Bench to Bedside Institute for Translational Health Research and Innovation welcomes the new Dr. Vic Parks Clinical Trials Manager

On February 3, 2025, the Bench to Bedside Institute for Translational Health Research and Innovation (B2Bi) welcomed Mikaela Eng-Toogood as the inaugural Dr. Vic Parks Clinical Trials Manager. Eng-Toogood brings a wealth of experience in translational health research with a strong foundation in animal-based, human health-related studies. She holds a PhD in medical sciences from McMaster University, where she led groundbreaking research on the interplay between obesity, sepsis, immunity, and the microbiome. Her extensive background includes managing critical care and immunology projects, coordinating multiple study sites and ensuring regulatory compliance. Eng-Toogood's dedication to advancing therapeutic research aligns perfectly with B2Bi's mission.

"I am thrilled to join the B2Bi Institute and contribute to the groundbreaking research that bridges bench and bedside insights, ultimately improving the health of both animals and humans," said Eng-Toogood.

In her previous role within the National Pre-clinical Sepsis Platform, Eng-Toogood excelled in resource allocation, budget oversight and stakeholder coordination. She has a proven track record of leading and supervising teams, training junior researchers and maintaining high standards of ethical and regulatory compliance. Her meticulous attention to detail and commitment to operational integrity make her an invaluable asset to the B2Bi team. The team is thrilled to have Eng-Toogood on board and looks forward to her contributions to the clinical trials program, enhancing the health outcomes for both animals and humans.

The Dr. Vic Parks Clinical Trials Manager role is funded by a generous gift from the family of Dr. Vic Parks and will enable Eng-Toogood to be a core member of the B2Bi team, managing the daily operations of multiple research projects. The institute is deeply grateful for the support from Dr. Vic Parks’ family, which will help advance the mission of bridging laboratory research and real-world clinical applications. Eng-Toogood will ensure efficiency in all aspects of clinical trials, from protocol creation to resource management and knowledge translation. Reporting to the associate dean of research and graduate studies and working closely with the B2Bi Institute co-directors, the OVC Health Sciences Centre management and various stakeholders, Eng-Toogood will provide critical support in conceptualizing and implementing research project plans. Her role will also involve overseeing financial management, facilitating research partnerships and disseminating study results  ensuring that clinical trials are conducted ethically, efficiently and in compliance with all relevant protocols and regulations.