Amit Mukerji
Primary Investigator
Dr. Amit Mukerji, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University and is a staff neonatologist at McMaster Children's Hospital. He has a Master of Science degree in clinical epidemiology (2017) from the University of Toronto and has completed a certificate program in quality improvement (2020) through the Centre for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety at University of Toronto. His main area of clinical and research expertise is non-invasive respiratory support towards improved lung health outcomes in preterm neonates. He has received an Early Career Award (2019-2021) from Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation to support his research.
He has published >25 articles in peer-reviewed journals since joining the faculty as first/corresponding author, mostly in the realm of neonatal respiratory support/management and outcomes. He formed and chairs' the PRVENT-BPD working group at MCH NICU aimed at standardizing practices towards preventing BPD, is the respiratory lead physician for the MCH NICU and is the national co-chair of the Lung Health Group of the EPIQ (Evidence-Based Practice for Improvement in Quality) initiative.
Heather Johnson
Clinical Research Nurse / Coordinator
Heather Johnson is a Registered Nurse at McMaster NICU with over 20 years in Neonatology. She holds a BScN from Queen’s University and an Advanced Specialty in Neonatology from BCIT. For the past three years, she has partnered with neonatologists to launch and coordinate research projects, bringing both clinical expertise and compassion to her work. An active EPIQ member and advocate for quality improvement, Heather is dedicated to advancing research that improves respiratory outcomes for NICU patients.
Jamie McLellan
NICU Project Coordinator – Respiratory Practice
Jamie McLellan is a Registered Respiratory Therapist at McMaster Children’s Hospital. She earned her BSc in Chemistry from Western University in 2016 and is currently pursuing a Master of Health Science degree from the same institution. In 2013, Jamie was honored with the Western Scholarship of Excellence, followed by the ProResp Respiratory Award of Excellence in 2018. Passionate about neonatal respiratory care, Jamie serves as the NICU project coordinator for respiratory practice at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Over her five years at McMaster Children’s, she played a pivotal role in the implementation of High-Frequency Jet Ventilation and contributed to several quality improvement initiatives. Jamie is a strong advocate for evidence-based practice and patient-centered care, aspiring to contribute to the advancement of respiratory practice in the NICU.
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Batoul Al-Outa
Clinical Research Nurse / Coordinator
Batoul Al-Outa is a Registered Nurse at McMaster NICU who holds a Master of Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Windsor. In her role, Batoul supports neonatal clinical trials, coordinating studies, and working closely with families and the interdisciplinary team throughout the research process. She continues to practice part time at the NICU bedside, where her direct patient care experience strengthens her approach to research and family engagement.