Understanding the intersections of gender-based violence and health is crucial. Our team investigates how these factors impact the well-being of women and children.
Dr. Onyango
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Meet Our Team
Our team of researchers and practitioners consists of seasoned professionals with diverse backgrounds and a shared passion for empowering businesses. Together, we bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and creativity to every research project, ensuring innovative solutions and exceptional service
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Graduate Research Assistants
Caitlyn Gan
Masters of Public Health Student and Graduate Research Assistant
Caitlyn is a second-year Master of Public Health student at the University of Alberta with a background in Nutrition and Food Sciences. She currently works as a Community Food Program Coordinator, where she supports community-based programs that enhance food access to vulnerable and low-income populations across Edmonton. She is passionate about advancing food security initiatives and building creative, sustainable food systems that promote equitable access to nutritious food for all.
Sachit Gurung
Graduate Research Assistant
Sachit Gurung is an MSc student in Epidemiology, coordinating a community-based, interdisciplinary research project in Alberta. His work includes supporting surveys, focus group discussions (FGD), and in-depth interviews (IDI) data collection with African immigrant communities, coordinating project meetings, contributing to data analysis, and assisting with project website maintenance. He also has prior research experience examining the health impacts of climate change and environmental exposures among vulnerable populations, including older adults living with dementia.
Hazel Kemuma
Graduate Research Assistant
Hazel is a Graduate Research Assistant in the School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Canada, and a Master of Public Health student. Her academic and applied interests lie in community-engaged public health research, with a focus on equity, food systems, and health among immigrant and newcomer populations. In her current role, Hazel supports a multi-disciplinary research project through coordination of research activities, collaboration with academic and community partners, and support for survey and qualitative data collection processes. She also contributes to research design activities, including work related to measurement and tool development. Hazel has a background in clinical nutrition and applied public health practice, and brings experience working with diverse communities in culturally responsive and equity-oriented contexts.
Derek Akateh, MD, MPH, MSc.
Graduate Research Assistant
Derek is an epidemiologist and early-career researcher at the University of Alberta with a background in clinical medicine. His work focuses on advancing health equity through a Social Epidemiology lens. As a Research Assistant in the ACRES and EMERGE Labs, he uses Life Course Theory and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) frameworks to address health inequities among vulnerable populations, including immigrants and racialized people. With over a decade of professional and leadership experience at the CDC, UNFPA, and the Ministry of Public Health, Derek’s expertise centres on reproductive, mental, and nutritional outcomes related to Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases, and the systemic barriers that influence these outcomes. He leverages advanced statistical modelling (STATA, SPSS, M-plus, R) and systematic reviews to translate complex population data into actionable health policy and intervention guidance. His work bridges the gap between clinical practice and evidence-based research to improve outcomes for marginalized communities globally.
Current Students
PhD
Egbeadumah Emmanuel
PhD Student
Egbeadumah Emmanuel is a Nutritionist and Public Health Scientist with a strong commitment to research-driven solutions that improve population health. He has professional experience as a community nutritionist, nutrition educator, and data analyst, contributing to evidence-based nutrition programming and public health interventions. His research interests focus on immigrant health, food security, and the role of optimal nutrition in the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases. Emmanuel is a doctoral student with a clear vision of translating research into real-world impact, leveraging nutrition as a strategic tool to advance health equity and improve long-term health outcomes across diverse populations.
Dayirai Kapfunde
PhD Student
Dayirai Kapfunde is a passionate and dedicated mental health advocate, educator, author, and leader with over 17 years of experience in psychotherapy and community service. As the founder of Journeys of Life Counselling Services Inc., she has built a virtual practice that provides culturally affirming and trauma-informed mental health support across multiple provinces in Canada. Her work emphasizes decolonizing and destigmatizing mental health care, particularly among the racialized and those pushed to the margins.
Dayirai’s commitment to education and mentorship is evident through her academic and professional contributions. She is pursuing a PhD in Public Health Promotion at the University of Alberta, where her research focuses on amplifying the voices of Black-identifying women healthcare professionals in Alberta, addressing workplace health inequities, and fostering inclusive communities. She is co-supervised by Dr. Elizabeth Onyango and Dr. Sophie Yohani and is a recipient of the WCHRI graduate student award.
Master
Joyce Kiplagat
Master Student
Joyce Kiplagat holds a BSc. Environmental Studies and Community Development from Kenyatta University in Kenya, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Sciences at the School of Public Health, University of Alberta. She has extensive experience in community engagement and policy work from her previous role working for an international conservation organization – World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-K). Joyce’s research interests are in public and environmental health, food security, food systems, and sustainability.
Her current study focuses on the nexus between policy, gender, and urban food systems. She is currently undertaking a study that aims to explore the role of women-led informal food businesses in urban food security, specifically in secondary cities of the Global South, and how these businesses were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic policies. Joyce is passionate about food security and environmental sustainability.
Silvia Achieng Odhiambo
Master Student
Silvia Achieng Odhiambo is an accomplished public health professional and researcher with over six years of experience in community development, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Epidemiology at the University of Alberta, Silvia’s work focuses on advancing health equity and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly adolescents and youths. Silvia’s professional journey includes leading the implementation of DREAMS and OVC programs at Pamoja Community-Based Organization in Kenya, where she significantly
enhanced operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction.
Her research endeavours include collaborating on studies exploring maternal and child health, HIV prevention strategies, and the impact of food insecurity on mental health and well-being. Her strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills have enabled her to build productive partnerships across diverse sectors and contribute to impactful initiatives.
Theresa Ngo
Master Student
Theresa is completing her first year of the MA in Community Engagement program in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. She received a BSc in Kinesiology with a certificate in Indigenous Sport and Recreation. As a kinesiologist by trade, her interest in human movement has shifted towards an interest in the social and political landscapes that bodies move in, as well as the ways that social change is impacted by storytelling traditions. Working with newcomers experiencing chronic pain, Theresa’s interest in community engagement stems from seeing how intersectional identities impact personal experiences of healthcare provision and occupational circumstances.
Currently, her academic work is focused on the ways that vulnerable populations can engage in discourse around infrastructure development, to enact agency and participate in decision-making that impacts their social and commercial well-being. Her coursework allows her to explore how community engagement methods, particularly with unhoused and diasporic populations, can facilitate alternative public discourses around safety and social order. Passionate about advocacy and community-building, Theresa enjoys volunteering with community organizations such as the Green & Gold Community Garden and Edmonton Chinatown Re:VITA.
Toyin Ajibade
MACE Student
Toyin Ajibade holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from University of Ilorin, Nigeria and has professional experience spanning two decades across banking, consulting, and academia. She was a doctoral research fellow at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture where she worked on food price volatilities in Nigeria. She was also a Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University as a research partner on the Promoting Trade Integration in Regional Legume Markets project which was funded by USAID for Food Security Group in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics. Toyin has worked extensively in food security, community development, and agricultural value chain development in West Africa with her research group making a significant contribution by developing the KasuwaGo mobile app which is the novel ag-food virtual trading platform that continues to facilitate trade integration in the West Africa region.
Toyin has consulted for several international organizations including Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Mali and Nigeria. She was the country expert for Nigeria on the BRL Ingénierie consulting team for multiple agroecology projects commissioned by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Toyin is currently pursuing further studies in Community Engagement at the School of Public Health, University of Alberta where her research is focused on addressing food insecurity among hidden homeless Black African Immigrants in Canada. She is a recipient of several awards including the Mitacs Accelerate, Alberta Graduate Excellence Award, University of Alberta Graduate Student Engagement Scholarship, Edmonton Community Foundation Graduate Award in Community Engagement, and the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research Grant Writer Workshop and Starter Grant Competition Award in Southern and Western Africa.
Hope Friesen
Master Student
Hope is completing her first year of the course-based Master of Public Health program in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta, specializing in Global Health Equity. She recently received her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta. With a background in commerce, her interest in organizational strategy and resource allocation has expanded towards understanding how economic structures, global governance, and business models shape population health outcomes. Her dedication to health equity stems from observing how commercial determinants of health, trade dynamics, and corporate social responsibility directly influence healthcare accessibility and social well-being for marginalized communities.
Currently, her academic work is focused on addressing global health disparities through sustainable health system financing, equitable policy development, and cross-sectoral partnerships. Her coursework allows her to explore how business frameworks, resource management, and social entrepreneurship can be leveraged to empower vulnerable populations and strengthen global health initiatives. Passionate about health justice and community advocacy, Hope actively engages in local community-building and enjoys volunteering with organizations dedicated to social impact.
Nawshin, Nayla Farin
Master Student
Nawshin holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in agricultural science from Bangladesh Agricultural University and is currently pursuing her second Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Sciences at the School of Public Health, University of Alberta. Before joining the University of Alberta, she was involved in diverse areas of research, including studying aquatic farming practices and microbial communities that can affect greenhouse gas emissions, evaluating the effectiveness of commercial probiotics for fish growth and health, and investigating antibiotic use in shrimp farming and its potential impacts.
Her current research interests focus on cultural food insecurity among immigrant communities and its potential impacts on mental health. She will also participate in controlled greenhouse experiments to evaluate local production methods for culturally important crops. Beyond academics, Nawshin has been actively involved in various volunteer organizations and community initiatives. She is passionate about supporting others, contributing to her community, and using her knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on people's lives.
Alumni
Keji Mori, MPH Student
Keji Mori is a Registered Dietitian and an alumnus of the University of Alberta, where she completed her BSc in Nutrition and Food Science with a Nutrition Major, and MPH Health Promotion in the School of Public Health. She also has a Certification in Public Health (CPH) from the NBPHE. Keji is currently engaged in community research focused on cultural food security among immigrant and racialized populations. Keji is an avid runner and can often be found running at the lake, exploring new restaurants, or travelling the world.
Binita Jirel, Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
Binita completed her MA in Community Engagement from the University of Alberta. She is a dedicated professional with strong leadership in building inclusive and sustainable community engagement, with a focus on social justice. She has extensive experience in community engagement and project management working in diverse sectors and with diverse youth groups. She deeply values diverse perspectives and cultural exchange and is committed to creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels empowered to participate and thrive. Her current research is focused on food insecurity, mental health and community gardening among immigrant groups.
Destiny Otoadese, MACE Student
Destiny Otoadese holds a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from the University of Benin, Nigeria, and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Community Engagement at the School of Public Health, University of Alberta. His research interests lie at the intersection of food sovereignty, community gardening, and community wellbeing. His current work focuses on the role of collective community gardening supporting cultural food security and facilitating smooth integration of Black African immigrants in Canada. In partnership with a local community-based organization, Destiny’s current work studies the food security status of the Black African immigrant population. This sheds light on unique barriers and facilitators to engagement among this population.
