Meet Our Team
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Elnaz is a research scientist at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and an assistant professor affiliated with Queen’s University and the University of Toronto. As a trained health scientist, she holds a PhD in Kinesiology and Health Science, along with concurrent diplomas in Neuroscience and Quantitative Methods from York University. Additionally, she is a GROWW and DIVERT Mental Health fellow with a profound interest in advancing women’s mental health.
Her research is dedicated to amplifying the voices of diverse populations, ensuring that their unique needs are integrated into the services available to them. She currently leads several grant-funded projects exploring co-research methods in intimate partner violence and assessing the service needs of individuals affected by domestic violence.
Outside of academia, Elnaz is passionate about cooking, nutrition, and fitness.
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Nikoo is a medical student at Queen’s University, who is passionate about the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and design. She has led previous initiatives for women’s empowerment (Project Empower Circle) and chronic health management (Protagonist Health). She completed her undergraduate and Master’s at McMaster University, with a focus on psychology and biochemistry.
In her free time, she loves playing volleyball and making art! .
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Jaden Chong is a graduate student completing her Masters in the Design for Health Program at OCAD University. She has completed her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at Toronto Metropolitan University, and has completed a certificate program with the University of British Columbia in Biomedical Visualization and Communication. Jaden is very passionate about finding ways to integrate design within the healthcare space. Her research interests include Health Design, Knowledge Mobilization and Arts-based Research. Outside of work, Jaden is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys going to concerts and travelling.
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Kristy Allen (she/her) holds an Honours BA in Psychology and a minor in Family & Child Studies from the University of Guelph. In 2020, she completed her Masters of Public Health degree with a concentration in Social Inequities in Health from Simon Fraser University. In addition, she has obtained certificates in Knowledge Mobilization from the University of Guelph, and in Family Engagement in Research (FER) & Leadership in FER from McMaster University. She has previously held community engagement and knowledge translation roles with Frayme and the Canadian Mental Health Association- BC Division.
Kristy is passionate about knowledge mobilization and community engagement as drivers of implementation and sustainability within research, programs, and services. Through her personal experiences, she advocates for patients & families to be key stakeholders in mental health system transformation. Outside of work, Kristy enjoys doing anything outside, swimming, and reading.
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With a passion for storytelling and a deep understanding of digital marketing and communications, Ami specializes in helping purpose-driven businesses connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. Her experience spans multiple industries, where she provides market research and operations support, develops engaging content, and manages client communities—all with a creative and unique perspective on the digital landscape.
She holds a BA from the University of Windsor and a Public Relations and Corporate Communications (PRCC) certificate from Georgian College. Her background also includes time in the public library system, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by disenfranchised communities. This experience reinforced her belief in the importance of access to care, support, and the power of storytelling to inspire healing, growth, and learning.
When she not crafting compelling narratives or building digital strategies, she loves spending time outdoors with her husband, two children, and their dog—embracing nature’s ability to bring balance and inspiration.
