Our Community
Sam (she/they) PhD, RN
RAW Founder and Lead
Dr. Sam Louie-Poon’s philosophy is rooted in building meaningful human and community connections through stories, art-based methods, and thinking and imagining differently to improve the health, wellbeing, and rights of future generations. Their program of research, RAW: Reimagining Asian Wellbeing, is dedicated to advocating for the rights and wellbeing of Asian children and youth. Through a combination of research and community engagement, Sam is passionate about storying the intergenerational experiences of anti-Asian racism and (re)imaging knowledge systems used to support Asian youth well-being. See their faculty website here.
Aidan (they/he) MSc General Public Health student, MA Sociology, BSc Criminal Justice: Sociology, and BA Interdisciplinary Studies
Graduate Research Assistant
Aidan is a second-year MSc student in the General Public Health Program at the University of Alberta. Their current research focuses on how stress and anxiety affects the wellness of sexual and gender minority (SGM) refugees in Edmonton, a project done in consultation with the Rainbow Refuge program at the Newcomer Centre of Edmonton. Beyond that, Aidan’s research interests include mad studies/critical psychiatry; qualitative methods; materialist social theory; abolitionist thought; debates between poststructuralism and materialism; and queer movement organizing.
Alan (he/him) BSc Major in Biological Sciences and Psychology ‘22, BScN After Degree ‘24, MN Leadership Candidate
Volunteer Research Assistant
Alan is in his 1st year of a Masters of Nursing in Leadership at the University of Alberta. He currently works in Neuro OBS/HIU at UAH. He loves his nursing community and represents his cohort as the president-elect for the Nursing Graduate Students Association. For his thesis, he hopes to further explore his interests in moral distress, racism, and ethics. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his dog, reading Webtoons, and blasting show tunes in his car.
Isabella (she/her) BScN Honors ‘23, RN
Program Coordinator
Isabella graduated from the University of Alberta in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Honors and is currently working as a Registered Nurse in day surgery, endoscopy, and the pre-admission clinic. As a Chinese-Canadian herself, Isabella is passionate about fostering community connections and advocating for the health and well-being of Asian youth through compassionate care and research, especially through the lens of Alberta’s political climate. Outside of her nursing practice, Isabella enjoys engaging in creative writing projects, exploring Edmonton's ever-expanding cafe scene, and chilling with her 2 kitties.
Anila (she/her) PhD Candidate
Graduate Research Assistant
Anila is a PhD candidate in Nursing at the University of Alberta with extensive experience in clinical practice, teaching, research, and leadership. Her work focuses on mental health, global health equity, and the well-being of international and racialized populations. Anila is passionate about religious practices and cultural inclusivity, and she strives to bridge research and practice to improve care for diverse communities. Outside of academia, Anila enjoys spending quality time with her family and exploring the world with them.
Alison (she/her) BA Psychology,
BScN After Degree Honors Student
Alison is pursuing her BScN Honors in the After Degree program. In her previous degree, she had the pleasure of taking on the role of student research assistant, which ignited her enthusiasm for the research process. She is dedicated to challenging harmful stigmas and amplifying voices within the queer community and among individuals experiencing mental health challenges. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and baking, exploring the Filipino half of her heritage, finding new ways to weave together her love of art with her love of storytelling, and—on occasion—burning her tongue on coffee.
Tynisha (she/her) BScN
Masters of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Capstone Student
Tynisha is currently in her first year of an MN Nurse Practitioner program and has worked as a nurse in both emergency and endoscopy. Outside of nursing and school, she loves to travel and immerse herself in different cultures around the world.
Tian (she/her) PhD Candidate (Epidemiology), MSc, BPH
Research Coordinator
Tian is originally from China and later moved to South Africa. She is a Ph.D. Candidate in Epidemiology at the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health. She is also the Research Coordinator at the RAW research lab. Her research focuses on environmental and mental health epidemiology. Outside of work, Tian enjoys spending time with her cat, Nature, as well as going to the gym, travelling, walking and hiking, and exploring local cafés and restaurants.
Meher (she/her) BScN student
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Meher is currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree at the University of Alberta. With a background supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and diverse mental health stories, she is passionate about inclusive, person-centered care and advancing health equity through research. Outside of academics, Meher enjoys reading, hockey, and painting.
Rakshan (he/him) BSc Biology ‘25,
BScN After Degree Honors Student
Rakshan loves being active, whether that’s rowing out on the water, cycling, or playing badminton with friends. At other times, he enjoys reading comic books! He studied biology at the University of Alberta and had the opportunity to mentor high school students via Youreka Canada. This eventually led to his passion for pediatric health.
Autumn (she/her) BScN Honors
Masters of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Capstone Student
Autumn is currently a Family/All Ages Nurse Practitioner student at the University of Alberta with a clinical background including critical care, pediatric respite care, medicine, and cardiology. Autumn grew up in the Northwest Territories and moved to Edmonton. She now lives in Victoria, BC, where she continues to practice as a Critical Care RN while completing her Master of Nursing program. Autumn enjoys spending her free time outdoors hiking with her dog, surfing, rock climbing, and camping.
Gina Jang (she/her) MN Student, RN, BScN, BA in Chinese Literature and Language
Graduate Research Assistant
Gina is a Registered Nurse and Master of Nursing student at the University of Alberta with a clinical background in adult psychiatry. Guided by values of advocacy, leadership, education, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), Gina strives to advance justice-oriented and culturally safe nursing practice. Beyond academia, she is deeply interested in mythology and semiotics as lenses for understanding meaning-making and identity.
Waleed (he/him) BScN student
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Waleed is a University of Alberta nursing student with a growing passion for health equity, interdisciplinary care, and the stories that shape our understanding of health. He values compassion, cultural awareness, and the impact of small acts of care. In his free time, Waleed enjoys going to the gym, cooking, and exploring cuisines from different cultures.
Megan (she/her) BScN ’22, RN
Masters of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Capstone Student
Megan is a first-year Master of Nursing Nurse Practitioner student at the University of Alberta. Alongside her studies, she works as a Registered Nurse in the UAH/Stollery Emergency Department. Originally from a farm in Thorsby, Alberta, Megan developed a deep love for animals (especially horses) and a strong sense of community and family. She enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors with friends. Megan’s goal in the Nurse Practitioner program is to combine her passion for emergency care with her rural roots to improve access to healthcare providers and deliver holistic, patient-centered care to rural communities.