Marlena Ornowska

Marlena Ornowska is PhD candidate investigating the application of novel central venous catheter technology to reduce catheter-related infections and complications. Her PhD research includes completion of one observational study, one systematic review, and one multi-center, randomized, controlled trial. The trial investigates the efficacy of 4% tetrasodium EDTA locking fluid in preventing central venous access device complications, and includes participation from five critical care units located in British Columbia and Manitoba. The trial is currently in progress, and upon completion will include data from over 1500 patients. Marlena’s work is supported by funding from the federal government via the CANHealth Network, and includes a health economic analysis funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Health.

 

Marlena joined this research team as an Honours Student during the final year of her Bachelor of Science degree at Simon Fraser University, where she majored in Biomedical Physiology. Marlena completed her Honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Reynolds investigating the effect of phrenic nerve stimulation on heart rate.

 

Throughout her time in graduate school, Marlena has served as a teaching assistant in BPK 340 (Active Health: Behaviour and Promotion), as well as a teaching assistant and tutor marker in BPK 304W (Inquiry and Measurement in Kinesiology). Marlena has also worked as a Research Assistant for a collaborative project between the Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Pharmacy, and Intensive Care Units at Royal Columbian Hospital aimed at investigating best practices for resuscitation and management of cardiac arrest patients. Additionally, she provides assistance in facilitating pre-clinical experiments investigating the effects of phrenic nerve stimulation as an adjunct to mechanical ventilation in a porcine model.

 

Marlena is the recipient of the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology Graduate Fellowship Award, and helped organize the 11th Annual BPK Research Day Conference.