Faces of PharmSci: Siamak Badie

What is your academic background and why is your current area of research important?

I graduated with a PharmD from the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy in 2019, after which I completed a hospital pharmacy residency at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. I have since been working as a pharmacist in general internal medicine, providing care for hospitalized patients and teaching medical and pharmacy learners.

Most patients I see are taking multiple medications, some of which may be inappropriate. This could be for many reasons, such as the presence of side effects, suboptimal dosing, or because the reason they were started is no longer of concern. I am particularly interested in the use of sedating medications in older adults since these medications can be harmful. I look forward to advancing our knowledge around the use of potentially inappropriate medications in older adults and eventually translating this to improved health outcomes.

What led you to your current Supervisor’s research group?

I am enrolled in the Master of Science in Pharmacy (MScPhm) program where I can gain further clinical experience and develop my teaching and research skills. I am being co-supervised by Drs. Sharon Yamashita and Lisa Burry who are ICU (intensive care unit) pharmacists with extensive clinical, teaching, and research experience.

I am interested in advancing my skills in providing care for complex, acutely ill patients while gaining formal experience teaching and conducting research. My supervisors practice in ICUs with different patient populations, so my clinical practica will increase the breadth and depth of my clinical skills and allow me to provide better care for more patients.

What are some of the challenges you had to overcome while pursuing your research?

So far in my career, my research and project experience has been limited to residency and involvement with practice-related projects. Skills such as creating a research question, developing a proposal, and submitting grant applications are not routine parts of my practice as a frontline pharmacist. In the MScPhm, I have been exposed to different research methodologies, and my interdisciplinary advisory committee has been greatly helpful as I conduct my research project. I am looking forward to the ongoing research opportunities available to graduate students at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

How do you see your current research playing a role in your career?

Despite working clinically full-time, I know that clinical practice, teaching, and research do not occur in silos. The MScPhm program offers dedicated time to these three pillars of advanced pharmacy practice. My goal throughout the program is to develop these skills further to become a better-rounded clinician. Ideally, in the future, I will have a mixed portfolio involving clinical practice, teaching, and research. I am confident that the research and teaching experience in this program will advance my clinical practice and ultimately improve the care I provide for patients.

What do you like to do when you are not working on research?

I think I am an introverted extrovert, so I am equally satisfied staying in and going out to explore Toronto’s nightlife. If staying in, I gravitate toward mindless reality TV, action movies, and video games. If going out, I enjoy dancing with friends, visiting coffee shops, and catching up over a good brunch.