Research Projects

• Keratoconus and Eye-Rubbing Habits

  Principal Investigators and Supervising Professors: Dr. Neera Singal and Dr. Clara Chan , Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Team Members: Dr. Tanya Trinh and Dr. David Rootman , Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Clinical and Surgical Management of Retinal Disease

  Principal Investigator and Supervising Professor: Dr. Peter Kertes, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • Popovic MM, Muni RH, Nichani P, & Kertes PJ. (In-Prep). Pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckle, pneumatic retinopexy and combination procedures for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: A meta-analysis. Submitted to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Las Vegas, NV, United States.
  • Popovic MM, Nichani P, Muni RH, Mireskandari K, Tehrani NN, & Kertes PJ. (In-Prep). Intravitreal injections versus laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity: A meta-analysis of 3701 eyes. Submitted to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Las Vegas, NV, United States.
  • Popovic MM, Muni RH, Nichani P, & Kertes PJ. (2020). Topical non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs for pain from intravitreal injections: A meta-analysis. Ophthalmol Retina, published online ahead-of-print.
  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Surgical Management Techniques in Patients with Glaucoma

  Principal Investigator and Supervising Professor: Dr. Matthew B. Schlenker and Dr. Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • Nichani P, Popovic M, Schlenker MB, Ahmed IIK. (2020). Micro-invasive glaucoma surgery: A selected review of studies. To be presented at the Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Vancouver, Canada (ePoster).
  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Clinical Findings in Patients Presenting to a Neuro-Ophthalmology Practice

  Principal Investigator and Supervising Professor: Dr. Jonathan A. Micieli MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto

  Funding: None.

  Associated Publications:

  • Nichani P & Micieli JA. (2020). Retinal manifestations of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. To be presented at the Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Vancouver, Canada (oral).
  • Nichani P & Micieli JA. (2020). Granuloma annulare, scalp necrosis, and ischemic optic neuropathy from giant cell arteritis after varicella-zoster virus vaccination. J Neuroophthalmol, published online ahead-of-print. To be presented at the Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Vancouver, Canada (oral).
  • Nichani P, Christakis P, & Micieli JA. (2020). Headache and bilateral optic disc edema as the initial manifestation of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. J Neuroophthalmol, published online ahead-of-print.
  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Patterns in Vision Insurance Coverage, Eye Care Provider Use, and Visual Impairment Amongst Canadians

  Principal Investigator and Supervising Professor: 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:

  • Nichani P, Trope GE, Buys YM, Markowitz SN, El-Defrawy S, Ngo G, Markowitz M, & Jin YP. (In-Prep). The frequency and source of eyeglass insurance coverage in Ontario: A population-based cross-sectional study in 2003, 2005, and 2013/14. Preparation for submission to CMAJ.
  • Nichani P, Trope GE, Buys YM, Markowitz SN, Liu, SY, Ngo G, Markowitz M, & Jin YP. (2019). Frequency and source of eyeglass insurance coverage in Ontario: Results from 2003 to 2013/14. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 60(9):5451. Presented at: (1) Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (poster); (2) Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences Research Day, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (poster); & (3) Canadian Ophthalmological Society Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Québec City, Canada (oral).
  • Nichani P, Trope GE, Buys YM, Markowitz SN, Markowitz M, & Jin YP. (2018). Eye glass insurance coverage in Ontario and its association with utilization of eye care providers and prevalence of self-reported visual impairment. Presented at the University of Toronto Institute of Medical Science Summer Undergraduate Research Program Research Day, Toronto, Canada (poster). 1st Prize.
  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Optimal Conditions for Temporary Storage of Ischemically-Injured and Reperfused Kidney Grafts for Transplantation

  Principal Investigator and Supervising Professor: Dr. Peter Urbanellis MD MSc, UHN Multi-Organ Transplant Program

  Funding: N/A

  Associated Publications:

  • Urbanellis P, Hamar M, Kaths JM, Linares I, Kollmann D, Ganesh S, Oquendo F, Sharma M, Nichani P, Raveendran L, John R, Yip P, Mucsi I, Ghanekar A, Bagli D, Konvalinka A, Grant D, Robinson L, & Selzner M. (2018). Normothermic ex-vivo kidney perfusion restores the genetic profile of marginal kidney grafts subjected to warm ischemia. Presented at the Canadian Transplant Summit, Ottawa, Canada (ePoster).
  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Relationships, Community Involvement, & Access to Care Among Sexual Minorities

  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 harms. This project includes data from the MSc Thesis Data of Raymond M. McKie and data from the OutLook Study.

  Supervisor and Principal Investigator: Dr. Raymond M. McKie MSc PhD and Dr. Robert N. Travers PhD

  Funding: Faculty of Science Students’ Association (FOSSA)

  Associated Publications:

  • Nichani P, Coleman T, Coulombe S, Manwell L, Wilson C, & Travers R. (2017). Awareness of and access to LGBTQ-friendly services among racialized sexual and gender minorities: Insights from the Outlook Study. Presented at Wilfrid Laurier University Department of Health Sciences Thesis Poster Day, Waterloo, Canada (poster).
  • Nichani P, Al-far W, McKie RM, Humphreys TP, & Travers R. (2016). Understanding internalized homophobia and gay community involvement in a sample of MSM from Canada, the US, and Western Europe. Presented at the Canadian Sex Research Forum Conference, Québec City, Canada (poster).
  • Nichani P, Al-far W, Rudzinski A, Bell K, McKie RM, Humphreys TP, & Travers R. (2016). Seeking sexual partners and boundary setting among MSM on text-based interfaces. Presented at the Canadian Sex Research Forum Conference, Québec City, Canada (poster).
  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.
• Expression of Stem Cell Marker LIFR-α: Understanding its Effects on Differentiation in Human Granulosa Cells

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

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

  Associated Publications:

  • Nichani P, Lazer T, Szaraz P, Power J, Gauthier-Fisher A, Kenigsberg S, & Librach CL. (2016). Expression of leukaemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFRα) in human luteinized granulosa cells is associated with ovarian reserve. Presented at the UofT Department of OB-GYN 33rd Annual Research Day, Toronto, Canada (poster).
  • Nichani P, Lazer T, Power J, Behrouzi B, Gauthier-Fisher A, Kenigsberg S, Librach CL. (2015). Leukaemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR-α) expression in human ovarian granulosa cells as an indication of undifferentiated cells. Presented at the Sunnybrook Research Institute Research Day, Toronto, ON, Canada (poster).
  • 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 the 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.

  Principal Investigator and Supervising Professor: Dr. Matthew D. Smith PhD, 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:

  • Smith M, Lung SC, Nichani P, Grimberg N, Weston JK, Szalai S, & Chuong S. (2015). Structure and function of the Toc159 M-domain, and its role in targeting the preprotein receptor to the chloroplast outer envelope membrane. Protein Sci, 24(S1):282-3.
  • You may view all of Prem’s publications here.

Current Interests

• Health Policy
• Ophthalmology
• Public Health and Prevention