People profiles

Dr. Waite’s research program examines the development and assessment of curricula to produce pharmacists prepared to provide medication management in an evolving healthcare landscape, as well as explores the impact of novel pharmacist interventions and pharmacist scope of practice changes on medication management and health outcomes.

Dr. Michael Beazely’s lab research focuses on understanding how growth factor receptors and G protein-coupled receptors modulate ion channels and neuronal cell function. His clinical and education research is focused on the role of health professionals in reducing harms associated with problematic substance use.

Dr. Chang is a clinical pharmacist specializing in geriatric pharmacotherapy. Her research interests include caring for vulnerable older adults in primary care settings, particularly older adults in rural areas, for conditions such as chronic pain and dementia, and the role of pharmacists in care provision.

Dr. Foldvari's research focuses on the development of intelligent delivery systems and biomolecular devices with the goal of developing new, non-invasive technologies to deliver and target therapeutic agents into the body and to diseased tissues, as well as investigating the fundamental properties of these delivery technologies and the cells they target.

The HoResearchGroup is interested in the development and characterization of innovative drug delivery strategies including nanomedicines, medical devices and biomaterials for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, cancer, and chronic wound healing.

Dr. Joseph’s research is focused on ascertaining how the β-cell senses glucose and on searching for ways to reduce the number of islets required for islet transplantation. These two themes are connected in that the first theme provides novel targets to enhance islet function in the second theme.

Dr.  Tom McFarlane teaches oncology, internal medicine, and immunology topics to the undergraduate students at the School of Pharmacy. He has a particular interest in GI, lung, and prostate cancers, and conducts practice based research in these settings which includes exploring ways of improving supportive care regimens for patients and the impact of supportive care on overall outcomes.

Dr. Nekkar Rao specializes in medicinal and bioorganic chemistry; exploring rational drug design aided by molecular modelling techniques and small molecule synthetic organic/medicinal chemistry.

Dr. Richard completed her undergraduate degree in pharmacy at Dalhousie University, and has experience in community pharmacy.  She completed her PhD in Pharmacology at Dalhousie University, and then studied vitamin D’s anti-cancer activity during a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Guelph. 

Dr. Wong’s research focuses on system-level policy modeling, infectious diseases modeling, health services and outcomes research, particularly in hepatitis B and C. His health services and outcomes research interests include quality of life research, costing and return on investment.

Working in classes and behind the scenes, Robin is responsible for the organization of the Professional Practice Labs—including many of the day to day operations.

Steve has a B.A. in Commerce from the University of Toronto and a Certifcat en Français Langue Seconde from Laval University in Quebec City / Université d'Aix-Marseille II in Provence, France. He spent 6 years in Tokyo, Japan where he incorporated his own business. Upon returning to Canada in the 90's he obtained his Certified Help Desk Manager designation and has been in the I.T.

Elaine Lillie started her working life as a high school teacher, teaching English and Theatre Arts in Waterloo County. After 4 years, she decided to leave the classroom for a career in business.

Jennifer is the Operations Coordinator for the School of Pharmacy’s Interprofessional Education Program where she supports the growth and integration of the IPE strategy.  Jennifer is a graduate of Waterloo’s Master of Development Practice program and has previously worked in adult education with an immigrant service provider, and with youth in internat

Josephine joined the School of Pharmacy at the end of 2008 as the Pharmaceutics Course/Lab instructor. Before that she was the Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Lab Instructor for 4 years in the Department of Chemistry, also at the University of Waterloo.  In this position she was responsible for six undergraduate Organic Chemistry lab courses per year.

Lisa joined the University Of Waterloo School Of Pharmacy in late 2010. She supports the first-year human systems course where she coordinates the anatomy, physiology, and histology labs and delivers some of the lectures.

Janie is the Regional Clinical Coordinator for Hamilton and Brantford as well as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor.

Janie’s career in pharmacy practice spans 21 years. She began as a clinical hospital pharmacist, after which she entered community pharmacy practice. She currently practices as a primary care clinical consulting pharmacist.

Carla graduated in 2004 from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan with a doctorate in pharmacy.

Peet de Villiers joined the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy in April 2014 as the Regional Clinical Coordinator for Kingston and Belleville and as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor.

Angela Heintzman joined the University of Waterloo's School of Pharmacy in January 2015 as the Regional Clinical Coordinator for Thunder Bay and the the surrounding area.

Dave Knoppert spent 25 years as a Neonatal Pharmacist and Clinical Coordinator at St Joseph’s Hospital in London. His research interests were the effects of drugs on the newborn, especially methadone, as well as the pharmacokinetics of drugs in the neonate.

Stephan graduated in 1999 from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy, after which he completed a general hospital residency at St. Michael's Hospital in 2000. He was fortunate to have spent three years at Toronto East General Hospital, practising as a hospital pharmacist in the inpatient adult mental health unit. 

Dr. Nakhla is a community pharmacist and academic with interest in minor ailments, self-care, and non-prescription medications. Since 2008, Dr.

Caitlin Carter is the Pharmacy Liaison Librarian at the University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy, and holds an MLIS degree from Western University (2010). As librarian, Caitlin is responsible for building the collection of pharmacy resources, as well as providing research assistance and instructional support to School of Pharmacy students, faculty, and staff. 

Dr. Rita Dhami is an active hospital pharmacist, educator and researcher.

Brett Barrett is a Consultant Pharmacist who specializes in the management of infection. She has been a member of the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy since 2011, serving as Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor until assuming the role of Clinical Lecturer in 2019.

Lidia Yrigoyen-DaCruz is the Regional Clinical Coordinator for Windsor / Essex County and Sarnia and has over 19 years of professional experience. She is a graduate of the Wayne State University Pharm.D program and has achieved ACCP board certification as a pharmacotherapy specialist.

Claude is a member of the School of Pharmacy’s original Vanguard Class and the student societies’ inaugural President.  Following graduation Claude joined Health Sciences North specializing in infectious diseases, critical care and medicine while maintaining a presence in community pharmacy. 

Dr. Gamble is a pharmacist and epidemiologist who leads a research program in drug safety and effectiveness. His team focuses on understanding the real-world use and effects of diabetes therapies. Moreover, Dr.