Research Faculty
Dugald Seely, B.Sc., ND, M.Sc.
Director, Research
Dugald Seely is a naturopathic doctor and director of research at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Dugald completed his masters of science in cancer research from the University of Toronto with a focus on interactions between chemotherapy and natural health products. In his current role as director of research, Dugald is the principal investigator for a number of clinical trials, and is actively pursuing relevant synthesis research in the production of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Ongoing projects including three multi-centred randomized clinical trials and a comprehensive CIHR synthesis review of natural health products used for cancer. Dugald has published and presented widely and is dedicated to helping build the research capacity of the naturopathic profession. His main interests lie in conducting primary research on complementary therapies used by naturopathic doctors with a focus on integrative cancer care. Dugald is currently a member of Health Canada’s Expert Advisory Committee for the Vigilance of Health Products and is a peer reviewer for the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter.
Kieran Cooley, B.Sc., ND, M.Sc. (cand.)
Associate Director of Research, Assistant Professor
Professor Cooley's experience in CCNM's department of research and clinical epidemiology includes conducting clinical trials on naturopathic care for chronic low back pain, stress and anxiety, and chronic shoulder pain, as well as collaborations with various institutions to evaluate natural health products. Currently, he is investigating the effect of a natural health product in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and use of a topical analgesic for peripheral diabetic neuropathy. His qualitative research has explored experiences with adverse reaction reporting as well as practitioner and patient experiences with naturopathic medicine and Aboriginal health issues. He also has contributed to systematic reviews and cost-effectiveness studies on complementary and alternative medicines. Kieran is committed to fostering an evidence-based approach to naturopathic medicine. As an assistant professor, he mentors students and assists in student research endeavors.
Deborah Kennedy, B.Sc., MBA, ND
SickKids Research Fellow
Deborah Kennedy works in the research department to help collect and analyze data to build the evidence base of naturopathic medicine through high quality synthesis work, and where needed to help coordinate clinical research. Deborah’s interests include understanding the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of natural health products as determined through preclinical, clinical and epidemiological evidence. Deborah is currently working on project funded by Health Canada to conduct a systematic review on the use of naturopathic medicine and other complementary medicines within Aboriginal communities.
Gillian Flower, ND
Research Resident
Gillian Flower is the Research Resident at CCNM for 2009-2011. Her current work focuses primarily upon the Naturopathic Patient Database, and its application as a research and clinical education tool at both CCNM and the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster, B.C. As a teaching assistant for years 1-3 at CCNM, Gillian provides students with an ongoing connection to the research department, and aims to keep the student body informed of active research projects within the College. In early 2010, Gillian will be joining the Cancer Specialty Shift at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic to facilitate on-site research into naturopathic oncology and to further her interest in this area. Outside of CCNM, Gillian is a regular contributor to Alive magazine. She plans to incorporate naturopathic cancer care and women’s health care into her growing practice at the Oakville Naturopathic Clinic.
Heidi Fritz, B.Sc., ND, MA (cand.)
Research Associate
Heidi received her B.Sc. (Hons.) from the University of Toronto and her nursing certificate from Humber College. After practicing as a nurse for three years in multi-organ transplants at Toronto General Hospital, she completed the ND program at CCNM in 2007. She is keenly interested in building up the body of research around naturopathic medicine and naturopathic interventions. Heidi is currently involved in synthesis work focusing on the use of NHPs in lung cancer and implementing some of the human trials conducted through CCNM. She has also been published in Integrated Healthcare Practitioners (IHP). Heidi is in private practice at the Bronte Naturopathic Clinic in Milton, Ontario, and is also pursuing her master’s degree through the University of Toronto.
Orest Szczurko, B.Sc., ND, M.Sc. (cand.)
Research Associate
Orest received his B.Sc. (Hons.) from the University of Waterloo in Ontario in 1999. After working as a research coordinator for the Glaucoma Research and Education Group in San Francisco, he completed the ND program at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2003. Orest presently has a research contract with the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine as a clinical trial coordinator for a number of studies conducted in a workplace setting at Canada Post. He also has a private practice at the Noumena Health Clinic in Mississauga, Ontario. Orest is pursuing graduate studies in clinical Complementary and Alternative Medicine research at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto.
Ping Wu, B.Sc., MD (China), M.Sc.
Research Scientist
Dr. Wu joined the department of Research and Clinical Epidemiology in 2003. Her previous experience – practicing as an MD specializing in neurological diseases – and master’s degree in epidemiology contribute greatly to her present role. She has performed systematic reviews on topics such as herb-drug interactions, acupuncture therapy in cocaine addiction, post stroke rehabilitation, smoking cessation, the role of statins in cardiovascular disease, quality analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and the role of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on HIV treatment and cancer care. As a research scientist and epidemiologist consultant, Dr. Wu contributes to data acquisition and analysis and is a valuable member of the research team.
Sarah Young, BA (Hons.), MA, Dipl. S.T.
Environmental Health Researcher
Sarah has spent the past eight years promoting health and wellness as a CAM practitioner and through running an on site corporate wellness company. More recently, her attention has turned to writing about the role of the environment in health issues. An area of interest includes the research and design of studies that address environmental health issues such as the role of heavy metal toxicity in cancer development. Sarah has just completed a report on xenoestrogens and breast cancer risk, commissioned by the National Network on Environments and Women’s Health. This report will be published as a chapter in a book on chemical exposures and women’s health, and was presented at a Health Canada symposium in Ottawa and at an international conference on women's health in Halifax. Sarah is currently helping CCNM to coordinate the development of a centre for integrative and environmental oncology.
