John S. Sampalis, B.Sc., B.A. (Hon.), M.Sc., Ph.D., F.A.C.E.
CEO and Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Sampalis is a clinical epidemiologist with undergraduate training in Microbiology, Immunology and Neuroscience and graduate training in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) from McGill University. Currently a tenured Associate Professor of Surgery and Epidemiology & Biostatics with the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University, he also holds equivalent appointments with the Faculties of Medicine at Laval University and the University of Montreal.

Possessing extensive expertise in health services research, clinical trials and the evaluation of medical technology, Dr. Sampalis also offers services as a Research and Epidemiological Consultant for numerous pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and government organizations and agencies. With 100 peer reviewed publications and 100 presentations to date and over $6.5 million dollars in federal and provincial research grants awarded, Dr. Sampalis is recognized as one of Canada’s leading epidemiologist, as well as the top trauma researcher in Canada. Currently, he holds a Medical Scientist Salary Award from the Medical Research Council of Canada and has previously received numerous prestigious scholarships and awards including the National Health Research and Development Scholar from Health Canada. Dr. Sampalis currently participates as a reviewer for over five leading peer reviewed journals and as a committee member for provincial and federal funding agencies.

 

Stella Boukas, BA, CCRP
Vice President of Clinical Operations

Ms. Boukas has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from McGill University as well as training in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Her extensive experience in medical research management includes Clinical Trials, Observational Studies, Chart Reviews and Literature Reviews. Ms. Boukas has been working with JSS since its birth in the 80s.

 

Toni Rinow, Ph.D., MBA
Chief Financial Officer

Toni Rinow holds a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Montreal. In addition, she completed an engineering degree in chemistry from École Nationale Supérieure d'Ingénieur in Strasbourg, France. Dr. Rinow completed her training with a Management of Business Administration degree (MBA) from McGill University in Montreal. She was born in Hamburg, Germany.

Her professional career is focused on business development, sales and financing of companies. She was involved in transitioning two biotechnology companies to an initial public offering at the Toronto Stock Exchange. She also oversaw a life science investment portfolio with 400 million dollar under management. Dr. Rinow was involved in the negotiation of international corporate alliances worth over 100 million dollars.
 

Sebastien Dupuis, BSc, MBA
Senior Director of Contract Management & Proposal Development

An MBA graduate from the Écoles des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC), Mr. Dupuis has more than 5 years of experience in the Life Science industry.

 

Sanjay Machado, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Global Business Operations

Dr. Machado has over 16 years of experience in multinational pharmaceutical, CRO, Bioequivalence & Phase I and Site Management Organizations. Prior to JSS Medical Research Inc., he founded Venn Life Sciences and served as the Chief Operating Officer of the company. He also held increasing management positions in the field at ICON Clinical Research plc, ADA Medical Ltd, AstraZeneca & Biovail Contract Research. Dr. Machado has worked on products in several therapeutic areas including; Gastroenterology, CVS, Respiratory, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oncology, Radiology, Psychiatry and CNS. He also has clinical experience in generic drug development, medical devices and radio nuclear imaging studies. He has organized and managed a Site Management Organization developing qualified and trained staff, Investigators and Investigator Sites. He created, presented & positioned new business opportunities for the SMO for further growth. Dr. Machado obtained his MD from University of Pune, India. He specialized in family medicine and held private practice. He has authored several publications, abstracts, and posters at international conferences.

 

Marianna Boukas, BA
Senior Director of Quality Assurance

Aside from her Bachelor’s degree from McGill University, Ms. Boukas has completed a Certificate for Technical Communications at Concordia University. While implementing the JSS Quality Assurance Program, she has also received compliance training from SNC Lavalin Pharma (SLP). Ms. Boukas has more than twenty years of experience working in a hospital setting, which provides a strong foundation for the continuous development of the JSS Quality Assurance system.

 

Wael Sedky, BSc, BEng
Director of Information Technology

Mr. Sedky has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Arab Maritime Transport Academy in Alexandria, Egypt and a Bachelor of Computer Science degree from Bishop’s University in Quebec, Canada. His qualifications include Net programming, Validation of Computerized systems, GDP and GCP as well as experience in Network Administration, Programming, Technical Support and training.

 

Fridon Chouha, M.B.Ch.B.,
Director, Medical Liaison

Dr. Chouha is a graduate from the medical school at the University of Alexandria in Egypt. He recently spent twenty years at Merck Frosst Canada in various roles in clinical research, health science services and sales / hospital services. As the Medical Director at JSS, Dr. Chouha is the primary consultant of all medical aspects of most studies including design and preparation of study protocols and research proposals.

 

Andreas Nikolis,
Director of Surgical Research

Dr. Nikolis is currently attending faculty at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal (CHUM) in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His training includes General Surgery (McGill University, 1996-2000), Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Université de Montreal, 2000-2002), Craniofacial Reconstructive Surgery (Institute for Craniofacial and Reconstructive Surgery, Michigan, 2002-2003), as well as a MSc in Experimental Surgery (McGill University,1999-2001).

His current clinical interests include secondary correction of congenital craniofacial syndromes, microvascular free tissue reconstruction, upper extremity reimplantation surgery, vascular malformations, chronic wound healing, reconstructive surgery following oncologic ablation and trauma. His research interests include cost benefit evaluations of new surgical technologies, quality of life assessment following surgical intervention, as well as short and long term outcomes following treatment regimens

 

Moishe Liberman, M.D., Ph. D., FRCSC
 

Dr. Liberman completed his MD, PhD, general surgery residency and post-graduate studies at McGill University and its MUHC hospital network. During his studies, he quickly distinguished himself as a J.W. McConnell Foundation scholar. He was recognized as outstanding surgery resident and teacher by the McGill Faculty of Medicine in 2005 and 2006.

He left for the United States to undertake subspecialty training in thoracic and airway surgery. From 2006 to 2009, he completed a clinical fellowship at the Harvard School of Medicine and its affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. He spent additional time training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, as well at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. He also received additional subspecialty training in airway and esophageal ultrasound and endoscopy. An esophageal intervention

Dr. Liberman is member to several professional associations from the American College of Surgeons to the Canadian Medical Association. He has received research grants from Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Fonds de recherce en santé du Québec, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, and the Society of University Surgeons. His peer-reviewed research has examined topics such as cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, trauma units, gastric bypass, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway injuries in professional hockey players and the impact of hospital waiting times on heart patients.

 

Andre Lavoie,
Epidemiologist

Dr. Lavoie is an Epidemiologist with undergraduate training in Sociology, and graduate training in Demography (MSc) from the University of Montreal and Epidemiology and Biostatistics from McGill University