DR. MARIE-CLAIRE ARRIETA
Principal Investigator
Professor at the University of Calgary
Departments of Physiology, Pharmacology and Pediatrics
As part of the International Microbiome Center at the Cumming School of Medicine of the University of Calgary, our lab is interested in understanding how humans begin their life in the company of trillions of microbes — our early-life microbiome, and how this microbiome helps define important aspects of immune and metabolic development. Our lab’s approach to tackle these complex questions is to combine next generation microbiome sequencing data with metabolic and immune studies in both humans and animal models of diseases, such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.
DR. LAURA K. SYCURO
Co-Investigator
Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary Departments of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology
My research uses a combination of microbial genomics, molecular epidemiology, and novel cultivation strategies to understand how members of the human microbiota function and interact with the host. My lab is focused on better defining the microbial communities contributing to pregnancy loss and preterm delivery. The long term goal of this research is to identify new diagnostic markers and treatment strategies that safely correct microbial imbalances before they trigger early labour.
YEJI KIM, HBSc
Clinical Research Coordinator
University of Calgary
Departments of Physiology, Pharmacology and Pediatrics
After graduating from University of Toronto with honours in Bachelor of Science, I worked in healthcare where I developed an interest in clinical trials and research. Complemented by a post-graduate degree in Clinical Trials Management, I am now excited to be a part of the BLOOM research team and further my passion for research! I will be helping the participants from start to finish of the BLOOM research journey. This includes following up, recruiting, answering questions related to the research / samples, conducting interviews, organizing clinic visits, and much more!
ROBIN KNOL, BN RN IBCLC
Research Nurse
University of Calgary
Departments of Physiology, Pharmacology and Pediatrics
Robin is a Registered Nurse with a background in Labour & Delivery and NICU nursing. She has a strong passion for research, which started back in her nursing school days. Her interest in research was further fuelled during her time as a NICU nurse, when she became familiar with collecting samples for the BLOOM study.
In her role in the BLOOM study, Robin carries out participant recruitment, following up with those families, while collecting data for the study and addressing any questions or concerns families may have.
Robin’s dedication to working with families and her desire to improve health outcomes for premature infants makes her an asset to the BLOOM study. Her combination of nursing expertise and research interest allows her to bridge the gap between clinical practice and scientific inquiry for the benefit of future generations.
CASIE TRACEY, BN RN
Research Nurse
University of Calgary
Departments of Physiology, Pharmacology and Pediatrics
After completing my practical nursing education in 2009, I launched my career in nursing in the NICU. In 2013, I completed my Bachelor of nursing and continued my career as a NICU RN. My passion for the neonatology field and continued learning pushed me to branch out. I am now part of the Alberta BLOOM team and couldn’t be more happy.
SARAH PHAE, LPN BSc
Research Nurse
University of Calgary
Departments of Physiology, Pharmacology and Pediatrics
Sarah has an interdisciplinary background across environmental and health sciences. She has worked as a nurse in the NICU since completing her diploma in Practical Nursing in 2013. She later pursued an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, where she became fascinated by the connections between planetary and human health. Her interest in research led her to pursue graduate training in epidemiology and further explore the ways in which our environments shape health.
Sarah’s current thesis research focuses on the relationship between early-life environmental exposures and respiratory health outcomes. This work has cultivated her interest in the microbiome; particularly how environmental microbiota may shape the development of the human microbiome and influence associations between environmental exposures and health outcomes.
In her role with the BLOOM team, Sarah will lead participant recruitment and contribute to sample and data collection. She is excited to contribute to this work that helps deepen our understanding of the early-life factors influencing health across the lifespan.
AARON GRATTON, BN RN
Research Nurse
University of Calgary
Departments of Physiology, Pharmacology and Pediatrics
I graduated from the University of Calgary in 2006 and began my nursing career on an adult cardiac unit. After two years, I quickly realized that my passion was working with neonates. My parents have always joked that perhaps it was because I was a premature baby myself, spending over a month in the Foothills NICU. In 2008, I joined the NICU at the Peter Lougheed Centre, where I have had the privilege of caring for premature and critically ill newborns and supporting their families through what can be an incredibly stressful and uncertain time.
Throughout my career in the NICU, I have taken on a variety of leadership and mentoring roles and have continued to find new ways to grow and challenge myself. My work with BLOOM is another meaningful chapter in my career, allowing me to continue supporting families beyond their hospital stay. One of my favourite parts is seeing these little ones again at their follow-up clinic appointments and witnessing their growth and progress. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of their journey from the NICU and beyond.
FATIMOH KASABA, MSc, MAS ETH NH
PhD Student
University of Calgary, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
Fatimoh is a PhD student in the Arrieta lab. She holds an MSc. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Nottingham, which spurred her interest in health research. Her thesis focused on assessing iodine, an important micronutrient in pregnancy and child brain development. During her study, she also conducted an analysis of the recommended exclusive breastfeeding of infants. She then furthered her research experience by obtaining an MAS ETH in Nutrition and Health from ETH Zurich, where she participated in the Iodine Global Network- and ETH Z-led first national survey of iodine in Jamaican school-age children. Fatimoh’s project is focused on elucidating the role of the gut microbiome in the neurodevelopment of preterm infants. It will provide an understanding of the association between the gut microbiome and developmental delays in babies born preterm.
GURLEEN KAUR, BSc MSc
Clinical Data Analyst
University of Calgary
Departments of Physiology, Pharmacology and Pediatrics
PAST TEAM MEMBERS
Katherine (Katie) Throness
Research Nurse
University of Calgary, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
Before I became a nurse, I had a passion for taking care of the Neonatal and Pediatric population. After graduating with my Bachelors of Nursing, I moved rurally to Grande Prairie where I worked full time as a NICU and Pediatric nurse and my passion continued to grow. I am fascinated by the resiliency of neonates and have always desired to grow my knowledge base through research to better enhance the care I am able to provide. Now as a soon to be mom of two I am even more keen to play a role in the enhancement of research and intern healthcare for neonates. I am honored to be a part of the Alberta BLOOM research team!
Fiona Ng
Research Nurse
University of Calgary, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, I launched my career on an internal medicine floor, focusing on patient care and public immunizations across all age groups. These experiences deepened my passion for preventive healthcare and research. Currently, I specialize as a NICU nurse, dedicated to providing compassionate care to vulnerable newborns and their families. I’m also honored to contribute to the Alberta BLOOM team as a research nurse!
JESSICA LEE, MSc, MBT, CCRP
Lead Research Coordinator
University of Calgary, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
Joining the team in 2017, Jessica felt fortunate to be part of BLOOM from its earliest days. She worked closely with Drs. Arrieta and Sycuro to develop the protocols, study materials, ethics applications and operational plans for the studies. Her role focused on managing the operations of the studies, working with our clinical partners, and coordinating our dedicated BLOOM team. With over 15 years of experience in clinical research, Jessica felt that working on the BLOOM studies was one of the most rewarding experiences of her career. Particularly, she really enjoyed interacting with many of the amazing and inspiring BLOOM participants, without whom this important research would not be possible.
NIKKI SIVAKUMAR, BSc
Clinical Research Assistant at the University of Calgary, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
After obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences at Queen’s University, Nikki became passionate about understanding childhood development and research. Her role in the BLOOM Studies involved recruiting potential participants from study sites, conducting participant interviews, and following up with any questions or concerns that participants may have while on the study.
ALMA TARIRO MUROPA
Bioinformatician & Data Analyst
University of Calgary, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
Alma was our bioinformatician and data analyst. Her professional background was in health research, working with others on health innovations, making data-driven decisions about how to implement them in both public and private health institutions. Her extensive experience in conducting routine and research health data collection, management, were instrumental to generate meaningful discoveries from our clinical Alberta BLOOM study. Alma investigated data from the study to enable visualization, and decipher predictions, that advanced the field of child health research. Alma thrived on having the chance to improve children’s health.
ANDREA GUEDEZ, BMSc, CCRP
Lead Study Coordinator
Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Calgary, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
Andrea experienced the great joy of working with parents and their young children throughout marny work and volunteer opportunities. In the final years of her Bachelor’s degree, her experiences and research interests aligned. She has since worked with families and their young children on research projects that aim to advance the understanding of how early life exposures impact childhood development. Andrea first started with BLOOM as a research assistant where she was involved in recruiting interested parents and their children into the BLOOM studies, as well as following up with families throughout their participation to address their questions or concerns. She then took on the role of Lead Study Coordinator where she was also managing the operations of the studies, working with our clinical partners, and coordinating our dedicated BLOOM team.
ZAHRA RANGIPOUR , MMATH
Clinical Data Analyst
University of Calgary, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
Zahra holds a Master of Mathematics in Statistics from the University of Waterloo, which sparked her interest in health research. Motivated by a desire to contribute to medical advancements through statistical analysis, she pursued her current position as a clinical data analyst for the Alberta BLOOM study. In this role, she manages and analyzes data to identify trends, draw conclusions, and contribute to research findings.
What Zahra says about joining the Alberta BLOOM study: “being part of the BLOOM Study has exposed me to the importance of the early-life gut microbiome and how it influences long-term health outcomes, while also expanding my statistical knowledge and expertise. This position allows me to apply my statistical skills to healthcare, and I am thrilled to be part of a team dedicated to improving health outcomes for premature infants.
ALLIE McCREIGHT, BES
Clinical Administrative Assistant
University of Calgary, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
As a mom to two young children, I am very interested in learning more about the human microbiome in early life and how it affects later health outcomes. With an Environmental Science background, I have adapted my skills to assist with the logistics of the studies carried out by our team. I play a supportive role in the BLOOM Studies by building the kits used for sample collection, coordinating clinic visit scheduling and logistics, as well as general administrative duties that help the BLOOM team meet its operational and research goals.