Through rigorous research, my mission is to work with youth and their loved ones to...



I am a Registered Nurse, Clinical Epidemiologist (Msc, PhD), and current CIHR Banting Postdoctoral Researcher. My research is focused on deepening our understanding of the biological, psychological, and socio-contextual factors that contribute to co-occurring substance use and mental health concerns among youth (10-25 years of age), and how to prevent and treat this co-occurrence. I have clinical experience related to inpatient, emergency, and outpatient youth mental health and substance use. I have also supported the development and evaluation of several interventions for young people, including a new outpatient young adult substance use program in Hamilton (for those 17-25 years of age). My clinical and research roles are all grounded in identifying, contributing to, and utilizing the best available evidence to improve the lives of youth.
I am thrilled to be continuing my research as a Banting Postdoctoral Researcher at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Notable Achievements:
- 2022 – CIHR Banting Postdoctoral Researcher
- 2022 – Frayme Great Big Stories Grant: Substance Use Stream
- 2021 – The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Research Trainee of the Year Award (listen to podcast here) - 2020 – David Sackett Scholarship (read interview here)
- 2019 – New Investigator Fund from Hamilton Health Sciences
- 2019 – McMaster Student Union Teaching Award (read article here)
- 2018 – CIHR Doctoral Research Training Award
Methodological Interests & Expertise
- Survey design & evaluation
- Systematic reviews & meta-analyses
- Linear, logistic, multinomial regression
- Multilevel modeling
- Clustering methods
- Missing data approaches
- Observational designs
- Intervention studies
- Program evaluation
- Youth engagement
- Knowledge mobilization
Substantive Interests & Expertise
- Adolescent, emerging adult, & post-secondary student mental health & substance use
- Population surveys & monitoring
- Integration of measurement-based care, quality improvement, & research within clinical practice
- Positive mental health & wellbeing
- Movement behaviours (physical activity, sleep, screen time, nutrition)
- Sex & gender based-analysis
Partnerships and Funders:








