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.
2026 Membership:
Senior Scientist and Director:
Dr. Vicki
Kristman
Professor; Lakehead University-Ontario Research Chair in Injury & Disability Prevention; Director & Senior Scientist, EPID@Work Research Institute
Campus: Thunder Bay
Office Location: BB 1035B (Dept); NO 2011B (EPID)
Phone Number: +1 807-343-8010ext. 8961, +1 807-343-8010ext. 7184
Email: vkristman@lakeheadu.ca
Scientist and Lead: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:
Dr. Kathy
Sanderson
Chair, Undergraduate Program
Associate Professor
Campus: Thunder Bay
Office Location: RB 1001
Phone Number: +1 (807) 343-8010ext. 8470
Email: kjsander@lakeheadu.ca
Scientist and Lead: Mental Health in the Workplace:
Dr. Abigale
Sprakes
Assistant Professor
Campus: Thunder Bay
Office Location: RC 3009
Phone Number: +1 (807) 343-8010ext. 8736
Email: asprakes@lakeheadu.ca
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. Nancy Carnide, Institute for Work & Health, 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.
Dr. Vicki
Kristman
Professor; Lakehead University-Ontario Research Chair in Injury & Disability Prevention; Director & Senior Scientist, EPID@Work Research Institute
Campus: Thunder Bay
Office Location: BB 1035B (Dept); NO 2011B (EPID)
Phone Number: +1 807-343-8010ext. 8961, +1 807-343-8010ext. 7184
Email: vkristman@lakeheadu.ca
Dr. Fernanda
Maria de Miranda
Postdoctoral Fellow
Campus: Thunder Bay
Phone Number: 807-343-8010 ext. 7161
Email: fmmirand@lakeheadu.ca
Sarah
Kamalzadeh
Communications Specialist
Campus: Thunder Bay
Phone Number: 807-343-8010 ext. 7636
Email: skamalza@lakeheadu.ca
Profile | Study |
Adam Banner
| |
Umme Kabir | |
Kristen McConnell | |
Kara Polson | Kara Polson is currently a PhD Candidate in Health Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Vicki Kristman. Her multi-study doctoral dissertation examines the relationship between organizational culture, organizational climate and worker mental well-being. |
Qinqin Meng
| Qinqin Meng is a PhD Student in Health Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Vicki Kristman. Her research focuses on workplace mental health and psychosocial factors, particularly among 2S/LGBTQI+ workers. She aims to promote healthier and more inclusive workplaces for everyone, especially underserved groups. |
Cornelia Kazemali
| |
Sydney White
| Sydney White is currently working towards her Master of Health Sciences, with a specialization in epidemiology, under the supervision of Dr. Vicki Kristman. Her research focuses on the psychosocial workplace risk factors and substance use patterns among workers in NWO. |
