About<\/h2><\/div>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).<\/p>\n<\/div>
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\u00a9, 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>Selected publications<\/h3>\n
For a complete list of Avila Lab publications, please visit orcid<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n- Avila L, Bentley RF, Bastas D, Brand\u00e3o LR, Schneiderman JE, Ward L, Wong G, Stephens S, Liu K, Thomas S. <\/span>Unravelling the pathophysiology of lower limb post thrombotic syndrome in adolescents: a proof-of-concept study<\/a>. Blood Adv. 2023 Jun 27; 7(12): 2784-2793. doi: 10.1182\/bloodadvances.2022009599.<\/li>\n
- Bastas D, Brand\u00e3o LR, Vincelli J, Wilso<\/a>n D, Perrem L, Guerra V, Wong G, Bentley RF, Tole S, Schneiderman J, Amiri N, Williams S, Avila L. <\/span>Long-term outcomes of pulmonary embolism in children and adolescents<\/a>. Blood. 2024; 143 (7): 631\u2013640. DOI: 10.1182\/blood.2023021953.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Bastas D, Brand\u00e3o LR, Allen DD, Vincelli J, Amiri N, Abdul-Samad K, Liu K, Stephens S, Avila L. <\/span>Functional impact of pediatric post-thrombotic syndrome<\/a>. J Thromb Haemost. 2023 Jan 10; 21(1):896-904. doi: 10.1016\/j.jtha.2023.01.004.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Avila L, Amiri N, De R, Vincelli J, Pullenayegum E, Williams S, Brand\u00e3o LR. <\/span>Characteristics of upper and lower extremity deep vein thrombosis and predictors of post-thrombotic syndrome in children<\/a>. Blood Adv. 2021 Oct 12; 5(19):3737-3747. doi: 10.1182\/bloodadvances.2021004727.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Avila L, Amiri N, De R, Vincelli J, Pullenayegum E, Brand\u00e3o LR. <\/span>Compression garments for the management of pediatric post-thrombotic syndrome: a prospective longitudinal study<\/a>. J Thromb Haemost. 2021 Dec; 19(12):3073-3079. doi: 10.1111\/jth.15507.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Funding sources<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"SickKids](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/01\/SickKids-Foundation-logo.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"CIHR](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/01\/cihr_logo.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"PSI](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/01\/PSI_logo.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2026\/01\/DSI-Colour-Signature-Lock-Up_Screen.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Heart](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/09\/HS.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Team<\/h2><\/div>Principal Investigator<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/02\/Avila-Laura-scaled.jpg\")
<\/span><\/div>Email: laura.avila@sickkids.ca<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Dr. Laura Avila<\/a>, MD, PhD<\/h3>\nStaff Physician, Division of Haematology\/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)<\/p>\n
Clinician Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program<\/a>, SickKids Research Institute<\/p>\nAssistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics<\/a>, Institute of Medical Science<\/a> and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation<\/a> at the University of Toronto<\/p>\nDr. Avila attended medical school at the National University of Tucum\u00e1n, 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Staff<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/08\/Salma-Abrahim-scaled.jpg\" "\\"Salma")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Salma Abrahim, <\/b>Clinical Research Project Assistant<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Salma completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at McMaster University and her Master of Science in Medical Science at the University of Toronto. She is currently a Clinical Research Project Assistant with the Avila Lab. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and staying active at the gym.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Kelvin](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/11\/Kelvin-Lee-Square-scaled.jpg\" "\\"Kelvin-Lee\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Ho Yin Kelvin Lee, <\/span><\/b>Programmer<\/span>\/Ana<\/span>lyst<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nKelvin completed his Bachelor of Science in Computing Science from Simon Fraser University. Kelvin brings a strong blend of industry and academic research experience to support interdisciplinary research teams through software development, technical training, and collaborative problem-solving. His work focuses on enabling researchers with practical tools and scalable solutions that bridge technology and research needs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Robert](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/12\/Robert.jpg\" "\\"Robert\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Robert Nguyen, <\/span><\/b>Research Engineer<\/span><\/p>\nRobert completed his BASc in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto and his MSc and PhD in Biomedical Engineering at ETH Zurich. He is currently a Research Engineer in the PCIGITI Lab at SickKids, where he applies expertise in electronics, software development, mechatronics, and biomedical engineering to advance projects in wearable health technology, medical simulation, and surgical robotics.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/12\/Patrick.Domegan-square.jpg\" "\\"Patrick.Domegan")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Patrick Domegan<\/span>,<\/span><\/b> Programmer\/Analyst<\/span><\/p>\nPatrick completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Toronto and has a background in consumer electronics and the design and development of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products. He specializes in transforming complex ideas into fully realized, production-ready products, guiding solutions from concept through implementation with a focus on reliability, scalability, and real-world impact.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Current Research Students<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Athena](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/06\/Athena-Mancini-Head-Shot.png\" "\\"Athena")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Athena Mancini<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Katy](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/06\/Katy-Goren.jpeg\" "\\"Katy")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Katy Goren<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Brian](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/06\/Brian-Tran.jpg\" "\\"Brian")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Brian Tran<\/h3>\n
Brian is a second year MD student at the University of Toronto. He completed his undergraduate studies at Queen’s University and enjoys spending his time going to the gym with friends and playing squash.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Mona](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/avila\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/156\/2025\/06\/Mona-Alenzi-square.jpg\" "\\"Mona")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Mona Alenzi<\/h3>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div>
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).<\/p>\n<\/div>
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\u00a9, 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Selected publications<\/h3>\n
For a complete list of Avila Lab publications, please visit orcid<\/a>.<\/p>\n Email: laura.avila@sickkids.ca<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Staff Physician, Division of Haematology\/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)<\/p>\n Clinician Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program<\/a>, SickKids Research Institute<\/p>\n Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics<\/a>, Institute of Medical Science<\/a> and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation<\/a> at the University of Toronto<\/p>\n Dr. Avila attended medical school at the National University of Tucum\u00e1n, 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Salma Abrahim, <\/b>Clinical Research Project Assistant<\/span><\/p>\n \n Salma completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at McMaster University and her Master of Science in Medical Science at the University of Toronto. She is currently a Clinical Research Project Assistant with the Avila Lab. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and staying active at the gym.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Ho Yin Kelvin Lee, <\/span><\/b>Programmer<\/span>\/Ana<\/span>lyst<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Kelvin completed his Bachelor of Science in Computing Science from Simon Fraser University. Kelvin brings a strong blend of industry and academic research experience to support interdisciplinary research teams through software development, technical training, and collaborative problem-solving. His work focuses on enabling researchers with practical tools and scalable solutions that bridge technology and research needs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Robert Nguyen, <\/span><\/b>Research Engineer<\/span><\/p>\n Robert completed his BASc in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto and his MSc and PhD in Biomedical Engineering at ETH Zurich. He is currently a Research Engineer in the PCIGITI Lab at SickKids, where he applies expertise in electronics, software development, mechatronics, and biomedical engineering to advance projects in wearable health technology, medical simulation, and surgical robotics.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Patrick Domegan<\/span>,<\/span><\/b> Programmer\/Analyst<\/span><\/p>\n Patrick completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Toronto and has a background in consumer electronics and the design and development of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products. He specializes in transforming complex ideas into fully realized, production-ready products, guiding solutions from concept through implementation with a focus on reliability, scalability, and real-world impact.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Brian is a second year MD student at the University of Toronto. He completed his undergraduate studies at Queen’s University and enjoys spending his time going to the gym with friends and playing squash.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Funding sources<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Team<\/h2><\/div>
Principal Investigator<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Dr. Laura Avila<\/a>, MD, PhD<\/h3>\n
Staff<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/span><\/div>Current Research Students<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Athena Mancini<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>Katy Goren<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>Brian Tran<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>Mona Alenzi<\/h3>\n