RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Joyla Furlano, PhD Fellow
Joyla is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Family Medicine at Queen’s University (Canada), as well as an instructor in the School of Nursing and a Research Associate in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Western University. Her research is rooted in community-based approaches – promoting health equity in hospital settings and developing culturally relevant health resources for Indigenous communities in Canada. With a strong passion for brain health, Joyla is an active member of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, where she collaborates with researchers nationwide to address dementia care challenges faced by Indigenous peoples. In 2023, she completed a postgraduate certificate in Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute (Trinity College, Dublin), where she worked with a global team of researchers, healthcare professionals, and artists to address brain health inequities worldwide.
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Sara Mojdehi, BMSc Graduate
Sara completed her Bachelor of Medical Sciences with Honours Specialization in Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario. Her research interests relate to refugee health access and health outcomes. In this work, she collaborates with local health and social service organizations to identify ways to improve the access, coordination, and quality of care for refugees in the city of London, Ontario. She has acquired extensive clinic experience, working with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare and community workers.
Judith Thomas, CIM, PMgr
Judith brings many years of business administrative and quality management experience to the HEARTeam. As a semi-retired professional, in 2010 Judith first joined Western University (School of Engineering) to assist with special projects in the Dean’s Office. In 2012, went on to join the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry to assist with establishing the newly launched (Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health). She shares a keen interest in wanting to be part of the solution by supporting the HEARTeam’s vision, actions and research in health equity issues through whatever administrative help is required by the team.
Vivetha Thambinathan, PhD Student
Vivetha Thambinathan is a PhD Student in the Health Professional Education program, in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University. She is a two-time Western graduate, first completing her undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences and later receiving her Master’s in Public Health. She is also a former OUA varsity figure skater with the Western Mustangs. Vivetha’s specific research interests lie in improving patient-physician relationships for refugees and understanding the role of intergenerational trauma in healthcare. She aims to study how the integration of cross-cultural training in health professional education can translate into the delivery of culturally appropriate care for refugees. Apart from school, Vivetha is a passionate donut lover, figure skating coach, and activist engaged in raising awareness about the Tamil Families of the Disappeared in Sri Lanka.
Cathy Luc, BHSc Graduate
Cathy Luc is a Research Assistant for Professor Wylie at University of Western Ontario located in London, Ontario. She was born and raised in Vaughan, Ontario where she developed her motivation to earn a career in the humanitarian field. With inspiration from her parent’s story as refugees fleeing from Vietnam during its civil war, Cathy has particular interest in refugee and immigrant communities. She is determined to apply her knowledge from her program with her experience as a research assistant under Dr. Wylie to develop a deeper understanding of the issues of health equity for refugees, immigrants, and indigenous populations. On her free time, she enjoys connecting with her local community and working out as she places importance on physical and mental health.
Aastha Gulati, BSc Student
Aastha is an undergraduate student at Western University, studying Medical Sciences & Psychology. Her research interests involve using a community-based approach to work with marginalized populations to decrease health inequities within our healthcare system. Outside of research, she enjoys eating and travelling.
Ramzan Rana, BA Student
Ramzan Rana is a Research Assistant for Professor Wylie at the University of Western in London, Ontario. He is a 20 year old from Mississauga, Ontario studying Psychology and Health Sciences at Western University. He is very interested in learning about aboriginal communities, mental health, immigration and refugees policies and Canada’s aging population. His passion is to enhance his learning by participating in community activities and engage with his fellow students. He has worked in the past with refugee populations and is always seeking new opportunities that can help him improve his knowledge. He is very passionate about helping others and understand what can be done to improve Canada’s policies regarding refugee and immigration and what we can do to make the transition easy for newcomers to Canada. On his spare time he loves to play sports such as Wrestling and has competed for Western Wrestling in the past. He enjoys going for hikes, playing sports, and finding new places to travel to.
Jama Yusuf, BSc Student
Jama Yusuf is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Western University, studying Health Sciences. Born in Toronto, Jama spent three years in Egypt before returning back to Toronto. Being a first-generation Somali-Canadian, Jama is very interested in immigrant health. Health equity is also a very important topic for Jama, as he sees the health inequities his mother faces, being a blind, black, Muslim woman. Jama hopes to find himself working in the Public Health field and giving back to the communities that have given him so much. In his spare time, Jama can be found playing basketball, soccer, or competing with his roommates in Jeopardy.
Hunster Yang, BSc Student
Hunster recently completed his undergraduate education at Western University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science with an Honors Specialization in Neuroscience. He is currently a Master of Science in Global Health student at McMaster University, with a specialization in Globalization and Equity. Through various academic, volunteer, and community involvements, Hunster has developed a passion for working at the intersections of equity, education, community engagement, and health research. Outside of research, he enjoys travelling, learning about different cultures, going on adventures, canoeing, and camping.
Janani Thillainathan, BA(Hon) Student
Janani recently completed her undergraduate education at Western University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with an Honors Specialization in First Nations Studies. Her research interests include Indigenous health and well being, Indigenous legal traditions, Indigenizing Education in Canada, and Tamil Migration and Diaspora Studies. As well, her research methodologies primarily include, Participatory Action Research, Community Based Research, Indigenous Research Methodologies, and Decolonization Research. Outside of research, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, reading, sleeping, and eating.
Erik Mandawe, MD Student
Erik Mandawe (ᐱᔦᓯᐊᐧᐠ) comes from the Beaver Lake Cree Nation in northern Alberta, and has lived all over Turtle Island. He previously earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Medical Anthropology from the University of Toronto (2010), going on to work in mental health in urban and rural Indigenous communities. He later returned to school to pursue his passion for arts and graduated with a B.A. in Music at Western University (2017), earning the UWO Gold Medal, graduating with the highest grade-point-average in his program. He is a Sundancer in the Rattlechild Sundance Lodge, and is currently a medical student in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University.
Emma Arnold, BSc Student
Emma Arnold is a current undergraduate student completing her fourth year of an Honours Double Major in Criminology and Commercial Aviation Management. Her work with the Health Equity Action Research Team began as a class placement focusing on the criminalization of marginalized populations. This focus prompted her research on Canada’s immigration holding centres and their related health concerns. Emma brings a sociological perspective and a shared passion for equality and equity to the team.
Alana Kehoe, MPH Graduate
Alana is a dedicated professional in emergency preparedness and disaster management with a strong focus on working with Indigenous communities. Holding a Master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Western Ontario, she has conducted significant research on the impact of colonialism on Indigenous peoples' experiences with wildfire. Alana's expertise extends to developing tailored emergency preparedness programs and delivering training that addresses the unique needs of Indigenous audiences. Her previous research role on Dr. Wylie’s Health Equity Action Research team involved researching health equity for Indigenous populations in Canada. Alana's work is characterized by her commitment to enhancing community resilience and advancing cultural safety in emergency response.
Lotus Alphonsus, MD Student
Lotus Alphonsus is a resident physician at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. She completed her medical training at Western University and has research interests in refugee health, trauma-informed care and medical education. Deeply engaged in her community, Lotus has initiated programs for individuals affected by gun violence and those new refugees resettling in Toronto. She serves on the board of the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) and has led numerous international projects supporting victims of war and conflict. Recently, she was honored with the national CMA Young Leaders Award and the prestigious Sandra Banner Award. Outside of her medical practice, Lotus is a tattoo artist and through her ‘Healing Ink’ initiative, has provided over forty women with free scar cover-up tattoos helping them regain confidence after mastectomy."
Bahaa Abdeljewad, PhD Student
Bahaa is a Ph.D. candidate in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Speech and Language Sciences at Western University. Bahaa has worked as a speech and language pathologist for more than 15 years in several different countries. Bahaa is a Reg. CASLPO member in Ontario and ASHA certified, as well as a SAC-certified member. Bahaa has wide clinical experience treatment approaches in different settings. Bahaa's research interests include fluency disorders and speech and language caregivers' treatment programs, as well as a broad set of concerns related to speech and language rehabilitation service delivery: indirect treatment approaches in communication disorders, access and barriers to healthcare rehabilitation services related to communication disorders, the lived experiences of refugees and immigrants (Arabic-speaking) with speech therapy in Canada and the Middle East. Prior to her engagement in academia, Bahaa participated in standardizing assessment tools in the field of communication disorders for the Arabic-speaking population in Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Danielle Robinson, MPH Graduate
Boozhoo Waabigwan Giizis Kwe ndizhinikaaz, miskwaadesi ndodem, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg ndoonjiba. Hello, my name is Danielle Robinson. I am Turtle Clan from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, a small first nation on the north shore of Lake Superior. A Master of Public Health Graduate, I am passionate and hardworking. I enjoy working with Youth and encouraging them to be their best self. I have experience in supervising and love applying creative thinking strategies to any issue I am faced with.
Lisbeth Pino, PhD Graduate
Lisbeth Pino is a specialist in Public Health with experience on the case-based method of learning which cultivates critical thinking, teamwork, leadership skills, and knowledge of disciplinary perspectives in order to build health at multiple levels of intervention: individual, family, community, and society. Lisbeth won the MTV International Award (Music Television in Mexico City) ‘How to Think About Solutions to Social Problems in a Creative Way’ Lisbeth was also an honorable recipient of the International Ecuadorian Scholarship for High Performance Students to study the Masters of Public Health at Western University in Canada. Lisbeth has excellent interpersonal skills, empathy, confidentiality, problem-solving capacity, creative, and the ability to work in culturally diverse groups. Currently, Lisbeth is doing her PhD in the Health Promotion field of the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program at Western University.