The Hospital for Sick Children | Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet

555 University Ave

Toronto, ON M5G 1X8

Canada

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of twenty-five type 1 diabetes TrialNet International Clinical Centres at the forefront of type 1 diabetes research. Led by Diane Wherrett, MD, the TrialNet team at SickKids is dedicated to preventing type 1 diabetes and stopping disease progression by preserving insulin production before and after diagnosis.

Our Team

Principal Investigators

Diane

Wherrett

Diane received her medical degree at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. She trained in Paediatrics and Paediatric Endocrinology at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto and did a research fellowship in the immunology of type 1 diabetes at Stanford University. She is currently a Staff Physician in the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and Program Director, Paediatric Endocrinology Training Program at The Hospital for Sick Children. She is the Canadian Centre Director for Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet.

Research Coordinators

Samantha

De Lima

Samantha has been working in clinical research since 2012 and joined the TrialNet team at SickKids in 2015. She was drawn to TrialNet as she has a sister with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and was eager to contribute to T1D research.

Lesley

Eisel

Lesley has been working with the TrialNet study group as a Research Nurse Coordinator for the past 11 years. Over these years, she has been privileged to work with a very devoted and experienced network of researchers to help solve the mystery of type 1 diabetes.

Roze

Kovalakovska

Roze has been a Research Nurse with the TrialNet studies since 2010. Roze loves being part of the TrialNet team to make a genuine difference in the field of T1D Research. In her everyday job, she is inspired by her participants/families; their support to the T1D research and their commitment to the TrialNet studies.

Bianca

Perro

Bianca graduated from the University of Toronto with an H.B.Sc and joined the TrialNet team in 2015 as a Research Assistant. She is now a Research Coordinator and organizes TrialNet screening events in many communities across the Greater Toronto Area.

Mary-Jo

Ricci

Mary-Jo graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an H.B.Sc. in Physiology and a M. Sc. In Neuroscience. She has 10 years’ experience in clinical research, including 2+ years as a Research Coordinator with TrialNet.

“TrialNet is important to me because it allows families such as mine to play an active role in the fight against type 1 diabetes”--Samantha De Lima, SickKids

Regional Affiliates

Calgary

Alberta Childrens Hospital
2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8

Edmonton

Stollery Children's Hospital - Alberta Health Services
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA), 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9

Halifax

IWK Health Center
5850/5980 University Ave, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8

Hamilton

Hamilton Health Sciences
McMaster Children's Hospital - Pediatric Lipid Clinic, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5

London

University of Western Ontario
339 Windermere Road, Rm. 60F11, London, ON N6A5A5

Ottawa

Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario
401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H8L1

Saskatoon

Royal University Hospital
103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8

St. John's

The Janeway Child Health and Rehabilitation Centre
300 Prince Phillip Dr., St. John's, NL A1B 3V6

Vancouver

University of British Columbia
4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4

Winnipeg

University of Manitoba
510-715 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 2P4

“I have been a T1D researcher for over 18 years and I am passionate about TrialNet’s mission to prevent children from getting new onset diabetes.”--Dina Panagiotopolous, MD, University of British Columbia

Research Studies

Risk Screening

Pathway to Prevention

If you have a relative with T1D, you’re in a unique position to help us learn more about the disease and how to stop it. The first step is to sign up for Pathway to Prevention screening to determine your risk of developing T1D.

Prevention Study

Abatacept - Closed to Enrollment - Study Ongoing

TrialNet is testing the drug abatacept to see if it can delay or prevent progression of early stage T1D (stage 1 to stage 2) and ultimately prevent clinical diagnosis (stage 3). In earlier studies for people newly diagnosed (stage 3), abatacept helped slow down disease progression.

Teplizumab (Anti-CD3)

We tested the drug teplizumab to see if it could delay or prevent progression of early stage T1D (stage 2) and prevent clinical diagnosis (stage 3). In earlier studies in people newly diagnosed (stage 3), teplizumab helped to prolong insulin production.

Longterm

Long-Term Investigative Follow-Up in TrialNet (LIFT)

Once your study ends, we're still here for you. Participant monitoring and continued involvement helps us learn more about T1D.

“I am a TrialNet Coordinator because curing type 1 Diabetes is my retirement plan”--Claire Gougeon, Alberta Children's Hospital