Current Research Assistants
Kiana Mero
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kiana Mero is a Psychology Major at Thompson Rivers University and Research Assistant at the PHARR centre. Her research interests include neurocognitive health, psychopathology, developmental psychology, and stigma.
Dylan Fiske
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Dylan Fiske is a Bachelor of Science student at Thompson Rivers University and a Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre. His research interests include dementia, stigma, and cardiovascular health. He is currently examining the dementia funding landscape in Canada through a policy-focused project supported by the Thompson Rivers University Undergraduate Research Experience Award Program.
Ava Ward
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ava Ward is a Biology Major at Thompson Rivers University and an Research Assistant at the PHARR centre. Her research interests include cell biology, microbiology, as well as dementia and ageing.
Maya Kluch-Morrall
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maya Kluch-Morrall is a student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Thompson Rivers University and a Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre. Maya is working towards a career as an emergency nurse, with an interest in research on mental health, patient/client advocacy, and the impact of stigma on care. Maya is passionate about using research to inform nursing practice and to promote compassionate, trauma-informed care for individuals affected by stigma.
Cheltey Berlinguette
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Cheltey Berlinguette is a student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Thompson Rivers University and a Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre. Her research interests include rural health, with a focus on exploring the dynamics between care providers and communities. She is inspired to address health disparities, promote wellness, and strengthen connections between nurses and clients in rural areas, applying research to strengthen and guide evidence-based nursing practice.
Keziah Vogt
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Keziah Vogt is a second-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at Thompson Rivers University. She is a Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre and a returning Teaching Assistant in the Science Department. Her research interests focus on the stigmas surrounding dementia in rural communities. Outside of her academic and research work, Keziah enjoys playing piano and singing, hiking, paddleboarding, and engaging in hands-on crafts.
Stephanie Victor
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Stephanie Victor is a Bachelor of Science student at Thompson Rivers University and an Research Assistant at the PHARR centre. Her research interests include microbiology, biostatistics and stigma.
Adesewa Adeyemi-King
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Adesewa Adeyemi-King is a Psychology Major at Thompson Rivers University and Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre. Her research interests include neurocognitive health and stigma.
Kate Nanson
Graduate Research Assistant
Kate is a Master of Nursing Student at TRU and an Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre. Her research interests include substance use, harm reduction, stigma, ageing, and dementia.
Megan Funk
Graduate Research Assistant
Megan Funk is a Master of Nursing student at Thompson Rivers University. Megan’s current research for her thesis is examining rural older adults’ perceptions on falls prevention.
Jaekyeong Park
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jaekyeong Park is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at Thompson Rivers University and a Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre.
Ella Johnson
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ella Johnson is an undergraduate student at Thompson Rivers University and a Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre.
Past Research Assistants
Avery Pottle
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Avery Pottle is a 3rd year medical student at Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario. She is a Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre at TRU. Her research interests include improving the care experiences of equity-deserving groups in the emergency department and increasing access to healthcare for Canadians living in rural areas.
Ashwin Nairy
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ashwin Nairy is a student in the Bachelor of Science program at the University of British Columbia. Ashwin serves as a Research Assistant at the PHARR Centre. His research interests include statistics in health, informatics, biochemistry, and disease management.
Christine Conanan, BSN
Graduate Research Assistant
Christine Conanan is a Master of Nursing student at Thompson Rivers University and serves as a Research Assistant in Population Health and Aging Rural Research (PHARR) under Dr. Bacsu. Her research focuses on dementia, stigma, and informal caregiving.
