Team Members
Director
Karen K. Lee, MD, MHSc, FRCPC
Dr. Lee is an Associate Professor in the Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta, and a Medical Officer of Health (Provincial Public and Population Health) with Alberta Health Services. She is cross-appointed as an Adjunct Professor at University of Alberta's School of Public Health. She also teaches for the University of Alberta School of Urban & Regional Planning, and Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York City (NYC). Her courses at the University of Alberta include: MED 585, PLAN 585 and PLAN 485, which covers the topic of Health and Urban Planning. Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health also offers Dr. Lee's Designing Healthy Cities course as part fo their EPIC Summer Institute. Dr. Lee is a world-renowned expert in creating Fit Cities and served as NYC’s Inaugural Healthy Built Environment and Active Design Director, and Deputy to the Assistant Commissioner for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control. She has worked for the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity & Obesity. Her work to create Active Cities: A Guide for City Leaders helped to inspire Edmonton’s Live Active Strategy. She was the recipient of the 2017 Canadian Institute of Planners President’s Award. She is the author of the book Fit Cities published by Penguin Random House. For more resources, see www.drkarenlee.com and the Publications webpage. Email: kkl1@ualberta.ca
To contact Housing for Health, please email hforh@ualberta.ca
Grant Administrative Coordinator
Mike Polak
Mike came out of the private sector having experience in both public accounting practice and industry. As the Grant Admin Coordinator, Mike’s responsibilities include submitting accurate quarterly financial and progress grant reports. When time permits, Mike also helps in areas of Human Resources, Finance, Accounting and the Community Equipment Rental Program. Mike is excited to be part of the Housing for Health team which is passionate, professional and dedicated to making our living spaces healthier and more sustainable.
Faith has a background in psychology and biology with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, and is passionate about understanding the factors that contribute to physical and psychological well-being. Through her studies and previous work, she has gained knowledge in supporting young individuals with disabilities and is driven to promote health equity for vulnerable populations. As the Executive Assistant, Faith facilitates essential administrative operations and ensures the Housing for Health team is supported in all aspects of the project. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, and anything outdoors.
Research and Evaluation Manager - Currently on leave
Jodie Stearns, MA, PhD
Jodie has a background in psychology and kinesiology, with specific expertise in physical activity and social networks. She is leading the evaluation of built environment interventions in the two pilot developments targeted at older adults. Jodie is assessing for changes in physical activity, healthy eating, social connections, and perceptions of community environments in residents when they move into the pilot developments. As Research and Evaluation Manager, Jodie ensures that the various research initiatives of Housing for Health are coordinated and connected to other aspects of the project.
Research & Evaluation Coordinator
Kelsey Wright, MSc
Kelsey is passionate about promoting health equity and wellness for underserved populations. Through her education in Kinesiology, Kelsey studied factors influencing health and wellbeing through multiple perspectives, which continue to inform her research practices. Through her role as a Research and Evaluation Coordinator with Housing for Health, Kelsey works closely with Dr. Lee to oversee the evaluation of built environment interventions on residents’ health and wellbeing. In her free time, she loves to rock climb and cuddle her cats.
Melissa is a graduate of the University of Alberta Centre for Health Promotion Studies (now in the School of Public Health). For many years, she has been working in health program implementation as well as health research coordination, oversight, and administration. Through her role as Partnership Coordinator with Housing for Health, Melissa works closely with Dr. Lee on the Fit Cities Fit Towns Canada conference, and the Healthy Community Guidelines completion (summer 2023), implementation and dissemination. She is passionate about supporting community and living an active life. She has been a track athlete, a rower, an ultimate frisbee player, and now plays basketball.
Community Engagement Coordinator
Taryn Ma, BA
Taryn has a background in Recreation Therapy and previously worked in Mental Health/Addictions and housing for individuals with complex needs for Alberta Health Services. She is passionate about using leisure and recreation to improve an individual's quality of life. As the Community Engagement Coordinator, she engages community leagues across the Edmonton area to work in partnership with Housing for Health to implement short term interventions to improve physical activity, access to healthy foods and beverages, and social connections. Her personal life is ruled by her dog Koko.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Partnership, and Community Engagement Quantitative Studies
Uloma Uche, PhD
Uloma received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Abia State University, Nigeria, and two graduate degrees, Master of Public Health and Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health, both from the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health. Her research has focused on the relationship between environmental factors and obesity. Uloma is currently the partnership and community engagement postdoc of the Housing for Health Team.
BE Assessment Research Assistant
Kausarul Islam, PhD
Dr. Kausar has a background in Architecture, Urban design, and sustainable urban infrastructure from Concordia University, Montreal, and The Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. As Geospatial analyst for Housing for Health project. Dr. Kausar conducts a geospatial analysis of built environment audits and compiles spatial and non-spatial data. He also advises on built environment audit methodologies for healthy built environment analysis. His analysis focuses on components of the built environment and their connectedness with overall public health.
Izabela Figueiredo Shudra, MSc
Izabela has a background in psychology and kinesiology and is passionate about physical activity and health promotion. Through her studies, she gained expertise in factors that influence active living and wellbeing of adults and continues to apply her expertise and gain knowledge through her role with Housing for Health. Izabela is the Pilot Development Resident Evaluation Coordinator for the team who oversees the Pilot Development resident evaluation aspects of the project.
Mackenzie Bosch, BKin
Mackenzie has a background in kinesiology with an understanding of the sociological aspects of health and wellness. Mackenzie is committed to social justice and equality, where she is specifically focused on researching health and medical equity for vulnerable populations. As the Pilot Development Programming Coordinator, Mackenzie assists with the implementation of healthy amenities and programming at the development buildings, sites, and neighbourhoods. In this role, she works to create multi-sectoral synergies between the residents, developments, municipalities, and other organizations for accessible health for all community members.