I am an environmental epidemiologist that explores environmental factors that impact vulnerable populations. My research primarily focuses on two areas: air pollution and climate change. Air pollution (ambient, household) is an important environmental risk factor related to several health outcomes. I am particularly interested in a) investigating the relationship between air pollution, climate change, and chronic diseases, b) assessing the links between air pollution and climate change, and c) exploring approaches to assess these relationships.
Degrees
PhD, Epidemiology, University of Heidelberg, 2009
MSc, Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Toronto, 2005
BSc (Hons), Environmental Science, University of Toronto, 2003
Awards
School of Public Health Diversity Champion, 2019
School of Public Health Students' Association Small Class Teaching Award, 2019
School of Public Health Students' Association Large Class Teaching Award, 2018
Keywords
epidemiology
air pollution
climate change
chronic diseases
vulnerable populations
This is an advanced epidemiology methods course, designed primarily for doctoral students intending to conduct epidemiological research. Topics covered include advanced conceptual, methodological and practical issues in observational study designs and causal modeling; theoretical issues and practices in surveillance, primary data collection and use of administrative databases, advanced issues in assessing and controlling confounding, and unique challenges in doing epidemiological research in various topic areas. The overall goal of this course is to help prepare its graduates to conduct independent epidemiological research. Prerequisites: SPH 619 and 696 or consent of Instructor. Note: Credit may not be obtained for both PHS 766 and SPH 766.
Fall Term 20202020 - 2022
Principal investigator
This study will examine the mental health of pregnant women and health care providers before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic in the Anhui province of China. We will also explore the impact of poor mental health on adverse birth outcomes during this period.
Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Alberta Innovates
Mental health and COVID-192019 - 2020
Principal investigator
We will create an interactive, web-based platform for stakeholders to identify vulnerable communities (e.g. older adults, immigrant) and co-develop climate change toolkits aimed at vulnerable populations. Collectively, this work aims to pave the way to build local climate change resilience and adaptation opportunities.
Funded by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation
2019 - 2021
Principal investigator
We aim to generate critical local data about community climate change vulnerability and resilience that can be used to inform future short, medium and long-term planning activities for the City of Edmonton
Funded by Cities IPCC and Alberta EcoTrust
2017 - 2022
Co-investigator
We will implement a perinatal depression screening and management (PDSM) program within the China maternal and child healthcare system. We will assess provider organization, individual healthcare provider, and cultural factors to identify implementation strategies to improve practice (i.e., uptake) and transfer knowledge for scale-up of our program; and examine the effectiveness of these implementation strategies by monitoring acceptability, feasibility, reach, and fidelity.
Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and National Natural Science Foundation of China