Who we are
Our Team
Julie Rempel
Research Study Manager
Julie brings a diverse professional background in Nutrition, Psychology, and Public Health. Her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing scientific understanding and enhancing community well-being. With a passion for lifestyle medicine, Julie focuses on promoting health through sustainable, evidence-based practices. She is enthusiastic about applying her skills and experience to the Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Lab, particularly in the research project "Daily Social Experiences and Health in Older Age."
Dr. Yoonseok Choi
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Yoonseok Choi is a Postdoctoral Fellow researching aging immigrants’ health care access and utilization using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. His work is supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR; 2025–2028). Dr. Choi received his PhD in Psychology from the University of British Columbia. His research broadly focuses on culture, aging, and health, using longitudinal approaches such as daily life assessments.
Research Assistants and Graduate Students
Shivani Ratnayake
Research Assistant
Shivani Ratnayake has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Counselling and Human Development from Simon Fraser University. She is a Research Assistant for Simon Fraser University's Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Lab, for the Daily Activities, Social Events, and Health Study, in the Gerontology Department. Her interests are in understanding effective, psychological, healthy aging for older adults.
Anna Polzer
Mitacs Research Assistant
Anna Polzer is an intern and research assistant at the Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Lab. She recently completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology in Germany. Anna enjoys connecting with people and engaging in meaningful conversations. What she likes most about psychology is that it is down-to-earth and allows her to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Fathima Azmiya
Research Assistant
Fathima Azmiya is a Study Coordinator for the COPE study and a Research Assistant for the DASH study at the Lifelong Health and Well-being Lab. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and a Master’s degree in Global Health. Fathima’s previous research focused on addressing Superbugs (AMR) and developing intervention policies to reduce CVD in low-middle income countries. She aims to bridge the gap between evidence-based research and Health Policy strategies that promote longevity and functional independence in later life, supporting the well-being and dignity of an aging global population.
Mariana Aigner de Oliveira
MA STUDENT / GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Mariana Aigner de Oliveira is a Research Assistant at the Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Lab at Simon Fraser University. Her academic background includes a BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminology from Simon Fraser University. With a particular interest in developmental psychology, she seeks to understand how individuals change and adapt across the lifespan. Passionate about helping others, Mariana is drawn to experiences that allow her to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Jessica Pike
MA STUDENT / GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Jessica is a MA gerontology student and research assistant at Simon Fraser University. Jessica received her BA in psychology from the University of the Fraser Valley. Her current area of research interest is on social cognition and wellbeing across the lifespan. She enjoys engaging with others of all ages and aims to understand the nuances of social connection and its value in everyday life.
Marie Mokros
Visiting Research Assistant
Marie is a visiting research assistant from Germany. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. Her research interests center on what constitutes “the good life,” with a particular focus on positive psychology, interpersonal relationships, and psychological interventions that promote mental health and well-being. At the Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Lab, she is excited to explore factors that contribute to health and well-being across the lifespan.