People profiles

Dr. Alsabbagh’s research interests are in pharmacoepidemiology of chronic medications, in particular cardiovascular medications. His research includes employing administrative databases to examine the utilization and health-outcomes of chronic medications. Dr. Alsabbagh is also pursuing research investigating the comparative effectiveness and safety of chronic medications.

Dr. Blay’s main research focus is in understanding the tumour microenvironment of solid cancers, particularly colorectal carcinoma.

His laboratory focuses on mechanisms that lead to the spread of colorectal cancer, and ways to interfere with that dissemination of disease, or metastasis.

Dr. Edginton’s research focuses on building virtual organisms to study the pharmacokinetics of drugs and environmental contaminants. Using pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models to provide a mechanistic means of understanding how changes in physiology can affect the absorption, metabolism and excretion of a chemical.

Dr. Grindrod's research focuses on using digital technologies to improve how we manage medications. She is currently examining how patients, physicians and pharmacists share medication information. She is also interested in how digital technologies can be used to change clinician practice.

Dr. Houle's research interests are on the role of the pharmacist as a patient care provider, especially related to expanded scope activities such as prescribing and administering injections, and the resulting clinical and economic outcomes of these activities.

Dr. Maxwell’s primary research interests are in the areas of Pharmacoepidemiology and Aging with a particular focus on Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, depression and health services and outcomes research.

She is also involved in national and international research examining the health and quality of care needs of older residents within Assisted Living and Long Term Care settings.

Dr. Nagge’s clinical and research interests include cardiovascular risk reduction, anticoagulation therapy, translating evidence into practice, and shared decision making.

Dr. Patel’s research interests are in pharmacotherapeutic management of neurological conditions, in particular epilepsy, dementia and chronic pain. 

Her current research interests include the assessment, classification and management of drug related problems in persons presenting with cognitive impairment as well as the frail elderly in primary care settings. 

Dr. Slavcev’s interests are in genetics, molecular biology, virology and technology transfer.

Dr. Wettig's research focuses on the design, synthesis and characterization of novel surfactants with an eye toward their application in drug delivery.

Christine joined the University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy in early 2014. She comes with a strong background in community development and a rich network of connections across Waterloo Region, having served in a variety of community-building positions over the past 20 years.  Her role at the School of Pharmacy is to work with students and community partners to develop and implement a milestone Community Service Learning program. She completed a Master’s degree in Community Psychology (WLU) and Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology (WLU) and Education (Brock).

Tzong is an Administrative Assistant at the University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy. She is a graduate from the Office Administration Executive program at Conestoga College. Tzong is responsible for providing administrative support to the Hallman Director as well as other faculty and staff within the School. 

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 international development in

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.

For the first four years after completing her pharmacy degree Carla worked as a part-time clinical pharmacist for the renal/dialysis program at her local hospital. Medication management and education were her main areas of interest and involvement. She also worked full time in a community setting for a local company.

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.

In 2011 Dave became the Coordinator for the Residency Program at London Health Sciences Centre, a position he held until his retirement in 2013.

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.

Bronwyn joined the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy in July 2018, and is the Regional Clinical Coordinator for the Kitchener-Waterloo region.

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. Lidia has pharmacy experience both in the United States as well as a critical care specialist at Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH).