Meet the Researchers
Meet the researchers, clinicians, students, and trainees whose curiosity, expertise, and dedication are advancing health research and improving patient outcomes. This collection of profiles highlights the diverse individuals contributing to innovative, interdisciplinary research across clinical, population, and health systems contexts.
Yamini Bhatt
Meet Yamini, a PhD Candidate in the Urban Health Doctoral Program.
Her research focuses on cardiovascular disease prevention through culturally tailored lifestyle interventions. Her broader interests include health equity, community-based health promotion, and developing inclusive public health strategies for racialized and immigrant populations.
Through her work, Yamini is contributing to research that supports more equitable, culturally responsive, and community-centred approaches to health.
Alanna De Fry
Meet Alanna, Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner, Contract Lecturer, and PhD Candidate in the Urban Health Doctoral Program.
Her research examines how urban and social determinants of health influence diabetes outcomes, healthcare access, and health equity among immigrant and racialized populations.
Through her work, Alanna contributes to research that supports more equitable and accessible healthcare for diverse urban communities.
Suzanne Fredericks
Dr. Suzanne Fredericks is the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing Research Chair in Urban Health. As a researcher, mentor, and community builder, Suzanne’s work supports the growth of urban health research and strengthens connections across researchers, communities, and partners.
Through her leadership, UHRN continues to support collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and conversations focused on healthier and more equitable urban futures.
Thiago Martins
Meet Thiago, an Undergraduate Nursing Student at the State University of Ceará in Brazil and a CNPq PIBIC Research Fellow.
Thiago is a member of GRUPECCE and the National Institute of Science and Technology for Continuing Education in Cardiovascular Health, also known as INCT EpiCare.
Through his academic and research work, Thiago is contributing to important conversations around nursing, cardiovascular health, and continuing education in public health.
Kateryna Metersky
Meet Dr. Kateryna Metersky, associate professor and interim director for the School of Occupational and Public Health at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Her research focuses on international and cross-national collaborations, persons experiencing social, economic and health challenges, nursing and interprofessional education, and intersectionality in population-centred care.
Through her work, Kateryna contributes to research that supports stronger collaboration, equity, and more inclusive approaches to health and care.
Joyal Miranda
Meet Dr. Joyal Miranda, Associate Professor at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Her research focuses on HIV prevention and the development of innovative web-based health interventions. Through her work, Dr. Miranda explores how digital tools can support safer health behaviours, improve condom use among people living with HIV, and make prevention programs more accessible and responsive to patients’ needs and preferences. By combining nursing research, digital health, and patient-centred approaches, her work contributes to important conversations around HIV prevention, health education, and equitable access to care.
Esther Oladeinde
Meet Esther Oladeinde, a registered nurse and PhD candidate in the Urban Health Doctoral program.
Her research focuses on Black and racialized internationally educated Nurses working as personal support workers, exploring important issues around race, power, workplace integration, and mental well-being.
Through her work, Esther brings attention to the lived experiences of internationally educated health workers and the systems that shape their professional journeys.
Gaurav Phatak
Meet Gaurav, MSc candidate in Occupational and Public Health at Toronto Metropolitan University and Bridging Divides Graduate Fellow at the Global Migration Institute.
His thesis, “What We Carry to the Table,” explores food safety, food security, and mental health among recent South Asian immigrants in Canada. Using a photovoice-inspired, participant-led participatory research approach, Gaurav’s work highlights the lived experiences, challenges, and resilience of immigrant communities.
Through his research, he contributes to important conversations around migration, health equity, and community-informed approaches to urban health.
Rezwana Rahman
Meet Rezwana Rahman, a registered nurse, lecturer in nursing at TMU and PhD candidate in the Urban Health Doctoral Program.
Her research explores intergenerational caregiving, migration, faith, culture, and health equity among second-generation Muslim immigrant families in the GTA.
Ariel Santos da Costa
Meet Ariel, Nursing Educator at Hospital Unimed Sul, Fortaleza, Brazil.
His research interests include postoperative outcomes in cardiac surgery, kidney injuries following interventional cardiology procedures, and innovation in cardiovascular healthcare and patient-centered care.
Bojan Stoiljkovic
Meet Bojan Stoiljkovic, a registered nurse, nursing faculty member and PhD candidate in the Urban Health Doctoral Program.
His work focuses on advancing more equitable work environments for nurses and other healthcare providers through research, education, and clinical insight.
Erin Ziegler
Meet Erin, Associate Professor and Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Her research and clinical area of focus is on gender-affirming care.