Dr. Frances Chen is a Professor and Area Coordinator in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam People. She holds a PhD from Stanford University (2009). Her research integrates health psychology, social psychology, and neuroendocrinology to explore how social experiences influence mental and physical health. Key areas include the physiological impacts of loneliness, social support, and hormonal changes during puberty on adolescent development. Education: PhD, Psychology, Stanford University, 2009 Research Focus: Dr. Chen investigates how social interactions 'get under the skin' through studies on loneliness, stress, conflict negotiation, and hormonal mechanisms. Her work emphasizes interventions to enhance social connection and reduce health disparities. Recent Article Trends: Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, including genetic influences on depression, effects of near-infrared lighting on cognition, and longitudinal studies on adolescent hormonal contraceptive use. Her work bridges basic science and applied health outcomes. Awards & Grants: Michael Smith Health Research BC C2 Award (2022) Killam Faculty Research Fellowship (2019) Teaching & Learning Enhancement Fund Grant (2025) SSHRC Prosociality Project Funding (2023) Lab & Mentorship: Director of the Social Health Lab, she mentors graduate and undergraduate students, prioritizing equity and inclusion. Recent lab achievements include studies on teen health development and interventions to improve student success in psychology programs. Lab Initiatives: UBC Teen Health and Development Study (longitudinal hormonal/mental health tracking) NIR lighting health impact research (collaborative interdisciplinary project) Prosociality 'in the Wild' SSHRC project
Ellen J Amster is the Jason A. Hannah Chair in the History of Medicine at McMaster University and holds a joint appointment as Associate Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Religious Studies. She is an interdisciplinary historian and qualitative health researcher specializing in global health, bringing together history with health and religious studies. Her work focuses on the history of medicine in the West, the Islamic world, and French empire. Dr. Amster received her B.A. from the University of Chicago and her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. She has established herself as an expert in the history of public health, Islam and North Africa, France and French empire, maternal and infant health, global primary care, Islamic studies, religion and nonwestern healing systems, colonialism and postcolonial theory, and women's histories and gender. Her research portfolio reveals strong thematic continuity across time periods, with a focus on the intersection of medicine, colonialism, and identity. Recent publications demonstrate increasing engagement with critical race theory in medicine, gender studies, and contemporary social justice issues including analyses of the George Floyd protests. Her work spans history of medicine, medical humanities, and global health policy, with particular attention to Morocco and French colonial contexts. Dr. Amster has secured funding from prestigious sources including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the IIE Fulbright-Hayes program, the Chateaubriand Program of the French Government, and the American Institute for Maghrib Studies. She teaches courses on gender and religion, public health, and Middle East/North Africa for the Department of Religious Studies, the Master of Public Health Program, and the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Dr. Amster also organizes the Hannah History of Medicine and Medical Humanities Speaker Series and created the History of Medicine and Medical Humanities Research Portal (https://medhumanities.mcmaster.ca/), funded by Associated Medical Services.
Joanna N. Erdman is an Assistant Professor and MacBain Chair in Health Law and Policy at Dalhousie University's Schulich School of Law. Her work focuses on reproductive rights, health equity, and human rights within legal frameworks. She has extensively researched abortion law, global health policies, and gender equality in healthcare access. Erdman's scholarship addresses intersections between law, public health, and human rights, particularly in contexts like abortion accessibility, HPV vaccine equity, and prenatal care ethics. Her research interests emphasize harm reduction strategies, evidence-based lawmaking, and transnational legal perspectives. Erdman has contributed to influential discussions on constitutionalizing abortion rights in Canada, WHO guidelines on safe abortion practices, and the implementation of CEDAW in healthcare systems. Her work often critiques legal barriers to healthcare access and advocates for policy reforms grounded in human rights principles. Erdman has collaborated with leading scholars like Rebecca J. Cook and Bernard Dickens on publications analyzing abortion law and medical ethics. Her articles frequently appear in interdisciplinary journals such as the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Emory Law Journal . While no formal grants or awards are cited here, her extensive citation count (over 5,000 downloads on SSRN) underscores her impact in health law research. Erdman’s recent work includes updating global abortion policy analyses and exploring gender equality in health systems through CEDAW frameworks. She maintains an active research agenda on transnational healthcare law and its implications for marginalized communities.
Fiona Kouyoumdjian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, with affiliations to the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact and ICES (formerly Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences). She serves as Research Director in the Department of Family Medicine and leads a research program focused on the population health status of incarcerated individuals. Her work emphasizes health equity, public health systems, and clinical population medicine integration. Education: Bachelor of Arts (Honors), Brown University Doctor of Medicine (MD), Dalhousie University Master of Public Health (MPH), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Toronto Research Interests: Fiona’s research addresses health equity challenges faced by incarcerated populations, including substance-related mortality, HIV care access, reproductive health in prisons, and healthcare continuity post-release. She explores intersections of incarceration with mental health, addiction, and systemic inequities, advocating for policy reforms in correctional healthcare systems. Her work bridges clinical practice and population health, focusing on marginalized groups such as Indigenous communities, racialized populations, and those with intellectual disabilities. Key Contributions: Leading the Mortality After Release from Incarceration Consortium (MARIC), a multinational meta-analysis on post-release mortality Advocating for opioid agonist treatment access in correctional facilities Co-authoring evidence-based guidelines for trauma-informed care in prisons Labs/Teams: Active in ICES’ population health research programs and collaborates with the David Braley Primary Care Research Collaborative. Engaged in community-academic partnerships to improve incarceration health equity.
Elena Neiterman is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Aging & Society at McMaster University. Her scholarly work bridges public health, migration studies, and gendered healthcare experiences, with a focus on professional integration of internationally educated health workers, maternal health, and aging populations. Research spans 2008–2025 Key themes: healthcare access, work-life interface, One Health models, gender dynamics Recent studies include exploring international students’ healthcare barriers, caregiver role adaptation for dementia spouses, and antimicrobial resistance frameworks in food systems. She publishes extensively in journals like Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation , Canadian Journal on Aging , and Frontiers in Public Health .
Dr. Laura Gaudet is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Queen’s University, affiliated with the School of Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences. She completed her MD at Queen’s University and obtained a Master’s in Epidemiology from the University of Ottawa, specializing in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Her research focuses on maternal medical conditions during pregnancy, particularly obesity’s impact on pregnancy outcomes, gestational weight gain, and perinatal epidemiology. She leads clinical initiatives as Division Head of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Head of Labour and Delivery. Research interests include folic acid supplementation effects on pre-eclampsia, obesity management in pregnancy, and perinatal outcomes associated with maternal health conditions. She has contributed to systematic reviews on fetal macrosomia, terbutaline pump efficacy for preterm birth prevention, and database validation in fertility studies. Her work has been published in journals like BMJ , BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth , and Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada . She participates in international trials like the Folic Acid Clinical Trial (FACT) and collaborates on guidelines for clinical pregnancy care. Non-academically, she engages in shepherding and gardening.
Gihad Shabib is an Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine. As a Medical Doctor at the Ottawa Hospital (TOH) since 2001, they specialize in obstetrics, gynecology, and surgical techniques. Their clinical expertise includes low Cesarean section rates, vaginal surgeries, and managing complex cases in benign gynecology. Administrative roles include leading Quality Assurance committees, reviewing adverse outcomes, and implementing corrective measures. Education: FRCSC (Obstetrics & Gynecology) from Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (June 1998) Teaching: Lecturer for medical students, midwifery students, residents, and fellows Awarded 'Best Clinical Teacher' by American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2010) Research Interests: Focuses on maternal and child health, surgical innovations (e.g., uterine artery embolization), and reproductive endocrinology. Key areas include operative vaginal delivery techniques, minimally invasive surgeries, and improving obstetric outcomes through evidence-based practices. Active in clinical trials evaluating contraceptive efficacy and hormonal therapies. Awards & Recognition: Recognized for clinical teaching excellence (2010) Contributed a chapter on operative delivery to Oxorn-Foote's 'Human Labor & Birth' Grants & Labs: While no specific grants are listed, their work integrates clinical and academic collaborations through the University of Ottawa and Ottawa Hospital. Leads surgical training programs for residents and fellows. Labs/Teams: Participates in multidisciplinary teams addressing maternal-fetal medicine, pelvic floor dysfunction, and reproductive health challenges through clinical practice and education.
Dr. Maureen J Macdonald is a Full Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and currently serves as Provost and Vice-President, Academic at McMaster University . She previously held the position of Dean of Science and leads the Exercise Metabolism Research Group . BSc in Chemistry from Acadia University MSc and PhD in Kinesiology from University of Waterloo Post-doctoral research at Western University and University of British Columbia Her research expertise spans cardiovascular health, exercise physiology, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and aging. Recent work focuses on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for stroke survivors, hormonal contraceptive effects on vascular function, and sleep restriction impacts on vascular health. She investigates how exercise modulates cardiovascular disease risk factors across biological sex, gender identity, and age groups. She has contributed extensively to journals like Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise , Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism , and Journal of Applied Physiology . Her 2024-2025 publications reveal trends in applying thermal interventions , hormonal regulation , and gender-inclusive cardiovascular research . As an educator, she has taught graduate-level courses including Directed Readings in Kinesiology and Individual Research Studies since 2006, with recent mentorship activities in 2023.
Rubee Dev is an Assistant Professor and VSP Faculty Coordinator at the School of Nursing within the Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia. Her office is located in T153 Koerner Pavilion at 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, with contact phone 604.822.6249 and email rubee.dev@ubc.ca. Her educational background includes a Master of Public Health (MPH) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). These qualifications underpin her expertise in epidemiological methods and public health interventions. Dr. Dev's research centers on sex and gender as critical determinants of health outcomes, with particular focus on cardiovascular disease, global health disparities, and public health systems. She investigates how biological sex and sociocultural gender factors influence disease progression, treatment adherence, and health behaviors across diverse populations. Her work bridges clinical practice and population health through rigorous mixed-methods approaches including cohort studies, systematic reviews, and predictive modeling. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on sex and gender frameworks across cardiovascular health in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, mental health during the pandemic in Europe, and maternal-child health in Nepal. She has pioneered tools like the CR-DECIDE models for shared decision-making in coronary artery disease, demonstrating translational impact from research to clinical practice. Her global perspective spans WHO surveillance data, national surveys, and community-based interventions in resource-limited settings. No scientific awards were documented in the provided source material. While specific advising roles and grant funding details were not disclosed, her VSP Faculty Coordinator position indicates leadership in academic program development and student mentorship at UBC. The absence of explicit grant mentions suggests potential involvement in institutionally supported initiatives or collaborative projects not detailed in the profile. Research infrastructure details including laboratories or dedicated teams were not specified in the available information, though her global collaborations imply networked research partnerships across multiple continents.
Dr. Stacy Leigh Pigg is a Professor of Anthropology at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and an Associate Member of the School for International Studies. She holds a PhD from Cornell University. Her research focuses on the global interconnections and ethical implications of medicine, science, and development, particularly in post-colonial contexts. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Nepal examining AIDS prevention, modernization ideologies, and biomedical technology localization (e.g., Depo-Provera contraceptive studies). Pigg is also innovating ethnographic representation through graphic narratives. Her teaching spans introductory anthropology to specialized courses on global health and medical anthropology. Awards include the 2014 Virchow Prize for her article on ethnography in global health and SFU’s 2015 Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence. She has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council for projects like 'The Production of Public Knowledge about AIDS in Nepal.' Pigg currently teaches courses on biomedical technologies, ethnographic methods, and global health.
Tina Fetner is a Professor and Chair of the Sociology Department at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She is an accomplished sociologist specializing in gender, sexuality, and social movements. As Principal Investigator for the multi-method Sex in Canada research project, she examines sexual behavior and social attitudes among Canadian adults. Her work bridges academic research and public discourse, with frequent media appearances and contributions to major publications. Dr. Fetner's educational background includes: Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of California, Santa Cruz Master of Arts in Sociology from New York University PhD in Sociology from New York University Tina Fetner's research primarily focuses on the social organization of sexual behavior, with particular emphasis on gender dynamics, feminist identity, and sexual satisfaction. Her work explores how social structures, cultural norms, and political movements shape intimate experiences and sexual identities. She investigates the intersection of religion and sexuality, examining how Christian religious identity influences sexual behaviors and attitudes. Her research on the gender gap in orgasms has garnered significant attention, revealing how feminist identification correlates with more pleasurable sexual experiences for women. Through her Sex in Canada project, she provides groundbreaking insights into Canadian sexual behaviors, challenging stereotypes and informing public understanding of contemporary sexual practices. Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on gender, sexuality, and social movements. The articles reveal an evolving trajectory from comparative analyses of attitudes toward lesbian and gay people, to in-depth examinations of sexual behaviors and experiences in contemporary Canada. A significant portion of her recent work investigates the relationship between feminist identity and sexual behavior, challenging stereotypes about feminists' sexual lives. Her research also continues to explore the dynamics between LGBT movements and religious right activism, though with increasing attention to contemporary Canadian contexts. The methodological approaches in her work range from large-scale survey research to comparative historical analysis, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to sociological inquiry. Dr. Fetner has received recognition for her scholarly contributions, with her research featured in numerous news outlets and policy discussions, indicating significant public impact. In addition to her research, Dr. Fetner is actively involved in academic leadership and mentoring. She has supervised numerous graduate students through McMaster's Sociology Department and has taught courses including Sociology of Gender and Sexuality, Sociology of Sexualities, and Political Sociology. Her commitment to professional development extends beyond her institution, as evidenced by her leadership roles in major sociological associations. She has served as President of the Canadian Sociological Association, on the governing council of the American Sociological Association, and as Chair of the ASA Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements. She is also the founding co-Chair of SWS-North, the Canadian regional chapter of Sociologists for Women in Society. Dr. Fetner leads the Sex in Canada research team, which conducts comprehensive studies on sexual behavior and attitudes among Canadian adults. This multi-method project combines survey research with qualitative analysis to provide nuanced understanding of contemporary sexual practices. Her team's work has produced significant findings on topics including the gender gap in orgasms, sexual identity-behavior discordance, and the relationship between feminist identification and sexual satisfaction.
Dustin James Costescu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences. His research focuses on contraception access and education hormonal impacts on mental health HPV testing for cervical cancer screening maternal health disparities . Recent publications highlight his work in hormonal contraception efficacy , abortion medication availability , and intrauterine device design . His studies often bridge clinical practice with health policy, particularly in underserved populations like incarcerated women. Key collaborations include health technology assessments and clinical guidelines development, with significant engagement in Canadian policy frameworks and medical education innovation .
Nathalie Mondain is an Associate Professor at the University of Montreal, specializing in sociological and anthropological studies. Her work focuses on demography, migration, family dynamics, and ethical research practices in Sub-Saharan Africa and diasporic contexts. Ph.D. in Demography (2004), University of Montreal DEA in Urban Planning and Development (1995), Université Paris VIII Her research explores: Marriage and reproductive health in Senegal Impact of migration on family structures Ethical challenges in fieldwork with vulnerable populations Social participation of immigrants in Quebec Recent publications analyze transnationalism, fertility control, and educational dynamics. She collaborates with institutions like LPED (IRD) and UASZ, conducting fieldwork in Senegal and Quebec.
Dr. Ashley Waddington is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Queen's University, affiliated with the School of Medicine within the Faculty of Health Sciences . She holds cross/joint appointments in the same department and focuses on clinical medicine, pediatric and reproductive health, and healthcare policy. Education : MD and MPA degrees. Research Interests : Complicated contraception cases, adolescent contraception and pregnancy, paediatric and adolescent gynaecology, and healthcare access/public policy reform. Selected Publications focus on evidence-based clinical practices, contraception guidelines, and medical policy. She has contributed to the BMJ and Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada . No scientific awards were explicitly listed in the provided texts. Current supervision details (e.g., student counts) are noted but lack specific names.
Dr. Kate H. Choi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Western University and cross-appointed to the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. She directs the Centre for Research on Social Inequality (CRSI), one of eight research centers under the Network for Economic and Social Trends (NEST). Her PhD in Sociology was earned at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her research focuses on social demography, inequality, and health disparities, with emphasis on racial and socioeconomic inequities. Key areas include the wellbeing of multiracial individuals and interracial couples, housing affordability, and the societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work has been supported by SSHRC grants, including a 2022 Insight Development Grant on neighborhood contexts and a 2023 Insight Grant on pandemic-driven housing vulnerability. Choi’s research has been featured in major media outlets such as the Financial Times and CBC, and she contributed to SSHRC’s 'Real Insight. Real Impact. Real Purpose' campaign. She received Western University’s 2022 Faculty Scholar Award for exceptional scholarly contributions. Her lab, the CRSI, promotes interdisciplinary research on social inequality and hosts graduate student competitions to foster new scholarship. She is also engaged in policy-oriented work, advocating for tailored pandemic responses to address disparities in low-income and racially marginalized communities.
