This week, we’re excited to kick off the S2PA program, and share our 2025 cohort with you today. Over the next five weeks, these individuals will be exploring opportunities to bring science and research more deeply into the fabric of public policy.

For now, join us in welcoming our 2025 cohort!

Ahrrabie Thirunavukkarasu

I am involved in health systems research in pediatrics at St. Michael’s Hospital, where I focus on supporting newcomer families and children with special healthcare needs through research on system navigation and maternal empowerment. I hold a Master of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from Western University and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Toronto. My thesis explored how adolescents engage with health research in digital spaces. I am passionate about making research more inclusive, and about connecting evidence with policy to help build more equitable and compassionate health systems.

Aline Maybank

Aline recently completed her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Environmental Health Sciences at Yale University, concentrating on Climate Change and Health. Originally from British Columbia, her research explores the intersection of air quality, wildfire smoke, and community health equity using remote sensing and geospatial tools. She has led a wildfire risk study with the NASA DEVELOP Program, supported community-led air quality monitoring initiatives in Nova Scotia and the Northeast US, and has worked at the United Nations Environment Programme. Aline is passionate about translating science into policy to drive equitable climate adaptation and air quality solutions across Canada.

Amine el Mahdi Safhi

Amine el Mahdi Safhi is an engineer and researcher specializing in waste management and circular economy for the development of sustainable construction materials. He holds a joint PhD in civil and environmental engineering from the Université de Sherbrooke (Canada) and IMT Lille Douai (France). He has held postdoctoral research positions at IMT Nord Europe (France), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Morocco), Concordia University (Canada), and Østfold University College (Norway). His work focuses on the reuse of industrial by-products as eco-efficient alternatives for infrastructure and coastal development through innovative materials science. He is actively involved in international research collaborations and science-policy initiatives.

Andrew Richmond

I study the way human beings make complex systems, like brains and neural networks, intelligible. I approach that question with methods from philosophy and psychology. And recently I have been interested in the policy implications of this work: what kind of knowledge do we want, what are we entitled to, and what is even possible when we demand an explanation of complex systems like AI models?

Angela McLaughlin

I am a postdoctoral research fellow at Dalhousie University and University of Guelph studying influenza virus evolution and genetic features associated with host specificity. I received my PhD at University of British Columbia in Bioinformatics, where I also did a MSc in Population and Public Health. My graduate research was focused on understanding the impact of public health interventions on SARS-CoV-2 and HIV evolution and epidemiology.

Ashley Reynolds

Ashley is an evolutionary ecologist working on understanding how species of carnivorous mammals grow and change throughout their lives. She studies both fossil and living species to detail how pace of life influenced past extinctions, and how that knowledge can help us address the biodiversity crisis. She is active in helping two local organizations, Bird Friendly Ottawa and Safe Wings Ottawa, push for bird-friendly policies at the municipal level and is excited to learn more about how she can use her expertise to help Canadians protect and live in harmony with wildlife.

Ashmita Singh

Ashmita Singh is a public health researcher and anthropologist with over three years of experience leading community-based projects across academic and nonprofit sectors. Currently completing her MPH at the University of Alberta, she brings expertise in program evaluation, knowledge mobilization, and mixed-methods research. At the Rehabilitation Robotics Lab and APERSU, she supports equity-focused initiatives using creative and data-driven approaches. Her work spans rural mental health, pelvic floor health, and adolescent HIV care. A Global Rehabilitation Leadership Fellow and CanSTAR Governance Fellow, Ashmita is passionate about transforming health systems through inclusive design, digital innovation, and community-centered collaboration.

Campion Cottrell-McDermott

Campion Cottrell-McDermott (BA, MPH) is a passionate advocate and interested in substance use and harm reduction, the climate crisis, and housing policy. In their free time they love to be outside and crafting. Campion’s background includes experiences both on the front line and in research in health equity, housing, harm reduction, and mental health.

Cyndirela Chadambuka

I am an interdisciplinary researcher with a background in social work and public health. My research program is centered on enhancing health and social equity among underserved populations in Canada and beyond. I particularly study underserved populations that are exposed to or at risk of gender-based violence (GBV) in its different forms, including human trafficking, and the associated (adverse) health outcomes.

Emily Nishikawa

I work with the assessment of energy systems and emerging technologies. Currently, I am working with bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the Canadian context. Previously, I worked with the life cycle assessment (LCA) of emerging technologies for energy systems. I focus on assessing potential environmental impacts, but I am also exploring other frameworks and methods for sustainability. A common goal throughout my work includes providing the foundation for better-informed decisions. However, I also want to communicate effectively with policymakers to broaden the impact of my research.

Esther Mbagwu

I have a background in Geophysics, and just completed a Master of Land and Water Systems degree at UBC in 2023. I’ll be starting new research at the University of Calgary’s Department of Geoscience, focusing on geothermal energy transition, CO₂ plume monitoring, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). I’m particularly interested in how geothermal policy can support equitable, community-driven outcomes, especially for Indigenous communities. I’m looking forward to connecting science and policy to help shape sustainable energy solutions that are inclusive and grounded in real-world impact.

Essi Salokangas

Essi Salokangas (she/her) is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research Scientist with the Inner City Health and Wellness Program. She holds a BSc. in Pharmacy (2016) and MPH in Health Promotion (2024), both from the University of Alberta. In 2016, Essi co-founded the Adherence & Community Engagement (ACE) Team, pharmacist-led outreach service for individuals facing complex barriers. She later became the first integrated pharmacist with the Addiction Recovery and Community Health (ARCH) team. Her work centers on harm reduction, substance use disorders, social determinants of health, and health equity.

Harpreet Kaur

Dr. Harpreet Kaur is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alberta, where she studies the ecology and evolution of eukaryotic microbes. Her research explores the evolution of the contractile vacuole (osmoregulatory organelle) in freshwater protists and membrane trafficking machinery in Plasmodium, offering insights into cell biology and pathogenesis. She also has a strong interest in environmental monitoring and has used omics-based approaches to study microbial communities in Alberta’s oil sands. Dr. Kaur has presented her work at international conferences and authored several peer-reviewed publications.

Kainat Bashir

Dr. Kainat Bashir is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Better Health (IBH), Trillium Health Partners, and a member of the deprescribing.org team. Dr. Bashir’s research focuses on improving health outcomes for older adults, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds. Her work includes developing culturally tailored brain health interventions for older immigrants in Ontario, combining her expertise in implementation science and knowledge translation. Currently, Dr. Bashir also leads the qualitative and implementation components of DIAL, a CIHR-funded study aimed at enhancing wellbeing for older adults with diabetes in LTC homes. She aims to be an embedded researcher specializing in models of care for older immigrants, fostering innovations in care delivery responsive to Canada’s increasingly diverse older adult population.

Laura Neagu-Lund

My name is Laura and I’m an outgoing biochemist who likes being outdoors. Since obtaining my masters last year, I’ve been working as a scientist where I look at proteins in animal and human tissues as part of biomedical research. I want to use my scientific and analytical skills to promote viable and evidence-based public policies, and I’m looking forward to learning about that process through S2PA. Outside of work, I enjoy being by the water, whether that’s racing with my rowing team or biking along the canals in the summer.

Marudan Sivagurunathan

Dr. Sivagurunathan is an independent health equity researcher with expertise in gender-based violence, child and adolescent health, and inclusive policy development. They hold a PhD in Measurement & Methods and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Transition-Related Surgery at Women’s College Hospital. Their research spans mixed-methods designs and policy-focused knowledge mobilization, with past work informing practices in healthcare, education, and marginalized communities. Dr. Sivagurunathan is committed to translating research into action by bridging science and policy, ensuring that evidence-based solutions are grounded in equity, cultural responsiveness, and the lived experiences of underserved populations.

Mikellena Nettos

Mikellena Nettos is a climate communicator, community organizer, and sustainability researcher passionate about environmental justice and public health. She holds a Master’s in Sustainability Science and a BSc in Medical Sciences with minors in Environmental Sustainability and Dramatic Arts. Mikellena has worked across Canada in climate education, grassroots organizing, and research, including with Climate Reality Project Canada and Climate Justice Montreal. Bilingual and creatively driven, she also leads climate-focused book clubs to foster dialogue and learning. Currently based in Montréal, Mikellena brings a collaborative, heart-led approach to building a more just, resilient, and sustainable future.

Neha Tewari

I am a proactive and dedicated Social Scientist with a strong academic foundation in governance, public policy, and international relations. I hold a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Area Studies, and have taught as an Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts & Humanities at Chandigarh University. My research spans governance structures, digital health initiatives, and migration studies—fields that converge at the critical nexus of science, policy, and societal impact. Over the years, I have cultivated a multidisciplinary perspective through diverse academic and international roles. My academic work has been featured in journals and conferences focused on democracy, migration, and international policy. These include recent publications on the state of democracy in Turkey, and the geopolitical dimensions of trade relations.I look forward to contributing these skills to the Science to Policy Accelerator program and deepening my engagement with Canada’s science-policy ecosystem.

Nessa Bandarchian

Nesa Bandarchian is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) at York University in Toronto. She holds a PhD in Educational Studies from McGill University, where her interdisciplinary research focused on the resettlement experiences of adolescent refugee girls and young women in Quebec. She is passionate about employing Participatory Visual and Arts-based methods to empower marginalized groups, particularly children, girls, and young women. She views research as a powerful tool for creating meaningful and lasting change in the world.

Odette Murara

Dr. Odette Murara is a researcher and an Adjunct professor in the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. She holds community-based research experience with marginalized groups in Africa and Canada. Currently, Dr. Murara is a Co-PI on a collaborative project with an Africa-based university, focusing on adolescents and reproductive health, while leading a new funded project (PI) on Newcomer youth and substance misuse in Calgary. Dr. Murara has presented in various local and international conferences, and she has more than five years of experience working as a Community Development Practitioner. She is an active member of different academic and non-academic bodies, including the Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS); Women, Peace & Security Network Canada (WPSN-C); and Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (CRISM) Prairie Node.

Oladimeji Iwalaye

I am Oladimeji Ayo Iwalaye, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, working in Professor Maite Maldonado’s laboratory and collaborating with OceanWise’s PlasticLab in Vancouver, Canada. I hold a PhD in Biology, and my doctoral research investigated microplastic ingestion by marine invertebrates under varying temperatures. Currently, I conduct laboratory experiments to study microfiber toxicity in zooplankton and mussels, simulating ocean conditions to produce evidence-based insights. My work aims to inform decisions protecting marine ecosystems, ensuring the ocean’s wonders are preserved for future generations.

Opeyemi Adetunji

Opeyemi Adetunji has a background in pharmacy and recently completed a master’s in Global Health Policy from the London School of Economics. She is passionate about policymaking and is eager to leverage experience and skills to make a significant change within the Canadian policy landscape.

Tran Thanh Tam Pham

Tran Thanh Tam Pham (pronouns: they/she) is a Viet queer disabled scientist with a PhD degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Dalhousie University. They are the Diversity & Equity Assessment Program Officer at Dalhousie University and the Co-President of the Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology where they strategically developed equity assessment tools for K-12 and post-secondary STEM education systems. Tam is also a Canadian scholar in 2024-2025 Science Technology & Policy (STeP) Fellowship program hosted by the IAI for Global Change Research and a 2025 Y7 delegate representing Canada in the Energy and Environment track.

Weishan Wang

Weishan has a PhD in interdisciplinary studies. Her research examines the evolution of Canada’s laws and policies for Arctic shipping, Indigenous engagement and rights in shipping governance. Her research explores the nature of Marine Spatial Planning and its potential application as a policy framework for Arctic shipping governance. She currently works as a Research Programs Manager at the Ocean Frontier Institute, which is led by Dalhousie University. Weishan manages research programs within the Transforming Climate Action initiative, while also building relationships and strengthening collaborations between researchers and other partners.