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 peacebuilding 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 world’.

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.

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.

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, 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.

Sarah Merghani is currently pursuing an Honours BSc in Global Health at York University, specializing in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, along with an interdisciplinary certificate in Refugee and Migration Studies. Driven by a passion for health equity and humanitarian work, Sarah seeks to integrate scientific research with practical solutions to create meaningful change. Sarah plans to pursue a career in medicine, focusing on supporting vulnerable populations such as displaced people, women, and children. Through her work with the Wellness Impact Lab, she hopes to contribute to innovative solutions such as Climate Cafés, which offer a supportive space for people to share their emotional responses to the climate crisis, fostering a sense of community and well-being.

Sophia Bryan-Carbonell is a Research Assistant at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, currently working with the Wellness Impact Lab (WIL). Her role focuses on developing and evaluating climate cafes and wellness-promoting interventions, such as the ‘Interbeing Wellness’ program, which integrates Qi Gong and Mindfulness Meditation to address stress and enhance overall well-being. Additionally, she supports the lab’s community outreach efforts by managing digital content, including copywriting and graphics for social media and event promotion.

Amy Agur is an undergraduate student at York University, specializing in research psychology. With several years of experience as a social worker, Amy has developed a profound commitment to enhancing community health—mentally, physically, and emotionally—through developing evidence-based programs, frameworks, and assessment tools. She plans to pursue a PhD in Psychology, focusing on experimental psychology, to further support and strengthen her community.

Amy’s research interests include personality and social psychology and neuroscience with a special interest in how rapid advancements in technology and AI will influence individuals and communities long-term.

Shreya is a fourth-year psychology major at York University, currently pursuing two concentrations in Counselling & Mental Health and Child & Youth Development. She hopes to one day become a therapist and help others overcome their trauma, develop coping skills, and overall, lead a healthy, fulfilling life. Under the supervision of Harvey Skinner and Susan Harris, she hopes to conduct a literature review on the impact of Qi Gong on mental, spiritual, and emotional wellness. Apart from that, she aims to facilitate Climate Cafes alongside her team and create positive, nurturing, healing spaces where students can vent about their feelings related to climate change. In essence, her goal is to contribute to society in a meaningful way, increase sustainability efforts, and make the world a better place for future generations.

(SU23; FW23-24)

Shamim Samadi is an undergraduate Kinesiology and Health Science student at York University. She is passionate about global health research, primarily focusing on health policies that affect populations and universal approaches to health priorities. As a pre-dental student, Shamim integrates her passions into projects and events on behalf of Bright Future Dentists, a community she has co-founded that offers education, networking, and mentorship to pre-dental students in pursuit of their goals.

Shamim hopes to expand her learning opportunities related to global health with her current research on the relationship between hosting sports mega-events and the policing of populations through anti-trafficking policies and measures. She strongly believes that exploring the concept of health beyond the confines of disease prevention is crucial for promoting healthcare approaches that cater to an individual’s physical, mental, and social well-being while fostering resilience.

(FW23-24)

Laura Rosa is an undergraduate student at York University, specializing in Global Health Policy, Management and Systems. Growing up as an immigrant, she developed a strong passion for the universal right to health, sparking her interest in global health research. Now, as a Global Health Intern at the Wellness Impact Lab, Laura aims to investigate the intersection between the health of our planet and that of our populations while exploring how the One Health approach can be applied to policy-making to foster sustainability and resilience within communities. She is committed to promoting health equity through her work and wishes to pursue graduate studies in the field of epidemiology.

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).