Getting to Know Dr. Sharyle Fowler
Gastroenterolgy & Hepatology - Saskatoon
My Background: I was born and raised in Saskatoon. After completing my BSc in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia, and my MD from the University of Calgary, I returned home to Saskatoon for my Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Saskatchewan. I then moved to Kingston for my Gastroenterology Fellowship at Queen’s University, and finally completed my coast-to-coast journey with an advanced clinical and research fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, in Boston, USA.
Area of Research: After returning to Saskatoon in 2012, I worked to expand the Multidisciplinary Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical and Research Program. This program is composed of an interdisciplinary team that works holistically with patients and their families to assess, treat, and manage IBD. My research interests all pertain to IBD in the areas of 1) IBD and Pregnancy, 2) health care delivery and access, and 3) use of population-based data to evaluate IBD outcomes.
Big Moments in Research: One of the first big moments that helped in my research career was receiving a SHRF Establishment grant in 2014 to study IBD in Pregnancy. This funding allowed us to study several important questions related to IBD and pregnancy, but also allowed for the creation of the Preconception and Pregnancy IBD Clinic. In 2016 I was also involved in the development of National Guidelines for Management of IBD in Pregnancy.
Another recent moment that was rewarding was being asked to join the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada COVID-19 Task Force and being involved as a co-investigator for a COVID-19 Rapid Research CIHR Operating Grant.
Messages for Junior Researchers and Early-Career Clinicians on How to Get Involved in Research: My key advice for people starting out in research is that it is a team sport and finding, or building, a team is key for success. If you are in a smaller division or one not heavily involved in research, try to make connections outside of your immediate area of specialty or focus.
Future Aspirations for Research: Currently, I am most excited about the Patient Oriented Research Projects I am involved in. I am passionate about improving access to quality care for IBD patients in SK. I think our patients are one of the most important resources we have to help ask the right questions and find the answers for them.