Lab Alumni

MSc Students

Michaela Spence (MSc) 2020 – 2022   â€śCanadian Hemophilia Carriers Pregnancy Study - Coagulation Factor Levels and Postpartum Blood Loss”

Robbie Kloosterman (MSc) 2019 – 2021   â€śEvaluation of Basal and Stimulated von Willebrand Factor Release from Endothelial Colony Forming Cells Derived from Type I von Willebrand Disease Patients”

"I completed my MSc in the James lab in 2021, using RNA sequencing to identify genes and cellular pathways underlying differential responses to stimulation in the hopes of uncovering novel biomarkers that can improve risk stratification and disease management."

Matteo Zago-Schmitt (MSc) 2017 – 2019   â€śThe Hemostatic Stress Response: Do Differences Explain Phenotypic Variability in Type 1 VWD?”

"I completed my MSc in the James lab in 2019, studying von Willebrand disease and the hemostatic stress response. I currently work in pharmaceutical development for Zymeworks in Vancouver, Canada."

Victoria Candy (MSc) 2015 – 2017   â€śInvestigation of the underlying pathophysiology of abnormal bleeding in hemophilia carriers"

"I completed my MSc degree in the James Lab in 2017, studying abnormal bleeding in hemophilia carriers. After my MSc, I went on to study medicine at Western University."

Jane Young (MSc) 2013 – 2015   â€śValidation of the Self-BAT (Self-administered Bleeding Assessment Tool) in Hemophilia Carriers”

"I studied hemophilia carriers under the supervision of Dr. Paula James from 2013 to 2015, investigating the validity of Self-BATs as well as determinants of health in this population. I am currently a Physician's Assistant in Bariatric Surgery at KHSC."

Lara Casey (MSc) 2013 – 2015   â€śInvestigating the dysregulation of angiogenesis in type 2 von Willebrand Disease (VWD) in blood outgrowth endothelial cells”

"I completed my Master's degree in the James Lab, where my project looked at characterizing how angiogenesis was dysregulated in people with Type 2 VWD using patient derived endothelial cells. Currently, I am a pediatrics resident at Western University with an interest in academic general pediatrics."

Meghan Engbretson (MSc) 2011 – 2013   â€śGeneration and Validation of the Self-BAT (Self-administered Bleeding Assessment Tool)”

"I completed my MSc in Pathology and Molecular Medicine in 2013, generating and validating the Self-BAT. I then did 6 years in clinical oncology trials and am now an Infection Control Practitioner at KHSC."


PhD Students

Soundarya Selvam (PhD) 2014-2018   â€śUnderstanding the role of VWF in angiodysplasia in quantitative variants of VWD

"I completed my PhD under the supervision of Dr. James from 2014 to 2018. My research investigated the role of VWF in angiogenesis using endothelial cell models and VWF-deficient mice. Currently, I am pursuing my MBA at the DeGroote School of Business."

Lindsey Hawke (PhD) 2010-2015   â€śThe Effect of Variant VWF Splicing on Quantitative and Qualitative Variants of VWD”

"I completed my PhD on aberrant and alternative splicing of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and the impacts on von Willebrand disease (VWD). Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow and lab manager in the Ormiston Lab at łÉČË´óƬ studying pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) using endothelial cell models. "

Mackenzie Bowman (PhD) 2008-2013   â€śInvestigating the Genetic Basis of Quantitative Variants of von Willebrand Disease"


Post-doctoral Fellows

Mackenzie Bowman 2013-2016   â€śInvestigating the Contribution of VWF Propeptide Mutations to Type 3 VWD Using BOEC (Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cells)”

Cyndi Pruss 2014-2015   â€śUnderstanding Vascular Disease in Chronic Renal Failure: Studies Using Patient-Derived BOEC (Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cells) to Evaluate the Role of von Willebrand Factor”


Clinical/Post-doctoral Research Fellows

Mortadah Al Salman (R6, Hemostasis Fellow) 2016-2018   â€śManagement of a Type 2B Von Willebrand disease Patient with Metastatic Testicular Cancer Presenting with Hemolysis”

Emily Rimmer (R6, Hemostasis Fellow) 2012-2014   â€śRates of Malposition and Expulsion of the Mirena IUD in Women with Inherited Bleeding Disorders”

Natalia Rydz (R6-7, Hemostasis Fellow) 2010-2012   â€śThe Importance of the CHARGE Loci on Type 1 von Willebrand Disease”


Medical Research Residents

Laura McDonald (R4, Hematology) 2023 – 2024 â€śEvaluating the impact of the Self-BAT screening tool on referral outcomes. Results of the Let’s Talk Period project”

Nicholas Chornenki (R1, Internal Medicine) 2020 – 2023 “A scoping review of angiodysplasia and other vascular abnormalities in VWD patients”

Emily Reynen (R2, Internal Medicine) 2016 – 2017   â€śLet’s Talk Period: Results of the first 10 weeks of an online educational tool”

Natasha Satkunam (R2, Internal Medicine) 2016 – 2017   â€śComparison of bleeding symptoms in hemophilia carriers with women with VWD”

Katherine MacInnes (R2, Internal Medicine) 2012 – 2014   â€śPrevalence of Allergic Reactions to Parenteral Iron in Patients with Inherited Bleeding Disorders”

Paloma O’Meara (R3, Internal Medicine) 2011 – 2012   â€śPrevalence of VWD as a Function of the Prevalence of Severe Hemophilia”

Meghana Samant (R3-4, Internal Medicine) 2012 – 2013   â€śThe Incidence of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ontario, Canada”

Erin Muir (R4-5, Hematology) 2011 – 2012   â€śPregnancy Outcomes in the Southeastern Ontario Inherited Bleeding Disorders Program”

Amrit Kahlon (R4-5, Hematology) 2008 – 2011   â€śQuantitative Changes in von Willebrand Factor and Factor VIII During Major Elective Surgery in Normal Individuals”

Kelsey Brose (R4-5, Hematology) 2006 – 2008   â€śThe Impact of the D1472H VWF Polymorphism of Function VWF Testing”

Julie Stakiw (R4-5, Hematology) 2004 – 2006   â€śThe Effect of Exercise on Type 1 and Type 2B VWD”

Kristine Roland (R4-5, Hematopathology) 2004 – 2005   â€śGenetic Testing for Type 2B VWD”


Medical Student Research

Katie Yeung 2020 – 2023   â€śLet’s Talk Period and Primary Care”

Clare McGrath 2019 – 2020   â€śLet’s Talk Period Primary Care Toolkit”

Jordan Spradrow 2017 – 2018   â€śUse of Bleeding Assessment Tools in the diagnosis of von Willebrand Disease: Are we asking the right questions?”

Oliver Neal 2017    â€śQualitative assessment of the attitudes and perspectives of severe hemophilia A patients towards factor VIII replacement therapy.”

Nicole Relke 2017 – 2018   â€śThe bleeding score: Useful in predicting future spontaneous bleeding events in adults with bleeding of unknown cause?”

Shikha Kuthiala  2017 – 2018   â€śA Retrospective Analysis of Adverse Events Due to Menorrhagia Management in Women with Bleeding Disorders"

Wei Sim   2015 – 2016   â€śManagement and Outcomes of Inherited Bleeding Disorder Patients During Surgery and Pregnancy"

Yan Xu  2012 – 2015   â€śDeterminants of Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with von Willebrand Disease”

Yan Sim  2011   â€śSystematic Re-evaluation of the Role of Apparently Silent Genetic Variation in Type 1 von Willebrand Disease”

Elizabeth Tai 2011 – 2014   â€śEvaluation of Peri-operative Outcomes in Patients with Inherited Bleeding Disorders”

Sheilagh Saunders 2010 - 2011   â€śThe Relationship Between Diagnosis and Intervention in Women with Inherited Bleeding Disorders and Menorrhagia”

Hanni Darwish 2007 – 2009   â€śEarly Intra-operative Blood Collection and the Effect on VWF and FVIII Levels in Normal Children”

Eric Ong 2006 – 2008   â€śComparison of VWF Multimer Methodologies”