Coordinating Centre

Dr. Carmela Tartaglia- Executive Director

Dr. Tartaglia is a Cognitive Neurologist, Co-Director and Medical Lead at the Toronto Western Hospital Memory Clinic, and a clinician scientist at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases. She is also an investigator at the Krembil Research Institute and a Professor of Medicine at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

A long-time member of the TDRA community, Dr. Tartaglia has contributed to developing the Toronto Cognitive Assessment (TorCA), creating a harmonized intake form for Memory Clinics, and leading a biomarker project to bring precision medicine to neurodegenerative diseases. She has also served on TDRA’s Research Operating Committee and as past Co-Chair of the LEAP Council.

Jordanne Holland, MSW, MHA – Interim Director, Strategy & Operations

Jordanne is serving as Interim Director with TDRA, while working as Clinical Director, Geriatrics, Neurodevelopment, Social Supports and Medical Affairs at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Previously she was at Baycrest Hospital for ten years, most recently as Program Director Population Health for Dementia and Regional Director Behaviour Supports Toronto.

Winnie Qian, MSc – Program Officer

Winnie received her Honours BSc from the University of Toronto with a Specialist in Neuroscience, and her MSc from the University of Toronto in the Institute of Medical Science. Her research interests and publications involve Alzheimer’s disease and delusions. Prior to her position with TDRA, Winnie worked at St. Michael’s Hospital and CAMH with expertise in dementia and mental health.

*on leave

Ruth Kruger, MBA – Interim Program Officer

Ruth joins TDRA following a long career in Marketing and Communications in various areas of the healthcare industry (e.g. Respiratory Health, Sleep Medicine), complemented most recently by a role as a Knowledge Translation Strategist in Neurodegenerative Disease and Dementia Research. Ruth earned her BComm and MBA from the University of Toronto and York University respectively.  

Natalie Dren, MPH – Knowledge Translation Specialist

Natalie received her Honours BSc from Dalhousie University with specializations in Biology and International Development Studies, and her MPH from Lakehead University. Natalie joins TDRA after having been the Research Manager at a global lymphoma not-for-profit, with expertise in knowledge synthesis and transfer, content creation, stakeholder engagement, and community partnerships.

Victoria Telford, MA – Research Coordinator, Recruitment 

Victoria completed her Honours BA in Psychology at Carleton University and went on to receive her MA in Psychology (research stream) from Wilfrid Laurier University, with a focus on developmental psychology. Victoria joins the TDRA team with extensive experience in research assistant and coordinator roles, conducting pilot and pragmatic randomized clinical trials in pharmacology research. She brings expertise in protocol development, study recruitment, and data management for clinical research projects.