Nathan Lachowsky, PhD

nlachowsky@uvic.ca

“I am a social epidemiologist with 10 years of experience conducting community-based research on sexual health and HIV/AIDS with sexual minority men across Canada and New Zealand. I work as a Professor and Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar in the School of Public Health and Social Policy at the University of Victoria. As a gay man myself, I actively volunteer in the LGBTQ+ community and currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Health Initiative for Men and as the Research Director of the Community-Based Research Centre for Gay Men’s Health.” 

Allie Slemon, PhD, RN

“I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria. My research centres on promoting social justice within the nursing profession and across health care systems. In particular, I work with 2SLGBTQ+ communities and people who experience mental health challenges to identify new strategies and approaches for remediating inequities in health and health care. Current projects include implementing and evaluating a 2SLGBTQIA+ Liaison Nurse role within health care settings in British Columbia, working alongside health care leaders and community organizations.”

Ingrid Handlovsky, PhD, RN

“I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria. My research work is informed by a commitment to health equity with an emphasis on situating discrimination (structural and interpersonal) as a determinant of health. In particular, I am interested in exploring how our complex and multi-faceted social environments-inclusive to historical, political and cultural dynamics – inform health practices, perspectives and experiences of well-being for – in particular – LGBTQ2S+ individuals. My research is informed by social justice and critical perspectives to draw attention to the structural conditions that subject individuals, groups and populations to disadvantage while highlighting, and learning from, tremendous demonstrated resiliencies.”

Robert Beringer (Savage), PhD, Assistant Professor

robertberinger@uvic.ca

“I have worked as a gerontologist and researcher for 10 years. In 2019 I completed my doctoral dissertation focused on The Experience of Older Gay Men Living in Non-Metropolitan British Columbia. Concurrently as a CIHR, Institute of Gender and Health, Design Jam award recipient (2018), I have created a website and program titled The LGBTQI2S Dignity Project which aims to address challenges older LGBTQI2S face when they enter long-term care. In addition, since 2017 I have worked in the role of HQP (Highly Qualified Personnel) as a member of the iCAN-ACP Diversity Access Team, where we are exploring barriers to advance care planning in LGBTQI2S, Chinese, and South Asian populations.  During the 2-year post-doctoral Health System Impact Fellowship (HSIF), I will extend my work with the LGBTQI2S community by Evaluating and Optimizing LGBTQI2S Engagement with Hospice and Palliative Care in the Island Health Region of British Columbia. Using a Participatory Action Research approach in my HSIF project, I will gain valuable experience as an applied community-based researcher, which aligns with my long-term career objectives.”

Aki Gormezano, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow

As a Michael Smith Health Research BC Research Trainee at CHER and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Aki’s research is focused on the sexual health (equity) of people who participate in group sex across diverse sexualities and genders. He completed his PhD in psychology under the supervision of Dr. Sari van Anders at Queen’s University in 2022.

Jose Benito Tovillo​, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow

josebeni@uvic.ca

Jose Benito Tovillo is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Victoria- School of Public Health and Social Policy. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree at the University of Alberta in June 2024. Jose is also a registered nurse with years of experience in Emergency, Medicine, Psychiatry, and Geriatrics. Additionally, Jose is a nurse educator and has taught several nursing and health-related courses at the University of Alberta, MacEwan University (Edmonton), and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (Edmonton). He will start teaching at the University of Victoria- School of Nursing in Fall 2024.

Jose’s research interest revolves around HIV/STBBIs and PrEP, especially on access to HIV/STBBI treatment and prevention strategies among the 2SLGBTQ+ community. He was a part of the Alberta GBTQ2S+ Network and Alberta PrEP Research and Evaluation Operations Committee, which both looked into improving the health of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Alberta by strengthening PrEP access, sexual health services, and social support. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of HIV Edmonton from 2017-2022 (Vice-Chair and Board Chair from 2020-2022). In this position, Jose assumed policy-making and strategic planning roles, worked with stakeholders and community members, participated in community-based research, and developed programs for those affected by or at risk for HIV/AIDS.

His doctoral research focused on understanding the experiences related to PrEP access among young men who have sex with men in Canada. Jose continues to work with HIV/STBBI/PrEP researchers, leaders, and stakeholders in Alberta and Canada. He also continues to engage in discussions and research that advocate for the sexual health and well-being of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Tyrone Curtis​, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow

Meera Dhebar, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow

mdhebar@uvic.ca

“My recently completed PhD was a collaborative degree with the Taos Institute and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, which required social constructionism as its foundation. As an emerging researcher in social justice and mental health, my work is informed by my significant experience as a mental health clinician. For the last decade I have been a therapist, clinical supervisor, clinical director and adjunct professor, teaching and practicing queer intersectional perspectives. Prior to that I worked in front line, community based, and later health care capacities. Through my doctoral research I developed a framework called Queer Worldmaking (QWM) as a way to decolonize aspects of research and policy, whereby queerness is understood through a cultural lens, instead of the prevailing discourses of psychology and social work. During the 2-year post doctoral CIHR Health Systems Impact Fellowship (HSIF) I will be engaging in secondary data analysis of Community Based Research Centre’s large scale quantitative survey Our Health for specific intersectional, identity based experiences of sexual and reproductive health, and mental health, during COVID-19.”

Alex Wells, PhD Candidate

Alex is a PhD candidate in the Social Dimensions of Health program at the University of Victoria. They have an MSW with a joint specialization in Sexual Diversity Studies from the University of Toronto. He also has a BSW from York University and a BA from the University of Toronto. Their research looks at the role of LGBTQ2S recreational sports teams and leagues play in supporting the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ2S communities from across Canada. His broad research interests include LGBTQ2S mental, sexual and physical health, community-based research and health initiatives and recommendations for social work practice. Alex is a registered social worker with over ten years experience working and volunteering to support LGBTQ2S communities.

Carol Bilson, PhD Candidate

Carol is a PhD candidate in Social Dimensions of Health at the University of Victoria, pronouns are she/her. Her research is centered around the development of educational restorative processes for people who cause sexualized or gender-based violence on post-secondary campuses, with particular attention to male-identified students. Conjointly, she holds the position of Education Coordinator at the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society (VWTH) where she trains staff, volunteers, fellow community members, and service providers on the complex issues of intimate partner violence and trauma-informed practices. Carol also co-facilitates Indigenous cultural safety workshops (Decolonizing Together) that support organizations work in more collaborative and relationally accountable ways with Indigenous peoples. Carol has over 10 years of experience in community facilitation and was the previous director of the anti.violence.project (University of Victoria Undergraduate Student Society sexual assault center) where she ushered in multiple sexualized violence awareness campaigns, developed train-the-trainer consent workshops, and initiated the first educational restorative process for men who assault on campus. This work with male students who caused harm led to the development of the first male-identified support group (UVIC Men’s Circle). Carol has developed multiple community workshops on colonization, anti-racism, and gender-based violence, including her most recent work an 8-week program Cultivating Healthy Relationships in Boys and Male Youth. This program, currently being run at VWTH with boys ages 12-15 who have witness violence in their homes.  

Gioi Tran Minh M.D, MPH, Ph.D. Candidate

“I am a Ph.D. student on Social Dimensions of Health at the University of Victoria. My study focuses on substance use among transgender and gender non-binary people in Canada. I have worked as a public health specialist for over 20 years in Vietnam, mainly around HIV-related issues with disadvantaged populations. I am a research assistant for Trans PULSE survey (a national survey on transgender health in Canada) and work voluntarily for non-profit organizations.”

Leo Rutherford, PhD Candidate

Leo Rutherford is a PhD candidate in the Social Dimensions of Health program working on community based participatory research (CBPR) projects with the trans community. He is a queer trans guy who is passionate about research crafted by and for the trans community. Originally from the U.S., Leo sees research as activism and knowledge translation as essential. His background is in Psychology and Human Sexuality. His broad research interests are trans health, sexuality, sexual health and patient reported surgical outcomes. Leo has recently been awarded a two-year CIHR patient-oriented research fellowship.

Lydia Toorenburgh (they/them), PhD Student, Research Assistant

“Lydia is a Two-Spirit Métis academic, artist, and activist. They have lived as a grateful visitor on lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territories for 17 years and have been working and studying at UVic for ten years, completing their Master of Arts in Anthropology and their Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Anthropology and Minor in Indigenous Studies. In 2024, Lydia received a Distinguished Alumni Award from UVic for their work on decolonization and Indigenization as a staff member and academic excellence and leadership as a student. Also in 2024, Lydia received a Vanier scholarship to pursue their doctoral research project that will gather Two-Spirit Métis stories of joy and wellness through audio-visual and arts-based methods. At the CHER lab, Lydia is a Research Assistant working for the Community-Based Research Centre’s Medicine Bundle project under the supervision of Dr. Lachowsky.”

Mattie Walker, PhD Candidate

mattiew@uvic.ca

Mattie Walker is a PhD candidate in the Social Dimensions of Health Program at the University of Victoria. They hold an MA Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria. Mattie’s doctoral research project, Transforming Supports, focuses on trauma-related mental health supports for trans and gender-diverse people. Alongside their research work, Mattie works as a clinical counsellor in Victoria specializing in working people who have experienced trauma and with queer and trans individuals. Through this role, Mattie has first-hand experience with the community need for safe and appropriate mental health services, as well as practitioners’ need for relevant and applicable knowledge to integrate into their practices. Having worked in the anti-violence sector for over 10 years in various roles, Mattie sees their PhD and research work as an extension of social justice work through engaging in research that will be able to inform practice, policy, and mental health initiatives.

Ngozi Nneka Joe-Ikechebelu, PhD Candidate

“I am a public health specialist with over 10 years’ experience in clinical and community health research on women’s health, HIV/AIDs and Primary Health Care. Currently doing a PhD program in Social Dimensions of Health of the UVic, Canada. In the face of rising global economic recession; using community-based structural intervention research for real-life, complex and relevant inequitable health services with historically marginalised communities is vital for our health and well-being. Presently in Canada, I am actively involved as a research assistant with HSD of UVic, volunteer with British Columbia Coalition Institute of CCGHR and their Nigeria Working Group.”

Sajjad Kaveh Shaldehi, PhD Student

Jess Crawford (they/them), RN, MN Student, Research Assistant​

Anthony Theodore Amato (he/him), MA Student

“As a PhD student at UVic, I am interested in social inequities experienced by 2S/LGBTQQIA+ persons living with disabilities, and exploring how to cultivate their well-being. My master’s work explored changes in loneliness and discrimination throughout COVID among 2S/GBTQ+ persons living with disabilities. I am passionate about social equity, and accessibility for people living with disabilities.”

Marshall Kilduff (he/him/his), MA Student

“I currently work as a health promotion educator, focusing on queer and trans sexual health and wellness with AVI Health and Community Services. I will be starting my MA in the Social Dimensions of Health program at UVic in the fall of 2022. I plan to focus my research on LGBTQ2S+ mental health, substance use, and homelessness. The ultimate goal is to start a queer transition/stabilization house. As a queer, trans man who has lived/living experience of mental illness, housing instability, and poverty, this is a topic near and dear to my heart. I want to create the resources that didn’t exist when I was at my lowest points and build community with folks who experience extreme marginalization.”

Sophia Ciavarella, MSW Student

Sophia Ciavarella is a Master of Social Work student at the University of Victoria. She comes to her research from a background in community-led care, with experience in supporting trans and gender-diverse young people, gender-based violence work, and sex worker rights. She is passionate about uplifting the immense knowledge that 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities hold from the perspective that marginalized people are the experts on their own needs. The objective of her work is to create and promote care that is relevant, respectful, and safe for those who need it.

Zackary Derrick, MPH Thesis Student 

Zackary Derrick is a nonbinary community organizer, nonprofit consultant, and scholar, based on Kanienʼkehá꞉ka territory commonly referred to as Montreal. They hold a BA in First Peoples Studies from Concordia University, and are currently completing a Master of Public Health at the University of Victoria. Their thesis work builds on Dr. Renée Monchalin’s research project Global Goal, Local Impact: Access to Abortion Services for Indigenous Peoples in Canada through an exploration of the specific experiences of Two-Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse participants.  Zackary is excited about the intersections of advocacy work, community-based research methods, and sexual health equity. In their spare time, Zackary enjoys the 3 Bs: baking, board games, and books.

Anya Slater, hBA, MA, Research Administrator

Anya has worked at UVic since December 2019, and with CHER for the majority of that time. Anya is passionate about supporting community-based, interdisciplinary research that is invested in social justice, health equity, and Indigenous knowledges. 

Sage Schmied (she/they), BA, MACP, Project Coordinator

“With a background in counselling psychology, anthropology and health systems navigation, it seems only fitting that I am now working in another realm of supporting people through health equity work. As a project coordinator, I am mainly focused on the 2SLGBTQIA+ Liaison Nurse Project, and whatever other work Dr. Slemon and Dr. Handlovsky throw my way! When I am not working on projects, I am also starting my business in psychotherapy and am passionate about working with trauma and complex cases. I feel honoured to be a part of work that aims to and is creating real meaningful change while working alongside a team of incredibly dedicated individuals.”

Where they are now…

• Kiffer Card PhD, former Postdoctoral Fellow, Assistant Professor Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, MSHRBC Scholar
• Marion Selfridge PhD, former Postdoctoral Fellow, Postdoctoral Fellow Canadian Institute of Substance Use Research
• Michael Montess PhD, former Postdoctoral Fellow, Postdoctoral Associate in the Rotman Institute of Philosophy and the School of Health Studies at Western University
• Sara Chadwick PhD, former Postdoctoral Fellow, Assistant Professor of Gender & Women’s Studies, Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison