Lab Director
Dr. Ahmad Haidar
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
My research interest lies in applying control theory and Bayesian modeling to physiological and clinical problems in diabetes, using a highly interdisciplinary bench-to-bedside approach. The development of the artificial pancreas and learning algorithms for type 1 diabetes is the current focus of my research.
Our Team
Alexia Macina
Clinical Research Coordinator
I have a Master’s degree in chemistry and completed a graduate certificate focusing on regulatory affairs, clinical trials, and intellectual property for medical devices. As a clinical research coordinator, I am responsible for overseeing daily operations for our clinical trials. My role encompasses a variety of tasks such as regulatory submissions, grant/funding submissions, participant recruitment, ensuring proper study documentation and reporting, etc.
Trang Quynh Tran
Administrative Coordinator
I provide administrative support to Dr. Haidar and oversee the operations of the lab including staffing, scheduling, equipment, supplies and more.
Adnan Jafar
PhD Candidate
I am developing machine learning algorithms to accelerate the development of diabetes technologies for people with type 1 diabetes. More details about my research interests can be found here.
Alessandra Kobayati
PhD Candidate
I obtained a BSc. in pharmacology in 2019, and I am currently a PhD candidate in Experimental Medicine with several years of ongoing experience in clinical trial operations and regulatory affairs. My research interests revolve around cutting-edge technologies and adjunctive pharmacotherapies for type 1 diabetes.
Melissa-Rosina Pasqua
Endocrinologist, PhD Candidate
I am an endocrinologist with a special interest in type 1 diabetes. I am also pursuing my PhD to eventually become a clinician scientist. I conduct studies through my PhD as well as provide medical supervision for other projects.
Jimmy El Maalouli
Master's Student
Having completed my bachelor’s degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology, I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Biological and Biomedical Engineering. I coordinate an outpatient study investigating the co-administration of insulin and pramlintide via an automated dual-hormone artificial pancreas, aiming to improve diabetes management, especially after meal consumption. As a study coordinator, my responsibilities include participant recruitment, data collection, and regulatory compliance.
Madison Odabassian
Master's Student, Medical Student
I am a Master’s of Engineering student in the Diabetes Technology Lab and a Medical Student at McGill University. In the Diabetes Technology Lab, I coordinate a pilot trial for a fully-closed loop artificial pancreas system. In this role, I complete documentation, recruit participants, and coordinate trial activities. It is a pleasure to work with this highly motivated team on this exciting project!
Adelyn Moore
Master's Student
After completing my undergraduate degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology, I am pursing my Master’s of Engineering in the lab. My current research interests lie in exploring adjunctive therapies to improve glycemic control for type 1 diabetics using an automated insulin delivery system. As part of my job, I am responsible for participant recruitment, study documentation, clinical trial coordination, etc.
Carolyne Schumacher
Master's Student
I hold an undergraduate degree from McGill University in Human Nutrition with a concentration in Health and Disease. As a Master’s student in Experimental Medicine, I will be conducting a pilot trial on fast-acting mealtime insulin. Specifically, I will be investigating its effects on reducing the burden of carb-counting in patients using fully-closed loop systems.
Joelle Doumat
Master's Student
I am a Master’s of Engineering student with a background in Biochemistry and Neuroscience. My role is to coordinate a clinical trial focusing on adjunctive therapies in a fully closed loop system. I am honored to be at the forefront of new diabetes technologies which ease the burden of Type 1 Diabetes and improve clinical outcomes.
Nicholas Sabelli
Master's Student
Having completed my bachelor’s degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill, I will be pursuing my research interests through a Master’s degree in Dr. Haidar’s lab. My project entails exploring an algorithm which learns patients’ individual responses to exercise and provides personalized recommendations on when to suspend and resume insulin. As a result, this project aims at improving glucose control during non-postprandial exercise in pump-treated patients with type 1 diabetes. I am exhilarated to contribute to this clinical research and work alongside this talented and driven team!
Our Clinicians
Dr. Michael Tsoukas
Adult Endocrinologist
Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University
Endocrinologist in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, MUHC
Dr. Laurent Legault
Paediatric Endocrinologist
Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University
Paediatric endocrinologist in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, MUHC
Head of the Diabetes Clinic from (2000 to 2011) and (2014-present)
Dr. Jean-François Yale
Adult Endocrinologist
Professor of of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, McGill University
Endocrinologist in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, MUHC
Dr. Julia Von Oettingen
Paediatric Endocrinologist
Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University
Paediatric endocrinologist in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, MUHC
Dr. Natasha Garfield
Adult Endocrinologist
Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University
Director of training program, Adult Endocrinology and Metabolism
Clinician-teacher in the division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, MUHC