Meet seven women supporting SickKids clinical research excellence

A patient-first approach to global eye research: Dr. Helen Dimaras

Dr. Helen Dimaras, a Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences program and Director of Global Eye Health Research at SickKids, leads pioneering research on retinoblastoma, a rare paediatric eye cancer.  

For Dimaras, “every day brings something new.” A core aspect of her role is mentoring staff and students through critical research projects, including inviting patients into the process to ensure their efforts are directed towards projects with the more significant impacts. In the Dimaras Lab, her research team focuses on health equity, genetic discovery and the psychosocial aspects of retinoblastoma, but you can also find Dimaras presenting at international conferences or conducting field research in Kenya. 

Dimaras emphasizes the importance of patient engagement and involvement in research, and her lab often collaborates with patient communities and partner hospitals globally. 

"Collaborating with patients is key to advancing clinical research at SickKids and beyond," she explains. 

Enabling clinical research through technology: Tanya Donovan 

From implementing new research technology platforms to supporting research operations, Tanya Donovan’s work is integral to the digital infrastructure that enables groundbreaking research at SickKids.  

As the Senior Manager of Program Delivery in Research IT, a key initiative in Donovan’s portfolio is a multi-year effort to upgrade the systems that support research administration at SickKids. In 2025, Donovan and her team have launched a new research ethics management system and is working on an enterprise contract management solution, as well as future workflow automation to help reduce administrative barriers for the research community. She also oversees day to day operations for research application support, which includes REDCap, the Research PACS, Biobank, among others.  

"By ensuring that researchers have access to robust, secure and scalable IT systems, my team helps drive efficiency, compliance and innovation in clinical research.”

Research excellence meets exceptional care: Erilda Kapllani 

Erilda Kapllani, a Research Program Manager in the Clinical Trials Support Unit (CTSU), oversees the clinical research portfolio for Bone Marrow Transplant, Cellular Therapy, and Supportive Care Groups. As a clinical research professional, she helps determine which trials are opened and ensures that any roadblocks are removed to bring treatments to patients.  

Kapllani’s team conducts early-phase trials for new cellular and gene therapies conceived by pharmaceutical and academic sponsors. They also conduct observational studies, which help researchers gather data that can lead to better understanding of patient experiences and improvements in treatment outcomes. 

“At SickKids, clinical research excellence is deeply intertwined with our commitment to safe, innovative patient care,” she explains. 

The most rewarding aspects of Kapllani’s job are seeing the positive impact of her team’s work on patients’ lives, providing children with additional treatment options and watching her staff thrive. 

Balancing science with patient-focused care: Jennifer Kim

Jennifer Kim, a Research Program Manager in CTSU (Haematology/Oncology), manages paediatric clinical trials related to solid tumours and leukemia & lymphoma, collaborating with various teams to support the delivery of investigational therapies. "Seeing new therapies become available to a broader population and knowing that we played a part in that process is incredibly gratifying," she adds. 

“By providing improved access to the latest therapies, clinical research strikes the perfect balance between patient-focused care and scientific progress,” says Kim.

As a former bioanalytical analyst for clinical trial samples, Kim has always been drawn to the translation of scientific discoveries into care, work which requires close coordination with multiple teams to move a therapy from the lab to the patients who need it. 

A big part of Kim’s role includes risk management, patient safety monitoring and regulatory document submissions. “Given the complexity of our clinical research, ensuring that all studies meet regulatory requirements is critical,” she notes. 

Supporting data integrity and patient safety: Deepika Sharma

Deepika Sharma, a Quality Assurance Specialist in the Regulatory and Compliance Office, provides regulatory support and training for clinical research staff. Through vigilant monitoring, risk management, and process optimization, Sharma ensures that clinical trials are conducted efficiently and ethically.

"Knowing that my work directly impacts patient safety and contributes to advancements in health care is deeply fulfilling," she says. 

Initially drawn to a career in clinical research through her discussions with patients and families during observational studies, Sharma discovered her profound interest in the human element of clinical trials. “Flexibility is crucial, especially when dealing with patient safety measures and regulatory compliance,” Sharma notes. “My meticulous nature and drive to contribute to medical advancements make my role as a Quality Assurance Specialist a great fit.” 

Advancing cutting-edge research with heart: Ana Stosic

Ana Stosic, a Clinical Research Program Manager in the Neuromuscular Program, oversees clinical trials for gene therapies related to neuromuscular degenerative conditions. Working closely with both scientists and patients at the Clinical Research Centre, Stosic provides crucial support to a variety of clinical trials, but the one that gets her the most optimistic is gene therapy.  

"Our work is at the cutting edge of clinical research, particularly in gene therapies," she notes.

As she manages the trials, Stosic is often touched by her interactions with patients, caregivers and families. “The moments when you’re seeing the impact on patients’ and families’ lives are the most rewarding,” Stosic reflects.    

Since beginning at SickKids as a Research Assistant, Stosic has helped support numerous clinical trials and feels grateful to those she met along the way. “I feel fortunate to have had mentors who recognized my hard work and supported my growth here at SickKids,” she shares.  

Safeguarding ethical integrity in research: Maria Isabel Suarez

As a Research Ethics Coordinator, Maria Isabel Suarez works with the Research Office (REO), which supports the SickKids’ Research Ethics Board (REB) in ensuring that research involving human participants adheres to ethical, scientific and regulatory standards.  

In her role, Suarez and her team help to ensure that clinical research conducted at SickKids meets ethical guidelines, protecting the rights and well-being of participants. In addition to supporting the review of research proposals, Suarez also provides guidance to study teams on processes such as informed consent.

"My team and I play a critical role in the protection of participant safety and ethical conduct of research," she explains.  

Before she worked in Research Ethics, Suarez was previously a Clinical Research Study Coordinator. “My journey to this role has been driven by my personal experience as the parent of a child with a rare disease,” she shares, highlighting how her family’s experience participating in research has shaped her career.

“I have seen firsthand how research can impact patients’ and families’ lives. The knowledge that I play some small part in enabling the safe, ethical conduct of clinical research at SickKids, is the best part of my job.”