Meet Our Research Team
Interested in Joining our Research Team?
Email us to hear about ongoing research projects and to inquire about joining our lab.
Follow Us:
@SamkatzCHARU on X
@samkatzcharu on Instagram
Sam Katz CHARU on LinkedIn
Research Members
Allison Chen, Research Coordinator
Allison Chen is a research coordinator with the Sam Katz Community Health & Aging Research Unit. She obtained her master's in speech-language pathology at McGill University in 2019 and has since been a speech-language pathologist with London Health Sciences Centre. She has provided inpatient and outpatient care for patients with dysphagia and communication disorders in stroke, neuromuscular disorders, and general medicine services. As both a healthcare professional and a family member of loved ones with dementia, she has a strong interest in communication disorders in dementia research. Her other clinical and research interests include bridging the gap between clinicians and researchers, caregiver and healthcare worker education/training, and neurogenic and functional swallowing and communication disorders.
Annette Schumann, Research Coordinator
Annette Schumann is a research coordinator with the Sam Katz Community Health & Aging Research Unit. She obtained a PhD in medical science and worked for over seven years in healthcare focusing on gerontological research. With her background as a Speech-Language-Pathologist with a German Master's Degree in Special Education, she developed a strong interest to improve communication difficulties in vulnerable populations. She has previously worked in auditory rehabilitation, where she provided listening and communication training, and developed and evaluated listening training interventions for older adults. She is committed to use her research and clinical experience and skills to help optimize high-quality care and improve quality of life for people living with dementia.
Denise Bedard, PhD Student
With 45 years of experience in the Long-term Care sector, Denise has always strived to enhance the quality of life for seniors. Denise has a deep understanding of geriatric care dynamics, LTC policies, and Regulations and has been involved in various initiatives and projects to improve the quality of care and services for residents and their families. She is passionate about meeting residents' unique needs and challenges and providing them with tailored and compassionate care that respects their dignity, preferences, and autonomy. She strongly believes every senior deserves to live a fulfilling and meaningful life, regardless of physical or cognitive limitations. Denise is also committed to advancing her knowledge and skills in the field of aging and is doing her Ph.D. program at the University of Western Ontario, focusing on resident-centered care and biopsychosocial factors impacting quality of life and care for residents in Ontario. Her research interests include innovative models of care, digital technologies, and best practices in LTC and one of the reasons for joining the CARE Lab because it is so progressive and so needed today in long term care today and towards the future. Denise is a visionary leader passionate about the culture change movement and transforming long-term care homes from traditionalized to more homelike environments.
George Philip, PhD Student
George Philip is a third year PhD student in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program at Western University. He obtained his MSc in Translational Medicine from Queen’s University and his BSc with Honours in Medical Sciences from Brock University. His prior experiences of volunteering at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre and The Alzheimer Society have led him to pursue dementia-related research. Specifically, George’s research aims to understand dementia-related stigma among racialized persons living with dementia, their care partners, and community. Recognizing the expression of stigmatizing behaviour and language can provide insight into effective education, training, and knowledge translation efforts. George aspires to have his research findings contribute to the improvement of dementia care, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly among racialized communities.
Grace Norris, Master's Student
Grace Norris is a Master's student in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program. Her research interests are focused on improving person-centred care for older adults, specifically those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, familial and spousal caregivers, formal caregivers, and knowledge translation and implementation. Grace obtained her Honours Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Disability and Chronic Illness at Carleton University. Her interest in research developed as she worked directly with older adults living with complex developmental and physical disabilities as a formal caregiver and as a holistic boxing instructor for individuals living with Parkinson's disease and their informal caregivers. Grace hopes to continue directly contributing to improving the quality of life of older adults and informal and formal caregivers through her professional career and community volunteering.
Tess Blake, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Tess Blake is an undergraduate student in her fourth year at Western University, pursuing an Honours Specialization in Psychology, with a specific interest in pursuing gerontological counselling and/or social work. Originally from Vancouver, her interest in working with older adults was initiated through her volunteer work at Crofton Manor, an assisted care centre in Vancouver. Since then, she has pursued her interest in supporting the mental health needs of older adults by working with the CMHA Friendly Callers Senior Support Program and the 411 Seniors Society. She plans to pursue her Master’s degree in either Counselling Psychology or Social Work next year, with a specific interest in working in both clinical and research settings with older adults (and their families) experiencing cognitive decline, shifts in autonomy and cognitive functioning, and supporting individuals and families during older adults’ transition into long-term care. Her research interests include understanding how ‘solo agers’ can best be supported by social and health care institutions, how resiliency and meaning-making operates in older age, and how family violence and elder abuse can be mitigated, all topics that are especially relevant given the growing aging population in Canada and elsewhere. Tess joined the CARE lab to gain first hand insight into the processes involved in gerontological research and expand her knowledge of the challenges faced by older adults living with dementia. She is very excited and feels privileged to be able to contribute to such meaningful work!
Charlotte Gaulton, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Charlotte Gaulton is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing an honours specialization in health science. She gained an interest in dementia care when she started volunteering at the Alzheimer’s Society in London, ON. Charlotte now works with the McCormick Care Group in their day recreation program, where she gets to foster relationships with persons living with dementia and apply person communication strategies to help strengthen autonomy and wellbeing. By joining the CARE lab, Charlotte hope to be able to help better understand and develop strategies for improving person-centred care, improving communication, and optimizing the well-being of people living with dementia.
Grace Moniz Malheiro, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Grace Malheiro is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Health Sciences with an Honours Specialization in Biology at Western University. Her interest in dementia care began through personal family experiences and volunteering at Parkwood Institute in the Veterans Dementia Care Program. Her current research interest focuses on virtual reality as a training tool for health care providers. She hopes to gain a better understanding of person-centered communication between people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Mikayla Nisperos, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mikayla Nisperos is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing an Honours Specialization in Health Sciences at Western University. Her interest in dementia research and enhancing person-centered care was ignited through her studies. She has explored the physiological progression and varying experiences of older adults developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and learned about the significance of a person-centered care approach. Through her experience in the CARE Lab, she hopes to better understand the importance of person-centered communication in the field of dementia care and how it can improve the well-being of persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
Marlaine Ramoodith, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Marlaine Ramoodith is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing an Honours Specialization in Health Sciences and a Minor in French Studies at Western University. Marlaine’s interest in the study of dementia and gerontology began after interning at a cognitive rehabilitation clinic in her hometown. This prompted her to explore the impacts of aging research abroad. Marlaine participated in the international learning course, Aging Globally, where she travelled to Scandinavia to learn about global health advocacy, chronic illness, and person-centred care. She plans to pursue a Master’s in Public Health and hopes to work in Epidemiology. Marlaine is grateful for her experience in the CARE Lab, as it has expanded her knowledge of the role of caregiver research and how it supports front-line workers.
Anya Sarma, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Anya Sarma is a fourth-year Medical Sciences student pursuing a double major in Physiology and Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences. After her grandfather was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, Anya always knew she wanted to do her best to learn about his condition and what can be done to support him as well as his primary caregiver, her grandmother. When she discovered the CARE Lab, she realized it was the perfect avenue to broaden her knowledge on this topic as well as help create the resources that are increasingly needed with Canada’s aging population. As a new addition to the lab, Anya is eager to learn more about person-centred communication and its application to caregivers of those with dementia.
Devon Whate, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Devon Whate is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursing an Honours Specialization in Health Sciences at Western University. Her interest in assisting older adults began after caring for her grandmother following a diagnosis of vascular dementia. During the pandemic Devon worked as a personal care aide on the memory care unit of a retirement home in her community. Since this experience she been eager to learn more about effective training programs for front line workers, that emphasize the delivery of person-centered care.
Bridget Young, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Bridget is a fourth-year Medical Sciences student at Western University pursuing a Double Major in Physiology and Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences. After learning about the biological bases of dementia and Alzheimer's disease throughout her studies, her interest prompted her to delve deeper into the field by joining the CARE Lab. Currently, Bridget has been involved with the development of a virtual reality simulation to help caregivers hone their communication skills when caring for persons living with dementia. Through this lab, Bridget hopes to gain more insight on how person-centred communication can be optimized for persons living with dementia.
Audrey Gruneberg, Medical Student Research Assistant
Audrey is a medical student at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University. She obtained her B.Sc.H (Life Sciences) from Queen's University in 2020. With a passion for family medicine and working with the full spectrum of the population, Audrey is excited to better understand and help improve person-centered communication with the CARE Lab. Her current research focus is on exploring stigmatizing language in conversations between people living with dementia and their care partners. With her future medical career, Audrey hopes to further translate this into improving the communication and relationships between the physician, patient, and care partners.
Sharon Pritchard, Medical Student Research Assistant
Sharon is a fourth-year medical student at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science (Biology and Physiology) from McMaster University in 2020. After experiencing a family member who was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia move into long-term care home, she became interested in dementia research that aims to improve care for individuals in this population. Her current research is studying effective communication strategies for individuals living with sensory and cognitive impairments, which she is hoping will provide useful insights for caregivers looking after loved ones with dementia.
