CHART Lab

Principal Investigator

Hasina S

Dr. Hasina Samji (she/her)

Principal Investigator

Dr. Hasina Samji is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University and a Senior Scientist in Population Mental Wellbeing in the Prevention and Health Promotion Division at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. She completed her PhD in infectious disease epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and has expertise in the design and implementation of observational cohort studies and analysis of large administrative health datasets.

Dr. Samji leads the Youth Development Instrument (YDI), an interdisciplinary study measuring predictors of positive youth well-being, mental health, and development in high school students. The YDI elucidates upstream skill-development and structural supports for mental illness prevention and promotion of positive trajectories for young people. Youth engagement and collaborative, intersectoral design are core to the YDI’s mission and success.

In her public health role, Dr. Samji is working to articulate a “public mental health” system in BC that promotes positive mental health and well-being at the population level in addition to monitoring and addressing mental illness. She also studies how public health and education systems can better intersect to support young people’s well-being.

Envelope Orcid

chart lab Research Staff

Jenna Whitehead (she/her), PhD

Implementation Coordinator

Dr. Jenna Whitehead is an educational psychology researcher and consultant. She earned her PhD and MA in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (HDLC) and her BSc in behavioural neuroscience from the University of British Columbia. Her academic expertise centres on the social and emotional development of children and adolescents, specifically the role of teacher mindfulness and well-being, and student-teacher relationships in promoting children’s and adolescents’ well-being, prosociality, and thriving in school. Dr. Whitehead has over a decade of experience coordinating large-scale research projects in elementary, middle, and high-schools, as the lab and research coordinator in Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Lab at UBC. She currently works as the implementation coordinator with the CHART Lab,   an evaluation specialist consultant with Child Health BC (PHSA), and a freelance research and educational consultant. 

Rachel Goossen (she/her), MA

Project Coordinator

Rachel Goossen is a research assistant and project coordinator with experience in K-12 education management and qualitative, community-based research. She earned her MA in Educational Studies from the University of British Columbia in 2019. Having worked in public education, non-profit community organizations and research institutions since 2011, Rachel has a dedicated interest to understand — and ultimately improve — systems affecting child and youth well-being in North America.

Angela Low (she/her), PhD

Project Manager

Dr. Angela Low is a researcher, educator and consultant who is committed to helping to create a world where all children, youth and their families have what it takes within and around them to enjoy mental health and well-being, even in times of adversity and change. Her research and practice focus on fostering the mental and emotional competence and resilience of children and the adults around them, and helping to create nurturing communities where children can thrive. She has a special interest in the role of parent well-being- part of her recent research focuses on parents’ experiences of shame and guilt in the context of parenting education.

Dr. Angela Low is also an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education at UBC and a freelance educational consultant. She has almost 2 decades of experience working in mental health and emotional intelligence promotion across community, government and private organizations. 

 

Jorge Andrés Delgado-Ron (he/him), MD, MPPGA, MSc

Data Analyst

Andrés is an experienced data analyst with a background in public health and epidemiology. Holding a Master of Science from the University of British Columbia and a medical degree from Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Ecuador, Jorge has been actively involved in public health research since 2017. His work primarily focuses on epidemiological data analysis, utilizing R programming. He currently works at SFU’s Faculty of Health Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Travis Salway and Dr. Hasina Samji.
 

Judy Wu (she/her), MPH, BSc

YAC Coordinator | Research Assistant |PhD Candidate

Judy is a current PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Samji. She previously completed her MPH and BSc at the University of British Columbia. Judy joined the YDI team in Summer 2020 as a practicum student. Her practicum project focused on climate change anxiety and distress in young people, with the results of her literature review having been incorporated into the YDI survey instrument. Judy has always been interested in positive youth well-being. She currently works as a Youth Educator with the Vancouver Coastal Health BLUSH team, facilitating sexual health and education workshops for high school students in Metro Vancouver. However, her experience as a group facilitator for Vancouver’s first support group for borderline personality disorder (BPD) highlighted the need and importance of addressing mental health in youth. With many support group attendees sharing an experience of poor mental health or mental health symptoms during adolescence and young adulthood, she became increasingly interested in improving intervention and support programs for this population. Judy is incredibly excited be a part of the YDI team and to play a role in youth mental health and well-being across BC.

Julia Kaufmann (she/her), MSc, BSc

Research Assistant |Knowledge Mobilization Lead

Julia completed her MSc in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. She received her Bachelor of Science Honours Degree from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick. Throughout her undergraduate degree, Julia was involved in psychology research and peer support programming. Currently, Julia is studying the intersection of knowledge mobilization and youth-engaged research with the goal of supporting youth voice and well-being. As a research assistant with the CHART lab, Julia focuses on knowledge mobilization of the YDI and other projects.

Tanushree Kunwar (she/her), MPH, BSc

Research Assistant

Tanushree completed her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the University of British Columbia. She also completed her Bachelor of Science, majoring in Neuroscience with a combined honours in Biology at Carleton University in 2022. Her undergraduate research focused on the efficacy of various pharmacological interventions for mental illnesses. While working as a team leader and mentor at the Science Student Success Center at Carleton University, she noted many youths experienced poor mental health. Since then, she has become interested in focussing on the upstream determinants of mental health and on the importance of mental health and well-being promotion for youth. Tanushree is excited to contribute to promoting youth mental health and well-being in BC with the CHART lab and to continue to be an advocate for mental health.

Giulia de Arruda Maluf, MPH (she/her)

Lab Coordinator

Giulia is a psychologist and she completed her Master of Public Health (MPH)’s degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2024. Before moving to Canada, she worked as a psychologist in community-based mental health services in Brazil. Her clinical experience there highlighted the importance of looking upstream and addressing the social, structural, environmental, and economic factors that impact individuals’ and communities’ mental health. Giulia is committed to reducing stigma and working to improve health equity.  She is thrilled to be part of the CHART Lab team and learn from young people themselves the path forward to better support their thriving.

Harnoor Dhaliwal (she/her)

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Harnoor is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of British Columbia. With a variety of academic interests, including mental health and behavior, cardiovascular health, immunology, and public health, Harnoor aims to further explore these areas throughout her undergraduate studies. She is eager to integrate knowledge across these disciplines through both coursework and research. Passionate about youth well-being, Harnoor leads a global school-based mental health program and hopes to influence policies surrounding the prioritization of mental health in schools.

Simran Dhaliwal, BHSc (she/her)

MPH Practicum Student

Simran is a current Master of Public Health student at Queen’s University, where she also completed her Bachelor of Health Sciences (Hons) degree. Her undergraduate research focused on the impact of structural stigma in healthcare on patients with mental illness, substance use disorder and physical disabilities. She has served as a board member in the youth mental health non-profit sector, and is passionate about youth engagement, developing innovative solutions in mental healthcare, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. Simran is excited to continue working with the CHART Lab and engage diverse partners in advancing mental health promotion objectives.

Ervin Cadiz (he/him)

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Ervin is a Psychology student at the University of British Columbia. Having served as a program assistant for multiple community outreach and mental health support programs serving vulnerable populations throughout Metro Vancouver, Ervin is passionate about studying the intersections between health and psychology and understanding the facilitators and barriers that allow or prevent people from living healthy and fulfilling lives, particularly when it comes to their mental health and well-being.

Youth Advisory Council

Anaya Vij (she/her)

My name is Anaya Vij and I’m a 16 year old South Asian student entering Grade 11 in the fall of 2025. I was born in New Delhi, India and immigrated to Canada with my family in 2012. Since then, I’ve developed a strong passion for community involvement, especially with youth and animal welfare. I’ve always loved connecting with others and speaking up for those who may not feel confident doing so themselves. Dancing has been part of my life since I was three. It’s my way of expressing myself without words, and I now teach weekly dance classes to youth. This experience, along with volunteering at youth day camps, has shown me the power of creativity and connection. I’m also passionate about animals, which inspired me to create an SPCA club at my school. We raise awareness and funds for underprivileged animals, ensuring their needs are met. I hope to turn this passion into a career as a veterinarian, one where I can wake up every day excited to make a difference. I love being outdoors, taking nature walks to clear my mind and reflect. I believe time in nature is powerful for both mental clarity and well being. I would describe myself as motivated and goal-oriented. Whether it’s achieving my dream job or studying abroad, I set goals to push myself forward. As part of the Youth Advisory Council, I hope to help others feel seen, heard and valued; something I once struggled with myself.

Andy Huang (he/him)

Andy Huang, a Grade 11 student located in Vancouver, is a passionate STEM innovator and enjoys literature, chess and chemistry. He has extensive experience in graphic design and public speaking from prior experiences. As a member of his school’s badminton team, chess team, and ultimate frisbee team, he has also developed teamwork skills. He also has effective communication skills in both Mandarin and English which he uses as his school’s student ambassador. Other relevant skills that he has are that of organisation, self-management and interpersonal skills. Apart from mental health, another global issue he cares about is universal education. To address this, he co-founded his school’s chess club, taught virtually for charity organizations, volunteered as a mentor at the Vancouver Public Library, and is developing more student-led support systems. As he progresses in the IB program, however, the adverse effects of stress have become more apparent—in both himself and classmates. Thus, he decided to sign up for the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to help students facing similar issues. He aspires to become a chemical engineer and use STEM to spearhead projects to help others. To conclude, he looks forward to working with other ardent students to engineer a better future, beckoning a better tomorrow.

 

Arman Tavakol (he/him)

Hey everyone! I’m Arman, and I’m currently in the 11th grade and I’ve spent my whole life growing up in North Vancouver. I love to hang out with my amazing friends, read, write, act, and most of all, listen to music. I joined YAC because mental health awareness is something I deeply care about. Mental health is an aspect of life that most people dont put enough emphasis on and I’m learning new things every day about how it affects others and I hope to use this learning to help better our community!

 

Ben Kraushar

Hello! My name is Ben Kraushar and I’m a grade 12 student at an online school. I decided to join the YDI Youth Advisory Council because I have personally struggled with my mental health throughout my life. This gave me new resolve, and now, I want to use my personal experience to help people my own age with their mental health journeys. My goal after high school is to become a Nurse-Practitoner and work locally in and around Greater Vancouver. When I’m not focused on my schooling I have lots of other hobbies and commitments to keep me busy. I volunteer at my local hospital, where I have seen the impact of mental health firsthand. My hobbies consist mainly of motorcycles and school buses! My dad and brother got me into motorcycling, and to date, I’ve owned five bikes. One of my favourite things to do is strap all of my camping gear to the back of my motorcycle and go camping! When I’m not riding motorcycles on and off-road, you’ll usually find me in my 1984 thirty-five-foot school bus, “Gus the Bus.” I purchased Gus when I was just 13, and since then, I’ve been converting it into an apartment on wheels where I hope to live as I go through nursing school. All of my hobbies, aspirations, and volunteer work have led me here. As I venture into this new journey on the YDI Youth Advisory Council, I hope to make tangible change, along with the council, to improve the mental health of my peers. 

Caitlyn Lui (she/her)

Hi, I’m Caitlyn, and I’m going into the 10th grade. I joined the YDI Youth Advisory Council because I’m passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of other young people in BC. I want to contribute to improving health and wellbeing for my peers, and this seemed like a great way to get involved. When I’m not busy with school, I love to bake. It’s one of my favorite activities because it’s fun and also relaxing. I enjoy trying out new recipes and experimenting with different ingredients. The best part is sharing my treats with friends and family. I’m also really into arts and crafts. I’ve loved painting and sketching ever since I was a small child. Playing volleyball is another activity I enjoy a lot. I like to play it with friends at school or over summer breaks. It’s a great and fun way to stay active, have fun, and work as a team. I also enjoy helping others. Whenever my friends need a hand with something, I’m always happy to help. In the future, I hope to become a psychologist. I want to have the opportunity to talk to people and help them work through their challenges. However, if I were to win the lottery, I would love to open a little bakery and share yummy treats with everyone. That would be a dream come true.

Elan Chow (he/him)

Hey everyone! My name is Elan, and I am a grade 12 French Immersion student at W.J. Mouat Secondary in Abbotsford. This year, I am excited to be part of the Youth Advisory Committee to work with the Youth Development Instrument (YDI) and help support student well-being across the province. I consider myself a statistics nerd with a passion for data analysis and representation, which makes the opportunity to engage with the YDI especially meaningful. At school, I am the Chair of Mouat’s Student Voice, a student-led initiative working towards solving some of the biggest problems that affect the Mouat student body. I am also involved with my school’s Green Team, and student leadership.     Music plays a big role in my life. I study violin at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music, where I play in the Sinfonietta String Orchestra, take private lessons, and perform in a piano quintet. I also volunteer as a violin, viola, and cello teacher at Bakerview Music Academy, an El-Sistema program that offers free music lessons for equity-seeking students. Beyond academics and music, I enjoy hiking, making bubble tea, and trying exotic tropical fruits.  

Emilie Shin (she/her)

Hey everyone! My name is Emilie, and I’m currently a rising senior in Port Moody. My passion for mental health really took root when I had the opportunity to study neuroscience and psychology through courses at Harvard University. Since then, I’ve continued to grow that passion by engaging in mental health advocacy and leading youth-driven projects to support and uplift my local community. Joining the YDI and becoming part of the Youth Advisory Council team feels incredibly meaningful to me. I’m so grateful and excited to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are just as committed to creating positive change. Outside of YDI, you’ll probably find me training in the Taekwondo dojang, gliding through the sky as an air cadet, or relaxing in my room while journaling (this is my favorite way to unwind and reflect after a long day). I also love watching sunrises and sunsets, and going on late-night walks when the world feels calm. I truly value time with my friends and family, especially the picnics in the parks. I’m really looking forward to the meaningful work we’ll do together this year and the connections we’ll build as a community. Can’t wait to meet you all soon!

Evelyn Linda Gene Fortt (she/they)

Hi! My name is Evelyn Fortt and I’m going into Grade 10. I’m so excited to be part of the Youth Advisory Council because I’ve always been passionate about helping others in any way I can. I love working with youth, and YAC gives me a chance to share my own ideas while supporting important work that really makes a difference.    Outside of YAC, I enjoy playing volleyball and badminton, volunteering, and being involved in theatre. I also love music—I play piano and drums, sing, and dance in my free time. In the future, I hope to study biology or psychology and work in a health or wellness-related field that focuses on improving/ working towards helping people’s lives—just like the amazing work YAC does!

Hannah Kang (she/her)

Hi! I’m Hannah, a grade 12 student. Wellbeing – physical, mental, social, and academic – is something I prioritize in my life, which is why I joined this council. I lead a club at my high school named “Knead to Share”, and our goal is to bring students together through baking and sharing. This passion for connecting with others is reflected in other aspects of my life. I love thrifting, biking, hiking, exploring, and sharing a good meal with friends. I am looking forward to supporting youth health through YDI, so that we can not only accurately represent and advocate for youth, but also create opportunities for young people to thrive. I hope to continue advocating for others by pursuing law in the future! 

Isabella Wen (she/her)

Hi! My name is Isabella Wen, a student from BC. I joined the Youth Development Instrument team because I’m passionate about bridging the gap between lived experience and research outcomes.    I’m the kind of person who is always looking for the next adventure! I genuinely love learning people’s stories and understanding what shapes them. I care deeply about equity, belonging, and community, and those values show up in everything I do. You’ll often find me organizing leadership workshops for youth or working on other community projects. And when I’m not doing that, I’m probably journaling or daydreaming under a tree somewhere.    In the future, I hope to pursue social work or urban planning — any space where I can drive change at a macro level.

Jeffrey Anh Khang Vu (he/him)

Hello everyone! My name is Jeffrey Vu, and I am currently a grade twelve student residing within Langley on the unceded and traditional territories of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui, and Semiahmoo First Nations. I joined the YDI Youth Advisory Council in order to help spread the YDI’s values of promoting mental health and wellness within youth across our communities, as well as being able to address and clarify any misconceptions and stigmas regarding mental and emotional health. I believe that the significance and importance of mental health is often overlooked by youth, and it is for this reason why I hope to help promote the importance of maintaining one’s mental and emotional well-being throughout their lives. I am greatly excited for the many initiatives and projects that we will organize this upcoming year for youth across British Columbia! Some more information about me is that I am fluent in both English and Vietnamese, and greatly enjoy reading, going on walks, and recreational studying during my free time. I possess experience with public service through my involvement with a myriad of service and nonprofit organizations around my community, and it is from these roles that I have gained the necessary experience to serve on the Youth Advisory Council. 

Jessica Wang (she/her)

Hello everyone! My name is Jessica Wang and I’m a grade 12 student currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Semiahmoo Secondary, located in South Surrey. I joined the YDI Youth Advisory Council as I am incredibly passionate about mental health, specifically about increasing accessibility to mental health services and resources for vulnerable or disadvantaged youth. I especially want to raise awareness about issues such as substance abuse and disordered eating, both of which youth are highly at risk of. Through the YAC, I hope to share my perspective on what can be done to improve youth mental health in British Columbia and make a positive impact on peoples’ lives and well being. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, baking chocolate-chip cookies, and spending time with my friends and family. I’m also highly involved in Model United Nations, which I started in grade 9 as a way to improve my confidence and public speaking skills. Since starting Model UN four years ago, I gained many valuable learning and leadership opportunities, allowing me to grow as both a person and as a global leader.

Joanna Zhao (she/her)

Hi, My name is Joanna! As of 2026, I will be a grade 12 student at Maria Montessori Academy, located in Vancouver Island. I joined the YDI Youth Advisory Council because youth mental health is often stigmatized and neglected, causing a profound negative impact on our society-especially with social media becoming more prevalent. I am a professional choral singer for three years now, am a successful delegate in Model UN, play competitive Ultimate Frisbee and captain the school team, and consider myself an avid artist. I’ve always held a love for the medical sciences, and am incredibly blessed to be able to research and write papers. I hope to further the impact that YDI YAC has on our community, and look forward to creating meaningful change! 

Karmun Brar (she/her)

Hey! My name is Karmun Brar, and I am a grade 11 student from Mission B.C. I joined the YDI Youth Advisory Council because I’m really passionate about helping others and making sure that mental health is taken seriously. I’ve personally struggled with anxiety and overwhelming stress, and those experiences have motivated me to advocate for student well-being. Through the YDI, I hope to raise awareness and work on initiatives we can bring into high schools to help more youth access the support they need, and build more positive environments. More than anything, I want to be a voice for those who feel unheard or overlooked, because I know how important it is to feel seen and supported! In my free time, I love to bake, read, go on long walks, tutor, and volunteer. I’m very involved in both my school and community, which has led me to grow into a better leader and person!  At school, I’m part of our District Council club, Yearbook, and Leadership, where we plan events to build school spirit and create meaningful memories. In our community, I do litter pick-ups with MESS, tutor at the library through a program called Reading Buddies, and serve as the Vice President of Interact (my community leadership group). Looking ahead, I hope to become a psychologist so I can continue to understand and support others! With my experience and skills I cannot wait to collaborate with the rest of the team to work towards a brighter future! 🙂

Levi Cottrell (he/him)

Hello! My name is Levi Cottrell, and I am an incoming Grade 12 Student at Elphinstone Secondary on the Sunshine Coast. I have a passion for school, Leadership, and youth representation in my community. I love organizing school events and putting together fundraisers, as well as anything my school offers (that fits in my schedule!). In my spare time I like listening to Hozier while reading a good book. In the future, I’d like to go to University for Linguistics and Physics, as I love learning and making languages, and love all aspects of mathematics and our universe.

Luvish Verma (he/him)

Hi! My name is Luvish, and I am a Grade 10 student from Abbotsford. I decided to join the YDI Youth Advisory Council because I am passionate about making a positive impact in my community and helping other youth have a voice in programs that affect them. Outside of school, I love to play basketball, stay active, and explore creative projects like science experiments and social media initiatives. I also enjoy leadership opportunities and working with teams to bring ideas to life.


Lux Gorjao (he/they)

Hey! My name is Lux, and I’m a student at Inquiry Hub Secondary. I love spending my time reading, with friends, listening to music, and outdoors! I’m also a big fan of food, both making and enjoying. I’ve been learning to code for the past few years with the help of my dad, and also run and hike! My main reason for joining the YDI YAC was as a way to help contribute to my community! I would love to help build stronger bonds, connections, and supports for youth. With all that’s going on in the world today, we more than ever need to help one another! I’ve always held a strong passion for the wellbeing of those around me, and I want to be able to put that to good use. Looking forward, I’m planning to become a psychologist, and being part of the YAC is a great stepping stone there. I’m excited to see what we’ll accomplish this year!

 

Manleen Dhaliwal (she/her)

My name is Manleen Dhaliwal and I am a major sports lover. I am currently in Grade 11 and I love playing every sport that is offered to me. I am part of all of my schools athletic teams and most of the schools clubs. I love helping people whether it be as a peer tutor or a peer counsellor in my school community. I enjoy reading in my free time whether it be books or magazines or articles. I decided to join YDI as a way to give back and help my community in a way that helps our youth today from problems starting at the root. I believe the work we are going to do at YDI and the work they have been doing is making a huge change in your youth today providing teens with help and safety. That is just the tip of the iceberg and i hope to get more opportunity to help my community thrive.

 

Navya Garg (she/her)

Hi! I am Navya Garg, a grade 12 student residing in Surrey, B.C. I was born in India, and moved to Canada when I was in grade 7, making me fluent in both English and Hindi!  I love reading, arts, classical dance, and music. Any free time that I get, one will probably find me playing the piano or rereading the Percy Jackson series. I am deeply interested in the Sciences, especially Biology, and want to be an Oncologist. Having worked with a number of hospitals in my city, I have learnt about the dwindling condition of the Healthcare in the country. One of the biggest aims of my life is to bridge these existent gaps, support Healthcare workers and, make facilities a lot more accessible for all. I have also always been passionate about topics related to social justice and youth advocacy, believing that everyone deserves a voice in the society. I joined the YDI Youth Advisory Council to understand more about process of data collection and lab based research, and to advocate for youth mental health. As part of a number of organizations that teach the youth of the community, I deeply believe in incorporating their concerns in local policies. The diversity that YDI values is an extremely powerful tool, one that I am grateful to be a part of. I cannot wait to connect with like-minded peers, and learn more about them and from them. Change starts small, and if we as a community support these changes, we can truly improve lives for the next generations. 

Rio Zwart (she/her)

Hi, my name is Rio Zwart, and I am a student from Revelstoke, going into Grade 12. I joined the YDI Youth Advisory Council to be part of something that could help create a healthier school community and make a difference for youth. I am involved in my school’s drama and leadership programs, serving as secretary of the leadership class, and I am a warrant officer for my community’s cadet corps. I also volunteer with the local food initiative. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, paddling, rock climbing, and paragliding. I also love reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors. In the future, I hope to spend as much time as possible being happy, ideally doing meaningful work that connects people and has a positive impact.

Tish Sera Josep (she/her)

Hi! My name is Tish, and I’m a high school student based in Victoria, British Columbia. I’m passionate about youth empowerment, creative storytelling, and civic engagement, which led me to join the YDI Youth Advisory Council. I believe that amplifying youth voices through research, dialogue, and activism is essential to shaping a more inclusive and responsive future.    I currently serve as the Marketing Lead for the City of Victoria Youth Council, where I promote a wide range of initiatives, from educational outreach to activist campaigns. I also volunteer as a Youth Educator with Junior Achievement BC, teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship to younger students. My experience in international marketing strategy includes work with a youth-focused fashion brand operating across East Asian markets. On the creative side, I’ve supported nonprofits, artists, and local events through professional graphic design, photography, and content creation.    Outside of my advocacy and marketing work, I’ve practiced taekwondo since the age of 3 and earned my black belt by age 9. This sport has taught me discipline, perseverance, and confidence. I’m also an actress and have been involved in musical theatre for several years, which has fueled my love for public speaking, presentation and storytelling.    In the future, I hope to continue working at the intersection of youth activism, global engagement, and creative communication, continuously working to build platforms that reflect and uplift the voices of our generation.

Zoe Romero

Hi, my name is Zoe! I attend Little Flower Academy as a grade eleven student. I’ve lived in Vancouver for around fourteen years and am both Canadian and American. I decided to join the YDI YAC to help my community by being a voice for those youth who feel like they don’t have a say in their situations at school or at home. I want to voice my opinions and experiences because I know that many people have gone through similar experiences but are too scared to speak up, so that’s what I’m doing. At school, I’ve also recently become a mental health ambassador. Outside of that, you can find me working on fictional stories, gaming, reading, or mindlessly scrolling on social media as one my age might do. In the future, I hope to go to university in California, where I recently lived for a year, and study something history related. I’m looking forward to being able to speak out and make a difference within my community by being on this council.

 

Provincial Advisory Board

Members of the 2024/2025 Provincial Advisory Board term:

  • Alex Gist (BC Children’s Hospital)
  • Annie Smith (McCreary Centre Society)
  • Brad Robinson (BC Ministry Health)
  • Dzung Vo (BC Children’s Hospital)
  • Evelyn Stewart (University of British Columbia)
  • Faizel Rawji (Sea to Sky School District – SD 48)
  • Geoff McKee (BC Centre for Disease Control)
  • Gino Bondi (BC School Superintendents Association)
  • Gordon Li (BC School Trustees Association)
  • Jeremy Church (North Vancouver School District – SD 44)
  • Julia Langton (Foundry)
  • Kate Buium (Human Early Learning Partnership – University of British Columbia)
  • Kelly Angelius (BC Ministry of Children & Family Development)
  • Kristina Ponce (BC Ministry of Health)
  • Krystal Dash (BC Ministry of Education and Child Care)
  • Meena Dawar (Vancouver Coastal Health)
  • Miranda Andrews (BC Ministry of Health)
  • Nathan Ngieng (Abbotsford School District – SD 34)
  • Nick Seredick (Pacific Rim School District – SD70)
  • Shirley Giroux (BC Schools Counsellors Association)
  • Tracy Hoskin (Fraser Health)

Past Members

Lab Members

2024
David Long, MD – Data Analyst
Jacquie Maloney, PhD – Lab Coordinator
Jillian Herring, MPH – Research Assistant
Rachel Correia, MPH – Research Assistant
Nada Hafez, MSc – Research Assistant

2023
Julia Blake, MD – Psychiatry Resident
Christine Yanagawa, BA – Research Assistant
Jocelyn Lee, MPH, BSc – Research Assistant
Lauren Gorfinkel, MPH – Research Assistant
Michelle Wu – Practicum Student
Sonya Tsou – Practicum Student

2022
Mari del Casal, MPH – Implementation Coordinator & MPH Thesis Student
Sayema Badar, MPH – Lab Coordinator
Shabnam Raufi, Directed Studies Student
Ren Lo, BES – Research Assistant/Project Coordinator
Sonia Heer, Honours Thesis Student
Zara Jeffries, Directed Studies Student

2021
Qudrat Aujla – Directed Studies Student
Sarah Pendreigh, BA (Hons.) – Practicum Student
Amilya Ladak, BSc (Hons.) – Research Assistant
Gaelen Snell, MSc  – Research Project Coordinator
Ladan Fathi, MSc – Research Assistant

2020
Caralyn Vossen, BSc – Directed Studies Student

2018
Michelle Pang, MPH – Practicum Student

2017
Sean Yang, BA (Hons.) – Research Assistant & Honours Student

Youth Advisory Council

2025
Alan Alexander Fulker
A.N.
Amethyst Raine Williams
Ben Tarling
Carmen Feng
Chloe Summer
Dale Capistrano
Daniel Chen
Edward A.J. Kurulak
Evangeline Hoyer
Hanna Grover
Kevin Vu
Khadijat Adeola Murmuni
Lucy Goerzen
Manvier Kaur Toor
Maryam Shittu
Max Gomez-Bull
Mia Pollak
Sara Kelayeh
Tobey Donaghy
Tristan Ferguson
Vania Bangash
Yasmeen Eldabaja
Zephyr Wyatt Wrate Pickell

2024
Adya Gupta
Anika Rievaj
Annie Wu
Aristotle Zwinge
Awin Bakhtyar Ali
Brittany Jin
Erik Crowther
Harnoor Dhaliwal
Isabel Palacios
Kayra Ozdemir
Lisa Lei
Lydia Bal
Maya Sailland
Mckenna Lawson
Nicola Knudsen
Queena
Sarah Rogge
Silas Rosalie Dumont
Susie Black
Trinity Bell
Yekta Yousefi


2023
Andreas Kondos-Sheppard
Christie Liu
Hannah Bigiolli
Kennice Wong
Malia Mercado
Manuel Boada
Mara Cassidy Dirlau
Nayimah Lewis
Purnima Verma
Savannah Klynsoon

2022
Annabelle Trokbak
Ayden Thane
Brandon Stellaard
Haneefah Abu
Joseph Tsai
Katy Mezei
Lauren Matties
Lauren Palmer
Qaleem Rawji
Rufina Aniyador
Sierra Lee

2021
Aadi Kaur
Alyssa Wellar
Caila Tymchuk
Charmaine Lee
Jace Lamoreux
Jacob Campbell
Logan Isfeld
Maya Benenteso
Stephanie Quon