Researchers

Dr. Karen A. Gordon

PhD, CCC-A, Reg. CASLPO
Director of Research & Senior Scientist

Dr. Karen A. Gordon is a Scientist who directs research based at Archie’s Cochlear Implant Laboratory at SickKids. Her research is focused on studying auditory development in children using unilateral and bilateral cochlear implants. She has worked as a clinical audiologist both on the Cochlear Implant Team and in the Audiology Clinic at SickKids prior to beginning her research work.

Contact Information

Phone: 416-813-6683
Email: karen-a.gordon@sickkids.ca

Dr. Blake C. Papsin

MD, MSc, FRCS, FACS, FAAP
Otolaryngologist-in-Chief

Dr. Blake Papsin heads the Cochlear Implant Program at SickKids. He has a long-standing interest in behavioural measures of auditory function dating back to his Master’s degree in psychoacoustics. As an accomplished musician, he has a personal interest in understanding how children with hearing loss are able to develop an appreciation of music through the use of a cochlear implant.

Contact Information

Phone: (416) 813-2190
Email: blake.papsin@sickkids.ca

Dr. Sharon L. Cushing

MD, FRCSC
Otolaryngologist

Dr. Sharon Cushing is well-recognized for her clinical and research interests in vestibular function and development. Her work in this area began during her undergraduate studies and continued into her otolaryngology residency and pediatric otolaryngology practice at SickKids. She has a particular research focus on children in the Cochlear Implant Program at SickKids, with several projects which aim to help children use their cochlear implants to maintain better balance.

Contact Information

Phone: (416) 813-2190
Email: sharon.cushing@sickkids.ca

Dr. Robert V. Harrison

BSc (Hons), PhD, DSc
Senior Scientist Emeritus

Dr. Robert Harrison directed the Auditory Science Laboratory at SickKids and was the former director of the Cochlear Implant Program. Dr. Harrison’s work in animal models provides important information about the developing auditory system. For example, his work has shown that the auditory system will become reorganized based on the stimulation or lack of stimulation received and that these effects are most prevalent in early development. This implies that the auditory system can respond to the stimulation from a cochlear implant.

Research Support Staff

Jaina Negandhi

MEng, MSc

Clinical Research Project Manager Neurosciences & Mental Health

Rachel Lim

BSc (Eng), BA, MSc (Eng)

Clinical Research Project Coordinator Neurosciences & Mental Health

Post-Doctoral Fellows

Vivek Sharma

PhD, MSc, BSc

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Graduate Students

Robel Alemu

HBSc, MSc, PhD Candidate

Graduate Student

Angela Fung

HBSc, MSc Candidate

Graduate Student

Melissa Hazen

HBSc, MSc, PhD Candidate

Graduate Student

Lulia Snan

BSc, MSc Candidate

Graduate Student

Hanne Bartels

MD, PhD Candidate

Graduate Student

Carina Sabourin

BSc, PhD Candidate

Graduate Student