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Meet Our Team
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote integrated health and wellness practices for personal growth and collective action. A key focus is strengthening our personal capacities for skillfully turning toward climate distress as a basis for fostering resiliency and initiatives. Our passion is ‘healing ourselves, healing others, healing our planet’.
York Leadership & Faculty
HARVEY SKINNER
Co-Lead, Senior Fellow
hskinner@yorku.ca
Dr Harvey Skinner is Professor Emeritus of Psychology & Global Health; a Senior Fellow at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research; and Founding Dean (2006-2016) of the Faculty of Health, York University. He is a Registered Psychologist (retired) in Ontario and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Harvey is placed in the Top 2% World Scientists by the Stanford University worldwide analysis with respect to research citations and impact metrics. Assessment instruments he developed are widely used internationally, especially the DAST: Drug Abuse Screening Test) and eHEALS: eHealth literacy scale. Harvey has a longstanding interest in peace building and global health for all. Currently, Harvey co-leads with his partner Susan Harris the Wellness Impact Lab (WIL) at the Dahdaleh Institute, which promotes integrated health and wellness practices. A key focus is addressing climate distress to action. Also, he leads online Qi Gong (Tai Chi) sessions open to students, staff/faculty and the community (https://stressbusting.info.yorku.ca/). At a personal level, Harvey maintains a wellness practice of Mindfulness Meditation and Qi Gong. His passion is ‘healing ourselves, healing our planet’.
Susan Harris MSW (pronouns: she/her) is a social worker who worked with issues of mental health, abuse, and trauma for over 40 years at various levels from front-line to directorship. Susan completed the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification training program led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She also finished the Community Dharma Teacher Training with True North Insight. Susan co-developed the Mindfulness Based Trauma Counselling Group Program for people who have experienced abuse and trauma. She has been cultivating her meditation practice for over 25 years through retreats, daily practice, and study. As white bodied person, Susan has a particular interest in combatting white supremacy and actively engages in the inner work of racial healing. Susan is also keen to explore bringing the teachings on mindfulness and compassion to meeting the distress caused by environmental disruption and climate crisis. Currently, Harvey co-leads with his partner Susan Harris the Wellness Impact Lab (WIL) at the Dahdaleh Institute, which promotes integrated health and wellness practices. A key focus is addressing climate distress to action. Also, he leads online Qi Gong (Tai Chi) sessions open to students, staff/faculty and the community (https://stressbusting.info.yorku.ca/). At a personal level, Harvey maintains a wellness practice of Mindfulness Meditation and Qi Gong. His passion is ‘healing ourselves, healing our planet’.
Cameron Norman is a behavioural scientist, professional designer, evaluator, and educator whose work focuses on the interplay of evidence and action through strategic design and evaluation. His research and consulting practice has centred on human services innovation, behaviour change, and well-being. Cameron’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic included supporting public health units in Ontario to transition out from their emergency response to integrate the innovations and lessons learned into ongoing practice. He also founded the Design Loft initiative, a training program for professional evaluators on using design-driven methods for creativity and innovation. Cameron has served on the faculty of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, as a member of the health innovation staff at the Ivey School of Business (Western University), and recently as a faculty member in the Design and Health program at OCAD University. Dr. Norman co-developed the concept of eHealth literacy and the eHealth Literacy Scale (with Dr. Harvey Skinner) and has continued to promote the role of skills development and learning in the use of information technology for health promotion. He has published widely on health behaviour change, systems thinking, health promotion, and design. Cameron holds a Ph.D. in Behavioural and Social Science from the University of Toronto, a Masters degree in Psychology (Wilfrid Laurier University) and Strategic Foresight and Innovation (OCAD University), and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (University of Regina). He is the founder, President and Principal of Cense Ltd., a strategic design firm, and Vice-President of Evidence Generation with Blueprint, a Toronto-based non-profit consultancy.
CHRISTY COSTANIAN
Adjunct Faculty Fellow
Currently, at the Wellness Impact Lab at the Institute, Christy is supporting trainees on projects reviewing evidence for climate distress interventions and the recent use of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST). Christy earned her B.Sc and M.Sc from the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon. She then completed her doctoral studies in Epidemiology from York University, Toronto (2018) and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Ottawa (2019). Christy’s research interests include non-communicable disease epidemiology, global health, aging, and women’s health. Major projects that she continues to lead examine the intersection between reproductive, cardiovascular, and brain health using large data from the U.S and Canada, as well as systematic reviews in those areas. She is also interested in longitudinal data analysis, program evaluation, knowledge synthesis and translation.
“Without inner change there can be no outer change. Without collective change, no change matters.”
– Angel Kyodo Williams
Graduate Students
ANDY (ANNA) DE JONG
Graduate Student, Member
Anna De Jong is a Master of Public Health student at Lakehead University, specializing in social-ecological systems, sustainability, and health. As a practicum student under the supervision of Professor Harvey Skinner and Susan Harris at the Wellness Impact Lab (WIL), Anna will support and contribute to research on Climate Cafés. Prior to her studies at Lakehead, she graduated with a BMSc in Honours Biochemistry with a minor in women’s studies from Western University. Anna’s research interests include the impact of climate change on global health, global health policy, and food systems. She looks forward to contributing to research on Climate Cafés, an innovative approach to fostering community engagement and dialogue around the pressing issues of climate change.
KATHERINE NEWMAN
Graduate Student, Member
Katherine Newman, a cognitive neuroscientist, specializes in advancing brain stimulation for mental health. She develops personalized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocols to modulate functional brain networks, enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing side effects for both healthy individuals and those with neurological disorders. Her work is at the forefront of personalized medicine, aiming to customize treatments to each individual’s unique neural patterns. Ms. Newman’s research, also addressing the growing issue of eco-anxiety, focuses on resilience and mental well-being in response to the climate crisis. Her interdisciplinary approach underscores her commitment to both human health and planetary sustainability. Driven by a passion for unraveling the complexities of the brain and for improving mental health outcomes, Ms. Newman’s efforts position her at the forefront of neuroscience and environmental wellness.
Undergraduate Students
Sadra Taghizadehtoossi
Research Assistant
Sadra Toossi is a global health student at York University with a focus on climate change, digital literacy, and interests in climate-related diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). He brings an interdisciplinary lens to understanding how misinformation and digital engagement shape both public health and environmental responses. As a lab coordinator and research assistant at the Wellness Impact Lab, supervised by Dr. Harvey Skinner, Sadra contributes to the psychometric evaluation of the revised eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS-R), conducts literature reviews on climate communication and digital resilience, and is co-authoring a scoping review examining men’s underrepresentation in grassroots climate action. He serves as Chair of The Climate Collective (TCC) and co-leads the Gentlemen’s Climate Café alongside Dr. Harvey Skinner, a branch of the Wellness Impact Lab’s Climate Cafés that explores masculinity, climate emotion, and advocacy among young men through participatory research and peer-led dialogue.
SARAH MERGHANI
Lab Coordinator and
Research Assistant
Sarah Merghani is currently pursuing an Honours BSc in Global Health at York University, specializing in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, along with a general certificate in Refugee and Migration Studies. She serves as both Lab Coordinator and Research Assistant at the Wellness Impact Lab, under the mentorship of Dr. Harvey Skinner and Susan Harris. Her work includes facilitating Climate Cafés, assisting with program evaluations and manuscript preparation, and supporting knowledge synthesis. She also develops outreach materials and manages digital communications through content creation and social media. Currently, she is contributing to a scoping review on arts-based interventions for climate emotions. Sarah is also a Research Assistant at the Global & Environmental Health Lab, mentored by Dr. Godfred Boateng. Her current research explores the health impacts of rising temperatures on older adults in Canada, with a focus on climate change, aging, and health equity. With a long-term goal of supporting vulnerable populations through medicine and public health, Sarah is passionate about translating research into practical action and is deeply committed to advancing health equity, humanitarianism, and community-based approaches in global health.
Mahnoosh Jalilzadeh
Planetary Health
Mahnoosh Jalilzadeh is an Honours Psychology student at York University, specializing in Applied Methods and Analysis and Counselling and Mental Health. In her role as a Global Health Intern at the Wellness Impact Lab, her primary project involves contributing to a knowledge synthesis titled Nature-Based Interventions for Climate-Related Emotional Distress. As part of this role, Mahnoosh also supports Climate Café programming through outreach and tabling initiatives, contributing to student engagement efforts focused on climate change, wellness, and mental health. Mahnoosh is also a Research Assistant on the HEATSCAPE-Africa project, working closely with Dr. Benedict Weobong on a knowledge synthesis examining the mental health impacts of extreme heat in climate-vulnerable regions. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of climate mental health, global health, eco-psychology, and nature connection and disconnection, with a focus on environmental and community-based approaches to psychological well-being.
WIL Global Health Interns
Academic Year 2025/26
Academic Year 2024/25
Academic Year 2023/24
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Sarah Merghani (ray)
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Sophia Bryan-Carbonell (ray)
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Lauren Corridore (ray)
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Ghazal Haghgozar Pakdaman
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Lisa Freire
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Mahnoosh Jalilzadeh
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Ramtin Mirshahi
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Rosa Mirshahi
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Sadra Taghizadehtoosi
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Setareh Ghorbani Sini
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Shreya Pandrala
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Ines Gomes Barreira
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Yasamin Kheirkhahan
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Neb (Nebiyou) Timotewos
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Ashani Sivakumar
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Muhammad Ansar
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Sarah Merghani (ray)
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Sophia Bryan-Carbonell (ray)
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Amy Agur
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Eloise Vallentine
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Lauren Corridore
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Lisa Freire
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Mahnoosh Jalilzadeh
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Rosa Mirshahi
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Sadra Taghizadehtoosi
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Setareh Ghorbani Sini
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Shreya Pandrala
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Amy Agur (ray)
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Laura Jose Rosa Pereira (ray)
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Shamim Samadi (ray)
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Shreya Pandrala (ray)
Academic Year 2022/23
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Shamim Samadi (ray)
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Sher Bano Khan (ray)
Community Fellows
Jennifer Corriero has been a social innovator for over 20 years who has a commitment to meaningful community engagement. She is the Executive Director of TakingITGlobal, an organization she co-founded in 1999 that co-designs and delivers youth engagement programs that leverage the power of technology and creativity. She has led microgrants programs supporting community-led initiatives since 2004; and since 2015, TakingITGlobal has grown the Connected North program to offer virtual interactive learning experiences for classrooms based in remote, Indigenous communities. Jennifer holds a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University and has served as Adjunct Professor for the Faculty of Health at York University between 2011-2016 where she helped to launch the Agents of Change course. Currently, Jennifer is a Community Fellow working with the Wellness Impact Lab (WIL), Dahdaleh Institute at York University.
Sara Ferwati is a mental health epidemiologist based in Nunavut, Canada. Her work focuses on developing health indicators and crafting integrated monitoring tools to enhance the understanding and management of mental health needs in the region. Sara’s passion extends beyond her role in public health to encompass climate action. She co-founded Climatable, a Montreal-based non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting Canadian participation in climate initiatives. Currently, Sara is investigating the effects of the climate crisis on mental health through her Community Fellowship at the Wellness Impact Lab, Dahdaleh Institute, York University, and a project funded by Canada’s Art Council. This project specifically examines the mental health impacts of climate change on Syrian immigrants, effectively combining Sara’s professional expertise with her personal experiences as a Syrian immigrant. Sara holds Master’s degrees in Public Health and Biochemistry from McGill University.
Shatabdy Zahid is a public health researcher and founder of the environmental education platform, Learning For Our Future. She is passionate about examining health risks and outcomes to create insights that improve population health, particularly for underserved and underrepresented populations. As an environmental enthusiast, she is interested in understanding the relationship between mental health and climate change to find ways to raise awareness, foster connections, and empower climate action through art-based learning and activities. Shatabdy holds a Master of Public Health (specializing in epidemiology).
PONEY CHIANG
Adjunct Faculty Fellow
Poney Chiang received a PhD in biomedical research from the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, followed by a Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Health & Science in New York. He is an adjunct professor and former director of the Integrative Acupuncture Certificate Program for the Faculty of Health at York University (Toronto). Poney is also a professor at the American Neuro-Acupuncture Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and former Chair of the Herbal Medicine Department at the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is a leading expert in peripheral neuro-anatomy of acupoints and their associated neuro-modulation needle techniques. Since 2013, Poney has been invited to lecture and conduct workshops at numerous TCM and biomedical acupuncture symposiums around the world. His latest research interest involves an MRI-based study of the neuro-anatomy of acupoints on the scalp and their relationships to cortical functional regions. In 2024, he was the keynote speaker for the Australasian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Annual Conference. He was recognised with an award for Excellence in Research & Teaching: Advancing the TCM profession from the Dean of the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.