OUR TEAM
Team Lead
Tejal Patel
PharmD
Clinical Associate Professor, Schlegel Specialist in Medication Management and Aging
University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, UW-Schlegel Research Institute of Aging
Tejal Patel’s research interests include the assessment, classification, and management of drug-related problems in persons presenting with cognitive impairment, dementia, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease as well as the frail elderly in primary care settings with a particular focus on medication management capacity and adherence to medications.
On a personal note, Tejal likes to watch movies, particularly hero movies.
Research Coordinators
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Rishabh Sharma
Rishabh Sharma is from Punjab, India. He completed his PharmD in 2020 from the Indo Soviet Friendship College of Pharmacy and worked as an associate in the health economics and outcomes research department.
Rishabh’s research interests are in gerontological and geriatric care. He has published several papers on the topic entitled "potentially inappropriate medication in older adults" in highly reputed journals and has earned several awards in national and international conferences.
One fun fact about Rishabh is that he loves to travel to different parts of the world.
PharmD, MSc Pharmacy
Bincy Baby
Bincy is from Kerala, India. She completed her MSc in Pharmacy from the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy in May 2024, under the supervision of Dr. Tejal Patel. Prior to this, she earned her PharmD from Kerala University of Health Sciences and gained 3.5 years of experience as a Neurology Clinical Pharmacist in India. Her research interests focus on neurological conditions such as stroke, headaches, cognitive disorders, and geriatric care.
In her free time, Bincy enjoys playing badminton, hiking, watching TV shows, and traveling.
PharmD, MSc Pharmacy
PhD Students
Ghada Elba
BSc Pharm, PharmD, MSc
Ghada is a currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Waterloo. She has completed her masters degree in 2021 majoring in pharmacy practice . Ghada’s research focus is in the area of assessing and improving medication adherence through the development of smart and innovative tools. Ghada has also experience in medication use evaluation projects, clinical practice skills training and academic teaching.
In her free time, Ghada loves to read, paint, cook and explore new travel destinations.
Shaheena Fakir
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BPharm, CDE, CPGx
Shaheena is a Registered Pharmacist in Ontario with eight years of community practice experience and certifications in diabetes education and pharmacogenomics. She earned her BPharm in South Africa and is currently pursuing PhD in Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo while continuing to practice. Passionate about teaching, Shaheena has mentored numerous students throughout her career. She aims to use this opportunity to learn more about academia, research as well as build professional networks.
Outside of pharmacy, she is a henna artist, enjoys playing badminton and exploring the outdoors in the summer.
Current Research Assistants
Karyman Ghanem
BPharm, MSc Pharmacy
Karyman is from Cairo, Egypt, holds a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from RAK Medical and Health Sciences University. With three years of hands-on experience as a community pharmacist in the United Arab Emirates, she has gained valuable insights into patient care. Karyman is interested in research topics related to medication management, medication adherence technology, and pharmacist intervention.
Karyman enjoys playing tennis, hiking, and listening to music in her free time.
Mathusha Jegatheeswaran
BHSc Biology & Pharmacology, RAQC
Mathusha is an Honours Health Science graduate in Biology and Pharmacology from McMaster University and a regulatory affairs professional. She has research experience from St. Joseph’s Hamilton Healthcare and professional experience with Health Canada. She is currently pursuing an MSc in Pharmacy. Her interests center on translational science, with a focus on bridging research and patient outcomes. She is passionate about advancing innovative, technology-driven solutions to optimize medication management and improve adherence in older adults.
In her free time, Mathusha loves to bake, read and travel.
Past Research Employees
Peter Farquharson
Mar 2023 - Nov 2023
BMus, Teacher's Certificate
Jessica Ivo
May 2017 - Feb 2023
BSc, MHI
Sarah Abu Fadaleh
Feb 2021 - Dec 2022
BSc Pharm, MSc
Past Postgraduate Students
![fullsizeoutput_242[1077].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6621e0_b04b4fbd815b453d82282fbdcf25ed9e~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_0,y_195,w_2570,h_2428/fill/w_117,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/fullsizeoutput_242%5B1077%5D.jpeg)
Sadaf Faisal
(Sep 2019 - May 2022)
PhD in Pharmacy, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
Haya Fernandez
(Sep 2015 - Aug 2017)
MSc in Pharmacy, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
Hamed Tabeefer
(Jan 2015 - Dec 2016)
MSc in Pharmacy, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
Co-supervision with Dr. Chang
Mo Chen
(Sep 2014 - Dec 2016)
MSc in Pharmacy, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
Co-supervision with Dr. Chang
Past Undergraduate Students & Volunteers
Matthew Zullo
Sep 2025 - Dec 2025
University of Waterloo
Lucy Choi
Jun 2025 - August 2025
Western University
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Tanaya Sharma
Jan 2024 - Aug 2024
University of Waterloo
Ayesha Firoz
Sept 2023 - April 2024
University of Waterloo
Hawa Patel
Jan 2022 - Aug 2023
University of Waterloo
Abiramy Srirangan
(May 2020 - Apr 2022)
University of Waterloo
School of Pharmacy
Labiba Nahian
(Sep 2020 - Dec 2020)
University of Waterloo
Jessica Ivo
(May 2017 - Aug 2017)
University of Waterloo
Niraj Maulkhan
(Jan 2014 - Aug 2014)
University of Waterloo
Kowtham Nanthakumar
Sep 2025 - Dec 2025
University of Waterloo
Maddie Park
Jan 2025 - April 2025
University of Waterloo
Jose Adur
June 2024 - Aug 2024
University of Waterloo
Sabiha Lakhi
Sept 2023 - April 2024
University of Waterloo
Yusra Aslam
Jan 2023 - Aug 2023
University of Waterloo
Pruntha Kanagasundaram
Aug 2021 - Oct 2023
University of Waterloo
Daniel Jin
(May 2020 - Aug 2020)
University of Waterloo
Akriti Pandey
(Jan 2017 - May 2017)
University of Waterloo
Amy Chan
(May 2014 - Aug 2014)
University of Waterloo
Qamar Mobayed
Jan 2025 - August 2025
University of Waterloo
Astha Patel
Jan 2025 - April 2025
University of Waterloo
SooMin Park
Sept 2023 - April 2024
University of Waterloo
Imra Hudani
Sept 2023 -April 2024
University of Waterloo
Devine Samoth
Jan 2023 - May 2023
University of Waterloo
Farah Alam
(Sept 2021 - Dec 2021)
University of Waterloo
Clea Heathfield
(Jan 2020 - May 2020)
University of Waterloo
School of Pharmacy
Shail Patel
(May 2016 - Aug 2016)
University of Waterloo
Mikaela Klie
(Sept 2013 - Dec 2013)
University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
Alexander Stavropoulos
Jan 2024 - August 2025
University of Waterloo
Arshia Chauhan
Sept 2023 - Dec 2024
University of Waterloo
Victoria Nguyen
Sept 2023 - April 2024
University of Waterloo
Prapti Choudhuri
May 2023 - Aug 2024
University of Waterloo
Heather Schlere
Jan 2023 - March 2023
University of Waterloo
Andrea Ta
(Feb 2021 - Apr 2021)
University of Waterloo
Catherine Lee
(Jan 2019 - Aug 2019)
University of Waterloo
Chao Dong Hu
(Jan 2016 - Aug 2016)
University of Waterloo
Nathaniel Askett
(May 2011 - Aug 2011)
University of Waterloo
Halak Patel
May 2025 - August 2025
University of Waterloo
Brent McCready-Branch
May 2024 - August 2024
University of Waterloo
Nischal Ghookal
Sept 2023 - April 2024
University of Waterloo
Jasdeep Kaur Gill
May 2023 - Aug 2023
University of Waterloo
Neil Mahajan
(May 2022 - Aug 2022)
University of Western Ontario
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Saanchi Singh
(Feb 2021 - Apr 2021)
University of Waterloo
Aidan McDougall
(May 2018 - Aug 2018)
University of Waterlo
Maheen Farooqi
(Jan 2016 - Apr 2016)
University of Waterloo