Jenney Zhu

youth assessor
I graduated from Western University in 2018 with a B.A, Honours Specialization in Psychology. Prior to joining FORBOW, I worked in the Department of Psychiatry at University Hospital, London, ON where my research explored how individuals respond to mindfulness-based practices relative to psychological trauma exposure and related symptoms. I am excited to be part of the FORBOW team and I look forward to meeting young people and their families!
 
In my spare time, I enjoy exploring Halifax, taking art classes, watching documentaries, and spending time with my dog, Bean.

Stephen Perkovic

Parent assessor
I graduated from York University (Toronto, ON) in 2018 with an Honours BA in Psychology. During my undergraduate degree I conducted an independent study which looked at how differences in personality may help predict whether someone may be more likely to experience certain symptoms of depression. Towards the end of my degree I worked as the research coordinator of a longitudinal study which examined the impact of a nonclinical intervention on symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults.
 
I was really excited to join the FORBOW team given my own interests in the role of individual differences (i.e. personality, genetics) and other factors in helping predict different mental illnesses and their role in predicting treatment outcomes.
 
Aside from working on research I like to watch movies, play guitar, and play soccer (recreationally). 

Qendresa Sahiti

Honours in neuroscience student & youth assessor
I am a 4th year student completing my Bachelor of Science with Honours in Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. Prior to working with FORBOW, I worked on research projects within the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience and the Department of Medical Neuroscience at Dalhousie, as well as the Centre for Pediatric Pain Research at the IWK Health Centre. My current project focuses on characteristics of youth speech and how that is related to genetic vulnerability for mental illness.

I'm also interested in science advocacy and developing strategies to better communicate science to the general public. I feel very lucky to get to work with FORBOW families and learn from my amazing colleagues!

Outside of school and work, I enjoy photography, swimming, and volunteering within my community

Mehri Sajjadian

post-doctoral fellow & data analyst
I am a data analyst and a researcher with a Ph.D. in applied mathematics.  As a theoretical mathematician, I always had a passion to apply my mathematical knowledge in improving individual’s life in healthcare system directly. Joining the FORBOW team gave me the opportunity to employ artificial intelligence to unravel the mysteries of mental illness.

Cynthia Howard

youth assessor
My career began in Educational Publishing, where I worked on school and university textbooks for 12 years. When I decided it was time for a new direction, I began working as a research assistant at Dalhousie and I discovered a real love of research with children. I worked  in childhood literacy research at Dalhousie for several years. After that I worked in Autism and Rheumatology research before starting at FORBOW. I am thrilled to be a part of this great team, and am looking forward to meeting  young people and their families.
 
In my free time, I love hiking and kayaking in the summer, and Pilates in the winter. I am a voracious reader with a particular love of the literature of the Victorian era.

Sheri Rempel

youth assessor
I graduated in 2002 with a B.Sc honours in Psychology from the University of Victoria and in 2006 with a MSc.A in Communication Sciences and Disorders from McGill. I am a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and have been working mostly with school aged children for the past 11 years. I was drawn to FORBOW because of my curiosity about developmental aspects of children other than just speech and language. I love working with children and families and being part of the FORBOW team will allow me to participate in research and increase my understanding of the factors that contribute the well being of children and their families.
 
Other than being Research Assistant and an SLP, I am also an 500hr Registered Yoga Teacher, and I enjoy teaching various levels of yoga classes to children and adults. In my spare time I love to practice Yoga and meditation, read books, cook and spend time with friends and family. 

Meg Stephens

youth assessor
My background is in healthcare and childcare. I graduated from the University of Nottingham, UK with a BMedSci and a BMBS. I have worked as an Early Years Educator and as a Junior Doctor. I am currently working towards completing my clinical examinations to return to medicine in Canada.

I am really excited to be a part of the FORBOW team, as working with children and their families is something I have always enjoyed. Looking at ways to identify risks early and promote the well-being of our future generation is an area I feel very passionate about.

I moved from the UK in 2017. My interests include photography, snowboarding, kayaking and exploring Nova Scotia with my husband and our two dogs. I love to travel and have been lucky enough to go on some exciting adventures around the world.

Kelsey Villars

youth assessor
I have my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in developmental psychology from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. I moved to Halifax shortly after graduating back in 2015. I have volunteered at a few different institutions and organizations soaking in as much knowledge and experience as I could. I've worked with people who come from many different backgrounds. Through it all I have been driven by the desire to improve peoples everyday lives. All of my experiences have lead me to FORBOW. I was very excited to hear about the work being done to help create ways that get to the roots of mental illness. I'm grateful to be able to be apart of a team and initiative that has the goal to improve peoples opportunity for wellness. 

Besides my passion for understanding and helping those around me, I enjoy many things including, snuggling with my dog, drives through the country, being by the ocean, and all things comfy-cozy.

Holly Van Gestel

youth assessor & brain scan Coordinator
​I’ve always been passionate about the ways in which we foster healthier minds and bodies. This interest has guided my past and present academic and extracurricular pursuits and is what has guided me to FORBOW. 
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I am currently completing my third year as a student of osteopathic medicine, upon the completion of my master’s degree at Dalhousie University.  My thesis research was a neuroimaging study focused on uncovering the brain regions responsible for the stress response, commonly known as “fight or flight”. I’m excited and honored to be part of the FORBOW team, and to employ the skills that I’ve learned along the way to help explore the developing brain in young people.

Tammy Lamb

youth assessor
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Prince Edward Island and have worked in research since 2011. Over the past 6 years, I have had the opportunity to work for Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, and Mount Saint Vincent University. During my time with these schools, I was fortunate to work on many different studies, investigating language development and acquisition, and social and emotional well-being. The FORBOW study seemed like a natural fit for me and I am excited to be a part of this remarkable team.

In my spare time I enjoy playing softball, watching movies, and road trip adventures exploring this beautiful province with my husband.  

Shannon Blois​

youth assessor
I graduated from Saint Mary’s University in 2014 with my Honours Degree in Psychology. During my time at SMU, I worked on various research projects which really opened my eyes to the value of experimental psychology. I began working with the FORBOW team in June 2014 as a Research Assistant. In May 2016, I started a new position as the Research Psychometrist for Dalhousie’s Department of Psychiatry.

Currently, I work full time as a psychometrist for Dr. Pure & Associates, a private practice clinic based in Dartmouth, NS. I continue to work on a casual basis for the FORBOW team. I always look forward to my days at FORBOW! 
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When I am not working, I enjoy being active and outdoors. My interests include: hiking, canoeing, fishing, and exploring new places! I also love spending time with my family, friends, and pets (two dogs, a cat, and lots of fish).

Alyson Zwicker​

Postdoctoral fellow & youth assessor
I graduated from Western University with a BSc in Psychology in 2015, and joined the FORBOW team shortly thereafter. I completed my PhD with FORBOW in 2019 and my thesis examined genetic factors that influence the development of mental illness, environmental exposures that could have adverse effects on mental health, and the interplay between the two. In my work as a postdoctoral fellow, I am continuing my work with the genetic samples.

Vlad Drobinin​

medical neuroscience phd student & Youth assessor
I am excited to be a resident of this beautiful city and a researcher with this innovative study.

My work with FORBOW gives me the unique opportunity of studying how the young brain develops. Please see the video to find out more about how we do that!

I’m also interested in rectangles. We use rectangles of different sizes every day. These include cellphones, tablets, laptops, and TVs. The types of things that we do with our screens matter. My goal is to find out how technology affects humans.

In my spare time, I enjoy photography, technology, reading, movies, meditation, and a stroll by the harbour.
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Emily Howes Vallis​

parent assessor
I graduated from Dalhousie in 2016 with an Honours Degree in Psychology. While studying at Dalhousie, I had the opportunity to work on diverse research projects, which is where I developed a love of experimental psychology and a passion for mental health. I am excited to continue pursuing my interests in research and mental health as a member of the FORBOW team.
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In my spare time, I teach ballet and I enjoy cooking, practicing yoga, and spending time outdoors.

I’m looking forward to meeting participants and their families!

Alex Pizzo

masters in psychiatry research student & youth assessor
I completed my undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University in Psychology. I am currently a Masters student at Dalhousie. Outside of FORBOW I like to watch TV and play sports.

Andrea Sandstrom

masters in psychiatry research student & youth assessor
I did my undergraduate at Western University in Psychology before moving to Halifax and joining FORBOW. I am especially interested in the development of mental illness in youth, and early intervention for anxiety disorders.

Outside of FORBOW, I enjoy hiking, going to the gym, and exploring Halifax.

Jackie Glover​

youth assessor
I worked in a research lab focused on child development before joining the FORBOW team of researchers.

I’ve always had an interest in counselling and helping others. This led to my passion for psychology, which I pursued in my degree from Dalhousie University. I’ve worked with children since I was a teenager. From an early age I have always known that I wanted a career that could combine my interests in psychology and working with children and youth. I am really happy to be a part of the FORBOW study and to help promote well-being in youth and their families. When I’m not working I love to cook, travel, spend time with my family, husband and friends, and play soccer.
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​Jill Cumby​

research manager
As a mental health nurse, I am interested in learning how we may help youth who are at risk of developing a mental illness.

When I was a teenager, my career plan was to help youth in many ways. I wanted to work as a high school teacher and guidance counsellor. I did teach for a while, before going into mental health nursing. I completed my undergraduate nursing degree from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. I then returned to my home province of Newfoundland to complete my master’s in nursing at Memorial University. I have worked as a mental health nurse in Halifax since 2000. Outside of work, I love to sing, practice yoga, do aquafit, as well as spend time with family and friends.

Barbara Pavlova

investigator
I am a clinical psychologist, cognitive-behavioural therapist and researcher. I want to find out why some people develop anxiety disorders and whether we can prevent it. I am testing a new way of helping parents not to pass anxiety on to their children. I am also interested in the interplay between mood and anxiety. I am looking at whether effectively treating anxiety reduces the risk of depression and other problems.

Rudolf Uher​

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
I am a psychiatrist and a researcher. I believe that we should do research that really matters and improves lives.

I came to Nova Scotia to take the opportunity offered by the Canada Research Chair Program. In my work here, I am studying how to help young people develop mental well-being and avoid mental illness. This work builds on my earlier training in medicine and psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital in London, UK, and in Prague, in the Czech Republic. In my earlier training, I noticed that adults with mental illness often experience only limited improvement, even with the best available treatment. I often wondered if we could make a bigger difference by working with people when they are younger, when the brain and body are developing.

With my colleagues in Halifax, London, Boston, and elsewhere, I am studying whether we can predict what treatment works best for whom. I am grateful that as a researcher I can help advance knowledge and as a clinician I can put in into practice. When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, observing wildlife, and taking photographs.
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