Our Team and Services

Our team connects researchers with patients and families and supports them to work together as partners throughout the research process. We provide training in Patient-Oriented Research, and help teams to translate their results into practice to improve care.

Tara McMillan

Manager, Patient and Public Research Engagement and Regional Centre Lead

Tara McMillan provides operational oversight for the Island Centre.

Natasha Vanborek

Leader, Patient and Public Research Engagement

Natasha Vanborek connects researchers and patient partners, and provides training and resources to everyone involved in patient-oriented research.

Clara Rubincam and Uta Sboto-Frankenstein

Research Navigators

Clara Rubincam and Uta Sboto-Frankenstein offer support for Patient-Oriented Research teams working on ethics and grant applications. Clara works with teams and regional partners on the South Island; Uta works with teams on the Mid- and North Island.

Heather Strosher

Knowledge Broker

Heather Strosher helps to integrate research into practice by working with research teams to define who they want to engage, how to do it, and what evidence to use.