My expertise is centered on translating rigorous methodological research into real-world health impact, motivated by a commitment to seeing evidence improve patient care and shape effective health policy. This dedication to ensuring research is directly actionable makes me ideally suited to lead this Catalyst Grant initiative to optimize cataract surgery, as my career has equipped me with the necessary skills to effectively launch and manage this crucial co-produced collaborative initiative required for the success of the subsequent large-scale clinical trial.

My foundation is built upon rigorous quantitative training – including my BSc, MSc, and PhD – which equipped me with a robust skill set in statistical modeling, optimization, and health economics. I made the strategic decision to apply these advanced skills, from clinical study design to predictive analytics and cost-effectiveness evaluations, to a field where they could make a tangible difference: ophthalmic health. This strategic focus is sustained by a strong track record, including 93 peer-reviewed publications and success in securing 29 competitive grants as PI/Co-PI.

To ensure my research is grounded in real-world needs, I proactively cultivated a robust collaborative network. My joint appointments in Ophthalmology and Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Western University have allowed me to bridge top-tier clinical settings, such as the Ivey Eye Institute and St. Joseph’s Hospital, with national patient organizations (e.g., the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and the Glaucoma Research Society of Canada (GRSC)) and public health partners (e.g., the Government of Yukon and the Middlesex London Health Unit). This established collaborative ecosystem forms the foundation of my work, enabling me to ensure research findings have direct and tangible applications.

The integration of advanced quantitative methods with clinical and public health networks forms the foundation of this collaborative ecosystem. This foundational structure enables the consistent translation of evidence into both scientific advancement and practical impact, which is evidenced by my direct influence on policy and practice: my prior cross-sectional study (published in Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine) on the patient-reported outcomes for glaucoma management led to new GRSC support programs; and my methodologically rigorous systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating various minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) (published in Journal of Glaucoma, Journal of Ophthalmology, PLoS ONE, and Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology) were cited by Ontario Health and the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), directly informing national guidelines for MIGS. My career is defined by this proven ability to translate evidence into the policy arena, influencing standard-of-care practices.

This consistent impact leads directly to the critical gap addressed by this proposal. Our team’s recent knowledge syntheses (published in AJO International, JFO Open Ophthalmology, and European J of Ophthalmology) have uncovered an expensive, non-evidence-based practice: the routine use of epinephrine in cataract surgery. We have definitively shown this “one-size-fits-all” approach to be a low-value practice, offering no significant clinical benefit while consuming millions in healthcare resources – a problem uniquely suited for a de-implementation strategy. Discovering this gap was not an endpoint, but a catalyst, presenting a clear, evidence-based imperative for change that requires a sophisticated, partnership-driven solution.

As the Research Director at the Ivey Eye Institute, I provide the leadership, expertise, and experience necessary to guide this complex, interdisciplinary, and co-produced knowledge mobilization endeavor. My skills are specifically tailored for this project: I am adept at mentoring diverse teams and facilitating collaboration between varied stakeholders and possess a strong background in advanced statistical modeling and quantitative analysis. Furthermore, my lived experience navigating complex hospital workflows allows me to accurately anticipate the systemic and logistical barriers we will uncover. I will leverage my leadership and expertise to forge strong partnerships with surgeons, nurses, healthcare administrators, implementation scientists, and patient partners, directing a process where we collaboratively co-design the necessary instruments to assess barriers to practice change. Furthermore, my strong background in advanced statistical modeling and quantitative analysis will be crucial in ensuring the methodological rigor of the qualitative data analysis, enabling the team to accurately diagnose implementation barriers and co-develop the required solutions. This collaborative approach builds the essential foundation of trust and mutual understanding required for the success of the subsequent large-scale trial. By actively strengthening these partnerships and emphasizing co-production with those who deliver and receive care, I de-risk the entire pathway to impact. This foundational work is critical to ensure that our future findings are not merely published but are actionable and sustainable.

This initiative represents the crucial next chapter in my professional narrative, where my unique combination of quantitative rigor, collaborative leadership, and demonstrated policy impact converge. I am confident that my proven track record makes me the ideal leader to not only execute the foundational work required for this de-implementation strategy, but to establish a new, scalable standard for how we evaluate and optimize common surgical procedures. My aspiration is to achieve system-wide resource optimization and patient-centered care, thereby meaningfully advancing the Quintuple Aim across the Canadian health system.