Donna Johnston, University of Ottawa

Research

Read how they describe their research on their University of Ottawa profile.

Latest papers

Central Nervous System Tumors Among Infants in Canada: A Report From CYP‐C
Pediatric Blood and Cancer · 2026
Novel Genetic Risk Factor Identified for L-Asparaginase-Induced Pancreatitis in Pediatric Patients With Cancer.
Pediatric blood & cancer · 2026
Defining Roles in Pediatric Palliative Care: Perspectives From Oncology and Palliative Care Teams
Pediatric Blood and Cancer · 2026

All 36 publications

Latest funding

Phase III randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of metformin for cognitive recovery and white matter growth in paediatric medulloblastoma patients
CIHR · 2019 · Co-investigator
$1,077,131
The Pain Squad+ Smartphone App To Support Real-Time Pain Management for Adolescents with Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
CIHR · 2017 · Co-investigator
$573,752
Shared decision making by children with cancer, their parents, and healthcare providers: a prospective, longitudinal study of process, predictors, and outcomes
CIHR · 2015 · Supervisor
$110,000

All 7 grants and awards

36 publications.

01

Central Nervous System Tumors Among Infants in Canada: A Report From CYP‐C

Sassine S, Coltin H, Cheng S, Lafay‐Cousin L, Magimairajan VI, Erker C, Vairy S, Bowes L, Fleming A, Johnston D

Pediatric Blood and Cancer2026

DOI: 10.1002/1545-5017.70691

02

Novel Genetic Risk Factor Identified for L-Asparaginase-Induced Pancreatitis in Pediatric Patients With Cancer.

Raack EJ, Chang WC, Cordova-Delgado M, Anderson SJ, Trueman JN, Scott EN, Loucks CM, Rassekh SR, Groeneweg GSS, Higginson M, Li K, Miao F, Yau D, Johnston D, Ibrahim M, Krajinovic M, Tran TH, Tewfik J, Bussières JF, Jean-Baptiste TR, Lebel D, Pecheux L, Gyawali B, Guilcher G, Riabowol G, Jong G', Staub M, Cuvelier G, Felton K, Khalaj S, Rieder M, Abuzgaia A, Lewis T, Ghimire H, Nathan P, Goralski K, Kulkarni K, Forbrigger Z, Ross CJD, Carleton BC

Pediatric blood & cancer2026

DOI: 10.1002/1545-5017.70284 PMID: 41889154

03

Defining Roles in Pediatric Palliative Care: Perspectives From Oncology and Palliative Care Teams

Granek L, Wiener L, van Zanten SV, Johnston D, Hasan F, Rapoport A, Datoo N, Widger K, Gupta S, Fergus K

Pediatric Blood and Cancer20261 citations

DOI: 10.1002/1545-5017.70376

04

Area-Based Marginalization and Incidence of Childhood Cancer

Chiu M, Leung F, Rohde J, Gibson P, Johnston D

JAMA Network Open2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.23089

05

Communication Barriers and Facilitators to Specialist Pediatric Palliative Care Involvement in Pediatric Oncology Settings Across Canada

Granek L, van Zanten SV, Widger K, Wiener L, Johnston D, Hasan F, Datoo N, Fergus K, Chan AKC, Kassam A

Psycho-Oncology2026

DOI: 10.1002/pon.70568

06

Scaling up symptom screening for routine use in pediatric oncology: provincial implementation

Robinson PD, Patel P, Yan AP, Wheaton L, van Schaik C, Seelisch J, Reid N, Kacar M, Johnston D, Givogue A

Supportive Care in Cancer2026

DOI: 10.1007/s00520-026-11150-7

07

Maternal and childhood medical history and the risk of childhood brain tumours: a case–control study in Ontario, Canada

Cheng S, McLaughlin JR, Brown MC, Al-Sawaihey H, Rutka J, Bouffet E, Hawkins C, Cairney AE, Ranger A, Fleming AJ

British Journal of Cancer20233 citations

DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02281-3

08

Correction: Maternal and childhood medical history and the risk of childhood brain tumours: a case–control study in Ontario, Canada

Cheng S, McLaughlin JR, Brown MC, Al-Sawaihey H, Rutka J, Bouffet E, Hawkins C, Cairney AE, Ranger A, Fleming AJ

British Journal of Cancer2023

DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02415-7

09

Childhood head trauma and the risk of childhood brain tumours: A case‐control study in Ontario, Canada

Cheng S, McLaughlin JR, Brown MC, Al‐Sawaihey H, Rutka J, Bouffet E, Hawkins C, Cairney AE, Ranger A, Fleming AJ

International Journal of Cancer20222 citations

DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33805

10

Acute myeloid leukaemia presenting as proptosis in an infant.

Niazmand MJ, Speckert M, Johnston D

BMJ case reports2021Senior author

DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-247506 PMID: 34972785

Phase III randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of metformin for cognitive recovery and white matter growth in paediatric medulloblastoma patients

Co-investigatorCIHR2019Team Grant: CCS/CIHR Cancer Survivorship Team Grants

Principal investigators: Mabbott, Donald J

Keywords: Behavioural Testing; Brain Injury; Brain Repair; Cognitive Late Effects; Cognitive Recovery; Medulloblastoma; Metformin; Mri; Paediatric Brain Tumour; Phase Iii Trial

$1,077,131

The Pain Squad+ Smartphone App To Support Real-Time Pain Management for Adolescents with Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Co-investigatorCIHR2017Project Grant

Principal investigators: Stinson, Jennifer N; Jibb, Lindsay

Keywords: Cost Effectiveness; Ehealth; Pain Intensity; Pain Interference; Pain Management; Pediatric Cancer; Quality Of Life; Smartphone App; Symptom Management

$573,752

Shared decision making by children with cancer, their parents, and healthcare providers: a prospective, longitudinal study of process, predictors, and outcomes

SupervisorCIHR2015CIHR Fellowship

Principal investigators: Jibb, Lindsay

Keywords: Child; Families; Healthcare Providers; Longitudinal; Mixed-Method; Pediatric Cancer; Prospective; Shared Decision Making

$110,000

Teens Taking Charge - Managing Cancer Online Trial: A Feasibility Study of Quality and Cost

Co-investigatorCIHR2013Catalyst Grant: eHealth Innovations

Principal investigators: Stinson, Jennifer N

Keywords: Adolescents; Cancer; E-Health; Feasibility; Internet Intervention; Self-Management

$92,207

The PainSquad+ Real-time Pain Management System for Adolescents with Cancer: A Feasibility, Quality and Cost Study

Co-investigatorCIHR2013Catalyst Grant: eHealth Innovations

Principal investigators: Stinson, Jennifer N

Keywords: Adolescents; Cancer; Cost; E-Health; Feasibility; Preliminary Effectiveness; Quality; Smartphone

$92,228

Teens Taking Charge: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Self-Management and Transitional Care Program for Youth with Cancer

Co-investigatorCIHR2013Operating Grant

Principal investigators: Stinson, Jennifer N

Keywords: Adolescents; Cancer; E-Health; Feasibility; Internet Intervention; Self-Management; Usability

$240,019

Predicting, preventing, and mitigating late effects in medulloblastoma.

Co-investigatorCIHR2010Team Grant: Childhood Cancer - Late Effects of Treatment -LOI

Principal investigators: Mabbott, Donald J; Bouffet, Eric; Freeman, Carolyn R; Taylor, Michael D

Keywords: Cognitive Morbidity; Cranial Radiation; Genomic; Late Effects; Neuro-Protection; Neuro-Recovery; Neuro-Toxicity; Paediatric Brain Tumors; Radiotherapy

$5,000

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Pediatrics
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Department of Paediatrics
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology
Department of Surgery
Oncology
Health Policy and Management
Other

1 shared papers, latest 2026

Vicky Breakey

Pediatrics

1 shared papers, latest 2020

Dalia Barsyte-Lovejoy

Pharmacology and Toxicology

1 shared papers, latest 2019

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Subject: Prospective PhD student Dear Professor Johnston, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Central Nervous System Tumors Among Infants in Canada: A Report From CYP‐C" (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]