Areas of Research

All basic science and clinical research projects at the CHEO Research Institute fall into one or more research programs. This organizational strategy brings our scientific strengths into clear focus and provides a structure under which all of our scientists and clinical investigators can align, share resources, and ultimately make discoveries today for healthier kids tomorrow. Learn more about our Research Teams further below.

CHEO Research Teams

Biology Breakthrough Team

Research can be conducted clinically at the bedside or in the case of our Biology Breakthrough Team, at a molecular level in a laboratory. Our world-class team of lab-based researchers work to understand the underlying mechanisms of conditions at a genetic and molecular level. This research team facilitates both timely diagnoses and effective treatments through biological breakthroughs.

Team Captain / Program Director: Dr. David Dyment – Dave’s clinical interest is neurogenetics with a focus on epilepsy and he works as a clinician in the Neurogenetics program at CHEO. His current research interests include the identification of genes for human malformation syndromes and also novel genes associated with forms of epilepsy.  

Ready, Set, GO Team

Children and youth love to be on the go.  Sometimes, either due to a health condition or the world we live in, keeping on the go may not come easy.  We have a diverse team of researchers who are looking to improve mobility and keep our kids active and healthy.  This team brings together researchers who study healthy active living, bone health, orthopedic conditions and rehabilitation every day to discover a way to help children and youth in our community and  around the world get ready, get set, and GO!

Team Captain / Program Director: Dr. Gary Goldfield – Gary research interests include examining the independent and interactive role of biopsychosocial and lifestyle behaviours play in the etiology, treatment and prevention of obesity, eating disorders, and other mental health challenges in children and youth.  He is also a clinical psychologist who provides psychological services to children, youth and adults in the community. 

Mind Matters Team

The human brain is the body’s most complex organ. Our Mind Matters Team is made up of researchers who conduct research which will lead to a better understanding of brain health in children and youth. Researchers are focused on understanding and protecting brain health, mental health, autism, concussion, or other neurological conditions. This important research team is also focused on research related to improving training and education of all medical staff who care for kids.  Our research discoveries matter to the families of children with intellectual and behavioural conditions and improve child and youth mental health services.

Team Captain / Program Director: Dr. Albert Tu – Albert is a Pediatric Neurosurgeon with a clinical focus on oncology, congenital neuraxial malformations, and movement disorders including cerebral palsy. Albert’s current research efforts include developing novel technologies utilizing computer vision and AI to evaluate patients with movement disorders, as well as developing management pathways for patients’ congenital brain and spine abnormalities.

Data-Driven Discovery Team

Data and technology are used in many aspects of our modern lives, and health research is no exception. The outcomes of the research conducted by our Data-Driven Discovery Team lead to innovations in health care and health services. Our team has access to large data sets and uses machine learning and AI to drive forward medical innovation. Our data discoveries can be used in developing medical devices and algorithms; Advancements in E-health and digital health; Generating clinically actionable insights and other technology-related innovations. This research team uses data and technology as key tools in their discoveries, looking to answer research questions about pediatric conditions and the care we provide.

Team Captain / Program Director: Dr. Jean Ngoie – Jean is a health care technology leader with a clinical engineering background, currently serving as Chief Clinical Engineering Officer at CHEO. His interests lie in advancing digital health technology, leveraging clinical data to improve patient outcomes, and ensuring effective usability testing in real-world health care environments.

Best Life Through Science Team

The CHEO Research vision is “discoveries to inspire the best life for every child and youth.” Our Best Life Through Science Team embodies that vision, understanding the pathophysiology and improving the treatment of chronic childhood diseases. With the inclusion of quality of life research, researchers on this team work to improve many chronic conditions and complex care treatments. In this group you will find researchers passionate about diabetes, gastroenterology, respirology, and cardiac conditions, just to name a few.

Team Captain / Program Director: Dr. Sherri Katz – Sherri is a Pediatric Respirologist and Division Chief of Pediatric Respirology at CHEO. Her clinical focus includes sleep disordered breathing, home mechanical ventilation, and complex respiratory care. Her research centers around assistive respiratory technologies for children with chronic diseases. 

Cancer, Infection, Arthritis (CIA) Therapeutic Approach Team

Research investigation of Cancer, Infection, or Arthritis (CIA) to improve outcomes for children and youth is important to the Scientists on this team.  These dedicated researchers can be clinical, laboratory-based, or a combination of the two. Working on discoveries to improve treatments for inflammatory or immunological conditions, infectious disease, or childhood cancers, this acclaimed CIA team works tirelessly to make research discoveries to inspire the best life for every child and youth.

Team Captain / Program Director: Dr. Christiann Scott – Christiaan is a Pediatric Rheumatologist at CHEO and Professor at the University of Ottawa. His work focuses on rare and rheumatic diseases in underserved communities. He has a special interest in access to care, pediatric vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP).