This page offers brief profiles of WCRI's administrative staff. To learn more about the administrative roles of these individuals please visit our Research Services page.
Click here for profiles of our research faculty.
LISA J. HALL, BA
Lisa J. Hall is the student programs and event co-ordinator at WCRI. She supports all aspects of WCRI student initiatives including co-ordination of the Women's Health Student Experience summer program, the Collaborative Graduate Program in Women's Health and the award process of WCRI graduate scholarships.
She is responsible for co-ordinating WCRI student events including the Annual Graduate Student Research Day and other knowledge exchange events.
Ms. Hall left the corporate sector, where she specialized in human resources, to pursue a career centered in women's health. Prior to joining WCRI, Ms. Hall worked as part of a
two-person co-ordinating team for the Peel Committee Against Woman Abuse, a group of 47 individuals from various agencies working towards promoting a comprehensive and effective response to woman abuse in the region of Peel. Ms. Hall has a BA in psychology from Brock University and plans to pursue graduate studies to further develop her skills.
Contact information:
Phone: 416-351-3732 ext. 2331
Fax: 416-351-3746
SABIHA MERALI MERCHANT, MES
Sabiha Merali Merchant is the special projects coordinator at WCRI. She is currently also assisting with research writing and reporting at WCRI.
Ms. Merchant holds a master's degree in Environmental Studies (MES) from York University, focusing on women's health. She also has an Ontario Training Centre (OTC) Diploma in Health Services and Policy Research. Sabiha's research focused on access to health services for immigrant women in Toronto. Prior to working at WCRI, she worked on special projects in various parts in India.
Contact Information:
Phone: 416-351-3732 ext. 3755
Fax: 416-351-3746
HELEN PHAM
Helen Pham is the grants co-ordinator at WCRI. Helen is responsible for co-ordinating post-award research grant administration and is the liaison between the grant holders and the finance office.
Helen has previously been part of the research staff at the clinical epidemiology unit of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and at the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Studies (ICES). Helen is currently completing a BA in health services administration at Ryerson University.
Contact information:
Phone: 416-351-3732 ext. 2180
Fax: 416-351-3746
ABENA SMITH, BSc
Abena Smith is the research ethics co-ordinator at WCRI. Abena is responsible for the co-ordination of all aspects of the submission, review, revision and approval of research protocols at Women’s College Hospital. Ms. Smith earned a degree in biological sciences from the University of Windsor, went on to complete the pharmaceutical chemical technology program through Seneca@York University and is currently in the process of obtaining her regulatory affairs certification. Her previous employment experience in the area of clinical research was as a clinical research documentation co-ordinator in the pharmaceutical industry.
Contact information:
Phone: 416-351-3732 ext. 2723
Fax: 416-351-3746
ROHINI SONI, MSc, BHA
Rohini Soni is Director for Research Operations at the Women’s College Research Institute and the leader of our Research Operations team. She ensures ongoing sound financial and administrative management of research activities at Women’s College.
Ms. Soni has over 10 years experience in research administration at Toronto area academic hospitals including Bloorview Kids Rehab and the Hospital for Sick Children. For the last four years, she has served as Director of Research Operations at the Bloorview Research Institute, a period of rapid growth and recruitment for that organization as scientists established themselves and their teams at the new research institute and as both research and rehab centre staff moved into a new purpose-built facility. In 2002, she completed a Bachelor of Health Administration at Ryerson University. She also holds a Masters in Microbiology from the University of Mumbai.
Contact Information:
Phone #: 416-351-3780
Fax #: 416-351-3746
HELEN STEPKO
Helen Stepko is the receptionist at WCRI. Helen is the main contact person, receiving all general inquiries and deliveries. She is responsible for maintaining all office supplies and equipment and facility management. She provides general administrative support to the WCRI administrative team.
Ms. Stepko has over 30 years experience as a receptionist. Prior to working at WCRI, she worked at the Hospital for Sick Children.
Contact information:
Phone: 416-351-3732 ext. 2702
Fax: 416-351-3746
DIANA RAYMOND-WATTS, BA
Diana Raymond-Watts is the research manager at WCRI. Diana is responsible for managing all aspects of the research ethics review process at WCH. She also manages the contract and agreement review process and administratively reviews all WCRI research proposals.
Ms. Raymond-Watts completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, where she studied human biology and women's studies and is currently in the process of completing a diploma in health services management at Ryerson University. Her previous employment experiences include assisting the executive director of operations at the Princess Margaret Hospital as well as working on various research projects at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit.
Contact information:
Phone: 416-351-2535
Fax: 416-351-3746
CYNTHIA UY
Cynthia Uy is administrative assistant to the vice-president, research.
Contact information:
Phone: 416-351-3732 ext. 2711
Fax: 416-351-3746
HAITAO ZHANG, BSc
Haitao Zhang is the systems administrator at WCRI. Haitao is responsible for providing computer technical support for WCRI staff and administration of WCRI computer network and website. He also designs and develops databases for research projects.
Mr. Zhang completed a BSc in computer science at McMaster University and completed the course work for a MSc in computer science at the University of Toronto. He is a certified Novell engineer and administrator.
Contact information:
Phone: 416-351-3732 ext. 2720
Fax: 416-351-3746
