Our Team

Director:

Dr. Vicki Kristman, Department of Health Sciences, Senior Scientist

Associate Director:

Dr. Kathy Sanderson, Department of Business Administration, Scientist

Full members:

• Dr. Abigale Sprakes, Department of Social Work, Scientist
• Dr. Amanda Maranzan, Department of Psychology, Scientist
• Dr. Anna Koné Péfoyo, Department of Health Sciences, Scientist
• Dr. Christopher Mushquash, Department of Psychology, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Senior Scientist
• Dr. Helle Møller, Department of Health Sciences, Scientist
• Dr. Jo-Ann Vis, School of Social Work, Scientist
• Dr. Kathryn Sinden, School of Kinesiology, Scientist
• Dr. Kristen Jones-Bonofiglio, School of Nursing, Scientist
• Dr. Lori Chambers, Department of Gender and Women's Studies, Senior Scientist
• Dr. Lynn Martin, Department of Health Sciences, Senior Scientist
• Dr. Mojgan Zarghamifard, Department of Psychology, Visiting Professor
• Dr. David Thompson, School of Nursing, Associate Professor
• Dr. Mirella Stroink, Department of Psychology, Associate Professor
• Dr. Mirit Grabarski, Department of Business Administration, Assistant Professor 
• Dr. Robin Whitehead, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Assistant Professor
• Dr. Kate J. Darling, Darling Organizational Psychology, Organizational Psychologist 

Adjunct Members:

• Dr. Afshin Vafaei, Western University, Department of Health Studies, Associate Scientist
• Dr. Arif Jetha, Institute for Work & Health, Scientist
• Dr. Basak Yanar, Institute for Work & Health, Associate Scientist
• Dr. Cecile Boot, Vrije Universiteit (VU) University Medical Center in Amsterdam, Scientist
• Dr. Fergal O'Hagan, Trent University, Department of Psychology, Scientist
• Dr. Joshua Armstrong, Department of Health Sciences, Associate Scientist
• Dr. Manal Alzghoul, Brock University, School of Nursing, Scientist
• Dr. Monique Gignac, Institute for Work & Health, Senior Scientist
• Dr. Rebecca Schiff, University of Northern British Columbia, Department of Health Sciences, Scientist
• Dr. Salimur Choudhury, Department of Computer Science, Scientist
• Dr. Vijay Mago, School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Associate Professor
• Dr. Heather M Boynton, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Assistant Professor
• Dr. Deborah Scharf, Trillium Health Partners, Institute for Better Health, Senior Clinician Scientist 

Emeritus Member:

Dr. William Shaw, University of Connecticut Health Center, Scientist

The purpose of the EPID@Work Advisory Board Committee is to provide guiding recommendations to the Director and Management Committee to direct Institute activities. The committee was created to ensure guidance from all vital stakeholders: injured workers, unions, employers, health care, compensation and legislation. These perspectives will assist in the development of each of the core research theme areas: special populations of interest, musculoskeletal injury, and mental health in the workplace. Members will be advocates for the Institute.

Members include the EPID@Work Director, the Lakehead University VPRI (or designate), and two representatives from each of the following groups:

• Injured workers and/or union representatives
• Employer representatives
• Health care representatives
• Compensation or legislation representatives

2025 Advisory Board Membership:

• Amy Kembel, Synergy North
• Dr. Batia Stolar, Associate Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies; Chair of Advisory Committee
• Elizabeth Widdifield, RegenMed
• Jules Tupker, Retired, previous CUPE Union
• Margaret Cernigoj, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
• Steve Mantis, Ontario Network of Injured Workers, Thunder Bay and District Injured Workers Support Group
• Melissa Bruno, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
• Audrey Gilbeau, Nokiiwin Tribal Council (formerly) 
• Dr. Mandy McMahan, Psychologist
• Greg Mahood, Occupational Therapist 

EPID@Work Research Institute is looking for new members on our Advisory Board Committee. Please complete this form and email to epid.hbsc@lakeheadu.ca if you are interested in joining our Advisory Board.

• Adam Banner
• Umme Kabir
• Kristen McConnell
• Kara Polson
• Qinqin Meng
• Cornelia Kazemali
• Sydney White