CSSCF Staff
| CSSCF Staff Member | Name | Position | About |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ariel Nicolaides | Research Coordinator (UBC-O) | Ariel Nicolaides is a PhD Candidate in History at the University of Western Ontario. Her research examines the enduring influence of colonial-era ideas on the development of international refugee policies through the preservation of narratives in archival documents. Focusing on the 20th century, her work explores how shifting legal definitions of refugees intersect with archival memory, record retention, and the reproduction of scholarly narratives. Central to this study is an analysis of the interplay between power, memory, and identity as preserved in international archives. In her work with the CSSCF, Ariel applies her research expertise to community-level initiatives that address adversity and broader social inequities. She is particularly interested in strengthening policies and procedures that enhance the cultural, physical, and emotional well-being of children, youth, and families. |
 | Kassandra Roul | Research Coordinator (UBC-O) | Kassandra is a Master’s student in Clinical Psychology at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Her Master’s research examines police–community collaboration in responding to hate crimes, with a focus on trauma- and violence-informed, victim-centred approaches to interagency support. Within the CSSCF, she is interested in exploring childhood aggression, resilience in the face of adversity, and child welfare practices. She is particularly interested in how parental substance use and mental health influence children’s development and how service systems can better support families through trauma- and violence-informed approaches. Broadly, her work at the Centre seeks to strengthen prevention and intervention efforts that promote safety, well-being, and resilience among children and families facing adversity. When not conducting research or seeing clients, Kassandra can often be found in a hot yoga studio, spending time with friends, or enjoying the outdoor beauty of the Okanagan. |
 | Michelle O'Kane | Research Coordinator (UBC-V) | Michelle O'Kane is a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver) and a Registered Social Worker. Her research focuses on child protection systems, judgement and decision making, supervisory neglect as a maltreatment classification, and children in public space. |
CSSCF Okanagan Project Team Members
| CSSCF Okanagan Team Member | Name | Position | About |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Maryam Alghamdi | Practicum Student | Maryam Alghamdi has an MSc degree in health sciences, with a special research interest in understanding violence against women and children. Specifically, on how it is influenced by a lack of equitable access to the social determinants of health. Maryam is a second-year student at the School of Social Work at UBCO and enjoys spending time in nature, reading, and playing with her cat Lily. Projects: Developmental timing of ACEs/ Parenting pathways. |
 | Olivia Stevenson | Master of Social Work, Thesis Student | Olivia is a Master of Social Work thesis student (UBC-O) currently completing her research under the supervision of Dr. Sarah Dow-Fleisner. She is exploring how men in the family (fathers and brothers) impact the development of masculinity. She is passionate about community-based research and advancing social justice through evidence-informed practice. |
 | Georgia Cooper | Bachelor's of Psychology, Research Volunteer | Georgia Cooper is an undergraduate psychology student at UBC Okanagan. She has a strong research interest and passion for understanding human behaviour and exploring how cognitive and systematic biases can influence decision making. Currently, her contributions aim to raise awareness of inequalities and promote fair treatment to children and families who face social, cognitive, and physical barriers. |
 | Jyo Sahoo | Bachelor's of Psychology, Research Volunteer | Jyo Sahoo is a Psychology student with research interests in cognitive science, data analysis, and the application of machine learning in psychological research. Her work focuses on advancing methodologies to investigate mental health, developmental processes, and the role of digital environments in shaping behaviour. |
 | Jelena Komanchuk | Postdoctoral Fellow | Jelena Komanchuk, PhD, is nurse researcher at the University of British Columbia in the Okanagan. While working as a registered nurse, Jelena noticed that many children living in out-of-home care faced health and developmental difficulties. This inspired Jelena to pursue graduate school to research supports for children in out-of-home care. During her postdoctoral fellowship, Jelena’s research has focused on understanding and supporting sleep health in kinship and foster care. When she is not working, she enjoys hiking, skiing, paddleboarding, and curling up with a good book. |
CSSCF Vancouver Project Team Members
| CSSCF Vancouver Team Member | Name | Position | About |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Inayat Duhra | BSW Practicum Student | Inayat (she/her) is a Bachelor of Social Work student at the UBC School of Social Work and a research practicum student with the Centre for the Study of Services to Children and Families. She holds a BA in Psychology from McGill University, with a focus on developmental psychology, and has supported children, youth, and families across the healthcare, government, and non-profit sectors. Committed to trauma-informed, equity-centred practice, her research interests centre on human development and resilience across the lifespan, and how shifting social and technological landscapes are reshaping how children and youth learn, grow, and thrive. Outside of her studies, Inayat enjoys reading, hiking, jigsaw puzzles, and watercolour painting. |
| Kayla Kenney | Graduate Research Assistant | Kayla Kenney (they/any) is a PhD Student at the UBC School of Social Work. Their doctoral research focuses on social work practice with younger trans and gender diverse people in healthcare. Kayla's research experience includes interviewing, focus groups, and participatory methods alongside trans and gender diverse (TGD) people. This builds on their clinical experience as a behavioural health clinician on a multi-disciplinary pediatric primary care team, providing counselling with TGD youth and families. Kayla maintains registration as a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW) with the BC College of Social Workers. | |
 | Emily Li | Research Assistant | Emily Li is a 4th-year undergraduate student in the Honours Psychology program at the University of British Columbia. She is interested in studying the impact of cultural differences and family dynamics on child outcomes and wellbeing. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, hanging out with her cat, and reading romance novels! |
 | Kolbe Neva | Research Assistant | Kolbe Neva (he/him) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the UBC Okanagan Campus. He is currently majoring in Psychology and minoring in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. Kolbe has a broad range of research interests and a few of which are child and adolescent development as well as assistance and resources for low-income homes. He has work experience as a summer student working for BGC Canada (formerly Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada) daycares and youth summer camps. Kolbe plans to advance his studies in graduate school in the upcoming years to become a registered Clinical Psychologist. He is a current volunteer for the 2024W Academic year. |
 | Maddie Cathcart | Research Assistant | Maddie (she/her) is a graduate student at the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University, a former Work Learn student and practicum Student with the Centre for the Study of Services to Children and Families. She holds a BSW from the UBC School of Social Work and a BA in sociology from UBC. Maddie is passionate about interdisciplinary knowledge, structural accountability, systems changes and knowledge mobilization, taking an integrated and critical approach to research, believing that the value of research lies in its application to community contexts and service to interest holders. |
 | Cathy Jiu | Research Assistant | Cathy (she/her) is a current Master of Public Health student at the University of Ottawa, a former Work Learn student with the Centre for the Study of Services to Children and Families, and a contributor to The Knowledge Exchange: A Partnership-in-Action Podcast. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Psychology from UBC. In relation to her work with the Centre, she is most interested in the use of creative and innovative knowledge dissemination in supporting advocacy activities, and the role of community engagement and knowledge exchange and mobilization in shaping policy and programming. |
 | Chelsea Lim | Research Assistant | Chelsea is a current UBC undergraduate majoring in Psychology and minoring in Health and Society. She is passionate about promoting safe, healthy, and positive development for children and adolescents, ensuring their immediate well-being and long-term success as they transition into adulthood. She has extensive experience in social service roles, working directly with children and youth across diverse settings. Driven by a commitment to fostering health equity for young people, Chelsea hopes to pursue further education in social work. |
 | Yucheng Liu | Research Assistant | Yucheng is a UBC undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience. He's currently interested on translating research on Asian Child welfare. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing and cooking. |
| Sanjana Karthik | Research Assistant | Sanjana Karthik is a UN advocate and a social work student. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Top 25 Under 25 Awards and the Service Above Self Awards (SASSY). She has dedicated over a decade to working with older adults, women who have experienced abuse, neurodiverse people, and more. She has also co-created a mental health app and a TV show called The Reality Is, which was streamed on Shaw Multicultural Channel. She is currently a case manager at a counseling clinic and is researching domestic violence against men with the University of British Columbia. | |
 | Xuan Zhao | Research Assistant | Xuan is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UBC Vancouver, majoring in Sociology and minoring in Psychology. With a research interest in the sociology of health and illness, she is passionate about engaging in applied research that contributes to evidence-based policy and addresses social inequalities. Through her work with CSSCF, Xuan hopes to further explore the field of social work and is committed to supporting the wellbeing of children and families. |
 | Elva Ly | Research Assistant | Elva (she/her) is an undergraduate student at UBC pursuing an integrated major in Immunology and Child Development. Her academic interests focus on pediatric health, early developmental outcomes, and immune-related factors that influence child wellbeing. She is passionate about reducing barriers to healthcare access for underserved families as well as promoting education for aquatic safety. |
(Last Update: July 4, 2025)