About
Welcome to the Avila Lab! Our lab leads the research program in long-term outcomes of paediatric thrombosis at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), with a focus on post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS).
Dr. Laura Avila is a Clinician Scientist at SickKids. During her training in Paediatric Haemostasis and Thrombosis at SickKids, she developed a special interest in paediatric PTS. During her PhD in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Toronto, she conducted a series of studies that led to the development of CAPTSure©, a tool for the diagnosis and severity rating of this condition in children. Subsequent work focused on the impact and management of paediatric PTS and the long-term outcomes of pulmonary embolism. Her clinical epidemiology work is focused on measurement in medicine, observational studies, and longitudinal studies.
Selected publications
For a complete list of Avila Lab publications, please visit orcid.
- Avila L, Bentley RF, Bastas D, Brandão LR, Schneiderman JE, Ward L, Wong G, Stephens S, Liu K, Thomas S. Unravelling the pathophysiology of lower limb post thrombotic syndrome in adolescents: a proof-of-concept study. Blood Adv. 2023 Jun 27; 7(12): 2784-2793. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022009599.
- Bastas D, Brandão LR, Vincelli J, Wilson D, Perrem L, Guerra V, Wong G, Bentley RF, Tole S, Schneiderman J, Amiri N, Williams S, Avila L. Long-term outcomes of pulmonary embolism in children and adolescents. Blood. 2024; 143 (7): 631–640. DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021953.
- Bastas D, Brandão LR, Allen DD, Vincelli J, Amiri N, Abdul-Samad K, Liu K, Stephens S, Avila L. Functional impact of pediatric post-thrombotic syndrome. J Thromb Haemost. 2023 Jan 10; 21(1):896-904. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.01.004.
- Avila L, Amiri N, De R, Vincelli J, Pullenayegum E, Williams S, Brandão LR. Characteristics of upper and lower extremity deep vein thrombosis and predictors of post-thrombotic syndrome in children. Blood Adv. 2021 Oct 12; 5(19):3737-3747. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004727.
- Avila L, Amiri N, De R, Vincelli J, Pullenayegum E, Brandão LR. Compression garments for the management of pediatric post-thrombotic syndrome: a prospective longitudinal study. J Thromb Haemost. 2021 Dec; 19(12):3073-3079. doi: 10.1111/jth.15507.
Funding sources
Team
Principal Investigator
Email: laura.avila@sickkids.ca
Dr. Laura Avila, MD, PhD
Staff Physician, Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Clinician Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program, SickKids Research Institute
Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Medical Science and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto
Dr. Avila attended medical school at the National University of Tucumán, Argentina. After completing her residency in Paediatrics at the German Hospital in Buenos Aires, Dr. Avila continued her training in Toronto with completion of her Paediatric Haematology/Oncology subspecialty and Haemostasis and Thrombosis fellowships at SickKids. She obtained her PhD in Clinical Epidemiology from the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto in 2016.
Research Students
Athena Mancini
Athena is a second year MD student at the University of Toronto. After completing the Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours Program at McMaster University, she joined the Avila Lab where she worked as a Clinical Research Project Assistant before starting medical school. In her spare time, Athena coaches club volleyball and enjoys exploring new restaurants and cafes.
Katy Goren
Katy is a pediatrics resident at the University of Toronto. She completed her Bachelor of Health Sciences and MD from Western University. She joined the Avila lab as a research student given her interest in pediatric hematology. Outside of the hospital, she loves to go on runs, cycle, and spend time with her dog.
Brian Tran
Brian is a second year MD student at the University of Toronto and works as a Clinical Research Project Assistant as part of the Avila Lab. He completed his undergraduate studies at Queen’s University and enjoys spending his time going to the gym with friends and playing squash.
Mona Alenzi
Mona completed her medical training at Kuwait University and is currently a second-year resident in Pediatrics at the University of Toronto. She has a growing interest in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and is actively pursuing research and clinical training opportunities in this subspecialty.
Get involved
Student opportunities
Summer programs
The SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program offers university students the chance to engage in research within a laboratory or clinical environment at SickKids, guided by a scientist from the SickKids Research Institute for the summer.
The Institute of Medical Science’s (IMS) Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate B.Sc. and medical students (without a graduate degree) to participate in biomedical research projects. These projects cover a wide range of disciplines, including molecular biology, cognitive science, clinical investigation, and bioethics. This summer research program concludes with Research Day in mid-August where students are given the opportunity to showcase their research findings through oral or poster presentations.
Graduate student programs
Dr. Avila is welcoming M.Sc. and PhD students via the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, as well as the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto, with a research focus on thrombosis.
Volunteer opportunities
Join the TRaCS Team
The Thrombosis Research and Clinical Support Program (TRaCS) offers a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a clinical environment, learn new skills, and contribute to meaningful research. If you are a dedicated, reliable, and talented, college or university student, who is passionate about healthcare and eager to make a difference, we encourage you to apply.
As a TRaCS volunteer, you will be involved in a variety of research and clinical initiatives at our clinic. This includes working closely with physicians, nurses, patients, and their families in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
For interested applicants, please send an email to info.tracs@sickkids.ca and attach:
- A letter of intent
- Resume
Eligible candidates will be invited to an interview to learn about the various clinical and research opportunities available within the TRaCS program.
We look forward to welcoming you to the TRaCS team.
Join SickKids as a volunteer
SickKids provides various volunteer opportunities and roles that let you contribute your valuable time to our community in ways that match your interests and availability.
Come make a difference with SickKids.
Address
The Avila Lab
Child Health Evaluative Sciences Labs
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
