MSc Students
Michaela Spence (MSc) 2020 – 2022 “Canadian Hemophilia Carriers Pregnancy Study - Coagulation Factor Levels and Postpartum Blood Loss”
Robbie Kloosterman (MSc) 2019 – 2021 “Evaluation of Basal and Stimulated von Willebrand Factor Release from Endothelial Colony Forming Cells Derived from Type I von Willebrand Disease Patients”
"I completed my MSc in the James lab in 2021, using RNA sequencing to identify genes and cellular pathways underlying differential responses to stimulation in the hopes of uncovering novel biomarkers that can improve risk stratification and disease management."
Matteo Zago-Schmitt (MSc) 2017 – 2019 “The Hemostatic Stress Response: Do Differences Explain Phenotypic Variability in Type 1 VWD?”
"I completed my MSc in the James lab in 2019, studying von Willebrand disease and the hemostatic stress response. I currently work in pharmaceutical development for Zymeworks in Vancouver, Canada."
Victoria Candy (MSc) 2015 – 2017 “Investigation of the underlying pathophysiology of abnormal bleeding in hemophilia carriers"
"I completed my MSc degree in the James Lab in 2017, studying abnormal bleeding in hemophilia carriers. After my MSc, I went on to study medicine at Western University."
Jane Young (MSc) 2013 – 2015 “Validation of the Self-BAT (Self-administered Bleeding Assessment Tool) in Hemophilia Carriers”
"I studied hemophilia carriers under the supervision of Dr. Paula James from 2013 to 2015, investigating the validity of Self-BATs as well as determinants of health in this population. I am currently a Physician's Assistant in Bariatric Surgery at KHSC."
Lara Casey (MSc) 2013 – 2015 “Investigating the dysregulation of angiogenesis in type 2 von Willebrand Disease (VWD) in blood outgrowth endothelial cells”
"I completed my Master's degree in the James Lab, where my project looked at characterizing how angiogenesis was dysregulated in people with Type 2 VWD using patient derived endothelial cells. Currently, I am a pediatrics resident at Western University with an interest in academic general pediatrics."
Meghan Engbretson (MSc) 2011 – 2013 “Generation and Validation of the Self-BAT (Self-administered Bleeding Assessment Tool)”
"I completed my MSc in Pathology and Molecular Medicine in 2013, generating and validating the Self-BAT. I then did 6 years in clinical oncology trials and am now an Infection Control Practitioner at KHSC."
PhD Students
Soundarya Selvam (PhD) 2014-2018 “Understanding the role of VWF in angiodysplasia in quantitative variants of VWD
"I completed my PhD under the supervision of Dr. James from 2014 to 2018. My research investigated the role of VWF in angiogenesis using endothelial cell models and VWF-deficient mice. Currently, I am pursuing my MBA at the DeGroote School of Business."
Lindsey Hawke (PhD) 2010-2015 “The Effect of Variant VWF Splicing on Quantitative and Qualitative Variants of VWD”
"I completed my PhD on aberrant and alternative splicing of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and the impacts on von Willebrand disease (VWD). Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow and lab manager in the Ormiston Lab at ľĹĐăÖ±˛Ą studying pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) using endothelial cell models. "
Mackenzie Bowman (PhD) 2008-2013 “Investigating the Genetic Basis of Quantitative Variants of von Willebrand Disease"
Post-doctoral Fellows
Mackenzie Bowman 2013-2016 “Investigating the Contribution of VWF Propeptide Mutations to Type 3 VWD Using BOEC (Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cells)”
Cyndi Pruss 2014-2015 “Understanding Vascular Disease in Chronic Renal Failure: Studies Using Patient-Derived BOEC (Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cells) to Evaluate the Role of von Willebrand Factor”
Clinical/Post-doctoral Research Fellows
Mortadah Al Salman (R6, Hemostasis Fellow) 2016-2018 “Management of a Type 2B Von Willebrand disease Patient with Metastatic Testicular Cancer Presenting with Hemolysis”
Emily Rimmer (R6, Hemostasis Fellow) 2012-2014 “Rates of Malposition and Expulsion of the Mirena IUD in Women with Inherited Bleeding Disorders”
Natalia Rydz (R6-7, Hemostasis Fellow) 2010-2012 “The Importance of the CHARGE Loci on Type 1 von Willebrand Disease”
Medical Research Residents
Laura McDonald (R4, Hematology) 2023 – 2024 “Evaluating the impact of the Self-BAT screening tool on referral outcomes. Results of the Let’s Talk Period project”
Nicholas Chornenki (R1, Internal Medicine) 2020 – 2023 “A scoping review of angiodysplasia and other vascular abnormalities in VWD patients”
Emily Reynen (R2, Internal Medicine) 2016 – 2017 “Let’s Talk Period: Results of the first 10 weeks of an online educational tool”
Natasha Satkunam (R2, Internal Medicine) 2016 – 2017 “Comparison of bleeding symptoms in hemophilia carriers with women with VWD”
Katherine MacInnes (R2, Internal Medicine) 2012 – 2014 “Prevalence of Allergic Reactions to Parenteral Iron in Patients with Inherited Bleeding Disorders”
Paloma O’Meara (R3, Internal Medicine) 2011 – 2012 “Prevalence of VWD as a Function of the Prevalence of Severe Hemophilia”
Meghana Samant (R3-4, Internal Medicine) 2012 – 2013 “The Incidence of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ontario, Canada”
Erin Muir (R4-5, Hematology) 2011 – 2012 “Pregnancy Outcomes in the Southeastern Ontario Inherited Bleeding Disorders Program”
Amrit Kahlon (R4-5, Hematology) 2008 – 2011 “Quantitative Changes in von Willebrand Factor and Factor VIII During Major Elective Surgery in Normal Individuals”
Kelsey Brose (R4-5, Hematology) 2006 – 2008 “The Impact of the D1472H VWF Polymorphism of Function VWF Testing”
Julie Stakiw (R4-5, Hematology) 2004 – 2006 “The Effect of Exercise on Type 1 and Type 2B VWD”
Kristine Roland (R4-5, Hematopathology) 2004 – 2005 “Genetic Testing for Type 2B VWD”
Medical Student Research
Katie Yeung 2020 – 2023 “Let’s Talk Period and Primary Care”
Clare McGrath 2019 – 2020 “Let’s Talk Period Primary Care Toolkit”
Jordan Spradrow 2017 – 2018 “Use of Bleeding Assessment Tools in the diagnosis of von Willebrand Disease: Are we asking the right questions?”
Oliver Neal 2017 “Qualitative assessment of the attitudes and perspectives of severe hemophilia A patients towards factor VIII replacement therapy.”
Nicole Relke 2017 – 2018 “The bleeding score: Useful in predicting future spontaneous bleeding events in adults with bleeding of unknown cause?”
Shikha Kuthiala 2017 – 2018 “A Retrospective Analysis of Adverse Events Due to Menorrhagia Management in Women with Bleeding Disorders"
Wei Sim 2015 – 2016 “Management and Outcomes of Inherited Bleeding Disorder Patients During Surgery and Pregnancy"
Yan Xu 2012 – 2015 “Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with von Willebrand Disease”
Yan Sim 2011 “Systematic Re-evaluation of the Role of Apparently Silent Genetic Variation in Type 1 von Willebrand Disease”
Elizabeth Tai 2011 – 2014 “Evaluation of Peri-operative Outcomes in Patients with Inherited Bleeding Disorders”
Sheilagh Saunders 2010 - 2011 “The Relationship Between Diagnosis and Intervention in Women with Inherited Bleeding Disorders and Menorrhagia”
Hanni Darwish 2007 – 2009 “Early Intra-operative Blood Collection and the Effect on VWF and FVIII Levels in Normal Children”
Eric Ong 2006 – 2008 “Comparison of VWF Multimer Methodologies”