Mrinalini Balki

Dr. Balki has established a state-of-the art laboratory at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, and her basic science program focuses on physiology of myometrial contractions with various uterotonics and oxytocin-induced desensitization phenomenon. This translational research is being undertaken in an effort to further the understanding of the pharmacotherapy of postpartum hemorrhage, and has already led to a change in clinical practice of the use of uterotonics. Dr. Balki has taken a keen interest in developing and spreading the technique of spinal/epidural ultrasound scanning though workshops in various national and international conferences and by creating an online teaching module in the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. Her other research interests include obstetric anesthesia and labor analgesia, obstetric anesthesia simulation, maternal mortality and morbidity in addition to high risk obstetrics.

Dr. Balki has published several articles in the peer reviewed journals, as well as book chapters and editorials. She has won many prestigious awards at the annual meetings of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) and Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS), including Career Scientist Award from the CAS. She is an editorial member of the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. She received funding for her research work from the CAS (Career Scientist Award, Dr. RA Gordon Research Award, New investigator Research Award), University of Toronto (Departments of Anesthesia and Obstetrics & Gynaecology), Mount Sinai Hospital foundation, Dean’s Fund, Inaugural SOAP/ Gertie Marx Research & Education Grant, Ontario AHSC AFP Innovation Funds from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.