Overview
Dr. Michael Walsh is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University as well as a Scientist at the Population Health Research Institute and a nephrologist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton where he is also the Chair of the Clinical Nephrology Research Group. Dr. Walsh is also the Provincial Medical Lead for Person Centred Care at the Ontario Renal Network and the Medical Director for the Glomerulonephritis Clinic.
Areas of Research Interest
Dr. Walsh is interested in study the causes of poor health outcomes in patients with kidney disease using surveys, observational cohorts, administrative data, and randomized controlled trials and improving outcomes by conducting randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses and health services interventions. Additionally, he also has an interest in methodological research including meta-epidemiological studies and simulation.
Training
Dr. Walsh obtained his BSc from Simon Fraser University (1998), his medical degree (2001), certifications as a general internist (2005) and nephrologist (2006) and a Master of Science in Community Health (2009) all from the University of Calgary. He completed clinical and research training in autoimmunity at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Cambridge University and his PhD in Health Research Methods (2013) from McMaster University.
Distinctions
Dr. Walsh received several awards throughout his training and career including from the Kidney Research Scientist Core National Training (KRESCENT) program, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award and RCT Mentoring Award, the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Detweiller Award, Canadian Society of Nephrology Amgen New Investigator Lectureship and others.
Current Research Projects
- Dr. Walsh currently leads several randomized controlled trials evaluating interventions to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and/or improve quality of life for patients with kidney failure treated with dialysis. He also leads methodological research to improve the conduct and translation of clinical trials.
Educational and Mentorship Activities
- Dr. Walsh teaches in several graduate courses in the Health Research Methods program, and in the nephrology training program. He supervises bachelor’s honors and graduate thesis students as well as specialty resident’s research projects.
Trainee Supervision
- Dr. Walsh is considering supervision of MSc and PhD students for the Health Research Methodology Program at McMaster University, and postdoctoral fellows, and visiting researchers on a case-by-case basis.