Research Projects

• Exploring the History of Eyecare Financing and Delivery in Canada

  Project Supervision: Dr. Raisa Deber PhD, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Clinical and Surgical Management of Vitreoretinal Disease in Adult and Paediatric Populations

  Project Supervision: Dr. Peter J. Kertes MD & Dr. Rajeev H. Muni MD MSc, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Mentor: Dr. Marko M. Popovic MD MPH(C)

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Keratoconus: An Inflammatory Corneal Ectasia?

  Project Supervision: Dr. Clara C. Chan MD and Dr. Neera Singal MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Mentors: Dr. Tanya Trinh MBBS and Dr. Michael Mimouni MD

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Patterns in Vision Insurance Coverage, Eye Care Provider Use, and Visual Impairment Amongst Canadians

  Project Supervision: Dr. Ya-Ping Jin MD PhD, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Funding: Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and Statistics Canada

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Development of an Online Low Vision Rehabilitation Compendium

  Project Supervision: Dr. Samuel N. Markowitz, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Optimal Conditions for Temporary Storage of Ischemically-Injured and Reperfused Kidney Grafts for Transplantation

  Project Supervision: Dr. Peter Urbanellis MD MSc, UHN Multi-Organ Transplant Program

  Funding: N/A

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Expression of Stem Cell Marker LIFR-α: Understanding its Effect on Differentiation in Human Granulosa Cells Among Women Suffering from Infertility

  Supervising Professor and Principal Investigator: Dr. Shlomit Kenigsberg PhD MBA and Dr. Clifford L. Librach MD FRCSC FACOG(REI), CReATe Fertility Centre

  Funding: Sunnybrook Research Institute Davis + Henderson Student Research Award & CReATe Fertility Centre

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.

• Promoting Competency-Based Surgical Education for Ophthalmology Trainees

  Project Supervision: Dr. Amandeep S. Rai, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Clinical Findings in Patients Presenting to a Tertiary Neuro-Ophthalmology Practice

  Project Supervision: Dr. Jonathan A. Micieli MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Quantification of Photic Phenomena in Pseudophakic Multifocal IOL Patients to Develop a Predictive Machine-Learning Algorithm and Enhance Surgical Outcomes: The Halomtr Study

  Project Supervision: Dr. Devesh K. Varma, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Funding: Alcon Canada, Inc., A Novartis Division

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Efficacy and Safety of Novel Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgical Procedures

  Project Supervision: Dr. Matthew B. Schlenker MD MSC and Dr. Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Mentor: Dr. Marko M. Popovic MD MPH(C)

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Ameliorating The Provision of Healthcare in Canada

  Project Supervision: Dr. Sherif R. El-Defrawy MD PhD, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Mentors: John Yip MBA ICD.D

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Relationships, Community Involvement, and Access to Care Amongst Racial and Gender Minority Groups

  There is currently little knowledge of the experiences and service needs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community internationally. Research indicates that LGBTQ+ communities are often at greater risk of violence and discrimination, which may also lead to greater mental health problems, suicidal ideation, internalized homophobia, and abuse resulting from the use of online dating applications. Due to this, they often have greater needs for safe services, community support, and protection against this higher risk of harm. This project includes data from the MSc Thesis Data of Raymond M. McKie and data from the OutLook Study.

  Project Supervision: Dr. Robert N. Travers PhD, Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University

  Mentor: Dr. Raymond M. McKie MSc PhD

  Funding: Faculty of Science Students’ Association (FOSSA)

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Expression and Purification of a Recombinant Version of atToc159MHis for Structural and Functional Studies: Understanding the Role of its M-domain

  The M-Domain of TOC complexes, specifically TOC159M, remains a mystery to this day. Understanding how this protein can be expressed in various organisms including that of Escherichia coli is consequential in understanding how TOC159M, a membrane protein, interacts with bacterial membranes. According to Zoonens and Miroux, the so-called internal membrane is also produced when auto-inducing a culture of BL-21 Codon Plus (RIPL) E.coli. The main goal of Prem’s research project is to further understand the expression of protein in membranes, the role of the internal membranes and how they are produced, and analyze the M-domain to determine structure and function. Various methods include auto-induction, IMAC purification, in addition to assays including Bradford, NADH oxidase, BCA, and lipid to determine solubility of the protein in different detergents with an end goal of determining the structure and function of the atTOC159 M-domain.

  Project Supervision: Dr. Matthew D. Smith PhD, Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University

  Mentor: Dr. Tuan (Patrick) Hoang MD PhD MSc

  Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) & NSERC Research Discovery Grant

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.