Founded by Maple Leaf Medical Clinic physicians in 2001, Maple Leaf Research is a non-profit corporation committed to improving the lives of our patients by providing access to cutting edge research.
Welcome to our clinic specializing in conducting phase II to IV clinical trials for various infectuous diseases such as HIV, HPV, HCV, PrEP, HSV, and other sexually transmitted infections. We also conduct device trials and participate in Community Base Research with a focus on Transgender Women. Our team provides top-quality care and advancing medical research to help improve the lives of our patient populations.
Areas of Focus
Phases II-IV clinical research experience in HIV, PrEP, HCV, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Vaccines, Community Based Reseach, and Medical Devices.
Laboratory
We have a fully equipped laboratory including a refrigerated centrifuge, ECG, and -20 & -70 freezers that are calibrated annually.
Certified Staff
Reputation for recruitment, enrolment, retention, timeliness, professionalism, and meeting protocol requirements.
Technology
Our study drug supplies are temperature monitored by DicksonOne, an internet cloud-based environmental monitoring system.
Research Boards
We work with central & independent research ethics boards with quick turnaround times for study startup.
Contact Us
For more information about our site or to submit a feasibility questionnaire please contact Roberta Halpenny, Research Manager.
Roberta Halpenny
MSc, CCRP
Clinical Research Manager
Roberta received a BA in French and BA (Honors) Geography from McMaster University in 1994, attended Centennial College and certified as a Paramedic (EMCA) in 1995. She joined Maple Leaf Research in 2003 and has worked as the Research Manager since August 2004. Roberta has been a SOCRA Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) since April 2007 and in December 2015, she received her Masters of Science (MSc) in Clinical Research.
PHONE: 416-465-7936 Emergency 24H Number 416.454.9148 FAX: (416) 465 - 0502
EMAIL: rhalpenny@mlmedical.com
Tigist Kidane
Tigist Kidane
Senior Research Technician
Tigist Kidane came to Canada in 2003. She is originally from Addis Abba, Ethiopia. While in Ethiopia, Tigist went to Addis Abba University where she earned her Medical Laboratory Technology Diploma. She started working for CIRC in 2007 and she also works at the Pharma Medica Research Centre in Scarborough as a Lab Technician. Tigist completed additional schooling at CDI College and is a licensed Medical Laboratory Technician in Canada. She hopes to go back to school in the future to upgrade her courses. In her spare time, Tigist enjoys watching movies and reading.
PHONE: 416.465-5370 ext 4400 Emergency 24H Number 416.454.9148 FAX: (416) 465 - 0502
EMAIL: tkidane@mlmedical.com
Sonca Lengoc
Clinical Research Coordinator
Sonca earned a BSc. In Life Science at Queen’s University in 1994. Subsequently, she trained in Radiation Therapy Program at Odette Cancer Centre (formerly Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre) and graduated in 1996. She has worked as a radiation therapist in various cancer centres across Canada (Toronto St. John’s and Vancouver) for over 15 years. Most recently, Sonca held a position at UHN as a clinical research coordinator in the Collaborative Academic Practice supporting research grant programs and research studies which informs evidence-based clinical practice across the Health Professions. Sonca has been a SOCRA Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) since November 2016 and holds a certificate in Health Services Management from the Chang School at Ryerson University.
PHONE: 416.465-5370 ext 4404 Emergency 24H Number 416.454.9148 FAX: (416) 465 - 0502
EMAIL: slengoc@mlmedical.com
Geraldine Tuason
Geraldine Tuason
Clinical Research Coordinator
Geraldine earned her Doctor of Medicine at Manila Cetral University-FDTMF in 1998. She had her residency training in Ob-gyne and worked as Ob-gynaecologist at NAFH, Saudi Arabia. She is also a registered nurse in the Philippines. She completed her postgraduate Clinical Research in Oxford College, Mississauga last 2019. Geraldine continued her volunteering in 2 projects, the Radical PC 1 and Radical PC 2 after her placement at St. Joseph Healthcare Hamilton.
For information about our research program contact Roberta Halpenny, Research Manager: rhalpenny@mlmedical.com
Nirubini Neyarajah
BSc.
Clinical Research Coordinator
PHONE: 416-465-7936 Emergency 24H Number 416.454.9148 FAX: (416) 465 - 0502
EMAIL: rhalpenny@mlmedical.com
George Kovchazov
BSc.
Clinical Research Coordinator
PHONE: 416-465-5370 Emergency 24H Number 416.454.9148 FAX: (416) 465 - 0502
EMAIL: george@mlmedical.com
Jennifer McCully
Jennifer McCully
Senior Research Analyst
Originally from the Maritimes, Jenn completed her BSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Waterloo in 2012. She has held positions in clinical research at both Health Canada and the University Health Network, most recently as a Research Analyst in adult genetics. Her current interests are in healthcare big data analytics and she completed a Data Science certificate at the University of Toronto in 2019.
For information about our research program contact Roberta Halpenny, Research Manager: rhalpenny@mlmedical.com
Mona Loufty
MD, FRCPC, MPH
President & Research Director
Dr. Mona Loutfy is an Infectious Diseases Specialist, Clinician Scientist and Full Professor at the University of Toronto and Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. Her main clinical practice is at the Maple Leaf Medical Clinic where she specializes in care of women, youth and couples with HIV and reproductive health and HIV. She founded the Women and HIV Research Program at the Women’s College Research Institute in 2006 to carry out research with and for women living with HIV to combat stigma and health inequity and optimize health care delivery and outcomes. More recently, she acquired her medical license in Saskatchewan and travels there every two and half months to care for women, couples and youth affected by HIV and HCV in northern Saskatchewan.
For information about our research program contact Roberta Halpenny, Research Manager: rhalpenny@mlmedical.com
Jason Brunetta
MD, CCFP
Operations & Finance Director
Dr. Brunetta hails from St. Albert, Alberta, and completed his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees in Edmonton. He went on to teach high school for three years before returning to the University of Calgary to complete his Medical Degree. His residency in Family Medicine was in Toronto, and then he moved to practice in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has since returned to Ontario and now practices family medicine along with HIV primary care. He is a certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Dr. Brunetta is also actively involved in research, and participates in the education of future physicians by acting as an examiner for the Medical Council of Canada.
For information about our research program contact Roberta Halpenny, Research Manager: rhalpenny@mlmedical.com
Graham H.R. Smith
MD, MSc , CCFP
HR Director
Originally from Montreal, Graham received his medical degree from McGill University where he first became involved with the care of people living with HIV and AIDS. A year in Paris 1991 allowed him to complete an additional year of training in Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine. Upon his return to Montreal, he joined the McGill AIDS Centre and mixed both clinic care and clinical research with a special interest in the treatment of advanced HIV disease. In 1999, he returned to McGill to complete a Master's degree in Epidemiology and since then, has been involved with numerous research projects. After a move to Toronto, Graham joined Maple Leaf Medical Clinic where he is involved with Family Practice, HIV/AIDS care and clinical research.
For information about our research program contact Roberta Halpenny, Research Manager: rhalpenny@mlmedical.com