Graduate Student Profiles
MSc Students
- Aliya Johma
- Aysan Khatmi
- Christian Farrell
- Chunhui Gu
- Emily Ward
- Ethan Hagen
- Hossam Elgendy
- Jennie Vegt
- Jonathan Gerber
- Kylie Johnston
- Lingling Chen
- Mutsawashe Simbi
- Nidhi Malhi
- Parisa Saghafi
- Rawel Sidhu
- Roxy Tsisar
- Soubhik Das
- Tanushka Anand
- Viktoriia Kurkova
- Yiqing Wu
- Yuying Lei
PhD Students
- Alan Davalos-Guzmán
- An Bui
- Anna Wilson
- Alan Davalos Guzman
- Beier Guan
- Chelsea Bedrejo Stellick
- Emilie Desnoyers
- Jacquelyn Paquet
- Jian Shan Chen
Alan Davalos-Guzmán
Current Program: PhD
Area of Study/Keywords: Computational Psychiatry, Artificial Intelligence, Health Services Research, Addiction Psychiatry, Translational Psychiatry
About
I am a physician-psychiatrist (MD) and PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta. My research combines computational psychiatry, health services research, and responsible AI to improve real-world care for opioid use disorder (OUD). I use administrative health data to map care trajectories and identify gaps in access and retention, and I build privacy-preserving multi-agent analytics that turn plain-language questions into transparent, auditable summaries for clinicians and decision-makers.
Before starting my PhD, I completed specialist training in psychiatry in Mexico and an MSc focused on neuroimaging/fMRI and neuromodulation, which continues to shape my interest in bridging biological mechanisms with scalable, health-system solutions.
Aliya Johma
Current Program: MSc
Supervisors: Dr. Hannah Pazderka, Dr. Peter Silverstone
Area of Study/Keywords: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Adverse Child Experiences, Sexual Abuse, Suicidality
About
I am a graduate student in the department of psychiatry under the supervision of Dr. Hannah Pazderka and Dr. Peter Silverstone. My undergraduate degree is in psychology from Mount Royal University, where I was also a student-athlete. My research aims to understand how individuals recover from childhood sexual abuse and related suicidality, how this impacts the family, and treatment outcomes. Through this research, I hope to advance our understanding of suicidality as it emerges in the context of childhood sexual abuse to to guide treatment and recovery.
An Bui
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Ian Winship
Area of Study/Keywords: Stroke, Aging, Neutrophil, Inflammation, Transcriptome.
About
I completed my undergraduate study in Neuroscience at the University of Alberta. My PhD focus is investigating the role of neutrophil stalls in gene expression changes during and after stroke, and how they affect clinical outcomes (ie. age- and sex- based differences). Outside of the lab, I'm a passionate artist and sewing enthusiast.
Anna wilson
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Yifeng Wei
About
Anna Wilson has a Masters Degree in Library and Information Studies, from University of Alberta. She also has a Masters Degree in Theoretical, Cultural and International Education Policy Studies. She is currently a PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry studying Indigenous Mental Health and working with Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Yifeng Wei, and Dr. Noella Steinhauer on a nationwide Indigenous Youth Mental Health Literacy Resource written by Indigenous youth for Indigenous youth.
Chelsea Bedrejo Stellick, MA
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
About
I am a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Greenshaw and Dr. Eldon Spackman at the University of Calgary. I hold a Master's Degree in Economics from the University of Alberta where I studied the indirect costs of anxiety disorder and depression, Bachelors Degree (University of Alberta) in Political Science and Economics and a diploma in Global Management from IESEG School of Management. I will be pursuing my doctoral studies applying a cost-effectiveness model to anti-amyloid treatments for Alzheimer's Disease. I currently live in New York City working on Wall Street. On a day to day basis, I utilize my skills sets to analyze the market behaviour and trends in the biotech and healthcare space to make recommendations on stock price movements of public Biopharma companies. Speaking with CEO's and other members of senior management on several early stage (and late stage) development companies within the space is the most exciting part of the job. I enjoy using what I have learnt in my studies at the U of A in my professional life everyday.
Selected Recent Awards
- 2013 - Government of Alberta Graduate Citizenship Award
- 2012 - University of Alberta Outstanding Initiative Award
- 2011 - University of Alberta Gold Key Recognition Award
- 2009 - University of Alberta Lee Global Education Award
Emilie Desnoyers
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
Emily Ward
About:
Emily completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Calgary, where she gained research experience in developmental psychobiology. Emily recently began working
towards a Master of Science degree in Psychiatry, aiming to explore the use of machine learning to recognize and prevent opioid-related adverse outcomes.
jacquelyn paquet
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean, Dr. Kate Hibbard
Jennie Vegt
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean
About
I joined the Department of Psychiatry in January 2023. With the guidance of Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean, my research is focused on the patient experience of a hospital-based art program that is similar to the Arts on Prescription programs in the UK or Social Prescribing programs in Canada. I'm also interested in exporing arts-based research to facilitate ongoing value co-creation and health knowledge dissemination within healthcare environments. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2012 at the University of Alberta, my career as an artist has integrated community and well-being through roles, such as Artist in Residence in City Hall and Artist on the Ward in the University of Alberta Hospital. These experiences informed my later studies in Psychology at Athabasca University, ultimately leading me to the privilege of participating in this Psychiatry program.
Awards
- Balanced Student Award, 2021 (Athabasca University SA)
- Academic Achievement Award, 2021(Athabasca University SA)
Publications
- Mathura P, Li M, Vegt J, Penrod Z, Suranyi Y, Osborne C, Kassam N. Through the eyes of hospital-based healthcare professionals: exporling their lived experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open Qual. 2022 Aug;11(3):e001878. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001878. PMID: 35961682; PMCID: PMC9378944.
julie tian
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Jake Hayward
Area of Study/Keywords: Machine Learning, Health Monitoring
About
Julie Tian is a PhD student specializing in the field of Computational Psychiatry. Her educational background includes a BSc degree in Pharmacology and Computer Science from McGill University, which has equipped her with a diverse skill set to excel in her research endeavors. With a keen interest in leveraging machine learning techniques, Julie focuses on uncovering insightful patterns and predictive trends within administrative healthcare patient data and individual’s smartwatch health data. Through her research, Julie is dedicated to enhancing individualized healthcare delivery and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Kylie Johnston
Current Program: MsC
About
I joined the department of Psychiatry’s MSc program in September 2024, where I have been working on a project focused on the implementation and evaluation of a mental health literacy curriculum in elementary schools under the supervision of Dr. Yifeng Wei as well as Dr. Andrew Greenshaw. In May 2024, I graduated from the Bachelor of Science program with a major in Psychology from UBC Okanagan, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with various interdisciplinary researchers. My previous research covered a variety of topics, including substance use and harm reduction, chronic disease, youth mental health, travel patterns of children living in the Interior Health region of BC, and social support. I am passionate about empowering youth to have a voice in healthcare decisions and improving their access to mental health resources, so I look forward to contributing to this meaningful project as part of the Psychiatry MSc program.
Lei (Oliver) Qian
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Xin-Min Li
Lingling Chen
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Yifeng Wei
Area of Study/Keywords: Mental Health Literacy, Culture Transition, Post-secondary Education
About
I joined the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta in September 2025, where I am pursuing my Master’s under the supervision of Dr. Yifeng Wei. My research focuses on mental health
literacy and cultural transition among post-secondary students, aiming to support their adaptation and well-being. I earned my Bachelor of Clinical Medicine from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in China (2023). I then entered a joint Master’s program between Wenzhou Medical University (WMU, China) and the University of Alberta. At WMU, my research investigated the mechanisms underlying depressive-like behaviors in FGF15 knockout mice.
Mallory Minerson
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean
About
Mallory is a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean. Her research focuses on a discursive analysis of decolonization of medical and mental health documentation. Mallory lives in Inuvik, Northwest Territories and is a Regional Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health and Addictions for the Beaufort Delta Region. She is a Registered Drama Therapist with an MA from New York University, as well as a Certified Canadian Counsellor, Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator-Clinician (Brené Brown’s work), Clinical Traumatologist (Traumatology Institute) and Licensed Practical Nurse. Mallory’s background includes working in Forensic mental health, community outreach, grief, trauma and loss, with an all-ages population in community-based, individual and school-based sessions. Mallory’s work is multimodal and trauma-focused and is guided by embodied arts-based research. Ms. Minerson is passionate about moving drama therapy and performance into the quantitative research domain and is curious about the ways the inherent benefits of embodiment and art-based healing engagement intersect. Mallory has also completed the first level training in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University and is interested in the overlap of medical humanities, arts-based research, drama therapy and narrative medicine.
Publications
- Minerson, M. (2022). Reflections on action: An intervention triptych. Drama Therapy Review. 8(1), 121-127. https://doi.org/10.1386/dtr_00096_7
- Minerson, M. (2021). An opening in the ice: Community connection and recovery in the time of COVID-19. Journal of Recovery in Mental Health, 4, 48-52. https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/rmh/article/view/36990/28087
- Minerson, M. (2020). Meeting in isolation: A drama therapeutic processing of isolation during COVID-19, Polyphony: Journal of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists. Available at: http://polyphony.iacat.me
- Minerson, M. (2018). Till the soil: A clinical commentary on finding metaphor and meaning in the ecotone of therapeutic gardening and drama therapy. Drama Therapy Review, 4, 295-301.doi: https://doi.org/10.1386/dtr.4.2.295_7
- Minerson, M. (2017). Destination: Home - A conversation with Robert Landy on the current state of integration and the Hero's Journey, Drama Therapy Review, 3, 149-154. doi: https://doi.org/10.1386/dtr.3.1.149_7
- Minerson, M. (2016). Musica Humana: A Therapeutic Musical Theatre Performance Thesis – The Somatic Journey from Dissociation to Integration-New York University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. 10182161. Available at: Musica Humana: A Therapeutic Musical Theatre Performance Thesis-The Somatic Journey from Dissociation to Integration - ProQuest
Robert McWeeny
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yifeng Wei, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
Areas of Study/Keywords: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Education, School-based Mental Health, Musical Neuromodulation
About
I am a PhD student in the department of psychiatry, teacher for Edmonton Public Schools, and professional musician & music educator. My MSc focus is school-based mental health for children and adolescents. I strive to investigate relationships between mental health literacy, public institutions that commonly interact with youth (e.g., schools, law-enforcement, social services), and psychiatric dispositions and outcomes in children and adolescents. Long-term I am interested in epigenetic mechanisms for endophenotype expression during childhood maturation, 2S+LGBTQ mental-health care delivery, and continuing my work with school & institutional mental health.
Roxy Tsisar
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Adam Abba-Aji, Dr. Melanie Robles
About
I am a Master's student supervised by Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Adam Abba-Aji, and Dr. Melanie Robles. Along with the rest of the Psychosis Family Psychoeducation team, my research is dedicated to developing and evaluating a psychoeducational program for families and caregivers of young adults living with severe mental illness.
Setayesh Modanloo
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yanbo Zhang, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
About
I am a dedicated scholar and researcher deeply engaged in the exploration of mental health. My academic journey includes a successful Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a subsequent Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychiatry, my strong commitment lies in advancing our understanding of mental health challenges.
My research focus centers on the mental and physical well-being of remote workers, where I actively seek innovative solutions to monitor and enhance their health. Alongside my research endeavors, I maintain a keen interest in clinical work, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am currently undergoing training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) at the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEFT). Simultaneously, I am in the process of receiving registration from the College of Alberta Psychologists, a testament to my commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards in my field.
As I progress in my Ph.D. studies, my dedication lies in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical solutions. I see myself as a promising figure in the field, poised to make meaningful contributions through both research and clinical practice, while continually advancing my skills and expertise.
Taryn Ellens
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
About
Taryn Ellens is a PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta. Her research explores the intersection of mental health, artificial intelligence, and Indigenous governance, with a focus on how emerging technologies can support culturally grounded, community-driven approaches to wellbeing. Drawing on her background in clinical counselling and systems-level work, Taryn’s scholarship examines the ethical, practical, and policy implications of integrating digital tools into mental health care in ways that respect Indigenous knowledge systems and self determination.
Viktoria Kurkova
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
Area of Study/Keywords:
Digital health, postpartum health, women’s mental health, mHealth and remote monitoring, co-design and participatory methods, qualitative research, ALS and neurodegenerative disease, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, moral injury, trauma-related
conditions
About
My name is Viktoriia (Vika) Kurkova, and I am a third-year PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta. My research focuses on digital health for women in the postpartum period. I am currently conducting qualitative focus groups and working on the co-design of a digital health platform to support postpartum well-being and informed decision-making. In parallel, I collaborate with the University of Calgary on a study exploring barriers and facilitators to digital health adoption among people living with ALS. I am also interested in psychedelic-assisted
psychotherapy for trauma-related conditions, including moral injury.
Yiqing Wu
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Jake Hayward
Area of Study/Keywords: Psychiatry, Digital health
About
Yiqing Wu is currently a MSc student in the Department of Psychiatry. She majored in Clinical Medicine during undergraduate and earned with a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine. Later she specialized in Psychiatry and Mental Health and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Zhiqian Tong. She has work experience in physician and has Medical Practitioner’s Qualification Certificate in China. At present, she is studying in psychiatry and digital health under the supervision of Dr. Greenshaw and Dr. Hayward.
Recent Publications:
- Ye Yuan*, Yiqing Wu* , et al. Zhiqian Tong * . Tropospheric formaldehyde levels infer ambient formaldehyde-induced brain diseases and global burden in China 2013–2019. Sci Total Environ. 2023 Jul 20:883:163553.
- Ye Li *, Yiqing Wu*, et al. Zhiqian Tong * . Neuropsychiatric Behavioral Assessments in Mice After Acute and Long-Term Treatments of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2024 Jan-Dec:39:15333175231222695.
- Danrui Zhao*, Yiqing Wu* , et al. Zhiqian Tong * . Midbrain FA initiates neuroinflammation and depression onset in acute and chronic LPS-induced depressive model mice. Brain Behav Immun. 2024 Mar:117:356-375.
- Zuting Ye*, Yanming Liu*, Xingjiang Jin, Yiqing Wu et al. Zhiqian Tong * . Aβ-binding with alcohol dehydrogenase drives Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis: A review. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Apr;264(Pt 2):130580.
Yutong (Jessica) Li
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao
About
Jessica Li is a PhD student at the University of Alberta in the Computational Psychiatry Group at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. Her main research is working with administrative health records (AHRs) and longitudinal population level big data to create decision support tools with machine learning.
Zijia Yu
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Allen Chan, Dr. Ian Winship
Area of Study/Keywords: Glutamate, neurotransmitters, NMDAR dysfunction
Publications
- Luo, M., Deng, M., Yu, Z., Zhang, Y., Xu, S., Hu, S., & Xu, H. (2020). Differential Susceptibility and Vulnerability of Brain Cells in C57BL/6 Mouse to Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by Short-Term Cuprizone Exposure. Frontiers in neuroanatomy, 14, 30. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2020.00030
Awards
- 2021-2025 Chinese scholarship council (CSC) scholarship
GRADUATES OF OUR PROGRAM
Amena thraya
Degree Obtained: MSc
Former Supervisors: Dr. Andrew Greenshaw, Dr. Yifeng Wei
Current Position: MD Student, University of Calgary
Belinda Agyapong
Degree Obtained: PhD
Former Supervisors: Dr. Yifeng Wei, Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean
Istuti Gupta
Degree Obtained: MSc
Former Supervisor: Dr. Satyabrata Kar
LuJie Xu
Degree Obtained: PhD
Former Supervisor: Dr. Esther Fujiwara
Wanying Mao
Degree Obtained: MSc & PhD
Former Supervisors: Dr. Yanbo Zhang, Dr. Vincent Agyapong
Sidney Yap
Degree Obtained: PhD
Former Supervisors: Dr. Lisa Burback, Dr. Suzette Bremault-Phillips
Zitong Wang
Degree Obtained: PhD
Former Supervisors: Dr. Yanbo Zhang, Dr. Xin-Min Li