Team
Lori Ross
Dr. Lori Ross is a Senior Scientist in the Social and Epidemiological Research Department at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. She is the leader of the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team at CAMH.
Lori is also Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto.
Lori holds a New Investigator Award from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and the Ontario Women’s Health Council and recently received a 2011 Field Instructor of the Year Award, School of Social Work, Ryerson University.
Lori uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches in her research work, with a strong focus on integrating the principles of community-based research. Much of her research focuses on understanding the mental health and service needs of marginalized populations including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) people, in order to improve access to services for these communities.
Lori’s most important job is being a Mom to her 4-year-old daughter. Back when she used to have free time, she enjoyed gardening and reading Canadian fiction. She feels immensely privileged to get paid to do work that she loves, in the service of her own community, and together with a fabulous team who are all so passionate about social justice.
Scott Anderson
Scott has a background in community-based research (CBR) and community health. He has worked on a variety of CBR projects, such as the FTM safer shelter research project, the Trans PULSE project and a study about the experiences of LGBTQ people with the adoption system. He is currently the Community Coordinator of a research project looking at access to effective depression treatment for lesbian and bisexual women and/or trans people (the Pathways project) and the Research Coordinator of a project examining access to primary care (doctors and nurses) for people with serious mental health and/or addiction issues.
Scott has a MHSc degree in Health Promotion and serves on the steering committee for the Toronto Community Based Research Network. Scott is particularly interested in knowledge translation or the ways in which research results are used to create positive change for the communities the research is about.
Scott joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team in 2007.
Lesley Tarasoff
Lesley joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team in June 2010. She contributes to several of the team’s projects (thus far most significantly to the Creating Our Families project) and generally acts as office manager for the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team. She likes to think of herself as the Joan Harris (née Holloway) of the office (see Mad Men).
Lesley is currently a PhD student at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. She holds an MA in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Toronto and a BA Honours in History and Women’s Studies from Bishop’s University. Lesley’s MA Major Research Paper focused on the pregnancy and childbirth experiences of women with physical disabilities.
Her research interests include experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and mothering, medicalization, feminist theory, critical disability theory, queer theory, the health of LGBTQ people and other marginalized and under-represented groups, and qualitative methods, particularly intersectionality and self-reflexivity. Her seemingly less-nerdy interests include American and European history, reading/watching the news, cooking, camping, traveling, and riding her bike.
With amazing co-workers who share her love of tea and chocolate, Lesley feels proud and privileged to do work that actually makes a difference for her community.
Datejie Green
Datejie joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team in September 2010 as the Research Analyst for the Creating Our Families (COF) Project. From the fall of 2011 onward, Datejie will wrap up analyses of the COF data, work on knowledge translation (KT) activities for the COF project (forum theatre workshops and other tradition KT activities), and take over as the lead of the Pathways project, particularly the qualitative part (interviews) of the project.
Datejie holds a BA Honours degree in African Studies and French and is currently a Master in Environmental Studies candidate at York University, where her research focuses on Media Representations and Conflict, Gender and Peace-building in Sudan.
Datejie is an experienced researcher, educator, programmer and media producer who has over twenty years combined experience in community non-profit, independent arts, government and public broadcasting sectors. Her roles have included filmmaker, current affairs radio producer, national equity mobilizer, neighbourhood-based educator, youth mentor, human rights advocate and women's health policy officer. Her work prioritizes the meaningful participation, analysis and concerns of under-represented and marginalized groups at all scales, and seeks to practice an integrated intersectional and social justice approach, from idea to implementation.
Margaret Robinson
Margaret joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team in November of 2010 as Project Coordinator of the Bisexual Mental Health Project.
Margaret is a Mi’kmaq scholar and bisexual activist from Nova Scotia. She holds a PhD in theology from the University of Toronto, with a focus on queer issues in religion. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the role of polyamory and monogamy in the identity of bisexual-identified women in the Greater Toronto Area.
She is passionate about bisexual community, social justice for LGBTTIQ2 people, and Native self-government. Her research interests include bisexuality, sexual identity development, intersecting oppressions, postcolonial studies (especially Canadian First Nations), queer studies, third wave feminist and critical theory, and religion-based prejudice.
In her spare time Margaret enjoys murder mysteries, geeking out with her role-playing groups, writing fan-fiction, and playing with her cats, Nero and Archie.
» More information about Margaret and her work
Dean Spence
Dean joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health team February 2011 as a Research Assistant for the Access to Primary Care project. He has a degree in English from York University.
As a consumer/survivor, Dean believes it is very important to be aware of issues that affect people like him. Dean considers his mental illness a gift; it has strengthened him and opened his eyes to so many things that were previously off his radar. It has also given him a voice in his true passion: writing. Ever since elementary school, when Dean wrote his first story, “The Planet Menus,” various people have told him he should be a writer, but he has struggled to find his muse until recently. For Dean, working on the Access to Primary Care project allows him to broaden his voice and sharpen his vision on consumer/survivor issues. Dean is thrilled to be part of the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health team.
In his spare time, when he’s not reading, writing or working out, Dean enjoys cooking and listening to all kinds of music, though he particularly enjoys classical and jazz, as he was trained as a pianist as a child.
Myera Waese
Myera joined the LGBTQ Health Re:search team in December 2010 as a Research Assistant for the Access to Primary Care project. Myera’s academic background is in Gender Studies (University of Toronto) and Couples & Family Counseling (University of Winnipeg). She is currently training to be a psychotherapist at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto and at Oolagen Community Services.
Myera has a particular interest in early childhood development/early attachment patterns as it relates to later life experiences of mental health, specifically anxiety and depression. She is also very interested in considering mental health and addiction from anti-oppression and feminist frameworks, which take into the consideration the existence of power imbalances and the psycho/emotional impact of marginalization. She believes in the importance of healthy, supportive and inclusive communities for the development of good mental and emotional health. She too is interested in the ways in which emotional histories can be stored in the body.
When taking a break from thinking about equality and mental/emotional health, Myera can be found swimming lengths, walking her dogs, writing stories she never shows anyone, or being in the company of her wonderful friends and family.
Nael Bhanji
Nael joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health team in March 2011 as a Research Assistant for the Creating our Families Project. Nael did his undergraduate degree at Queen’s University, holds an MA in Women & Gender Studies from the University of Toronto, and is currently a PhD candidate in Women’s Studies at York University. Nael worked on the Trans PULSE project and is passionate about queer, psychoanalytic, transgender, post-colonial and diasporic theory.
Sarah James-Abra
Sarah joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team in June 2011 as a summer student working primarily on the Pathways project and will continue working with the team for the 2011-2012 academic year as a work-study student. She holds a BA in Psychology and Sexuality Studies from York University and is currently completing her Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto. Sarah’s research and academic course work have centered on themes of identity negotiation, queer theory, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) mental health and critical analyses of hegemonic discourses relating to sex, sexuality, gender and bodies. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys playing hockey, cooking, camping and being outdoors.
Alisa Das
In 2009, Alisa began volunteering with the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health team. In August 2011, she joined the team officially as Research Assistant, primarily responsible for qualitative interview transcription. She holds a BA (English)/BSW and recently completed her Master’s in Environmental Studies where her learning/research explored the intersections of women’s queer sexuality, ‘madness’/mental health system involvement, and religion/spirituality in relation to ‘recovery.’
She is currently looking for written narratives about queer/mad women’s experiences as well as a low-fat Caesar salad dressing sans anchovy paste so she can maintain her vegetarian and Birkenstocks ‘lifestyle.’ Alisa is attending Emmanuel College part-time to think about what a ‘mad’ theology looks like.
(Meg) Margaret F. Gibson
Meg joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team in October 2011 as a Research Analyst for the Pathways project, focusing on quantitative data management and analysis.
Meg is currently a doctoral student at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Social Work where she is also completing the Collaborative Graduate Program in Women & Gender Studies. Her dissertation research focuses on children’s “special needs” systems, starting from the everyday experiences of LGBTQ parents. Her interests include feminist and anti-oppressive practice and research, critical disability studies, sexuality and health, and parenting. She has an MSW degree and has been a practitioner for over ten years. Meg also has a BA in History and Science and retains an abiding interest in how social work and related disciplines such as psychiatry have interacted with marginalized groups.
Last but not least, Meg is a mother of two energetic kids who keep her from taking life too seriously. She is very excited both to interact with other adults and to work with other researchers who have a commitment to making their work relevant and responsive to communities.
Andrew Ross
Andrew joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ team in September 2011 as a work-study research assistant.
Andrew studied criminology and psychology with the intent of going into law enforcement, but after a placement with CAMH's Rainbow Services he decided to pursue a career in social work. Presently, Andrew just finished his 1st year of his MSW at the University of Toronto. Academically, he is interested in LGBTQ parenting, substance use, sexual health education, and values surrounding body image among gay men.
Andre Smith
Andre Joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health team in January 2012 as a Program Assistant, supporting the team’s administrative needs. Andre strongly believes in volunteerism and thinks that individuals should give back to their communities. He has volunteered with several non-profit organizations such as Jamaica Forum for All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), Pride In Action (PIA) and Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (BLACK CAP). These organizations provide support to youth who are being marginalized, stigmatized and or discriminated against because they are identified as being part of a particular social class or group. Additionally, Andre has worked with the National Interschool Brigade for two years where he held the position of a Captain. The admiration and love from youth in the group and the wider community has allowed Andre to garner the respect of all. His hard work and dedication has provided him with several accolades and awards, namely, the Superintendent Award of Leadership and Bravery.
Andre has been an advocate for several LGBTQ organizations. He has published several newspaper articles that provided a voice for those who don’t have one or those who are a bit reserved to let their voices heard. His personal experiences of stigma and discrimination have empowered him to get involve with organizations that support marginalized people, including but not limited to, members of the LGBTQ community.
He is currently pursuing his undergrad degree in Accounting and his ultimate goal is to become a Forensic Accountant.
Andre is committed to working with people and organizations to develop and foster a community that protects and respects the inherent right and freedom of all.
(Tori) Victoria Jakobson
Tori joined the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team in January 2012 as a practicum student for her Master’s of Social Work and is primarily focusing on the Guidelines for Community-Based Research in Mental Health and Addictions.
Tori is currently in her first year of her two years Master’s program at the University of Toronto. Prior to moving back to Toronto, Tori completed a BA with Honours in sociology and gerontology in the Maritimes and taught English in Korean public schools for one year. Academically, she is interested in LGBTQ older adults, baby boomers, and the impact of the aging population, as well as feminist theory and queer theory. She loves to travel and indulge in the local cuisines and has spent a lot of time doing so. She also enjoys spending time reading, cooking and hanging out with friends and family.
Student Opportunities
We welcome student collaborators. Depending on the needs of our projects, we offer learning opportunities for students and trainees at all levels, including high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, professional students (medicine, social work), and postdoctoral fellows. If you are a student or trainee interested in LGBTQ health, please contact us to learn more about ways to get involved with our team.
We wish to thank all of the students/trainees who have worked with us recently: Jake Pyne, Kinnon MacKinnon, Jenny Starke, Mika Atherton, Denise Sum, Kira Abelson, Liz Brockest, Jennifer Henderson, Ayden Scheim, Tracy Woodford, Yun Gao, Rebecka Sheffield, and Amy Siegel. A big thanks to all of the volunteers, students/trainees, and staff who have worked with us prior to the launch of this website (and sincerest apologizes to anyone that we missed!). We wish you well on your future endeavors and please stay in touch!
