Meet our leaders
Our leadership team is made up of internationally-known scientists, doctors and researchers who are all working towards a common goal of advancing the the field of gastrointestinal science.
Dr. Maitreyi Raman, Director
Dr. Maitreyi Raman (MD, MSc), a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC), is a gastroenterologist, physician specializing in nutrition and, since 2006, a faculty member in Medicine at the University of Calgary. She is AsCEND’s director and the national medical lead for nutrition in gastrointestinal illness. Dr. Raman is a firm believer in the power of nutrition as therapy and, as an active researcher, has authored three books—one on dietary therapies for cirrhosis, another on dietary therapies for irritable bowel syndrome and, the third, an eating guide for enhancing the gut microbiome to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Dr. Leah Gramlich, Co-Director
Dr. Leah Gramlich (MD, FRCPC) is a gastroenterologist and physician nutrition specialist based out of the Royal Alexandra
Hospital, as well as a professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta. She has held many leadership positions and is currently the Provincial Medical Advisor for Nutrition Services in Alberta Health Services. She sits on several Strategic Clinical Networks and is the medical lead for ERAS Alberta. Dr. Gramlich is the founding president of the Canadian Nutrition Society, a member of the Board of directors of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and is the recipient of the national 2018 Khursheed Jeejeebhoy Award in honor of Leadership linking nutrition research and practice.
Dr. Puneeta Tandon, Co-Director
Dr. Puneeta Tandon (MD, MSc Epidemiology), a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC), is a gastroenterologist, hepatologist and, since 2007, faculty member at the University of Alberta. She is the founder and co-director of the internationally recognized Cirrhosis Care Clinic and Edmonton co-lead for AsCEND. Dr. Tandon is an active, frequently published researcher who’s driven by the desire to empower her patients with practical tools for reducing stress and improving well-being. At both the national and international levels, she’s spoken as an expert in the areas of liver disease, nutrition, exercise and chronic disease symptom management.
Dr. Lorian Taylor, Research Director
Dr. Lorian Taylor (RD, PhD) is a registered dietitian and research scientist at the University of Calgary, Department of Medicine. During her PhD, her work focused on helping people make successful nutrition and physical activity changes. With advanced certifications in motivational interviewing and advanced health counseling, Dr. Taylor has spent the past 10 years developing and leading effective nutrition and physical activity interventions. The focus of her research is to help change lives by decreasing reliance on pharmaceuticals and promoting health in both the body and mind.