Team

Current

J Lynn Fraser, MES
Technical Editor

Lynn does technical editing work for the STAR Institute, specifically supporting the STAR supported AGE-WELL AgeTech book series published by Springer. She was also the project manager and technical editor of Knowledge, Innovation, and Impact: A Guide for the Engaged Health Researcher book published by Springer. She is technical editor of AgeTech, Cogntiive Health, and Dementia book and Autonomy and Independence: Aging in an Era of Technology book, both developed by AGE-WELL and STAR, and is technical editor on a book on AGE-WELL's Challenge Area Health Care and Health Service Delivery. Lynn is a technical editor with academic, non-profit, government, industry, and corporate experience. Her writing, over 300 articles, has appeared in national and international magazines and newspapers. Lynn's research experience includes being a member of a research team whose work appeared on the cover of Time magazine and presenting her research at a Canadian Association on Gerontology annual conference. She has a Master’s in Environmental Studies specializing in the political economy of ageing research and policy, an Honours B.A. in Psychology with distinction and specializing in Gerontology, and an Honours B.A. in Sociology. 

Hannah Shin, MPH
Community-Based Researcher

Hannah is currently working on a paper with the STAR Institute based off her work as a community-based researcher at the STAR Institute and the 411 Seniors Centre Society focusing on the development of community-based participatory action research. She has documented how the digital divide is impacting older adults and the implications of aging in the digital world. Hannah holds a double major in BSc in Microbiology from the University of Manitoba and BA in Anthropology from the University of Victoria, and Master’s in Public Health, specializing in social and health inequities and global health from Simon Fraser University. Her ongoing community-oriented projects are through the social justice lens with the aim to challenge stereotypes and ageist attitudes our society hold towards older adults and digital technology. 

Jack Solomon, MSc, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Jack currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow within the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University, operating under the mentorship of Dr. Randy McIntosh, Dr. Sylvain Moreno and Dr. Andrew Sixsmith. He completed his graduate work at Dalhousie University in Rehabilitation Research, MSc, and Psychology and Neuroscience, PhD. His research is dedicated to identifying biomarkers of healthy aging and quantifying its relations with lifestyle factors and behavior. These insights are intended to serve as targets for interventions aimed at fostering healthy aging within the broader populace.

Elise Stone, BA, BASc
Research Assistant

Elise is a research assistant at the STAR Institute working on an AGE-WELL Catalyst Ethics and AgeTech project, and supporting other STAR initiatives. Elise is a Masters student of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University, who holds a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from the Simon Fraser University in BC, Canada, and a BASc in Biological and Chemical Technologies from the University of Western Sydney, NSW, Australia. Prior to joining the STAR Institute, Elise worked in private and public industry in Canada and Australia, specializing in environmental management and environmental technical support. Elise intends to use her Masters to explore the ethical and environmental challenges of aging.

Becky White, MSc
PhD Student and Research Assistant

Becky is a PhD student and research assistant at the STAR Institute, working on AGE-WELL's Healthy Lifestyles & Wellness Challenge Area, an AGE-WELL Catalyst Ethics and AgeTech project, and a MITACS Accelerate Fellowship project between the STAR Institute and the 411 Seniors Centre Society. Becky holds an MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health from the University of Bristol, UK and a BA in History from the University of Warwick, UK. Prior to joining the STAR Institute, she worked in project management roles in public and non-profit health and social care organizations in both the UK and USA. Becky's research focuses on the role of seniors centres in promoting the health and wellbeing of older people in Canada.

Karen Lok Yi Wong, MA, MSW
Affiliated Researcher

Karen has worked with the STAR Institute on various papers and projects over the years and continues to engage with the Institute on specific work. She received her MA in social policy at the University of York, United Kingdom and her MSW in social work at University of British Columbia, Canada. She has conducted research and analyzed policies on older adults and healthcare including palliative care, long-term care and family caregiving and published and presented widely academically and professionally. She has received competitive and non-competitive research grants as principal or co-investigators. She is a registered social worker in BC, Canada and has been practicing in diverse settings related to older adults such as community senior services centre, long-term care, and acute care hospital. She is currently practicing social work with Providence Healthcare in Vancouver. She is also a long-term volunteer of Alzheimer's Society. She is serving on the BC Association of Social Workers Multicultural and Anti-racist Committee and Seniors Community of Practice.

Former

Lupin Battersby, MA
Research Assistant

Lupin was a research assistant at the STAR Institute and is a PhD student in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. Her doctoral research explores integrated knowledge translation for improving practice in long-term care relocations. Knowledge mobilization integrates her background in counseling psychology with her interest in qualitative research. Lupin recently completed a graduate certificate in science and technology commercialization, building capacity to support AGE-WELL projects to commercialize. Lupin has been involved in qualitative research projects related to long-term care relocations, seniors housing, mental health policy, psychiatric deinstitutionalization, and knowledge mobilization.

Greg Christie, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Greg was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the STAR Institute and has a PhD in Psychology from Simon Fraser University where he studied under the supervision of Dr. John McDonald. He also holds degrees in Neuroscience and New Media from the University of Lethbridge, and studied at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience. His research is centered on the brain processes controlling cognition, with a focus on how we pay attention to certain stimuli, prioritize information, and ultimately make decisions. Currently, Greg spearheads the development of mobile applications at the Digital Health Hub that can improve the cognitive health of children and older adults.

Zhaoxue Ci, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Zhaoxue Ci was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the STAR Institute and at the time, was a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Economics at the University of Calgary. Her primary research field is Health Economics, and she has investigated the relationship between policies and the public wellbeing with interdisciplinary approaches. Currently, Zhaoxue is working to promote collocative projects on aging health. She is interested in transforming creative research into real-world solutions. Her research interest also involves securing the accessibility to health service for older adults in Canada and low-and-middle-income countries.

Katherin Eible, MSc
Research Assistant

Kathrin was a research assistant at the STAR Institute and holds a Master's degree in Health Studies from the University of Applied Sciences in Burgenland, Austria. In her past research, she investigated barriers and intervention strategies to improve the patient flow in New Zealand's emergency departments and hospitals. Furthermore, Kathrin has examined the opportunities and limitations for the implementation of Primary Health Care in Austria by conducting a field study with health care experts. In her research at SFU, she investigated new approaches in regards to the use of technology to improve health in older adults living in lower and middle income countries. Since July 2017, Kathrin has been working as the Quality Improvement Coordinator at Fraser Health Authority, Canada.

Aisling Flynn, BSc, PhD Candidate
Visiting Researcher

Aisling Flynn was a visiting researcher at the STAR Institute. At the time, she was a PhD Candidate in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway. As part of her doctoral studies, she explored the design of a virtual reality social connecting space for older adults living with dementia. Aisling holds an honours BSc in Occupational Therapy from NUI Galway. She has worked in several role-emerging areas of OT including Memory Technology Resource Rooms which prescribe assistive technology for people living with memory difficulties. Aisling has a keen interest in community-engaged research and how to meaningfully design digital technology to support the health and well-being of older adults.

Sabrina Ford, MSc
Research Assistant

Sabrina was a research assistant at the STAR Institute. Sabrina aided in the development of specific tools for older adults and their caregivers to use for a variety of challenge areas. She has been in varying research assistant roles at both Western University and the Child and Parent Resource Institute. Sabrina graduated with a BA in Psychology at Western University in 2017, and began a Masters in Neuroscience in the same year. She is currently studying the effects of meditation on older adults and their attention and falls risk. Sabrina plans to continue research with older adults throughout her future education and career in the realm of Neuropsychology.

Becky Horst, MSc
Research Assistant

Becky was a research assistant at the STAR Institute and supported the research and development of AGE-WELL Network projects. She worked on a project which explored the "Challenge Areas" of aging and investigated how new opportunities for technology can help Canadian society tackle these challenges. Becky holds an honours BSc in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo and a MSc in Clinical Anatomy from Western University. She was pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience at Western University, focusing on projects that integrate her past experiences of exercise psychology, neuroanatomy and cognition. Her research specifically focuses on older adult’s perceptions of their memory confidence and the influence modifying their efficacy has on neurocognitive components and overall brain health.

Alexandra Jackson, BSc
Research Assistant

Alexandra was a research assistant at the STAR Institute and a health and aging graduate student at the University of Western Ontario. Alexandra graduated with a BSc in Kinesiology and a diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto, Ontario. She volunteers with older adults who participate in a program called Rock Steady Boxing, supported by the Parkinson’s Society. Her interests include promoting physical and recreational activities to support a healthy and meaningful lifestyle for the aging population. Alexandra’s current research is a qualitative approach to determine how leisure physical activity promotes social connectedness within retirement living communities.

Piper Jackson, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Piper was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the STAR Institute and a postdoctoral researcher in Computing Science and Gerontology at SFU. His primary interest is the application of computational methods within the social sciences. His technical expertise spans formal methods, computational modelling, agile development, and data science. Projects he has contributed to include topics from Criminology, Public Safety, Political Science, Public Health, and Gerontology. As a veteran interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary researcher, Piper is very interested in how innovative science can work with industry, government, and communities to support positive social change. Piper's past research was funded by IBM Canada's Centre for Advanced Studies and Mitacs.

Anastasia Korol, BSc
Research Assistant

Anastasia was a research assistant at the STAR Institute and a Point of Care Health Technologies (PCHT) trainee. She was involved in a literature review that investigates the aging populations relationship with e-health, with consideration of socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors. Anastasia also took part in the initial phases of a research project inspecting various Innovation Hubs, and how they operate. Anastasia graduated with a BSc in Psychology from the University of British Columbia with focus on neurochemical, neurophysiological, and psychosocial content with an emphasis on motivation, learning, development, and aging. Her interests include the resources and opportunities provided to aging populations.

Olga Krakovska, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Olga was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the STAR Intitute and a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Gerontology at SFU. With a profound background in mathematical biology and bioinformatics, Olga focused on mathematical and statistical analysis and modeling of complex biological and clinical data. Her projects included analysis of large-scale proteomics data, identifying bio-markers of diseases and recovery, and mathematical modeling of infectious diseases. Olga worked with bio-physiological data, developing and validating advanced machine learning and data mining techniques. She also explored big data in health care to promote healthy aging and individualized medicine.

Abdoul Jalil DJIBEROU MAHAMADOU, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Abdoul was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Interactive Arts and Technology at SFU under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Sixsmith. Under Dr. Sixsmith, Abdoul was working on individualized medicine using artificial intelligence and data analysis techniques and recently received a new position at Stanford University. Abdoul holds a PhD in Computer Science, Engineering degree in applied mathematics, and MSc in Computer Science from Clermont Auvergne University in France. During his PhD thesis, Abdoul worked in interdisciplinary fields composed of Computer Science, Aging, and Chronic Pain. He received several scholarships and awards including Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Postdoctoral Fellow and a PhD funding from the French National Research Agency.

Renuga Nagarajan, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Renuga was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the STAR Institute and a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Gerontology at SFU. She has a PhD degree from Faculty of Economics, University of Porto, Portugal. Her PhD thesis concentrated on examining the impact of population ageing on Least Developed Countries. Her research is centered on ageing workforce and human capital, with specific focus on examining the productivity level of ageing workforce by sectors, the contribution of technology (AI) in optimizing the productivity level of ageing workforce and understand the correlation between ageing workforce and human capital. She has articles published in Review of Development Economics, Singapore Economic Review, Análise Social and Ageing International.

Emma Rodrigues, MSc
Research Assistant

Emma was a research assistant at the STAR Institute and has an MSc in Biomedical Engineering and is now a PhD student at SFU. Her thesis focused on understanding how lifelong activities impact the lives of older adults, in particular how the independent living and brain health vary between experts and sedentary older adults. Besides being interested in studying ways to maintain or improve cognitive resilience and reserve, Emma's research interests also include using engineering techniques to understand properties of neural systems as a measure of cognitive health and applying this knowledge to the preventative care field, particularly in older adults.

Ellie Siden, BA
Research Assistant

Ellie was a research assistant at the STAR Institute and a Point of Care Health Technologies (PCHT) trainee. Ellie assisted Mei Lan Feng and Dr. Sixmith with their research and publication projects. Among others projects, this involved conducting an overview of strategic priorities of ageing organizations as well as a literary review looking at quantitative research about e-health technology for older people that takes into account socioeconomic dimensions. Ellie is particularly interested in how we communicate about ageing and the end of life, and graduated with a BA in comparative literature and musicology.

Mineko Wada, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Mineko was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the STAR Institute, a senior research associate in AGE-WELL NCE and a postdoctoral researcher at the Gerontology Research Centre at SFU. With an occupational science and therapy background, Mineko has been involved in researching network members’ experiences of collaborative research, meanings of home for residents in long-term care environments, older adults’ self-presentation in online dating profiles, media analyses of later life sexuality, and conceptions of life balance. Mineko uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches, but is particularly passionate about expanding her capacity to utilize qualitative research methodologies and methods (e.g., phenomenography, participatory action research, and critical discourse analysis).