Research

Research

Research at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) spans a diverse range of specialties and populations with a specific focus on the management and prevention of serious mental illnesses. 

Our researchers have contributed to new discoveries and innovative treatments for a number of mental health conditions to prevent and reduce stigma, and to improve recovery and wellness outcomes in populations that range from adolescents to seniors, as well as specialty populations such as forensics and dual diagnoses. Our researchers have made significant contributions to a number of areas, most notably in e-Health, North America’s largest ongoing recovery-focused transformation and evaluation project and our innovative Metabolic and Weight Management Clinic.

Ontario Shores enjoys a rich mixture of students, interns and experienced clinical and research staff that make it a vibrant, stimulating and supportive atmosphere to inspire discovery.  We encourage you to examine our research staff profiles, our list of publications, ongoing research projects and our collaborative research opportunities.

  • Dr. Patricia Ebert
    Dr. Patricia Ebert, PhD, C.Psych.
    Psychologist, Neuropsychiatry
    Dr. Patricia Ebert’s research work revolves around neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders in adult and senior mental health populations.
    More on Dr. Patricia Ebert's research.
  • Dr. Saulo Castel
    Dr. Omar Ghaffar, MD, PhD, FRCPC(-CIP)
    Psychiatrist, NRS
    Dr. Ghaffar's research work centres on magnetic resonance imaging and genetics in neuropsychiatric diseases.
    More on Dr. Omar Ghaffar's research.
  • Dr. Saulo Castel
    Dr. Saulo Castel, MD, Ph.D. FRCPSC
    Psychiatrist, Medical Education and Research
    Dr. Castel's work focuses on substance abuse in individuals with mental illness, psychiatric measurement and near misses in the mental health care setting.
    More on Dr. Saulo Castel's research.
  • Dr. David Clark
    Dr. David Clark, BSc., DDS, MSc. (Oral Pathology) FRCDC
    Clinical Director, Dental Services
    Dr. Clark's hospital-based practice is devoted to the dental care of individuals with mental illness, often co-existing with other medically compromising conditions.
    More on Dr. David Cark's research.
  • Dr. Ilan Fischler
    Dr. Ilan Fischler, MD, FRCPC
    Interim Physician-in-Chief; Psychiatrist, Special Services; Physician Champion, Project E.A.S.I.E.R.
    Dr. Fischler is currently involved with clinical trials being conducted at the Ontario Shores Memory Clinic as well as eHealth research.
    More on Dr. Ilan Fischler's research.
  • Dr. Laura Gage
    Dr. Laura Gage, MD, FRCP(C)
    Psychiatrist/Medical Director, Spcial Services
    Dr. Gage's research revolves around the epidemiology of psychiatric illness in older adults and delirium
    More on Dr. Laura Gage's research
  • Bob Heeney
    Bob Heeney, CYW, CYC
    Professional Practice Leader CYW/Community Development Coordinator, Adolescents
    Bob Heeney is involved in community work to raise awareness about mental health care and reduce stigma for youth living with mental illness as well as research in contact-based mental health care education.
    More on Bob Heeney's research.
  • Dr. Rosa Ip
    Dr. Rosa Ip, Ph.D., C.Psych
    Clinical Neuropsychologist, NRS/Special Services
    Dr. Ip's research interests focus on neurological disorders, cognitive and emotional sequelae of brain injury and neuro-rehabillitation.
    More on Dr. Rosa Ip's research.
  • Dr. Ron Keren
    Dr. Ron Keren, MD, FRCPC
    Clinical Director/Psychiatrist, Memory Clinic
    Dr. Keren is currently involved with several clinical drug trials in patients with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment.
    More on Dr. Ron Keren's research.
  • Dr. Marc Levi
    Dr. Marc Levi, Ph.D., C.Psych
    Psychologist, Forensics
    Dr. Levi's research focuses on the psychobiological origins of aggressive behaviour as well as investigating the potential contribution of psychological testing in the assessment of risk for future violence.
    More on Dr. Marc Levi's research.
  • Dr. David McNeill
    Dr. David McNeill, MD
    Medical Director, Integrated Health Services
    Dr. McNeill is involved in an initiative to develop and implement a standardized tool for measuring both quantitative and qualitative outcomes for Diabetes Education Centre patients, in preparation for provincial Diabetes Registry and eHealth programs.
    More on Dr. David McNeill's research.
  • Dr. David Nussbaum
    Dr. David Nussbaum, Ph.D.
    Psychologist, Forensics
    Dr. Nussbaum is involved in research on unsound decision-making, specifically decision-making biases in problem gambling.
    More on Dr. David Nussbaum's research.
  • Dr. Christopher Tam
    Dr. Christopher Tam, MD, FRCPC
    Staff Psychiatrist, Assessment and Reintegration Program
    Dr. Tam is involved in outreach to the homeless, creating services in shelters and drop-in centres.
    More on Dr. Christopher Tam's research.
  • Dr. Pamela Wilansky-Traynor
    Dr. Pamela Wilansky-Traynor, Ph.D., C.Psych
    Clinical Manager/Professional Practice Leader, Psychology
    Dr. Wilansky Traynor's research centres on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for adolescents and children.
    More on Dr. Pamela Wilansky-Traynor's research.