Principal Biostatistician, UHN
Assistant Professor (status only), Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Please visit my github page for contact information
Research Interests
Currently the team lead for the translational research team at University Health Network. Our work is centred around connecting biomarker data to clinical outcomes. Prior to joining UHN I was at the University of Otago researching statistical methods in respondent-driven sampling, a method of surveying from difficult to reach, often marginalised populations. For many years before joining academia I was an independent statistical consultant with a focus on paediatric research and in particular modelling longitudinal outcomes using non-linear mixed effects modelling and developing outcome measures using item response theory (Rasch analysis).
Teaching
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Statistical Methods for Clinical Trials (MSc/PhD)
Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto
Learning from Data, Introduction to Study Design and Statistical Analysis Methods (MSc/PhD)
Univeristy of Otago
Study Design (300 level) Introductory Statistics (100 level) Introductory Biostatistics (100 level)
R Packages
reportRmd A reporting tool to streamline statistical reporting, summary tables, univariate and multivariate analyses.
exceldata An R package, coupled with a data dictionary to manage data entry.
Publications
Books
Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66 and GMFM-88) User’s Manual, 3rd Edition. Russell D, Wright M, Rosenbaum P, Avery L. MacKeith Press, 2021.
Peer Reviewed Articles
1.
Avery L, Maddox R, Abtan R, Wong O, Rotondi NK, Mcconkey S, et al. Modelling prevalent cardiovascular disease in an urban indigenous population. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 2022;(online).
2.
Basso Dias A, Finelli A, Bauman G, Veit-haibach P, Berlin A, Ortega C, et al. Impact of 18 f-DCFPyL PET on staging and treatment of unfavorable intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer. Radiology. 2022;(online).
3.
Hapsari AP, Ho JW, Meaney C, Avery L, Hassen N, Jetha A, et al. The working conditions for personal support workers in the greater toronto area during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 2022;(online).
4.
Kim SR, Laframboise S, Nelson G, Mccluskey SA, Avery L, Kujbid N, et al. Implementation of a standardized voiding protocol after minimally invasive surgery: A quality improvement initiative. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2022;(NA (April),696–701).
5.
Kim SR, Laframboise S, Nelson G, Mccluskey SA, Avery L, Kujbid N, et al. Enhanced recovery after minimally invasive gynecologic oncology surgery to improve same day discharge: A quality improvement project. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer. 2022;(32 (4),457–465).
6.
Linkewich E, Rios J, Allen K, Avery L, Dawson D, Donald M, et al. The impact of an integrated, interprofessional knowledge translation intervention on access to inpatient rehabilitation for persons with cognitive impairment. PloS one. 2022;(17 (9), e0266651).
7.
O’Brien K, Brown D, Bergin C, Erlandson K, Vera J, Avery L, et al. Protocol: Long COVID and episodic disability: Advancing the conceptualisation, measurement and knowledge of episodic disability among people living with long COVID–protocol for …. BMJ Open. 2022;(12 (3)).
8.
Pinto AD, Hapsari AP, Ho J, Meaney C, Avery L, Hassen N, et al. Precarious work among personal support workers in the greater toronto area: A respondent-driven sampling study. CMAJ Open. 2022;(10 (2),E527–E538).
9.
Smylie J, McConkey S, Rachlis B, Avery L, Mecredy G, Brar R, et al. Uncovering SARS-COV-2 vaccine uptake and COVID-19 impacts among first nations, inuit and métis peoples living in toronto and london, ontario. CMAJ. 2022;(194 (29), E1018-E1026).
10.
Ugas MA, Samoil D, Avery L, Berlin A, Giuliani ME, Papadakos TJ, et al. COVID‐19 and patients with cancer: Investigating treatment impact, information sources, and COVID‐19–related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Cancer. 2022;(128 (4),746–761).
11.
Anaby D, Ryan M, Palisano RjRJ, Levin MfMF, Gorter JwJW, Avery L, et al. Participation during a pandemic: Forging new pathways. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. 2021;(41 (2),115–119).
12.
Avery L, Macpherson A, Flicker S, Rotondi M, Averyi L, Macpherson A, et al. A review of reported network degree and recruitment characteristics in respondent driven sampling implications for applied researchers and methodologists. PLOS ONE. 2021;(16 (4),e0249074).
13.
Chiarello LA, Palisano RJ, Avery L, Hanna S. Longitudinal trajectories and reference percentiles for participation in family and recreational activities of children with cerebral palsy. Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics. 2021;(41 (1),18–37).
14.
Kim SR, Laframboise S, Nelson G, Mccluskey SA, Avery L, Kujbid N, et al. Implementation of a restrictive opioid prescription protocol after minimally invasive gynecologic oncology surgery. International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society. 2021;(31 (12),1584–1588).
15.
King G, Mcpherson AC, Kingsnorth S, Gorter JW, Avery L, Rudzik A. Opportunities, experiences, and outcomes of residential immersive life skills programs for youth with disabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2021;(43 (19),2758–2768).
16.
Noguchi KS, O’brien KK, Aubry RL, Carusone SC, Avery L, Solomon P, et al. Construct validity and responsiveness of the rapid assessment of physical activity in adults living with HIV. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation. 2021;(3 (4),100164).
17.
O’brien KK, Davis AM, Chan Carusone S, Avery L, Tang A, Solomon P, et al. Examining the impact of a community-based exercise intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility and physical activity among adults living with HIV: A three-phased intervention study. Plos One. 2021;(16 (9),e0257639).
18.
O’brien KK, Bayoumi AM, Carusone SC, Davis AM, Aubry R, Avery L, et al. Disability and self-care living strategies among adults living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIDS Research and Therapy. 2021;(NA (NA),1–13).
19.
O’brien KK, Dzingina M, Harding R, Gao W, Namisango E, Avery L, et al. Developing a short-form version of the HIV disability questionnaire (SF-HDQ) for use in clinical practice: A rasch analysis. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2021;(19 (1),1–21).
20.
Piedimonte S, Bernardini M, May T, Laframboise S, Ferguson S, Bouchard-fortier G, et al. Treatment outcomes and predictive factors in patients 70 years and older with advanced ovarian cancer. Gynecologic Oncology. 2021;(162 (November),S313).
21.
Alghamdi MsMSMs, Chiarello LaLA, Avery L, Palisano RJRj. Ease of caregiving for children: Re-validation of psychometric properties of the measure for children with cerebral palsy up to 11 years of age. Developmental Neurorehabilitation. 2020;(23 (3),166–175).
22.
Anaby D, Avery L, Gorter JW, Levin MF, Teplicky R, Turner L, et al. Improving body functions through participation in community activities among young people with physical disabilities. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2020;(62 (5),640–646).
23.
Avery L, Rotondi M. More comprehensive reporting of methods in studies using respondent driven sampling is required: A systematic review of the uptake of the STROBE-RDS guidelines. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2020;(117 (NA),68–77).
24.
Bjornson K, Fiss A, Avery L, Wentz E, Kerfeld C, Cicirello N, et al. Longitudinal trajectories of physical activity and walking performance by gross motor function classification system level for children with cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2020;(42 (12),1705–1713).
25.
Jeffries L, Fiss A, McCoy S, Avery L. Longitudinal change in common impairments in children with cerebral palsy from age 1.5 to 11 years. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2020;(32 (1), 45-50).
26.
Linkewich E, Avery L, Rios J, Mcewen SE. Minimal clinically important differences in functional independence after a knowledge translation intervention in stroke rehabilitation. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020;(101 (4),587–591).
27.
Mccoy SW, Palisano R, Avery L, Jeffries L, Laforme Fiss A, Chiarello L, et al. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy for children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2020;(62 (1),140–146).
28.
Palisano RJ, Chiarello LA, Avery L, Hanna S. Self-care trajectories and reference percentiles for children with cerebral palsy. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. 2020;(40 (1),62–78).
29.
Rosic T, Avery L, Streiner DL, Ferro MA, Rosenbaum P, Cunningham C, et al. Longitudinal trajectories of depression symptoms in children with epilepsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2020;(62 (5),593–599).
30.
Avery L, Rotondi N, Mcknight C, Firestone M, Smylie J, Rotondi M. Unweighted regression models perform better than weighted regression techniques for respondent-driven sampling data: Results from a simulation study. BMC Medical Research Methodology. 2019;(19 (1),202).
31.
Bartlett DjDJDj, Gorter JwJW, Jeffries LmLM, Avery L, Hanna SE, Mccoy W, et al. Longitudinal trajectories and reference centiles for the impact of health conditions on daily activities of children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2019;(61 (4),469–476).
32.
Fayed N, Avery L, Davis AMAm, Streiner DLDl, Ferro M, Rosenbaum P, et al. Parent proxy discrepancy groups of quality of life in childhood epilepsy. Value in Health. 2019;(22 (7),822–828).
33.
Fiss ALAl, Jeffries L, Bjornson K, Avery L, Hanna S, Westcott Mccoy S. Developmental trajectories and reference percentiles for the 6-minute walk test for children with cerebral palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2019;(31 (1),51–59).
34.
Jeffries LmLM, Laforme Fiss A, Westcott Mccoy S, Bartlett D, Avery L, Hanna S. Developmental trajectories and reference percentiles for range of motion, endurance, and muscle strength of children with cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy. 2019;(99 (3),329–338).
35.
Laforme Fiss A, Mccoy SW, Bartlett D, Avery L, Hanna SE. Developmental trajectories for the early clinical assessment of balance by gross motor function classification system level for children with cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy. 2019;(99 (2),217–228).
36.
Mcewen SE, Donald M, Jutzi K, Allen KA, Avery L, Dawson DR, et al. Implementing a function-based cognitive strategy intervention within inter-professional stroke rehabilitation teams: Changes in provider knowledge, self-efficacy and practice. PLoS ONE. 2019;(14 (3),1–17).
37.
Anaby DR, Law M, Feldman D, Majnemer A, Avery L. The effectiveness of the pathways and resources for engagement and participation (PREP) intervention: Improving participation of adolescents with physical disabilities. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2018;(60 (5),513–519).
38.
Bartlett DJ, Mccoy SW, Chiarello LA, Avery L, Galuppi B, Team TOTS, et al. A collaborative approach to decision making through developmental monitoring to provide individualized services for children with cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy. 2018;(98 (10),865–875).
39.
Palisano RJ, Avery L, Gorter JANW, Galuppi B, Mccoy SW, Gorter JANW, et al. Stability of the gross motor function classification system, manual ability classification system, and communication function classification system. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2018;(60 (10),1026–1032).
40.
Anaby D, Korner-bitensky N, Steven E, Tremblay S, Snider L, Avery L, et al. Current rehabilitation practices for children with cerebral palsy: Focus and gaps. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. 2017;(37 (1),1–15).
41.
Fayed N, Avery L, Streiner D, Ferro M, Boyle M, Rosenbaum P, et al. Trajectories of QOL discrepancy for children with epilepsy and their parents. QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH. 2017;(26 (1), 17-18).
42.
Ferro MA, Avery L, Fayed N, Streiner DL, Cunningham CE, Boyle MH, et al. Child- and parent-reported quality of life trajectories in children with epilepsy: A prospective cohort study. Epilepsia. 2017;(58 (7),1277–1286).
43.
Imms C, King G, Majnemer A, Avery L, Chiarello L, Palisano R, et al. Leisure participation–preference congruence of children with cerebral palsy: A children’s assessment of participation and enjoyment international network descriptive study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2017;(59 (4),380–387).
44.
McEwen S, Avery L, Donald M, Jutzi K, Rios J, Linkewich E. Degree of cognitive impairment and minimally clinically important functional changes after high intensity inpatient stroke rehabilitation. CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES. 2017;(43).
45.
King G, Rigby P, Avery L. Revised measure of environmental qualities of activity settings (MEQAS) for youth leisure and life skills activity settings. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2016;(38 (15),1509–1520).
46.
King G, Orchard C, Khalili H, Avery L. Refinement of the interprofessional socialization and valuing scale (ISVS-21) and development of 9-item equivalent versions. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions. 2016;(36 (3),171–177).
47.
Anaby D, Law M, Coster W, Bedell G, Khetani M, Avery L, et al. The role of the environment in explaining participation in the home, school and community: Results of a structural equation modelling. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience. 2015;(47 (NA),53–54).
48.
Anaby D, Law M, Coster W, Bedell G, Khetani M, Avery L, et al. The mediating role of the environment in explaining participation of children and youth with and without disabilities across home, school, and community. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2014;(95 (5),908–917).
49.
Chiarello LA, Palisano RJ, Mccoy SW, Bartlett DJ, Wood A, Chang HJ, et al. Child engagement in daily life: A measure of participation for young children with cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2014;(36 (21),1804–1816).
50.
Ward KD, Chiarello LA, Bartlett DJ, Palisano RJ, Mccoy SW, Avery L. Ease of caregiving for children: A measure of parent perceptions of the physical demands of caregiving for young children with cerebral palsy. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 2014;(35 (12),3403–3415).
51.
Avery L, Russell DJ, Rosenbaum PL. Criterion validity of the GMFM-66 item set and the GMFM-66 basal and ceiling approaches for estimating GMFM-66 scores. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2013;(55 (6),534–538).
52.
King G, Imms C, Palisano R, Majnemer A, Chiarello L, Orlin M, et al. Geographical patterns in the recreation and leisure participation of children and youth with cerebral palsy: A CAPE international collaborative network study. Developmental Neurorehabilitation. 2013;(16 (3),196–206).
53.
Bartlett DJ, Hanna SE, Avery L, Stevenson RD, Galuppi B. Correlates of decline in gross motor capacity in adolescents with cerebral palsy in gross motor function classification system levels III to v: An exploratory study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2010;(52 (7),1–6).
54.
Russell DJ, Rivard LM, Walter SD, Rosenbaum PL, Roxborough L, Cameron D, et al. Using knowledge brokers to facilitate the uptake of pediatric measurement tools into clinical practice: A before-after intervention study. Implementation Science. 2010;(5 (1),92).
55.
Russell D, Avery L, Walter S, Hanna S, Bartlett D, Rosenbaum P, et al. Development and validation of item sets to improve efficiency of administration of the 66‐item gross motor function measure in children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2010;(52 (2), e48-e54).
56.
Hanna SE, Rosenbaum PL, Bartlett DJ, Palisano RJ, Walter SD, Avery L, et al. Stability and decline in gross motor function among children and youth with cerebral palsy aged 2 to 21 years. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2009;(51 (4),295–302).
57.
RIVARD L, WALTER S, ROSENBAUM P, ROXBOROUGH L, DARRAH J,... Knowledge brokers to facilitate evidence-based practice: Long-term follow-up of a successful knowledge translation strategy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2009;(51).
58.
Russell D, Avery L, Walter S, Hanna S, Bartlett D, Rosenbaum P, et al. Development and validation of item sets for the gmfm-66 to improve the efficiency of administration in children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2009;(51, 89-90).
59.
Avery L, Russell DJ, Raina PS, Walter SD, Rosenbaum PL. Rasch analysis of the gross motor function measure: Validating the assumptions of the rasch model to create an interval-level measure. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2003;(84 (5),697–705).
60.
Russell P, L A, P R, P R, S W. Rasch analysis of the gross motor function measure (GMFM): Moving from ordinal to interval measures. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2000;(43, 24).