Meet Our Team

Dr. Ernesto Figueiro (Figueiro-Filho) graduated in Medicine at FAMED-UFMS, Brazil (1997), earned a Master's in Obstetrics from the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in 2002 and completed his PhD in Obstetrics at USP in 2004. He holds board certification in Gynecology & Obstetrics, Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Maternal-Fetal Medicine from the Brazilian Medical Association and the Brazilian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. After moving to Canada, Dr. Figueiro completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Queen's University investigating the effects of pre-eclampsia on the fetal brain, followed by clinical fellowships in perinatology, advanced obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto. He has been a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Regina General Hospital since 2021, and a Subspecialist Affiliate in Maternal-Fetal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada since 2023.

Dr. Joshua Buse attended the University of Saskatchewan, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Doctorate in Pharmacy. He completed a fellowship in structural proteomics at the University of Calgary before joining Calgary Laboratory Services as a Laboratory Scientist, then completed the University of Calgary's Clinical Biochemistry Fellowship before joining the Saskatchewan Health Authority. His oversight has included portfolios at both of Regina's tertiary care hospitals and the Roy Romanow Provincial laboratory, and he serves as Provincial Clinical lead for Pre-analytics. He has contributed to several Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation grants, including research on Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) as a clinical tool to manage high-risk pregnancies.

Dr. Ana Mendes-Silva's research focuses on deepening our understanding of how mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation disrupt brain homeostasis and function, contributing to psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and translating this knowledge into mitochondria-based prognostic tools and therapies. Leveraging human samples (blood, plasma, and placenta), patient-derived neuronal and glial models, and in vivo systems, her group evaluates mitochondrial fitness, bioenergetic balance, and neuroinflammatory signalling.

Pedro Guedes, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Saskatchewan, under the supervision of Dr. Ana Mendes-Silva in the Mito-Brain Lab. His research focuses on developing point-of-care mitochondrial-based biosensors to detect circulating mitochondrial DNA and related biomarkers, aiming to advance precision psychiatry through accessible diagnostic tools. His research interests also include epigenetic mechanisms, depression, opioid use disorder, and the biological pathways underlying high-risk pregnancies and perinatal mental health.

Dr. Eman Fauzi Ramadan is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist practicing in Regina, Saskatchewan. Born in England and raised in Libya, she now calls Moose Jaw home. Dr. Ramadan completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Regina, followed by medical school at the University of Saskatchewan and residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Regina, then fellowship training in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at McMaster University. Her clinical practice is based at the Fetal Assessment Unit at Regina General Hospital, with clinical interests including preeclampsia, preterm birth, and cervical insufficiency.

Dr. Adanlawo is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist based in Regina, Saskatchewan. He serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Saskatchewan and is the Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Regina General Hospital. He provides specialized care for high-risk pregnancies and has extensive expertise in obstetric ultrasound, prenatal diagnosis, fetal assessment, and maternal-fetal medicine. He is also the Medical Director of the Regina OBGYN Ultrasound Centre.

Adrielle Souza Lira is a Registered Nurse, graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan and Research Specialist of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University Center of Para, Brazil, and a specialization in Obstetric Nursing from the Federal University of Para, Brazil. Her research focuses on placental dysfunction, placental growth factor (PlGF), preeclampsia, preterm birth, neonatal outcomes, and health equity in pregnancy, with particular interest in improving risk stratification and access to evidence-based care for pregnant individuals in rural, remote, and underserved communities.

Ayesha is a second-year medical student at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. Her research interests include women's health and improving patient outcomes through clinical research.

Chetan is a third-year medical student at the UofS Regina Campus. He has been working with Dr. Figueiro's lab since first year, focusing on HbA1c and its relationship with PlGF, and is currently working on an integrative paper about this and macrosomia.

Emily (she/her) is a student in Dr. Ana Mendes-Silva's lab. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Sciences) with High Honours from the University of Saskatchewan, focusing on women's reproductive health and the link between mitochondrial integrity and high-risk pregnancy. She returns to USask in Fall 2026 to continue as an MD student at the College of Medicine.

Fatima Afzal is a medical student at the University of Saskatchewan and holds a Master of Science in Global Public Health. Her research interests center on mental health, physician wellness, health systems, and healthcare equity, including research examining physician burnout in Canada.

Hani is a medical student at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from McGill University, where her thesis focused on a Bayesian risk prediction model for COVID-19 infection using data from South Africa. Her interests span sexual and reproductive health, healthcare access, digital health innovations, and point-of-care technologies.

Sumayya is a third-year medical student at the University of Saskatchewan and holds a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Alberta. She has researched the utility of maternal placental growth factor (PlGF) levels as a predictive biomarker for fetal macrosomia, with interests spanning women's health, maternal-fetal medicine, and public health.

Mc Arthur is finishing his last year of Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Regina, intending to continue his studies at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. His research interests align with microbiology, proteomics, obstetrics, and cardiology.

Sarim Uddin is an undergraduate Psychology student at the University of Regina pursuing a Certificate in Forensic Psychology. His academic and research interests include medicine, mental health, women's health, child development, and sport psychology, with experience in systematic reviews, data analysis, and interdisciplinary health research.

Tony graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, majoring in Physiology and Pharmacology, and is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at the University of Saskatchewan. His main research interests lie in clinical research, witnessing how scientific findings translate into impactful solutions for patient treatment.

Genevieve is a PGY1 resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at McMaster University, having recently completed her medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. Since 2023, she worked with Dr. Figueiro's research group, focusing on placental growth factor (PlGF) as an early pregnancy marker for adverse perinatal outcomes, particularly in the first and early second trimester.

Karolina Grzyb, MSc is a researcher with over 10 years of experience in clinical research across a broad range of health sciences disciplines. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to design and conduct research that advances evidence-based practice and improves patient care.

Throughout her career, Karolina has contributed to all stages of the research process, including study design, ethics and regulatory submissions, project coordination, participant recruitment, data management, statistical analysis, scientific writing, and knowledge translation. She has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications and presented her research at regional and national scientific conferences. Her research is driven by a commitment to generating high-quality evidence that informs clinical practice and contributes to improved healthcare outcomes.

Originally from Dinsmore, Saskatchewan, Karmen completed her undergraduate education at Acadia University and obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree through the University of Saskatchewan at the Regina campus. She is currently pursuing residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Saskatoon. Her research interests are centered on women's health, with a particular focus on surgical outcomes, quality assurance, and the optimization of patient care.