feel proud to have been part of that ongoing story. To all of you who dedicate yourselves to science, discovery and care - thank you.”
Another clinical trial participant shared their story at OHRI’s Clinical Research Training Day and for the first time ever, six patient partners judged trainee posters as part of a special session at OHRI Research Day.
Celebrating our trainees
The 25th annual OHRI Research Day, which focused on celebrating trainees, was the largest event of the week, with more than 500 people filling the Infinity Convention Centre.
In total, more than 150 postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, residents and other trainees presented their research results, which spanned from the lab bench to the bedside to practice and policy.
OHRI Research Day also celebrated OHRI’s top two trainees of the year, Dr. Cory Goldstein (supervisor Dr. Monica Taljaard) and Dr. Julie Ouellette (supervisor Dr. Baptiste Lacoste).
Dr. Goldstein, who received the Grimshaw Researcher in Training Award, reflected on his journey from studying philosophy to developing international ethics guidance for complex clinical trials, showing that a humanist among scientists can make a lasting impact when guided by passion, persistence, healthy boundaries, and thoughtful mentors. Dr. Ouellette, who received the Worton Researcher in Training Award, also gave an inspiring presentation, touching on successes, failures, collaboration and learning over the course of her PhD.
The keynote Grimes Lecture from Dr. P.J. Devereaux of McMaster University was another Research Day highlight. Dr. Devereaux spoke candidly about his career in perioperative research, highlighting the many large scale international practice-changing clinical trials he has led or contributed to over many years.
Research Day was co-chaired by Dr. Paul Albert (Neuroscience Program) and Dr. Justin Presseau (Methodological and Implementation Research Program) with Natasha Hollywood as administrative lead.
Top trainee presenters recognized with awards
Trainees posters and oral presentations were evaluated by scientists, clinician investigators, postdoctoral fellows and others with advanced degrees, and prizes were awarded in several categories.
Oral presentation competition
Gold prize for discovery research
Rebecca Yaworski (Regenerative Medicine Program)
A Dosage Study for AAV9-Mediated Gene Therapy and the Development of a CRISPR Based Combinatorial Therapy for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Co-authors: Ariane Beauvais, Emma Sutton, Bernard Schneider, Christian Lorson, Christiano Alves, Rashmi Kothary
Gold prize for clinical and applied health research
Isaac Glassman (Inflammation and Chronic Disease Program)
Clinical Effectiveness of Adrenal Vein Sampling Versus Molecular Imaging in Primary Aldosteronism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Using a Novel Artificial Intelligence Methodology
Co-authors: Deena Fremont, Marisha Karim, Risa Shorr, Alexander Leung, Gregory Hundemer
Silver prize
Samuel Delisle (Cancer Research Program)
Therapy-induced Sox9 drives stem-like properties in HER2-positive tumors
Co-authors: Riana Zuccarini, Brennan Garland, Luc Sabourin
Bronze prize
Stephen Holland (Neuroscience Program)
Galactose treatment rescues neuromuscular junction transmission in glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1 (Gfpt1) deficient mice
Co-authors: R. Carmona-Martinez, D. O’Neil, K. Ho, K. O’Connor, Y. Azuma, A. Roos, S. Spendiff, H. Lochmüller
Poster presentation competition (postdoctoral and clinical fellows)
Gold prize for clinical and applied health research
Renee Johnston (Neuroscience Program)
Distinct High Gamma in Prefrontal Cortex Encode Belief Updating and Reward Processing During Value-Based Decisions
Co-authors: Chadwick Boulay, Adam Sachs
Gold prize for discovery research
Ramim Tanver Rahman (Inflammation and Chronic Disease Program)
Design of Novel Antimicrobial Peptides for the Treatment and Prevention of Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Co-authors: Heidi Huttunen-Hennelly, Nongnuj Tanphaichitr, D. William Cameron, Robert Feibel, Marisa Ann Azad
Silver prize
Wen Pan (Regenerative Medicine Program)
Dystrophic satellite cells undergo mitotic catastrophe and senescence
Co-authors: Michael Rudnicki
Bronze prize
Sarah Nersesian (Cancer Research Program)
Epitype-immune interactions in high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Co-authors: John Abou-Hamad, Emma Durocher, Barbara Vanderhyden, David Cook
Poster presentation competition (PhD students)
Gold prize for discovery research
William Johnston (Regenerative Medicine)
Perturbed long-range feeding control neuron circuits disrupt neural stem cell activation and development in animal model of Alzheimer’s disease
Co-authors: Edward Sun, Jing Wang
Gold prize for clinical and applied health research
Alyssa Murray (Cancer Research Program)
BRCA mutation alters the collagen landscape of the ovarian cortex in normal human ovary
Co-authors: Curtis McCloskey, Dominique Trudel, Anne-Marie Mes-Masson, Ronny Drapkin, David Landry, Barbara Vanderhyden
Silver prize
Marlena Scaffidi (Cancer Research Program)
Postoperative NK cell dysfunction is caused by metabolic deficiency
Co-authors: Henna Mistry, Mary-Ellen Harper, Rebecca C. Auer
Bronze prize
Dylan Thomas (Cancer Research Program)
Improving the persistence of self-amplifying RNA vaccines using microRNA targeting protein
Co-authors: Timothy Lee, Khushi Rathod, Priya Bharadwa, Zaid Taha, John Bell, Carolina Ilkow
Honorable mention
Jaahnavi Dave (Cancer Research Program)
Bio-engineering and Characterization of an Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Platform for Tumor-Localized Lentiviral Vector Production
Co-authors: Wagma, Safi, Carolina, Ilkow, John Bell
Poster presentation competition (master’s student, medical student and resident poster awards)
Gold prize for clinical and applied health research (two prizes awarded)
- Isabella Miklaucic (Inflammation and Chronic Disease Program)
A Comparative Study Assessing the Effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Individuals
Co-authors: Serine Ramlawi, Heather Walker, Sara C Scremin Souza, Marc-André Langlois, Aaron Dyks, Curtis Cooper, Darine El-Chaâr - Fadi Esttaifo (Acute Care Research Program)
Longitudinal Patient Outcomes at a Multidisciplinary Dizziness Clinic
Co-authors: Debora Hogan, Jason Lee Azzi, Daniel Lelli, Ryan Rourke, Angelina Tohme, Darren Tse
Gold prize for discovery research
Stefan Wallin (Cancer Research Program)
Beyond Genes: The Power of Isoform-Specific Prognostic Markers in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Co-authors: Aws Almir Ahmad, Arvind Mer
Silver prize
Matteo LoFaro (Regenerative Medicine Program)
Identifying Cancer Cachexia Humoral Factors Affecting Muscle Stem Cell Regeneration Capacity
Co-authors: Derek Hall, Rajendhran Rajakumar, Michael Rudnicki
Bronze prize (two prizes awarded)
- Helene Orfali (Cancer Research Program)
The Regulation of SLPI and Its Impact on Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer
Co-authors: Maryam Echaibi, Barbara Vanderhyden - Sabrina Lam (Inflammation and Chronic Disease Program)
Elucidating the Role of S100 Proteins in Extracellular Vesicle Formation in Human Kidney Cells
Co-authors: Mayra Trentin-Sonoda, Robert L. Myette
Honorable mention
Judy Sobh (Cancer Research Program)
Analyzing the heterogeneity of ovarian carcinoma
Co-authors: Gian Negri, Euridice Carmona, Barbara C. Vanderhyden, Gregg Morin, David Huntsman, Anne-Marie Mes-Masson, David Cook
Poster presentation competition (undergraduate)
Paniz Akbari (Regenerative Medicine Program)
Astrogliaregulate postnatal cerebrovascular development in mice
Co-authors: Moises Freitas-Andrade, Peter Van dyken, Sara Kawtharani, Paniz Akbari, Baptiste Lacoste
Organizers and sponsors
Research Week was organized by a dedicated team of OHRI staff, trainees and scientists, listed on this internal webpage.
Research Week was sponsored by:
Thank you to The Lord Elgin, the Canadian Museum of Nature, BATL Grounds and Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng for donating prizes that were awarded to people who took part in Research Week activities.
