EPIC Lab | Our Team

Scientist

Tim Ross, PhD, RPP, MCIP
Dr. Tim Ross is the Principal Investigator and Director of the EPIC Lab. See Dr. Ross’ full scientist profile.

EPIC Lab Staff

Emily Cox
Emily is a Research Assistant for the EPIC Lab. She recently completed a Master of Science degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University. Emily’s research interests lie at the intersection of children’s rehabilitation and critical disability studies, and she is committed to finding new and innovative ways for these fields to collaborate. Within the EPIC Lab, Emily is involved in a large project in collaboration with Reena that aims to better understand the housing experiences of people living with developmental disability.

Meaghan Walker
Meaghan is a Research Coordinator for the EPIC Lab. In completing a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation sciences at the University of Toronto, she researched the healthcare experiences of children with autism and obesity. Meaghan has also completed a Master of Science in occupational therapy at the University of Toronto and is a registered Occupational Therapist working in acute care. Meaghan has a vested interest in health promotion, disability, and inclusion. She contributes to many of the Lab’s research projects concerning inclusion, accessibility, and children’s healthcare. 

Zehra Kamani
Zehra is a Research Coordinator who works with both the EPIC Lab and Dr. Fiona Moola’s HEART Lab. Prior to joining the EPIC Lab, she completed a Master of Arts degree in psychology at York University and worked on numerous clinical research projects in pediatric health care settings. Zehra is playing a key role in the SANI research project, which aims to understand how racialized youth with disabilities and their families experience health care. She is also a freelance writer who writes passionately about topics such as mental health and disability awareness. She has been published by CBC and Today’s Parent magazine.

Doctoral Trainees

Amanda Chan
Amanda is a PhD student in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Toronto. She received her Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) designation through the Master of Arts in Child Study and Education program from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. She also holds a Master of Arts in Critical Disability Studies from York University where she researched the inclusive education experiences of autistic students within the Toronto District School Board. Her doctoral research focuses on how childhood disability affects access to education. Her involvement with the EPIC Lab research also involves the use of qualitative research methods with people with developmental disabilities.

Élyse Comeau, MPl
Élyse is an urban planning PhD Student in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the PhD program, she completed a Master of Planning degree at Ryerson University and gained invaluable private sector work experience as an urban planner. Her doctoral research explores how families living with childhood disability experience and navigate public transit stations in Toronto. She is also contributing to EPIC Lab research on accessible air travel and accessible taxi transport. 

Javaneh Abbaspourasadolah
Javaneh is an urban planning PhD student in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto. She has a background in architecture with experience in biophilic architectural design for children. She obtained a Master’s degree in architecture from Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University in Tehran, Iran.  She is passionate about designing child-friendly cities, inclusive playgrounds, and sustainable transportation in cities. Javaneh’s doctoral research will look at the experiences and designs of inclusively designed playgrounds. 
 

Masters Trainees

Joana Benin
Joana is a master's student in the occupational therapy program at the University of Toronto. Prior to her current studies, she completed a bachelor's degree in architectural science (CO-OP) at Toronto Metropolitan University. Joana has a strong interest in how design and the built environment impact users’ health and wellbeing. She is currently exploring the creation of a toolkit that will make air travel easier for children and youth with physical disabilities and their families.

Kathia Johnson
Kathia Johnson is a second year Master of Science in Planning (MScPl) candidate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University in Human Geography, French Studies, and GIS and Remote Sensing. Kathia’s research with the EPIC Lab is focused on the intersection of Critical Disability and the Black experience in navigating cities under systems of ableism that lead to displacement. Her work involves developing planning frameworks that will inform planning policy change, and support equity-deserving communities undergoing neighborhood development within the city of Toronto.

Vivian Nguyen
Vivian is completing her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. She has a Bachelor of Science in Honours Health Studies (Co-op) from the University of Waterloo. Vivian is interested in how built and social environments impact health and meaningful activities for children with disabilities. She is currently conducting research on ways of improving air travel for families of children with disabilities in hopes of enabling occupation for all.