Our Team

Dr. Nicole Dryburgh is a postdoctoral fellow on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team and in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University in the Lab for Youth Mental Health. Nicole completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at McGill University. Her program of research is focused on improving measurement and intervention for youth mental health. She is particularly interested in understanding how interpersonal experiences in adolescence and young adulthood relate to mental health, and vice versa, and how to improve measurement in these areas. Nicole is currently leading research that aims to improve evidence-based, accessible interventions in school mental health settings by integrating measurement-based care practices and expanding the range of outcomes that are assessed throughout interventions. Nicole has received funding from various sources for her work including SSHRC and FRQSC. Her research can be found in leading journals in clinical and developmental psychology (e.g., Child Development, Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology). Nicole is also strongly committed to knowledge dissemination, as demonstrated through her successful efforts in translating her research through various lectures, workshops, and teaching roles. 

Dr. Nicole Dryburgh is a postdoctoral fellow on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team and in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University in the Lab for Youth Mental Health. Nicole completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at McGill University. Her program of research is focused on improving measurement and intervention for youth mental health. She is particularly interested in understanding how interpersonal experiences in adolescence and young adulthood relate to mental health, and vice versa, and how to improve measurement in these areas. Nicole is currently leading research that aims to improve evidence-based, accessible interventions in school mental health settings by integrating measurement-based care practices and expanding the range of outcomes that are assessed throughout interventions. Nicole has received funding from various sources for her work including SSHRC and FRQSC. Her research can be found in leading journals in clinical and developmental psychology (e.g., Child Development, Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology). Nicole is also strongly committed to knowledge dissemination, as demonstrated through her successful efforts in translating her research through various lectures, workshops, and teaching roles. 

Linda Duong is a research assistant on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She holds a BHSc with a specialization in Child Health from McMaster University and is currently a Doctor of Medicine candidate at the University of Toronto. She joined the team under the supervision of Dr. Kathy Georgiades with support from the BHSc Program Summer Research Scholarship which she received three times between 2022-2024. Broadly, her interests lie in the mental health and well-being of children and understanding how various socio-demographic factors are associated with help-seeking behaviour, accessibility of support, and perception of care. Linda is also interested in exploring the various roles schools play in mental health servicing pathways and evaluating targets for intervention within that system.

Linda Duong is a research assistant on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She holds a BHSc with a specialization in Child Health from McMaster University and is currently a Doctor of Medicine candidate at the University of Toronto. She joined the team under the supervision of Dr. Kathy Georgiades with support from the BHSc Program Summer Research Scholarship which she received three times between 2022-2024. Broadly, her interests lie in the mental health and well-being of children and understanding how various socio-demographic factors are associated with help-seeking behaviour, accessibility of support, and perception of care. Linda is also interested in exploring the various roles schools play in mental health servicing pathways and evaluating targets for intervention within that system.

Dr. Anne Fuller is former a PhD candidate on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is now an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at McMaster University and a consulting pediatrician at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Anne’s research is focused on understanding the effects of poverty-related risks on child physical and mental health, with a particular interest the cumulative vulnerabilities experienced by children with chronic health conditions and their families. Her research also aims to understand buffers at the family and community level that may offer protection in the setting of these risks, with the goal of informing meaningful, scalable interventions. Her research recently received a CIHR doctoral award. 

Dr. Anne Fuller is former a PhD candidate on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is now an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at McMaster University and a consulting pediatrician at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Anne’s research is focused on understanding the effects of poverty-related risks on child physical and mental health, with a particular interest the cumulative vulnerabilities experienced by children with chronic health conditions and their families. Her research also aims to understand buffers at the family and community level that may offer protection in the setting of these risks, with the goal of informing meaningful, scalable interventions. Her research recently received a CIHR doctoral award. 

Lindsay is the research program manager on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. Lindsay supports the overall AYM research program and currently manages the CIHR-funded study ‘Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response on Canadian Children and Youth’ project. Lindsay completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in anthropology at the University of Guelph, and a Master of Arts in the Anthropology of Health at McMaster University. Lindsay has 5+ years of experience working in mixed-methods and qualitative research, and project management. She joined the AYM team in August 2023.

Lindsay is the research program manager on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. Lindsay supports the overall AYM research program and currently manages the CIHR-funded study ‘Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response on Canadian Children and Youth’ project. Lindsay completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in anthropology at the University of Guelph, and a Master of Arts in the Anthropology of Health at McMaster University. Lindsay has 5+ years of experience working in mixed-methods and qualitative research, and project management. She joined the AYM team in August 2023.

Leanna Kalinowski is a research coordinator on the Advancing Youth Mental Health Team. She manages partnerships and engagement for the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), working with policy, youth, and community partners to co-produce research priorities and share findings in accessible and useful ways. Leanna earned a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) and an MA in Behavioural Neuroscience from the University at Buffalo and combines her research foundation with policy engagement expertise. She is committed to open, transparent science that builds trust and supports better mental health outcomes for young people.

Leanna Kalinowski is a research coordinator on the Advancing Youth Mental Health Team. She manages partnerships and engagement for the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), working with policy, youth, and community partners to co-produce research priorities and share findings in accessible and useful ways. Leanna earned a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) and an MA in Behavioural Neuroscience from the University at Buffalo and combines her research foundation with policy engagement expertise. She is committed to open, transparent science that builds trust and supports better mental health outcomes for young people.

Andrea Krishnapillai is a doctoral student in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Research Methodology (HRM). Her personal experiences as a woman of Sri-Lankan heritage, raised by immigrant parents influenced her outlook on the cultural, social, and psychological dimensions of healthcare, particularly within minority communities. With a MSc in HRM and a BSc in Life Sciences with a Minor in Psychology, Andrea fully appreciates the value of having a strong foundation in health research methods. She values health research as a vital link between theory and practice, facilitating the application of evidence-based knowledge in clinical settings. Andrea is committed to addressing the mental health disparities that disproportionately affects minority children and women. Overall, she aims to conduct research that examines the impact of barriers such as limited access to quality services, cultural stigma, and lack of knowledge on the mental welfare of children and women.

Andrea Krishnapillai is a doctoral student in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Research Methodology (HRM). Her personal experiences as a woman of Sri-Lankan heritage, raised by immigrant parents influenced her outlook on the cultural, social, and psychological dimensions of healthcare, particularly within minority communities. With a MSc in HRM and a BSc in Life Sciences with a Minor in Psychology, Andrea fully appreciates the value of having a strong foundation in health research methods. She values health research as a vital link between theory and practice, facilitating the application of evidence-based knowledge in clinical settings. Andrea is committed to addressing the mental health disparities that disproportionately affects minority children and women. Overall, she aims to conduct research that examines the impact of barriers such as limited access to quality services, cultural stigma, and lack of knowledge on the mental welfare of children and women.

Ryan Miller is a research assistant on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. He completed a BSc in Life Sciences from Queen’s University and an MSc in Health Research Methodology at McMaster. His MSc thesis was about whether the emergency economic supports implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic served to buffer mental health impacts on children and youth caused by a reduction in household income during the pandemic. He also leads administration of the ONPATH study and supports other work done by the team.

Ryan Miller is a research assistant on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. He completed a BSc in Life Sciences from Queen’s University and an MSc in Health Research Methodology at McMaster. His MSc thesis was about whether the emergency economic supports implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic served to buffer mental health impacts on children and youth caused by a reduction in household income during the pandemic. He also leads administration of the ONPATH study and supports other work done by the team.

Larissa Rodrigues is an undergraduate thesis student on the Advancing Youth Mental Health Team and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) candidate at McMaster University, specializing in Child Health. Her research interests include youth mental health, equitable and timely access to care, and the role of community-based and school-based supports in promoting well-being.

Larissa Rodrigues is an undergraduate thesis student on the Advancing Youth Mental Health Team and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) candidate at McMaster University, specializing in Child Health. Her research interests include youth mental health, equitable and timely access to care, and the role of community-based and school-based supports in promoting well-being.

Tak Shibayama is a statistical analyst on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. He is also appointed as a sessional lecturer at the University of Waterloo, where he teaches a course on applied social statistics. From the same institution, Tak received both his BSc (Joint Major: Health Sciences and Psychology) and MSc (Public Health Sciences). He has experience working with both qualitative and quantitative data and is a seasoned writer. 

Tak Shibayama is a statistical analyst on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. He is also appointed as a sessional lecturer at the University of Waterloo, where he teaches a course on applied social statistics. From the same institution, Tak received both his BSc (Joint Major: Health Sciences and Psychology) and MSc (Public Health Sciences). He has experience working with both qualitative and quantitative data and is a seasoned writer. 

Li Wang is a statistician on the Advancing Youth Mental Health Team. She received her PhD from the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact at McMaster University. She completed a MSc in statistics at McMaster University and an MA in Economics at Nanjing University.? She was a statistician for the Ontario Child Health Study at the Offord Centre for Child Studies. Her research focuses on the measurement and assessment of child and youth mental health, and child mental health service use, as well as the statistical methodology. 

Li Wang is a statistician on the Advancing Youth Mental Health Team. She received her PhD from the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact at McMaster University. She completed a MSc in statistics at McMaster University and an MA in Economics at Nanjing University.? She was a statistician for the Ontario Child Health Study at the Offord Centre for Child Studies. Her research focuses on the measurement and assessment of child and youth mental health, and child mental health service use, as well as the statistical methodology. 

Dr. Yun-Ju (Claire) Chen is a formal postdoctoral fellow on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioural Sciences at Chang-Gung University, Taiwan. Claire received her PhD in Occupational Science from the University of Southern California. Her research spans the fields of child psychiatry, occupational science/therapy, and developmental psychology, with a focus on the heterogeneous behavioural manifestations across the lifespan among children on the neurodevelopmental spectrum. She is passionate about applying various quantitative approaches to address the complex and dynamic nature of typical and atypical development. While with AYM, she was involved in the ONPATH study to understand the longitudinal variability of mental health symptoms as impacted by COVID-19, as well as in the CHSCY study to examine the age-varying patterns of co-occurring health conditions in autism among the Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth cohort. Her research can be found in the leading journals of autism research (e.g., Autism, Autism Research) and developmental psychology (e.g., Child Development, Development and Psychopathology).

Dr. Yun-Ju (Claire) Chen is a formal postdoctoral fellow on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioural Sciences at Chang-Gung University, Taiwan. Claire received her PhD in Occupational Science from the University of Southern California. Her research spans the fields of child psychiatry, occupational science/therapy, and developmental psychology, with a focus on the heterogeneous behavioural manifestations across the lifespan among children on the neurodevelopmental spectrum. She is passionate about applying various quantitative approaches to address the complex and dynamic nature of typical and atypical development. While with AYM, she was involved in the ONPATH study to understand the longitudinal variability of mental health symptoms as impacted by COVID-19, as well as in the CHSCY study to examine the age-varying patterns of co-occurring health conditions in autism among the Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth cohort. Her research can be found in the leading journals of autism research (e.g., Autism, Autism Research) and developmental psychology (e.g., Child Development, Development and Psychopathology).

Dr. Jordan Edwards is a former CIHR-funded postdoctoral research fellow on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. He is now working as a Research Associate with Hamilton Health Sciences. Jordan received his PhD from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University. Jordan’s program of research focuses on the development of a public health surveillance system to monitor mental-ill health among youth in Canada. This work will provide opportunities to compare and contrast estimates of mental-ill health in youth across time, space, and population sub-groups. The goal of this work is to provide policy makers the best possible evidence to inform equitable mental health policy. Jordan has extensive experience using linked survey and health administrative data sources and has published on topics related to migrant mental health, mood and anxiety disorders, and first episode psychosis. Jordan’s work can be found in the journals of Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, Psychological Medicine, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, and the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 

Dr. Jordan Edwards is a former CIHR-funded postdoctoral research fellow on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. He is now working as a Research Associate with Hamilton Health Sciences. Jordan received his PhD from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University. Jordan’s program of research focuses on the development of a public health surveillance system to monitor mental-ill health among youth in Canada. This work will provide opportunities to compare and contrast estimates of mental-ill health in youth across time, space, and population sub-groups. The goal of this work is to provide policy makers the best possible evidence to inform equitable mental health policy. Jordan has extensive experience using linked survey and health administrative data sources and has published on topics related to migrant mental health, mood and anxiety disorders, and first episode psychosis. Jordan’s work can be found in the journals of Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, Psychological Medicine, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, and the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 

Dr. Mahdis Kamali is a former Health Research Methodology PhD candidate on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She holds an MSc in Global Health from McMaster University and a BSc in Psychology from York University. Under the supervision of Dr. Kathy Georgiades, Mahdis’ doctoral work explored inequities in access to mental health care between migrant and non-migrant children and youth, and the contextual factors that contribute to differences. She is also aimed to understand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic response on disruptions in mental health care and the mental health of youth and their families. 

Dr. Mahdis Kamali is a former Health Research Methodology PhD candidate on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She holds an MSc in Global Health from McMaster University and a BSc in Psychology from York University. Under the supervision of Dr. Kathy Georgiades, Mahdis’ doctoral work explored inequities in access to mental health care between migrant and non-migrant children and youth, and the contextual factors that contribute to differences. She is also aimed to understand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic response on disruptions in mental health care and the mental health of youth and their families. 

Dr. Emma Nolan is a former postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is now a Lecturer in Psychology and Mental Health within the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast. Emma received her PhD in Psychology from Ulster University, Northern Ireland (NI), where she then worked as a Research Associate and Data Analyst on the first nationally representative mental health survey for children and youth in NI. This study, known as the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey, was a landmark survey for NI and the results of this work continue to influence service provision and policy development. Emma’s current post-doctoral research is in Psychiatric Epidemiology. Her research focuses on understanding the correlates of child and adolescent psychopathology and wellbeing cross-sectionally and longitudinally; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health; using this research to provide information that will support evidenced-based policy and program development and evaluation. Emma has a special interest in exploring the association between adverse childhood experiences and trauma on the development of mental health problems, and the dimensional structure of psychopathology. She has extensive experience in quantitative data analysis and has published on topics related to mood and anxiety disorders, psychosis, eating disorders, the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse childhood experiences and trauma. Emma is also an Associate Fellow of The Higher Education Academy and has a history of undergraduate and post-graduate teaching. She is an Associate Editor for Child Abuse Review and has won awards for her research and scientific public speaking.

Dr. Emma Nolan is a former postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is now a Lecturer in Psychology and Mental Health within the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast. Emma received her PhD in Psychology from Ulster University, Northern Ireland (NI), where she then worked as a Research Associate and Data Analyst on the first nationally representative mental health survey for children and youth in NI. This study, known as the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey, was a landmark survey for NI and the results of this work continue to influence service provision and policy development. Emma’s current post-doctoral research is in Psychiatric Epidemiology. Her research focuses on understanding the correlates of child and adolescent psychopathology and wellbeing cross-sectionally and longitudinally; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health; using this research to provide information that will support evidenced-based policy and program development and evaluation. Emma has a special interest in exploring the association between adverse childhood experiences and trauma on the development of mental health problems, and the dimensional structure of psychopathology. She has extensive experience in quantitative data analysis and has published on topics related to mood and anxiety disorders, psychosis, eating disorders, the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse childhood experiences and trauma. Emma is also an Associate Fellow of The Higher Education Academy and has a history of undergraduate and post-graduate teaching. She is an Associate Editor for Child Abuse Review and has won awards for her research and scientific public speaking.

Dr. Amanda Sim is a former postdoctoral fellow on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences and the Global Health Graduate Programs at McMaster University. Amanda’s program of research aims to identify and address risk and protective factors associated with refugee and immigrant children’s mental health through partnership with families, service providers, and policy makers. She is lead investigator with Dr. Kathy Georgiades on Thriving Together, a community-engaged mixed methods study on the mental health needs and help-seeking preferences of refugee and newcomer children and families in Hamilton. As a core member of the Global Parenting Initiative, a consortium of academic institutions, practitioners, and funders scaling up parenting support in the Global South, she leads a study on the Thailand-Myanmar border to develop and test violence prevention interventions for displaced children and families. Amanda holds a doctorate in social intervention from the University of Oxford and a Masters degree in international development from Tufts University. Prior to joining McMaster, she spent over a decade implementing and evaluating parenting and mental health interventions in Afghanistan, Liberia, Thailand, and Ethiopia with the International Rescue Committee.

Dr. Amanda Sim is a former postdoctoral fellow on the Advancing Youth Mental Health team. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences and the Global Health Graduate Programs at McMaster University. Amanda’s program of research aims to identify and address risk and protective factors associated with refugee and immigrant children’s mental health through partnership with families, service providers, and policy makers. She is lead investigator with Dr. Kathy Georgiades on Thriving Together, a community-engaged mixed methods study on the mental health needs and help-seeking preferences of refugee and newcomer children and families in Hamilton. As a core member of the Global Parenting Initiative, a consortium of academic institutions, practitioners, and funders scaling up parenting support in the Global South, she leads a study on the Thailand-Myanmar border to develop and test violence prevention interventions for displaced children and families. Amanda holds a doctorate in social intervention from the University of Oxford and a Masters degree in international development from Tufts University. Prior to joining McMaster, she spent over a decade implementing and evaluating parenting and mental health interventions in Afghanistan, Liberia, Thailand, and Ethiopia with the International Rescue Committee.