Dr. Tara Gomes

An epidemiologist and a Canada Research Chair in Drug Policy Research and Evaluation, Dr. Tara Gomes develops evidence, innovative tools and best practices to strengthen drug policy decision-making in Canada and around the world.

Dr. Gomes is the principal investigator of the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN), a provincial network of researchers with expertise in pharmaceutical utilization, outcomes and policy who rapidly conduct research for drug decision-makers in Ontario and across Canada. Her research program focuses on drug safety and drug policy research, with a specific interest in developing evidence to inform policies that address the ongoing overdose crisis across Canada and that integrate perspectives of impacted communities.

Dr. Gomes also works closely with government regulators at the provincial and national level to develop evidence to inform policies related to opioid use disorder and opioid-related harm through the Ontario Opioid Drug Observatory.

Dr. Gomes is a scientist with MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions and the Scientific Director of Urban and Community Health at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital. She is also a scientist with ICES and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. In 2014, she was awarded the Institute for Public Administration of Canada’s Bronze Public Sector Leadership Award in Health and Education to recognize the impact of the ODPRN’s work.