Research/Teaching Interests:

Clinical Practice: Specialized in Multiple Sclerosis. This clinical practice was established in conjunction with the department of Neurology in Medicine. The unique interdisciplinary team (MD’s, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dieticians) focuses on the “holistic” approach to patient care. Clinical research activities are focused on novel clinical drug trials in patients not responding to traditional MS therapy.
Basic Science Research: Focused on the involvement of the Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) in the underlying pathology of Multiple Sclerosis. The goal of this research is to identify the mechanism(s) that may interrupt the formation of multiple sclerosis and associated neuropathic pain syndromes.
Teaching: Responsible for the instruction of the Neurology sections taught throughout all years of the program such as epilepsy, stroke, Neuropathic pain, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimers.
Course Coordinator for (PSL-1: 46.110) 1st Year Pharmacy Skills Lab: Focused on professionalism, communication, ethics and inter-professional practices.

• Paxil vs Pregabalin for MS induced neuropathic pain.
• Dorsal root ganglia stem cell/neuronal precursor research as it relates to drug/disease neuropathic pain syndromes.
• The effects that immunomodulatory agents (Rebif, Betaseron, Avonex) have on Fatigue and Cognition in RRMS patients.
• Disease/injury induced activation of Multiple Sclerosis via the Dorsal Root Ganglia.
• Inflammatory cytokines and neuropathic pain.

• University of Manitoba
• Serono Pharm. Inc.
• Berlex
• Merck Frosst
• Biogenidec Inc.
• Manitoba Medical Services Foundation
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• CIHR summer studentship program
• Rx & D Summary Studentship Program
• Valencia
• Pfizer
• Action Against Neuropathic Pain
• Teva

• Adjunctive use of Nabilone in MS-induced Neuropathic pain.
• Examining the gene expression of toxin-producing Staph Aureus in the antigenic induction of Multiple Sclerosis.
• Experimental autoimmune encephalomyititis (EAE) model of Multiple Sclerosis.

Lab Website:

The Cellular Neuroscience Research Team