Child and Youth Healthy Futures Lab
Lead investigator: Carla Hilario
Our lab aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of children and youth. We study the structural and social determinants of youth mental health and mental health care inequities, with a focus on the needs of underserved and equity-deserving young people, and use research evidence to inform and advance equity-oriented interventions.
We use a range of research approaches such as mixed methods, administrative health data analysis, qualitative description, critical design methods, and concept mapping. Our projects are informed by youth participatory action approaches, integrated knowledge translation, and an intersectional lens.
Current projects are examining associations between racial discrimination experiences and adolescent mental health; exploring youth perspectives and experiences of racism in relation to healthcare access, use, and quality; and engaging Indigenous and newcomer youth in dialogues about truths and actions needed for anti-racism and reconciliation futures.
Reports
Current Lab Members
Mischa Taylor, Research Coordinator
Mischa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology and a Master’s degree in Community Engagement from the University of Alberta. Mischa has been involved in community-based projects exploring newcomers’ psychosocial adaptation, youth mental health, and more.
Pavan nahal, Research Assistant
Pavan is a Graduate Academic Assistant at UBCO’s Child and Youth Healthy Futures lab. Pavan supports participant recruitment and data collection. Alongside her research experience, Pavan is completing her Master of Social Work (Clinical) at the University of British Columbia.
Jacklyn Awotwi-Pratt, research assistant
Jacklyn is a fourth-year Bachelor of Science Psychology major. Her research interests include mental health, emotions, and hand gestures. Jacklyn is a recipient of the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award in 2023 investigating gestures and their relation to children’s reading comprehension.
Moha Chaturvedi, research assistant
Moha (she/her) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She is a graduate research assistant with the Investigating Racism in Mental Health Care project. She is interested in exploring the impact of racism on access to healthcare as a researcher.
stacie smith, RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Stacie is a Master’s Student in Curriculum Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University, with a background in Kinesiology and Education. Her passion for working with youth has led her to be the Co-Executive Director of the Young Canadians Roundtable on Health and works at the YWCA Halifax as the Youth Programs Lead. She is passionate about youth mental health and youth engagement.
yassin yunis, RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Yassin is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse at RedFish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addictions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing and is pursuing a master’s degree in nursing at UBC Okanagan. Yassin is passionate about immigrant and refugee health and has dedicated his graduate studies to exploring refugee youths’ mental health challenges. Yassin’s thesis focuses on understanding and improving mental health care access for this vulnerable population.
Emily RUbooga, Research Assistant
Emily Kaakyo Rubooga is an MA student in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies. Following her undergraduate degree in social science, she worked in the non-profit sector in Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda, supporting organizations in fundraising, designing interventions and campaign strategies, and reporting on their impact. She has over seven years of experience overseeing human rights programming, research, and advocacy, focusing on child protection and care, maternal, adolescent, and child health outcomes, and governance. Recently, Emily has led efforts to leverage insights from applied behavioral science to improve social intervention design and delivery and communication strategies. Emily’s research focuses on using framing as a behavioral change tool to build effective communication and engagement strategies amid increasing polarization. She explores how integrating frames, values, social identities, narratives, and metaphors can create effective communication and engagement approaches that build public trust and drive action on socio-political issues.
Sharlene Lansiquot, RESEARCH ASSISTANT 
Sharlene S. Lansiquot, is a PhD student (starting Winter 2025) at the University of British Columbia’s (Okanagan) School of Nursing. She completed undergraduate coursework through The City University of New York and has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies from New York University. Sharlene completed some of her nursing prerequisites through the University of Rochester and her BS in Nursing from Columbia University in NYC. She completed graduate coursework in psychiatric/mental health nursing and social studies education, through Columbia University and the Relay Graduate School of Education, respectively. Sharlene has an MSN from Cedarville University through the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) specialty program and a graduate certificate in Global Public Health Nursing. She also completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in Nursing Education from Andrews University.
Mya Bodenmann, RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Mya is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts Psychology student. Her research interests include psychopathology and adolescent development. Outside academics, Mya works as a mental health support worker and volunteers with various not-for-profit organizations in Kelowna.
Olivia Stevenson, RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Olivia is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Child and Youth Healthy Futures Lab working on the EPIC Youth Project. As a Master’s of Social Work student, Olivia’s research interests lie in the realms of men’s mental health, and the intersectionality of trauma and masculinity. When not in front of her computer, Olivia can be found living an active lifestyle and enjoying the company of her family and friends.
Former Lab Members
Zerrin Akter Anni, research assistant
Zerrin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and is completing her Master of Arts in IGS—Power, Conflict, and Ideas at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan. She works as a graduate teaching assistant at the Department of History and Sociology at UBCO. With a strong foundation in qualitative research, Zerrin studies gender-based violence (GBV), intimate partner violence (IPV), media and crime, discrimination in health sectors, supporting victims of violence, and peace and conflict resolutions.
meg pearle, research assistant
Meg is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts Psychology student who is passionate about mental wellbeing, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion. Outside of research, Meg works with a youth crisis line and UBCO’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response office.
lucas quesada, Knowledge mobilization assistant
Lucas is a fourth-year Psychology student. His research interests include skill learning, performance psychology, and cognitive decision making, with a focus on understanding and enhancing youth mental health. Lucas also works as a youth soccer coach, applying his knowledge of psychology to support and develop young athletes