Our Team

The purpose of the EPID@Work Management Committee is to operationalize recommendations from the Advisory Board to direct Institute activities. The committee was created to ensure that there is active research occurring in each of the theme areas: special populations of interest, musculoskeletal injury, and mental health in the workplace. The Management Committee reports to the Advisory Board. The committee recommends topics for research, training, and consultation projects and provides direction for the Director and Associate Director to share opportunities with Research Institute members to take the lead on these projects.

2023 Membership:

Photo of Dr. Vicki Kristman

 

Dr. Vicki Kristman
Senior Scientist and Director

 

  

Photo of Dr. Kathy Sanderson

 

Dr. Kathy Sanderson
Scientist and Lead: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

 

 

Photo of Dr. Lynn Martin

 

Dr. Lynn Martin
Senior Scientist and Lead: Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation

 

Photo of Dr. Deborah Scharf 

Dr. Deborah Scharf

Scientist and Lead: Mental Health in the Workplace

 

The EPID@Work Research Institute is celebrating continued growth and prosperity in 2023. As of June, EPID has nine full-time employees, 20 research assistants, plus additional trainees.

Photo of Marilee Nugent

Dr. Marilee Nugent, PhD

KMI Scientist

Photo of Elke Cullis

Elke Cullis

Office Administrator

Photo of Foruzan Bahrami

Foruzan Bahrami, MSc

Quantitative Research Assistant

Photo of Kelsey Raynard

Kelsey Raynard, MA

Knowledge Mobilization Specialist

Photo of Reid Kennel

Reid Kennel, BA

Administrative Assistant

Photo of Batholomew

Dr. Batholomew Chireh, PhD

Research Assistant Professor

Photo of Mannila

Mannila Sandhu, BTech, MSc

Quantitative Research Assistant

Photo of Sam

Dr. Samuel Essien, PhD

Assistant Professor of Health Sciences

 

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. Deborah Scharf, Department of Psychology, 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. Vijay Mago, Department of Computer Science, Scientist

Adjunct Members:

  • Dr. Afshin Vafaei, Department of Health Sciences, 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

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

2023 Advisory Board Membership:

  • Amy Kembel, Synergy North
  • Dr. Batia Stolar, Associate Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies; Chair of Advisory Committee
  • Dr. Joel Andersen, Occupational Physician 
  • Jules Tupker, Retired, previous CUPE Union
  • Margaret Cernigoj, EPID@Work KMI Lead
  • Matthew Mayer, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
  • Dr. Pierre Côté, Canadian Research Chair in Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation; Professor and Chiropractor; University of Ontario Institute of Technology
  • Steve Mantis, Ontario Network of Injured Workers, Thunder Bay and District Injured Workers Support Group

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.

 Join our team