University of Toronto

Program Co-Director	Program Co-Director	Program Admin
Paul M. Yip, PhD, FCACB, DABCC	Vathany Kulasingam, PhD, FCACB	Paula Nixon
Associate Professor	Associate Professor	Program Coordinator
paul.yip@utoronto.ca	vathany.kulasingam@uhn.ca	pathology.residency@utoronto.ca
(416) 480-6100	(416) 340-4800	(416) 978-7535

About the Program

The training program in clinical chemistry, established in 1968, is the largest in Canada and accepts 2 candidates each year. Currently, there are 4 fellows in the program (2 first year, 2 second year).

The program is 2 years in duration. Courses taken by candidates include analytical clinical biochemistry (LMP1203H) and laboratory management. Auditing of other courses are used to supplement foundational learning including introduction to medicine (MED100H), Concepts, Patients & Communities (MED120H/130H), computational biostatistics. Teaching methods used include didactic, directed reading, trainee presentations, seminars, case-oriented teaching, and practical exercises.

The first-year hospital rotation is based on general clinical chemistry which provides direction for the learning experience in the analytical and clinical aspects of the profession. Training in the second year includes specialty rotations in pediatrics & toxicology, genetic metabolic laboratory, microbiology, hematology, and molecular diagnostics. More emphasis on clinical decision making and acting laboratory director occurs in the last 6 months of training.

All fellows are required to carry out at least 3 projects in the area of diagnostic test development/evaluation, and participate in rounds and seminars, case presentation and journal club sessions, weekly discussions with faculty, investigation and approval of specialized tests, teaching, and elective periods for specialization.

Program Requirements

To be considered for the program, prospective fellows must have:

1. Doctoral or medical degree(s) in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, medicine, pathology, pathobiology or pharmacology from an accredited university.
   • Your PhD defense must be completed before the session start date of July 1. You may apply during the final year of your PhD, but any offer of acceptance would be contingent on the successful completion and defense of your thesis prior to the start of the program.
   • A minimum of B+ in relevant courses and overall average during graduate studies.
2. Good communication skills – written and verbal.
3. A Canadian citizen or permanent resident

To Apply

Applications open: October 1 of the prior year in which training is to start. Application Deadline: January 15 of the year in which training is to start. Interviews: typically held in early February. Training begins on July 1.

The application packet must include:

1. Letter of intent
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Contact information for three references

Training Level

Postdoctoral Training Level
Number of positions available per year: 2 per year
Duration of program: 2 years
Approximate annual salary or stipend: PGY Scale
Source of funding: Ontario Ministry of Health and University of Toronto
Current number of trainees: 4
Number of past graduates: 130

Faculty

Khosrow Adeli, PhD, FCACB, DABCC	Pediatric Clinical Chemistry, Reference Intervals
Dana Bailey, PhD, FCACB, DABCC	Routine Chemistry, Immunology, Quality Improvement, Harmonization and Standardization, Health Literacy
Daniel Beriault, PhD, FCACB	Endocrinology, Lab Utilization, Toxicology
Davor Brinc, PhD, FCACB	Routine and Special Chemistry; Outreach Programs
Sarah Delaney, PhD, DABCC, FCACB	Toxicology, TDM, Drug Checking
Ashley Di Meo, PhD, FCACB	Cardiac Markers, Cardio-oncology, Immunoassay
Eleftherios Diamandis, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FRSC	Cancer, Proteomics, Mass Spectrometry
Lei Fu, PhD, FCACB, DABCC	Pregnancy, Prenatal Disorders, Pediatric Clinical Chemistry
Barry Hoffman, PhD, FCACB	Maternal Serum Screening Program
Benjamin Jung, PhD, FCACB	Pharmacology, Pharmacogenetics, TDM, Toxicology
Vathany Kulasingam, PhD, FCACB	Mass Spectrometry, Immunology, Autoimmune Diagnostics, Oncology
Jessica Miller, PhD, FCACB	Toxicology, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Mass Spectrometry
Matthew Lafreniere, PhD	Multiple Myeloma, Autoimmunity, Quality Improvement
Felix Leung, PhD, FCACB	Routine Chemistry, Point-of-Care Testing, Laboratory Informatics
Rajeevan Selvaratnam, PhD, DABCC	STAT and Automated Chemistry, Immunoassays
Lusia Sepiashvili, PhD, FCACB, DABCC	Special Chemistry, Immunology, Pediatric Clinical Chemistry
Jennifer Taher, PhD, FCACB	Special Chemistry, Quality Improvement, Lipids & Diabetes, Clinical Research
Paul Yip, PhD, FCACB, DABCC	Test Utilization, Quality Management, Point-of-Care Testing
Libin Yuan, PhD, FCCMG, FACMG	Metabolic Disease, Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Glycosylation Defects