Our Team

Our highly specialized and motivated team work together in a vibrant corporate culture to improve health care delivery. CDIC has attracted a new generation of scientists – a world-class group of curious, talented, and inspired young professionals.

Carrie Solmundson, MSW, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDIC, holds a MSW in Organization Policy and Administration from the University of Manitoba. Prior to the CDIC, Carrie served as President and COO of Seven Oaks Hospital (SOGH) for over ten years, and in this role was responsible for several regional and provincial clinical programs. Carrie began her career at Seven Oaks General Hospital as Executive Director of the Wellness Institute. Under Carrie’s leadership, the Wellness Institute expanded its model of chronic disease prevention and management to hospitals in China. In 2018, Carrie led the development of a joint venture to bring a new model of preventive healthcare to China. Carrie is a recipient of the Manitoba Woman of Distinction Award for her leadership and achievements in health and wellness.

Michelle Di Nella, MA, Executive Director, holds a Master of Arts Degree in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Manitoba. She has been with the CDIC for over 10 years and provides overall leadership and operational management for the entire program. She plays a key role in establishing the corporation’s strategic direction, as well as business development and commercial activities.

Danah Alhattab, PhD, Research Coordinator, holds a PhD in Physiology and Pathophysiology (Cardiovascular Sciences) from the University of Manitoba. As a Research Coordinator, she supports clinical and translational research projects through study coordination, ethics and regulatory submissions, and data management. Before joining CIDC, she conducted molecular research related to vascular stiffness and cardiovascular disease, and has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications in the field.

Ryan Bamforth, MSc, Statistician, holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Science in Community Health Sciences from the University of Manitoba. He works as a statistician at the CDIC with a focus on cost-effectiveness analyses.

Ranveer Brar, MSc, Statistician and Research Coordinator, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biopsychology, and a Master of Science degree in Community Health Sciences. He works on a longitudinal prospective cohort study exploring trajectories of physical activity, physical function, and mental health in people with late-stage Chronic Kidney Disease. He is also working on multiple other projects that utilize administrative health data to assess long-term health outcomes and patterns of healthcare utilization at the population-level.

Katrina Cachero, BSc RD MSc, Dietitian, completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba in May 2017, the Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program in June 2018, and her Master of Science in Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba in June 2021. As a practicing Registered Dietitian, she is passionate about weight management interventions. The main focus of her Master’s thesis involved conducting an evaluation of a weight loss program at the Wellness Institute, aiming to ensure the program is based upon the most current scientific literature in addition to providing data for future research applications.

Kathy Cherepak, BSc, Research Coordinator, holds a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and comes to CDIC with many years of experience as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the areas of gynecology, rheumatology, dermatology, and oncology. As a Research Coordinator at CDIC she is involved in multiple studies with a focus on nutrition, healthy aging, and diabetes.

Favian Co, BSc, Research Assistant, completed his Bachelor of Science in Food Science at the University of Manitoba. His current role at CDIC is assisting in nutrition projects. Before working at CDIC, he completed an internship with Pulse Canada and worked as a laboratory technician at the University of Manitoba.

Thomas Ferguson, MSc, Health Economist and Biostatistician, completed his Master of Science at the University of Manitoba, Department of Community Health Sciences. His role at CDIC is to supply expert advice on cost effectiveness and biostatistics for various academic projects and commercial collaborations.

Chloe Ferrer, Administrative Assistant, completed the Medical Office Assistant Program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT). She previously worked at Nine Circles Community Health Centre, as well as with the Manitoba Kidney Health Program at Health Sciences Centre in the Renal Health Clinic and Local Dialysis Office.

Ruth Getachew, Research Assistant, is currently working towards her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Manitoba. As a Research Assistant, she is involved with various studies at the CDIC, with a focus on examining how exercise affects symptom burden in adults on hemodialysis.

Oksana Harasemiw, MSc, Project Manager, completed her Master of Science in Community Health Sciences with a graduate specialization in aging from the University of Manitoba. In her current role as a Project Manager, she is responsible for tracking project milestones and budgets, and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the company achieves their strategic objectives. She also has extensive experience conducting analyses with big data, and coordinating prospective studies.

Azin Khafipour, MSc, Research Coordinator,  has a decade of experience in multi-omics bioinformatics in chronic disease research. She holds a B.Sc. in IT, an M.Sc. in Immunology and Microbiology from the University of Manitoba, and specialized training in Genomics Data from Johns Hopkins University. Azin has led multi-site research projects across Canadian hospitals, combining advanced analytical expertise with strong project management. Her work has supported high-impact studies and contributed to a growing portfolio of publications in clinical research.

Silvia Leon, MD, MSc, Statistician, has a medical degree from Rosario University in Colombia, where she worked as an emergency department physician, as well as a graduate diploma in Clinical Epidemiology from McMaster University. She completed her Masters of Science in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. For her Masters, she evaluated the impact of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) prescription discontinuation after an episode of hyperkalemia in people with chronic kidney disease. Her current research is focused on pharmacoepidemiology using administrative health databases.

Sepideh Mahboobi, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, holds a PhD in Nutrition from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Since November 2022 she has been working at the CDIC as a postdoctoral research fellow contributing to the ReDACKD trial, a dual center feasibility trial evaluating the feasibility of delivering fruits and vegetables as a treatment for metabolic acidosis to people living with chronic kidney disease. 

Hazel Manacsa, BSc, Research Coordinator, holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with Honours from the University of Winnipeg. Hazel works on various prospective and retrospective studies in CKD and dialysis. Prior to starting with the CDIC, she worked as a Quality Control Analyst at Genvion Corporation.

Uma Olugu, Business Operations Administrator, holds a Diploma in Data Analytics from Robertson College. At CDIC, he is responsible for financial and human resource management, including overseeing payroll, HR functions, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. He is also certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute.

Kate Polecina, BSc, Research Clerk, completed a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biological Sciences. She is involved in maintaining various administrative databases, as well as with systematic reviews and prospective trials.

Kathrine Polecina, BSc, Research Clerk, completed a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Psychology from the University of Manitoba. Her role at CDIC is to assist with clinical trials, prospective data entry, and other research tasks.

Maryam Samsamikor, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba. Her thesis focused on evaluating the effects of hemp seed protein and bioactive peptides produced through enzymatic hydrolysis on 24hr ambulatory blood pressure in people with hypertension. In her current role at the CDIC, she works on various clinical trials, including a trial evaluating the effects of resistant starch prebiotic in Chronic Kidney Disease (ReSPECKD).

Ashley Seitz, BSc, Research Coordinator, recently completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Manitoba. Her role at CDIC involves coordinating multiple studies including the Triple I Project which aims to improve Information, Interactions and Individualization in in-centre hemodialysis care, as well as Mind the Gap, which aims to improve the provision of mental health services for people receiving in-centre hemodialysis across Canada.

Zahra Solati, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, holds a PhD degree in Physiology and Pathophysiology from the University of Manitoba. She primarily works on a clinical trial evaluating the effects of a tele-monitoring platform on minimizing adverse outcomes in high risk Chronic Kidney Disease patients (VIEWER study). 

Reid Whitlock, MSc, Research Manager, holds a Master of Science in Community Health Sciences from the University of Manitoba. He has authored and co-authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and prospective and retrospective cohort studies. As the Research Manager, he provides general administrative oversight and management of the overall program, including research projects, contracts, finances, and CDIC personnel.

Ghazaleh Zakipour, MSc, Research Coordinator, holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Manitoba. Her master’s thesis focused on investigating the effects of cognitive training on the speaking abilities of patients with dementia. Before joining the CDIC, she was a computer programmer. At CDIC, she works on the VIEWER study, which tests wearable devices and software to remotely monitor patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and aims to develop a system that enables clinicians to predict and prevent adverse health outcomes.

Mentoring the next generation of researchers

We have a successful mentorship program focused on providing a supportive environment for students at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. Our objectives are to provide students with tailored, hands-on training in research methods, epidemiology, and biostatistics. This allows students to obtain the skills necessary to become successful in their future research careers or to work in related industry positions.

Heba Elgubtan, BHSc, obtained a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Manitoba. Her capstone project examined cardiovascular disease susceptibility in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant therapy. Currently, she is enrolled in the Masters of Science program in the Department of Community Health Sciences, under the supervision of Dr. Navdeep Tangri. Her thesis aims to examine cardiovascular disease risk in patients with primary glomerular disease.  

Haley Farion, BSc, holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba under the supervision of Dr. Clara Bohm. Her thesis is evaluating a feasibility checklist to assess site readiness for a cycling during hemodialysis program, and determine whether it can be used on a broader scale. The study proposes intradialytic cycling as an intervention for patients that experience myocardial stunning. 

Russell Malabanan, BSc, completed his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Winnipeg. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Science program in the department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. He is also working as a Research Assistant at the CDIC primarily on the Can-SOLVE CKD Mind the Gap study, which aims to improve the provision of mental health services for people receiving in-centre hemodialysis across Canada.

Tahmina Rahman, BSc, graduated from the Govt. College of Applied Human Science (GCAHS), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a BSc in Food and Nutrition. She is now pursuing her MSc at the University of Manitoba in Food and Human Nutritional Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Dylan MacKay. Her thesis is primarily focused on Type 2 Diabetes Remission (T2DRENu), where she studies different remission strategies and dietary patterns through the experiences of people who have achieved remission. In addition to that, she is also working on the ReDACKD study, which seeks to reduce metabolic acidosis in chronic kidney disease through nutritional intervention. She is committed to applying nutrition to address complex health issues and enhance the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses.

Sakshi Saul, BSc, received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba under the supervision of Dr. Claudio Rigatto. Her thesis aims to investigate the use and safety of GABA analogues as treatment in individuals with chronic kidney disease and on dialysis.

Dr. Sean Armstrong, MD, is the Medical Director of Hemodialysis at Seven Oaks General Hospital, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Manitoba Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Chair of the North American Peritoneal Dialysis University and Medical Director, Interventional Nephrologists. Dr. Armstrong is a leader in training physicians in bedside catheter insertion globally, a technique that has dramatically improved access to Peritoneal Dialysis and helped alleviate painful fluid buildup for certain cancer and other patients.

Dr. Bryce Barr, MD, is a nephrologist at Health Sciences Centre and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. His clinical and research interest is in glomerular disease and systemic autoimmune diseases that affect the kidney, with focus on lupus and vasculitis. He is the Principal Investigator of the Manitoba Glomerular Diseases Registry, which focuses on epidemiological research to better understand glomerulonephritis in Manitoba. He is currently an MSc candidate in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. His work with CDIC primarily focuses on projects arising from the Manitoba Glomerular Diseases Registry, as well as participation as the lead PI for IgA nephropathy clinical trials.

Dr. David Collister, MD, PhD, completed his MD at the University of Manitoba, Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Alberta, Nephrology Fellowship at the University of Manitoba, and his PhD in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University. His research focuses on symptom management in patients with kidney disease and, in particular, randomized controlled trials of therapies to alleviate symptoms in chronic kidney disease and dialysis. Learn more about Dr. Collister’s research

Dr. Jay Hingwala, MD, is a Nephrologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Manitoba and serves as the Medical Director of the Home Hemodialysis and Transitional Dialysis Care at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre. His research interests focus on quality improvement interventions that improve care of patients who are transitioning onto chronic dialysis. His nephrology quality improvement work includes innovative initiatives in transitional care for chronic dialysis, growing home dialysis, reducing medication administration errors in hemodialysis, streamlining virtual ambulatory renal care, and establishing key performance indicators.  

Dr. Ricardo Lobato de Faria, MD is the former Medical Director for the Seven Oaks Hospital Emergency Department. As a Family Physician and Process Engineer Dr. de Faria has a passion for process efficiency in Emergency Medicine. He was responsible for the innovative implementation of Patient Order Sets at Seven Oaks Hospital and has collaborated on the creation of a computer model to capture all relevant ER activity for virtual testing of improvements.

Dr. Shelley Zieroth, MD joined the Section of Cardiology at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg in July 2006. She is currently a Professor in the College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, as well as Director of the Heart Failure Clinics. She is also Head of the Medical Heart Failure Program for Cardiac Sciences Manitoba. Dr. Zieroth attended medical school at the University of Manitoba and went on to train in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the same centre. She completed her Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship, specializing in Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant, at Toronto General Hospital. Her research interests include heart failure and cardio-kidney-metabolic interactions.  She holds leadership positions in international clinical trials and has enrolled many patients in landmark clinical trials during the course of her career. She is also Associate Editor at JACC HF, European Journal of HF and the European Heart Journal. She is a governor-elect for ACC representing Canada and Past President of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada. Other leadership roles include Past President of the Canadian Heart Failure Society and she has been a longstanding contributor and now co-Chair of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Heart Failure Guidelines.  She serves as Co-Chair of Canada’s largest annual heart failure meeting, HF Update.