Research Team

Robin Hayeems, Senior Scientist

Dr. Hayeems is a Scientist in Child Health Evaluative Sciences (CHES) at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and an Associate Professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) at the University of Toronto. Dr. Hayeems is trained in genetic counselling (ScM, Johns Hopkins University), public health and bioethics (PhD, University of Toronto), health policy research (University of Toronto, IHPME Postdoctoral Fellowship) and health services research (University of Toronto, Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship).

Hayeems’ research focuses on the development and implementation of high quality genomic screening and diagnostic tools for the maternal-child health context. Using applied health services and policy research methods, her work focuses on the delivery, evaluation, and governance of genomic screening and diagnostic tools in the prenatal, newborn, and early childhood periods. As a member of several provincial advisory committees, her work informs and is informed by policy development in this area.

Research Staff

Stephanie LucaClinical Research Project Manager

Stephanie completed an Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto and a Master of Arts in Social Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. As a project manager in the Hayeems’ lab, she plays a central role in overseeing numerous projects. Her main focus is the development of a novel outcome measure to capture the clinical utility of genetic testing, known as C-GUIDE™. Skilled in qualitative research methods, Stephanie also uses semi-structured interviews as a form of data collection for a variety of projects, and she is certified in project management (PMP).

Fun fact: Stephanie enjoys listening to podcasts. Some favourites include Hidden Brain and Rough Translation.

Viji VenkataramananDatabase Manager

Viji holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and is interested in the field of genetics, child health, patient experience, arthritis and health policy. She is involved in a few projects and one of her main projects explores the trajectory of care following genetic testing including whole genome sequencing (WGS), especially in children with a heart condition. In addition, this project aims to understand the types of health services utilization and associated costs. She is also working on a study learning about the parents’ journey of dealing with a newborn baby coupled with receiving an uncertain Newborn Screening Result.

Fun fact: Viji has lived in many countries and visited many more.

Katie FooksClinical Research Project Coordinator

Katie completed her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology & Immunology before going on to complete a Master of Science in Experimental Medicine at McGill University. Katie began working at SickKids in 2021, and is the Clinical Research Project Coordinator for Secondary Findings Impact Study, a project which aims to examine the clinical and patient impact of medically actionable secondary findings generated from exome and genome sequencing. Katie is also involved with the Care4Rare-SOLVE project, and assists on multiple other projects.

Fun Fact: Katie enjoys fostering dogs and going running with her twin sister.

Elise PooleClinical Research Project Coordinator

Elise completed her Honours Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Brandon University, as well as a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. Elise joined the Hayeems Lab as a practicum student to expand upon her knowledge of genomics through a clinical and personal utility lens. During her placement, Elise assisted on the Secondary Findings Impact Study and P-GUIDE™ project, and is now continuing with her work on these projects as a Clinical Research Project Coordinator.

Fun Fact: Elise is an avid baker and spin enthusiast.

Daniel AssamadClinical Research Project Assistant

Daniel is a trained genetic counsellor who completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Genetics, Physiology and Psychology and a Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto. He then went on to complete his Master of Science in Genetic Counselling at the University of British Columbia. One of Daniel’s main projects, the P-GUIDE™ aims to develop a novel patient-reported outcome measure to capture the personal-utility of genomic medicine, and he is currently working on developing a similar tool for adolescents. Daniel is also involved in numerous other projects including the Secondary Findings Impact Study and Virtual Navigator.

Fun fact: Daniel grew up in the Middle East before he moved to Canada for university.

Celine ChenClinical Research Project Coordinator

Celine completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University and a Master of Science in Global Health at McMaster University. Celine is a Clinical Research Project Coordinator for the Canadian Population Screening for Risk of Type 1 Diabetes Research Consortium. This consortium aims to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of Type 1 Diabetes screening to inform implementation in the general population. Celine is also supporting the Secondary Findings Impact Study.

Fun fact: Celine collects business cards of restaurants she dines at and creates wall decor with them.

Dhayo KhangsarAdministrative Assistant

Dhayo holds a Honours Bachelor of Health Studies Degree in Health Management from York University as well as a Post-Graduate Certificate in Project Management from George Brown College. Dhayo joins us from SickKids Foundation where she gained over 3 years of administrative, fundraising, and non-profit project experience. Dhayo currently provides support to three research scientists, including Dr. Robin Hayeems, and their labs as an Administrative Assistant. A natural planner and organizer, Dhayo supports the research endeavours of the Hayeems Lab by supporting grant applications, managing calendars and meetings, and conducting general administrative functions.

Fun fact: Dhayo can speak four languages and they are Tibetan, English, Hindi and Nepali.

Trainees

Salma ShickhPost-Doctoral Research Fellow

Salma completed her PhD at the University of Toronto, where her research focused on the clinical utility of genomic sequencing among patients with cancer. She is a genetic counselor by training and worked for several years in pediatric and cancer genetics. Her current research interests are population screening and adoption of new genomic technologies into clinical practice.

Fun Fact: Salma is an avid runner and has finished two half marathons.

Bowen XiaoPost-Doctoral Research Fellow

Bowen completed her Ph.D. in Psychology at Carleton University. Her general research interests are in the areas of children’s socio-emotional functioning and developmental psychopathology. Bowen began working at SickKids as a Research Fellow in 2022, and is involved with P-GUIDE™ project. She is also working on a project to investigate public attitude toward Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT).

Fun Fact: Bowen is a big Argentina soccer fan!

Lena DolmanPaediatric Resident

Lena completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology at Queens University, and a Master of Science in Human Genetics at McGill University. After completing her Master of Science, Lena completed her Doctor of Medicine at the McMaster University School of Medicine. Currently, she is a Paediatrics Resident at the University of Toronto. Her main project is focused on creating a modified version of the C-GUIDE™ tool to measure and quantify the clinical utility of genomic sequencing in neonatal critical care settings.

Fun Fact: Lena once spent two days filming a flashy music video with Arcade Fire in a tiny salsa club in Montreal!

Michael MackleyMedical Genetics Resident

Michael completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Doctor of Medicine at Dalhousie University, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciences at the University of Oxford. Currently, he is a resident physician in the Medical Genetics & Genomics Program at SickKids and the University of Toronto. Michael is interested in the clinical and ethical implications of the widespread use of genomics and is working on projects related to clinical implementation and genome diagnostics, including work through Genome-wide Sequencing Ontario and the Secondary Findings Impact Study.

Fun Fact:Michael is from Nova Scotia, and enjoys exploring Toronto one-coffee-shop-at-a-time with his toddler and partner.

Whiwon LeePhD Student

Whiwon is trained in genetic counseling (M.S., University of Minnesota) and practiced as a genetic counselor in Seoul, Korea, and in Minnesota, USA. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD degree in Health Services Research at the University of Toronto Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (IHPME). Her main focus of research is the development and implementation of new genomics service delivery models to increase patient access and efficiency.

Fun Fact: In her spare time, Whiwon enjoys singing, reading, watching soccer, and cooking spicy food.

Joyce Yan Research Student

Joyce completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Genetics at McMaster University and is currently completing her Doctor of Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (Western University). Joyce joined the Hayeems Lab as a co-op student during her undergraduate and went on to continue her work as a Clinical Research Project Assistant. During her time, Joyce assisted on the Secondary Findings Impact Study and various other projects, and is now continuing her work with the Hayeems Lab as a Research Student.

Fun Fact: Joyce enjoys going to the gym, snowboarding, and exploring different cafes in Toronto.

Abigail (Abby) HansenResearch Student

Abby is currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Molecular Biology and Genetics at McMaster University. As a research student, Abby will be working on a project exploring the factors that influence patients’/parents’ decisions to decline secondary findings from genome-wide sequencing and also assisting with the Secondary Findings Impact Study.

Fun Fact: Abby is on the varsity swim team at McMaster!

Nilani NallathambyResearch Student

Nilani is pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with Specialization in Health Research at the University of Waterloo. As a Research Student, Nilani will be working on a modified C-Guide tool which aims to assess the clinical utility of genetic testing in Neonatal Intensive Care.

Fun Fact: In her free time, Nilani likes to read psychological thrillers and cook!

Teresa Brooke Lynn CoeMedical Genomics Practicum Student

Brooke completed her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the University of Northern British Columbia. She is currently completing her Master of Health Science degree in Medical Genomics at the University of Toronto; she has joined the Hayeems Lab as part of that program. With interests in healthcare equity and policy implementation, she will be working primarily on the Secondary Findings Impact Study to aid participant recruitment and data collection. She will also be lending her skills and expertise in media and knowledge translating to help promote lab activities.

Fun Fact: Brooke is a keen musical theatre fan and has been in over 10 productions

Amy PanGenetic Counselling Student

Amy completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Genetic Counselling at the University of Toronto. Amy is working on a modified C-GUIDE™ tool which aims to assess the clinical utility and impact of pediatric pharmacogenomic testing.

Fun Fact: Amy enjoys hiking and trying new restaurants, and can speak 5 languages!

Kulisara SirinawasathianGenetic Counselling Student

Kulisara completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry Co-op at McMaster University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Genetic Counselling at the University of Toronto. Kulisara is working on a modified version of the P-GUIDE™ tool to capture the personal utility of pharmacogenomic testing in pediatric populations.

Fun Fact: Kulisara was on the McMaster Dragon Boat team throughout her undergrad!

Student Supervision

We are currently accepting students at the MSc, PhD, and Post-doctoral levels. Please contact Dr. Robin Hayeems to hear more about the opportunities we offer!

Get in Touch!