Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Research Resources  |   RTC  |   sciHigh  |   HR & CV Bank  |   Finance  |   Grants  |   Technology Transfer  |   Administrative Assistants  |   Biobar  |   Safety  |  



 
 

 

Darlene Homonko - Director
ext. 6380
homonko@lunenfeld.ca

Dr. Homonko has over 20 years experience in life sciences commercialization with specific experience in early stage company formation. Prior to joining Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Homonko was Director of Business Development at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Vineland Ontario. A natural at engaging people and developing partnerships, she spearheaded the formation of a vibrant bioscience cluster in Hamilton, Halton and Niagara as the Executive Director of the Golden Horseshoe Bioscience Network (GHBN) for five years. Managing a multi-stakeholder contribution of just under 2 million dollars, she and her team created new programs and connections that continue to impact the region. With her expertise and guidance, the network was instrumental in helping companies grow and access the knowledge and financial resources they needed to be successful and competitive.

Dr. Homonko began her career as a key member of an investment team that managed a US$20 million early stage Canadian Biomedical Venture Fund. During her tenure at Milestone Medica Corporation’s (MMC) she was seconded to the post of Director of Operations and Business Development for one of MMC’s companies – Molecular Templates Inc. (MTI), that was developing anti-cancer therapeutics from bacterial proteins. Following MTI, Dr. Homonko held a senior management post as an Industry Liaison Officer at the University of Toronto Innovations Foundation where she focused on identifying new spin-out opportunities in the life science and convergent medical technologies sector. 

In possession of a strong background in intellectual property management, technology evaluation and analyzing corporate research and development in commercial alliances for sound business practice, Dr. Homonko holds a Ph.D., Neuroscience from the University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Sciences; a M.Sc., Kinesiology from Dalhousie University; and a B.Sc., Physical Education, Health, General Science from the University of Rhode Island.

 

Claire Major - Coordinator, Administration and Contracts Support
ext. 6896
arp_help@lunenfeld.ca
 

 

Deborah Atchison - Senior Contract Reviewer 
ext. 3117
datchison@lunenfeld.ca

Dr. Atchison has several years of experience in health care (specializing in paediatric and adult ICU nursing in Canada and the US), clinical trials (interventional cardiology) and basic research (in vitro and in vivo). Prior to joining Mount Sinai Hospital in June 2020 as a Senior Contract Reviewer, Dr. Atchison was a Clinical Trials Agreement Specialist at the University Health Network, Toronto for over ten years.

Dr. Atchison holds a Ph.D., Physiology from the University of Toronto; a M.Sc., Physiology from University of Toronto; and a B.S., Biological Sciences from Johns Hopkins University; Certificate in Clinical Research from the Boston University; Certificate in Nursing Management from McMaster University, Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing from Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Registered Nurse Diploma from St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg.  She is enrolled currently in the LLB programme at the University of London.

 

Inshan Hosein - Contract Reviewer
ext. 7646
ihosein@lunenfeld.ca
 
Inshan is well experienced in reviewing, drafting and negotiating a wide range of contracts for healthcare institutions in Toronto, and is also experienced in Quality Improvement within the research integrity settings.
Inshan obtained his LL.B. from the University of London and has practised law for over 10 years in another jurisdiction. Inshan is also a Certified Quality Improvement Associate by the American Society for Quality. 
 
 
Samir Parmar  - Contract Reviewer
ext. 5887
sparmar@lunenfeld.ca
 

Samir Parmar (JD) graduated from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law and holds a licence to practise law in the Province of Ontario. He completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and Health Policy at the University of Toronto. Samir has worked in the Legal Services department at a large Toronto hospital, assisting researchers, physicians, and other stakeholders in the negotiation, drafting, and review of corporate and research contracts.  He is also a board director of a local non-profit organization.

 
Michael Hanna - Sr. Business Development Officer
ext. 4752
hanna@lunenfeld.ca

Michael brings to the OTTIL over 18 years experience in the technology transfer space, three of which were spent on the industry side in his role as Technology Transfer Administrator for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Tarrytown, New York). He has a B.Sc. (honours) in Biology from the University of Waterloo and a M.Sc. In molecular microbiology from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry. Michael is responsible for a variety of business -related matters including review and negotiation of industry-sponsored research agreements, evaluating invention disclosures and other opportunities, marketing, license negotiation and start-up creation. 

 

Neda Foroughian - Contract Reviewer
ext. 3235
foroughian@lunenfeld.ca

 

 

 

 

          
 

Home

  

News

  

Careers