Seminar Series: David Piskin and Jahin Khan
PhD Thesis Proposal Defense Public Lectures
Evaluating Diagnostic Delay and Disease Activity of IL-1-Mediated Systematic Autoinflammatory Diseases
David Piskin, PhD Candidate 
Program: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Supervisor(s): Dr. Erkan Demirkaya and Dr. Yun-Hee Choi
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Research Associate
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
Children's Hospital
London Health Science Centre
Short Biography:
David is a public health physician and PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, co-supervised by Dr. Yun-Hee Choi and Dr. Erkan Demirkaya. He is a rare disease researcher, focusing on clinical practice guidelines, diagnostic pathways and patient-reported outcomes. His current research involves generating evidence in evidence-scarce era and use of multi-level modelling to better understand problems related diagnosis in a specific pediatric patient population called Systemic autoinflammatory diseases.
Abstract:
Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases (SAIDs) are rare rheumatic diseases and have many uncommon symptoms that appear over the years. Patients with SAIDs often experience fragmented care, frequent hospital visits, and delayed diagnosis and treatment because the disease is rare, complex, and unfamiliar to many physicians, making it challenging for patients, families, and healthcare providers alike. Aim of this talk is to examine the factors contributing to diagnostic delay and to assess disease activity using clinical indicators and patient-reported outcomes in individuals with SAIDs.
Area of research:
Rare diseases, diagnostic delay, outcome measures
The role of primary care and family physicians in the ongoing care and treatment of first episode non-affective psychotic disorder in Ontario
Jahin Khan, PhD Candidate 
Program: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Supervisor(s): Dr. Kelly Anderson
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Short Biography:
Jahin is a PhD candidate in the department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, supervised by Dr. Kelly Anderson. She also holds a BSc in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto. Her current research focuses on applying an intersectional lens to study the risk of psychotic disorders among migrants.
Abstract:
Migration is a well-established risk factor for psychotic disorders, yet the mechanisms underlying this association remain poorly understood. The proposed work will apply a sex-based perspective to explore how sociodemographic and migration-related factors shape the risk of non-affective psychotic disorders (NAPD) among migrant groups. Using linked population-based health administrative data, we will identify sex-based factors that modify risk by applying effect modification and decision tree analyses to a retrospective cohort of nearly two million migrants in Ontario. Thus, this work aims to uncover etiological insights into the migration-psychosis association, and help define high-risk subgroups for targeted mental health interventions and prevention programs.
Area of research:
Psychotic disorders, migration, sex differences, health administrative data, intersectionality.
Date: Friday, February 13
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: P HFM 3015 (Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine) or via Zoom (Zoom link may be requestet at EpiBio@uwo.ca )
