At the end of this presentation, participants will:

• Gain an appreciation for multi-site trial management

• Understand the advantages of working with a trial network

• Learn skills necessary for protocol development and trial implementation

• Recognize the impact of clinical trials on patient care and public health

Meet the Speakers

Tannis Erickson

Recently retired from the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), Tannis most recently served as Executive Director of the Research Support Unit and the Innovative Pediatric Clinical Trials Network. In these roles, she led the implementation of numerous pediatric research projects, including many clinical trials, and collaborated with the University of Manitoba, Manitoba Shared Health, and provincial and national counterparts. Tannis has also been active on local and national committees, including many under the Maternal Infant Child and Youth Research Network (MICYRN).

Dr. Naveen Poonai

Dr. Poonai completed his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Toronto in 2004, followed by paediatric residency and emergency medicine fellowship training at Western University in 2009. He later earned his Master of Science in Health Research Methodology from McMaster University. He is currently a Professor in the Departments of Paediatrics and Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Western University, Chair of the Children’s Health & Therapeutics Division of the Children’s Health Research Institute, and Chair of Western University’s Health Sciences Research Ethics Board. Nationally, he serves as Vice-Chair of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) and Decision Editor for the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Poonai’s research focuses on procedural sedation and acute pain management in children. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and delivered more than 20 invited presentations in six countries. His awards include:

• Research & Innovation Award, Western University (2025)

• Faculty Scholar Award, Western University (2024)

• Provincial Innovation Award, Academic Medical Organization of Southwestern Ontario (2022)

• Scientist of the Year, Children’s Health Research Institute (2022)

• Supporting Scholarship Award, Department of Paediatrics, Western University (2021)

• Terry Klassen Young Investigator Award, PERC (2019)

• Young Investigator Award, American College of Emergency Physicians (2018)

• John Dreyer Research Excellence Award, Division of Emergency Medicine (2017)