Team Members
Inclusive Environments Lab Lead
Atiya Mahmood, Ph.D. (she/her)
Dr. Mahmood is a Professor in the Gerontology Department at SFU with a research focus on older adults, persons with disability, mobility, social inclusion/exclusion and participation, physical environment and health. Her expertise includes qualitative, mixed-method and community-based participatory research.
Her recent research in MAP can be summarized as: a) development of comprehensive and validated user-led tools in environmental assessments for older adults and people with disabilities; b) development of evidence-based Knowledge Translation tools in mobility and participation for diverse group of people using a community-based participatory process.
Research Coordinators
Letitia Zhu, Ph.D. Student, MAP-SWAN project coordinator (She/her)
Letitia holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from Beijing Forestry University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Gerontology at Simon Fraser University under the supervision of Dr.Atiya Mahmood. Her research interests lie at the intersection of art-based methods, community-engaged research approach and technology, to explore how to enhance accessibility, safety and independance for older adults with disabilities. Letitia coordinates multiple projects at the lab.
Hailey Thomas Ford, BA, BScN, MA, NeighbourABLE coordinator (she/her)
Hailey has a passion for working with older adults, and for the discipline of gerontology. She completed her Master’s degree in Gerontology under the supervision of Dr. Atiya Mahmood, and her research focused on the self-management health practices of those aging with spinal cord injuries. Hailey is interested in applied and community-based research, where she can foster public engagement and mentor students to learn about this vibrant form of knowledge production. Hailey has also previously worked as a Research Assistant with the lab during her graduate studies.
Samna Sadaf Khan, B.Arch, MSc, Knowledge mobilization coordinator (she/her)
Samna's educational background is in architecture, followed by a research Master's in Urban Management & Development from Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Her professional training has focused on interdisciplinary and collaborative planning approaches for sustainable cities. Her research interests include design of inclusive public spaces, accessibility and walkability within neighborhoods.
Nosaiba Fayyaz, Ph.D. Student, AIRP project coordinator (She/Her)
Nosaiba holds a Master’s degree in Health and Aging from McMaster University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Gerontology at Simon Fraser University. Her research interests sit at the intersection of aging, housing precarity and social inequities, with a particular focus on the lived experiences, gendered realities and service needs of older adults experiencing homelessness and housing precarity. Through her work, Nosaiba aims to strengthen services, policies and housing supports to better meet the needs of older adults facing housing challenges.
Jean Paul, M.A. Gerontology, AIRP project coordinator (He/Him)
Jean is an international student from Colombia, with a BSc in Psychology at the Universidad de Antioquia. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Gerontology at SFU. His research interests lie at the intersection of aging, identity, and housing, with a focus on how older adults maintain and express their identities in precarious or transitional living situations. More broadly, his research explores housing, accessibility, mobility, and the well-being of older adults, particularly those experiencing or with lived experience of homelessness.
Research Assistants
Junghun Hoonie Byun, B.Sc (he/him)
Hoonie is an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University majoring in Computing Science and minoring in Economics. He has a background in working at criminology and engineering labs. His interests lie in quantitative work and learning how surroundings can affect individuals’ quality of life.
Melanie Nichele, B.A. (she/her)
Melanie is an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University majoring in Psychology with minors in Counselling and Human Development. Her research interests include increasing advocacy and education accessibility for older adult populations, as well as intergenerational environmental activism efforts.
Olivia Picariello, B.A. (she/her)
Olivia is an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University, completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, along with a Certificate in Social Justice. Her research interests centre on the social and structural factors that shape the well-being of older adults and individuals with disabilities. Drawing on her interdisciplinary background in psychology and social justice, she is eager to further develop her skills in community-based work that supports more inclusive environments.
Nihaarika Naithani, B.Sc. (she/her)
Nihaarika is an undergraduate student at SFU majoring in Data Science. She is interested in using data to explore social and community issues as well as business and organizational challenges, especially in areas related to accessibility, health, and well-being. Through her training in data analysis and applied research, she is developing strong analytical and data storytelling skills to support inclusive, evidence-informed work across social and professional settings.