Meet Our Research Team
Interested in Joining our Research Team?
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Research Members
Annette Schumann, PhD, MSc, Research Manager
Annette Schumann is a Research Associate and Research Manager with the Sam Katz Community Health & Aging Research Unit. She holds a PhD in Medical Science and brings over fifteen years of work experience in healthcare, with the focus on gerontological research. Her background as a Speech-Language-Pathologist with a Master's Degree in Special Education from Germany, has driven her strong interest in addressing communication challenges in vulnerable populations. Her earlier work in auditory rehabilitation involved designing and delivering communication training and developing evidence-based training interventions for older adults. She is passionate about applying her research and clinical expertise to the CARE Lab to support research that aims to enhance care quality through person-centered communication and improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and their caregivers.
George Philip, PhD, Research Coordinator
George Philip recently completed his PhD in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program at Western University under the supervision of Dr. Marie Savundranayagam. His doctoral research examined dementia-related stigma in natural conversations between racialized persons living with cognitive impairment and their family care partners. His work contributes to improving dementia care, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly for racialized communities. George continues to pursue his research interests by supporting a multiple case study exploring the experiences of multigenerational South Asian immigrant families caring for a relative living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Denise Bedard, PhD Student
With 45 years of experience in the long-term care sector, Denise has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. She has extensive knowledge of geriatric care, long-term care policies, and regulations, and has contributed to numerous initiatives aimed to enhancing dementia care and supporting families. Denise is currently a PhD candidate in the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program at Western University under the supervision of Dr. Marie Savundranayagam. As a visionary leader, Denise is committed to advancing compassionate, person-centred care that respects each individual's dignity, preferences, and autonomy. Her research focuses on improving quality of life and promoting person-centred approaches for individuals living with dementia and their care partners in community settings.
Nicole Elizabeth Kakozhayil, Master's Student
Nicole Elizabeth Kakozhayil is an MSc student in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences program, specializing in Health & Aging at Western University. She previously completed an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) at Western, where a placement with one of our community partners, the McCormick Care Group, inspired her passion for improving dementia care. Nicole first joined our lab as an Undergraduate Summer Research Intern under the supervision of Dr. Marie Savundranayagam and is now continuing her work as a Master's student. Her thesis explores the communication challenges experienced by family caregivers caring for their loved ones living with dementia at home. Nicole intends on using her connections to immerse herself into a dialogue concentrated on how to emphasize intersectionality in home care, long-term care, and day program settings.
Julia Escoffery, Master's Student
Julia Escoffery is a MSc student in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences program, specializing in Health & Aging at Western University. She holds a BA Hons in Psychology, with her undergraduate work laying the foundation for her interest in gerontology. Prior to joining the lab Julia has gained extensive field and research experience in the aging sector. She has worked concurrently with the Alzheimer Society and within a clinical gerontology research lab, where she successfully collaborated on a major joint project with government partners to evaluate and improve care systems. Her overarching research interests centers on person-centered communication, positive approaches to care, and promoting mental well-being among older adults, persons living with dementia, and health care providers.
Rosa Minseon Cha, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Rosa is an undergraduate student pursuing a BMSc with an Honours Specialization in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences at Western University. Since 2024, she has volunteered as a Life Enrichment Volunteer at McCormick Home, where she supports residents through mobility exercises, mealtime assistance, and cognitive and recreational activities. Through this role, she has developed a deep appreciation for the impact of person-centred communication and compassionate caregiving on the well-being and quality of life of people living with dementia. Inspired by her volunteer work, Rosa joined the CARE Lab to explore how evidence-based research can strengthen person-centred communication and foster meaningful interactions that support people living with dementia and their care partners.
Luis Possing De Miguel Olsen, Undergraduate Honours Thesis Student
Luisa is a fourth year undergraduate student completing an Honours Double Major in Health Sciences and Psychology at Western University. Luisa is completing her honours thesis in the CARE Lab under the supervision of Dr. Marie Savundranayagam as part of the School of Health Studies' HS 4999E Honours Thesis Course. Her work focuses on participant feedback associated with Be EPIC-VR™, our person-centered communication training intervention in dementia care. Through her studies in health sciences and psychology, Luisa has developed an interest in dementia and the experiences of individuals living with dementia as well as their caregivers. She is interested in exploring how research can contribute to improving the experiences and well-being of people living with dementia.
Breanna Qinchen Wang, Undergraduate Honours Thesis Student
Breanna is an undergraduate student pursuing an Honours Specialization in Health Sciences at Western University. Her interest in person-centered care has been shaped by her experiences volunteering with individuals in long-term and palliative care settings, where she developed an appreciation for the importance of communication, dignity, and meaningful connection in care. Breanna joined our CARE Lab as an honours thesis student in the School of Health Studies, completing research as part of the new HS 4999E Honours Thesis Course under the supervision of Dr. Marie Savundranayagam. Her thesis explores participants' experiences with Be EPIC-VR™, our virtual reality–based dementia communication training program. Through her research, Breanna hopes to better understand how communication training can support person-centered interactions and improve care for people living with dementia.
