Dr. Puka is a Project Scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at CAMH. He previously worked as a biostatistician and received his PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Western University.
Areas of Research
Dr. Puka’s research focuses on investigating and targeting modifiable factors of health outcomes using randomized trials. Specifically, he has focused on modeling mental health outcomes over time and examining their interactions with clinical characteristics, family environment, health behaviors, and socioeconomic status. This work has been used to inform his second line of research, focused on the implementation and evaluation of behavioural interventions through randomized control trials. The application of advanced quantitative methods and methods-development work are important aspects of his research program.
Dr. Puka has worked extensively with youth with epilepsy, to evaluate and create interventions aimed at improving cognitive, psychiatric, and psychosocial impairments. He has also worked closely with large population-based data, evaluating the impact of health behaviors and health inequalities on health outcomes and adverse events.
Publications
View Dr. Puka’s publications on Google Scholar.