Graduate Student Profiles
MSc Students
PhD Students
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.
Belinda Agyapong
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yifeng Wei, Dr. Pamela Brett-MacLean
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
Domina Laurent
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Suzette Bremault-Phillips, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
Areas of Study/Keywords: Cannabis Policies, Veterans & Cannabis Use, Cannabis Risks & Benefits.
About
As a MSc. in Psychiatry student, I am currently looking at the risks and benefits associated with medicinal and recreational cannabis use, as well as any potential mitigating effects of policies. Prior to this, I looked at the effects of fibromyalgia on SWB during my concurrent B.Sc. (honours)/B.A. (honours) in Biology and Psychology at the University of New Brunswick.
Award
- 2022 - Green & Gold Student Leadership and Professional Development Grant
Emilie Desnoyers
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Bo Cao, Dr. Andrew Greenshaw
Ernest Owusu
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Vincent Agyapong, Dr. Nnamdi Nkire
Area of Study/Keywords: Reducing inpatient readmission rates for patients discharged from Acute Psychiatric Care in Alberta using peer and text message support.
About
Have almost twelve years of experience working as a Mental Health Nurse both in the clinical area and in the community. Worked as a Facilitator for Psychiatric Nursing in several health training institutions as well as universities.
Worked as an advocate in reducing stigma and discrimination in persons living with HIV and AIDS, as well as LBGT+.
Ethan Hagen
Current Program: MSc
Supervisor: Dr. Yanbo Zhang
Area of Study/Keywords: Psychedelics, Zebrafish, Addiction
About
I am a Master’s student in the department of psychiatry working with Dr. Yanbo Zhang. In 2021, I received my BSc (Honours) Psychology at MacEwan University with a thesis on the effects of microdosing LSD in zebrafish. My primary focus is the study of psychedelics and their possible uses for different treatments, like addiction treatment. I collaborate with Dr. Trevor Hamilton at MacEwan University to research psychedelics and other substance interactions in zebrafish, focusing on behaviour.
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.
Jessica Li
Current Program: PhD
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.
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.
LuJie Xu
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Esther Fujiwara
Area of Study/Keywords: Psychiatry, Cognitive impairment, HIV, gender roles
About
Lujie Xu is a PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry. In 2017, Lujie earned her BSc/MD from the Faculty of Medicine, Taizhou university, China. In 2020 she earned her MSc from the Faculty of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, China. During her master’s degree, she conducted research training at the Peking University Mental Health Institution under the supervision of Dr. Xin Yu and Dr. Huali Wang. In addition, Lujie passed the China Physician Qualification Exam in 2019. She is currently working on a multi-aspect project that aims to improve the current understanding of 1) cognitive impairment in people living with HIV and 2) the role of gender in health outcomes.
Recent Publications
- Xu L, Li T, Xiong L, Wang X, Ismail Z, Fukuda M, Sun Z, Wang J, Gauthier S, Yu X et al: Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021, 81(3):1141-1149.
- Xu L, Wang J, Xiong L, Yu X, Wang H. The progress of mild behavioral impairment for neurodegenerative disorder. Chinese Journal Of Geriatric Heart Brain And Vessel Diseases, 2020,22(07):771-773.
- Sun Z, Wang Z, Xu L, Lv X, Li Q, Wang H, Yu X: Characteristics of Cognitive Deficit in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment With Subthreshold Depression. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2019, 32(6):344-353.
- Xu N, Xu T, Tan X, Xu L, Ye M, Pan Y, Tong P, Hu X, Xu M: Fluid Homeostasis May Predict the Prognosis of Non-infectious Fever After Total Knee Arthroplasty Within 7-Day: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Front Surg 2021, 8:690803.
Selected Recent Awards
- 2020 - Outstanding Graduation Award, Wenzhou Medical University & Zhejiang Province
- 2017 - Government of Zhejiang Province Award
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.
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.
Sidney Yap
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Lisa Burback, Dr. Suzette Bremault-Phillips
Areas of Study/Keywords: Military Member, Veteran, and Public Safety Personnel Mental Health
About
I am currently a graduate student working under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Burback and Dr. Suzette Bremault-Phillips. I hold a BSc in Biology and Psychology from the University of Alberta. Along with the rest of the Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium (HiMARC), my research aims to develop, evaluate, and help implement solutions to improve the resilience, readiness and growth, as well as health and wellbeing, of military members, Veterans, public safety personnel, and their families. Currently, I am investigating the experiences of military members, Veterans, public safety personnel and clinicians who began using virtually delivered trauma therapies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Publications
- Yap S, Luki J, Hanstock CC, Seres P, Shandro T, Hanstock SEC, Lirette A, Zhao H, Aitchison KJ and Le Melledo J.M. (2021) Decreased Medial Prefrontal Cortex Glutamate Levels in Perimenopausal Women. Front. Psychiatry
Wanying Mao
Current Program: MsC
Supervisor: Dr. Yanbo Zhang, Dr. Vincent Agyapong
About
I am a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Vincent Agyapong and Dr. Yanbo Zhang. My undergraduate degree is in psychology from the University of British Columbia, and my master's is in psychology and education from the University of Warwick, UK.
A major focus of my research is using innovative Supportive Text Messages and Peer Support interventions to ease anxiety and depression symptoms and improve well-being in patients who have been discharged from inpatient psychiatric care in Alberta. Through my research, I hope to assist patients and their caregivers in resolving challenges associated with the transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment in the mental health field and hopefully enhance individuals' well-being with e-based innovative technologies and interventions.
Publications
- Mao, W., Shalaby, R., Owusu, E., Elgendy, H. E., Agyapong, B., ... & Agyapong, V. I., Depression, Anxiety, and Poor Well-being at Discharge from Psychiatric Hospitals: Prevalence and Risk Factors.Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1408095. 2024. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1408095
- Mao W, Shalaby R, Agyapong B, Obuobi-Donkor G, Da Luz Dias R, Agyapong VI. Devastating Wildfires and Mental Health: Major Depressive Disorder Prevalence and Associated Factors among Residents in Alberta and Nova Scotia, Canada. Behavioral Sciences. 2024 Mar 5;14(3):209. doi: 10.3390/bs14030209.
- Mao W, Shalaby R, Owusu E, Elgendy H, Shalaby N, Agyapong B, Nichols A, Eboreime E, Nkire N, Agyapong VI. Status after Hospital Discharge: An Observational Study of the Progression of Patients’ Mental Health Symptoms Six Weeks after Hospital Discharge. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023 Dec 7;12(24):7559. doi: 10.3390/jcm12247559.
- Mao W, Adu M, Eboreime E, Shalaby R, Nkire N, Agyapong B, Pazderka H, Obuobi-Donkor G, Owusu E, Oluwasina F, Zhang Y. Post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and wildfires: a fifth-year postdisaster evaluation among residents of Fort McMurray. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2022 Aug 8;19(15):9759. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159759.
- Mao W, Eboreime E, Shalaby R, Nkire N, Agyapong B, Pazderka H, Obuobi-Donkor G, Adu M, Owusu E, Oluwasina F, Zhang Y. One year after the flood: Prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder among residents in Fort McMurray. Behavioral Sciences. 2022 Mar 2;12(3):69. doi: 10.3390/bs12030069
- Mao W, Agyapong VI. The role of social determinants in mental health and resilience after disasters: Implications for public health policy and practice. Frontiers in public health. 2021 May 19;9:658528. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.658528.
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.
Zahra Ghofrani Jahromi
Current Program: MSc
About
I began my master's studies in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta in 2024. Currently, I am working on a project with multiple different aspects aimed at enhancing our understanding of emotion-cognition interactions and mental health comorbidities among people with HIV compared to healthy populations. My ultimate goal is to understand how to improve mental well-being for individuals living with HIV. I am an adventurous person both in science and nature! Therefore, in my spare time, I enjoy hiking, camping in jungles, and mountain climbing.
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
Zitong Wang
Current Program: PhD
Supervisor: Dr. Yanbo Zhang, Dr. Xin-Min Li
Area of Study/Keywords: Depression, Cognition, Anxiety, Multiple Sclerosis, Psychedelics
About
Zitong Wang is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychiatry. In 2013, Zitong got his B.Sc. in Biotechnology from Beijing Institute of Technology and earned his M. Sc. in Health Science from the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan in 2020. Zitong’s current research focus on the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism of low-dose and single use of psychedelics in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and demyelinating diseases.
Publications
- Wang Z, Baharani A, Wei Z, Truong D, Bi X, Wang F, Li XM, Verge VMK, Zhang Y. Low Field Magnetic Stimulation Promotes Myelin Repair and Cognitive Recovery in Chronic Cuprizone Mouse Model. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2021 Feb 26. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.13490. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33638234.
- Wang Z, van Bruggen R, Sandini T, Hagen EV, Li XM, Zhang Y. Wistar-Kyoto rats and chronically stressed Wistar rats present similar depression- and anxiety-like behaviors but different corticosterone and endocannabinoid system modulation. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2023 Jul 10;127:110825. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110825.Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37437836.
- Zierfuss B*, Wang Z*, Jackson AN*, Moezzi D, Yong VW. Iron in multiple sclerosis - Neuropathology, immunology, and real-world considerations. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Aug 9;78:104934. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104934.Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37579645.