EPIC Lab | Our Team
Meet our team of scientists, research staff, trainees, and alumni.
Scientist | |
![]() | Tim Ross, PhD, RPP, MCIP |
EPIC Lab Staff | |
![]() | Clarissa Yu Clarissa is a Research Assistant and former Ward Summer Student (2022) for the EPIC Lab. She is currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science in Health & Disease, Physiology, and Economics at the Unviersity of Toronto. Her current research explores how paediatric healthcare built environments are experienced by children with disabilities and their families. She is also contributing to other projects focusing on paediatric healthcare within the Lab. |
![]() | Emily Cox |
![]() | Meaghan Walker |
![]() | Zehra Kamani |
Doctoral Trainees | |
![]() | Élyse Comeau, MPl |
![]() | Javaneh Abbaspourasadolah |
![]() | Yixue Zhang |
Masters Trainees | |
![]() | Anna Pyrtchenkov |
![]() | Antonia Bellefleur |
![]() | Marjan Fadaei |
![]() | Shalaine Sedres |
Amanda Chan
Amanda is a Master of Arts student in Child Study and Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto where she is pursuing her Ontario College of Teachers designation. She has also completed a Master of Arts in Critical Disability Studies from York University where her research explored the inclusive education experience for autistic students in the Toronto District School Board. Her volunteer work with the EPIC Lab focuses on the use of qualitative research methods with people with developmental disabilities.
Amanda Mac
Amanda is a first-year medical student at the University of Toronto. Amanda is currently supporting numerous projects within the lab, including a scoping review on disability and race within healthcare and a scoping review on access to play spaces for children in hospital. Having family members who live with chronic illness and disability, she is passionate about supporting research on transitional care, accessible and inclusive spaces and enhancing community resilience among marginalized populations.
Emi Wong
Emi is completing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia. Emi's current research interests include inclusive pediatric healthcare environments, health promotion, and enabling engagement in meaningful activities. Emi's volunteer work with the EPIC Lab explores the experiences of children in pediatric healthcare environments.
Julia Hess
Julia is a summer volunteer in the EPIC Lab. She is a Concurrent education student at Queen’s University, completing her Bachelor of Education, as well as her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Julia is currently supporting two projects in the lab, including a social media scan of EDI content with a focus on autism, and a scoping review looking at play spaces in health care settings.
Juliana Gignac
Juliana is a recent graduate from the University of Guelph with a major in Psychology and a minor in Child, Youth and Family studies. Her volunteer work with the EPIC Lab focuses on children's experiences in pediatric healthcare environments. She is also supporting a study on inclusive playground programming. Juliana is looking to pursue a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy in the coming years.
Maddy DeWelles
Maddy DeWelles is a PhD Candidate in the Social Justice Education Department at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto where she conducts research that intersects disability and childhood studies. Maddy’s dissertation research explores how Down syndrome is represented to children and adults before, at, and following the birth of a baby with Down syndrome. Maddy also loves teaching and interacting with children. Maddy’s current volunteer work with the EPIC Lab focuses on experiences of inclusive playgrounds and their surroundings.
Nicole Sin
Nicole is a fourth-year undergraduate student completing her Honour's Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Statistics at the University of Toronto. She is interested in exploring ways to build a safe and inclusive environment for people with disabilities and hopes to pursue a career in Occupational therapy in the future. Nicole is currently supporting a study that explores the housing experiences of people with developmental disabilities in intentional community residences, with hopes of creating better housing designs that accommodate their needs.
Roshan Sivarajah
Roshan is a third-year undergraduate student completing his Bachelor of Medical Science degree at Western University. As a volunteer research student in the EPIC Lab, he is contributing to research on the air travel experiences for children with disabilities and their families, as well as a scoping review on how children experience play in the pedestrian realm.
Past Staff
- Catherine Stratton, Research Assistant
- Emily Buliung, Research Assistant
- Téa Christopoulos, Research Assistant
Past Ward Summer Students
- Clarissa Yu, Summer 2022
- Danielle Nicolardi, Summer 2021
- Iqra Mahmood, Summer 2020
- Madalyn Murray, Summer 2021
- Sarah Qureshi, Summer 2021
- Sophie Weaver, Summer 2021
Past Trainees
- Bianca Serapiglia, MSc. OT, University of Toronto
- Emma Melo, MSc. OT, University of Toronto
- Melissa Ngo, MDes, OCAD University
- Yuelin Ge, MSc. Planning, University of Toronto