Our people
Our HMRC team includes eight dedicated staff members whose backgrounds span clinical research, nursing, laboratory processing and other key research administration areas.
Our Leadership
Dr. Stephen Freedman, Associate Dean (Clinical Research)
Dr. Freedman is Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at the University of Calgary. He completed his residency at The Hospital for Sick Children and a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He obtained a Master’s of Science in Clinical Investigation at Northwestern University. He is the Past-Chair of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada and currently serves as the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation Professor in Child Health and Wellness.
His research focuses on applying clinical research to improve outcomes in children seeking emergency department care. His focus is on the use of innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to solve complex problems. He has published over 220 peer-reviewed manuscripts and is the principal investigator on numerous multicentre clinical trials with funding support from CIHR and the NIH. Most recently, he received CIHR funding to lead several multi-national pediatric COVID-19 studies and NIH funding to evaluate an intervention to prevent progression of disease in children infected with Shiga toxin producing E. coli.
Sabine Moritz, MSc, CCRP
As director for Clinical, Health Services and Population Health Research, Sabine Moritz oversees both the Calgary Centre for Clinical Research (CCCR) and the HMRC. Her career has spanned more than 20 years and includes extensive experience in developing and leading clinical trial programs both in Canada and the UK, including at the Cancer Research Campaign Clinical Trials Centre at King’s College in London, UK, and the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary.
In her capacity as director, Sabine plays a critical role in building clinical research infrastructure, expanding clinical trial capacity and supporting the growth of research that provides real-world evidence. Currently, she’s also leading the Alberta-wide implementation of a Clinical Trial Management System. She holds both a BSc and MSc in Biology from the RWTH in Aachen, Germany, as well as an MSc in Research and Evaluation Methods in Health Care from the Open University, UK. A graduate of the University of Calgary’s ULead program, she was also the recipient of the 2018 U Make a Difference award and is a Certified Clinical Research Professional (SoCRA).
Email: sabine.moritz@ucalgary.ca
Phone: 403.220.8754
Our clinical staff:
Lorina M. Platon
Lorina brings more than 10 years of experience as a medical laboratory assistant to the HMRC team. Having worked in a variety of clinics across western Canada, she brings with her significant experience across a range of laboratory functions, including the collection and management of blood samples, patient identification, infection control procedures and the testing and processing of various patient samples. Detail-oriented and conscientious, Lorina performs a wide range of support functions at the HMRC, and takes great pride in the quality of her work.
Lovina Mbaogu, Medical Laboratory Technician
Lovina is a highly esteemed Medical Laboratory Technician at the Heritage Medical Research Clinic, bringing over a decade of experience and a Master's degree in Medical Molecular Microbiology. She oversees critical aspects of our laboratory operations, including blood draws, sample processing, and packing and shipping. Lovina's meticulous approach ensures the accuracy and efficiency of these processes, upholding the integrity of our research outcomes and enhancing patient care. Her compassionate nature and collaborative demeanor foster a supportive team environment, embodying our commitment to excellence and innovation in healthcare.
Ashlee Meier, Clinical Research Nurse
Ashlee stands as one of our esteemed Clinical Research Nurses at Heritage Medical Research Clinic. With an extensive background spanning three years within our clinic and over a decade in cardiology, Ashlee fulfills a crucial role in our research initiatives. Her responsibilities include conducting comprehensive patient assessments, managing infusions and administering medications with precision, and adhering rigorously to study protocols.
Ashlee's unwavering commitment to advancing medical knowledge is reflected in her compassionate and meticulous approach to patient care. Her dedication to excellence ensures that every facet of our research endeavors is executed with utmost professionalism and integrity. Ashlee's invaluable contributions serve as a cornerstone of our team, propelling our mission of pioneering research and transformative healthcare forward.
Lucenia Ongayo-Cruz (May), Medical Laboratory Technician
Dedicated to advancing healthcare through precision and care, May serves as a valued Medical Laboratory Assistant, bringing over 7 years of expertise in clinical laboratory operations and patient-focused services. With a profound understanding of laboratory protocols and a keen eye for detail, May excels in specimen collection, processing, and analysis, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of clinical research results. She is proficient in utilizing a wide range of laboratory equipment and technologies, navigating through various tests and procedures to support the HMRC team. Known for her compassionate demeanor, May fosters a supportive and empathetic environment for patients undergoing laboratory procedures. She prioritizes patient comfort and confidentiality, ensuring a positive experience throughout the entire process.
Pallavi Noojibail
With more than 10 years of health-care administration experience, Pallavi provides a wealth of expertise to the HMRC team. As a medical administrative assistant, she uses her exceptional communication and time management skills to manage clinic bookings, coordinate patients, clinic staff and researchers, set up files for new studies and assist in a variety of other capacities. With her technical expertise, she helps ensure that studies being conducted at the HMRC are being coordinated and managed properly and efficiently.