JOHNSON LAB
ANA JOHNSON
Principal Investigator
Dr. Johnson received her undergraduate training in economics from Nottingham University in England, and her Master's in Economics from the University of Houston. She completed a PhD in Health Economics/Health Services Research from the University of Texas Health Science Centre, School of Public Health, in Houston. Subsequently she worked as Assistant Professor at the Centre for AIDS Intervention Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She then went to McMaster University, where she obtained a CIHR Career Award. Dr. Johnson went to Queen's University as Canada Research Chair in Health Policy. She is the former site Director of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) Queen's Health Services Research Facility, and is a Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences.
SAGE NAKAGAWA
PhD, Health Economic focus
Educational Background: BA Economics/Biology, University of California, Davis; MSc Health Administration, California State University, Long Beach; MBA, Syracuse University
Supervisor: Ana Johnson
Thesis Advisory Committee: Bradley Stoner, Zihang Lu
CHRISTOPHER RUSSELL
PhD, Epidemiology
Throughout my undergraduate and graduate degrees I have developed a strong interest in the public health sciences. My current research is focused on investigating the continuum of healthcare for incarcerated individuals recently released from federal institutions. In my free time I enjoy rock climbing and finding new music to listen to.
ARSHDEEP RAUL
Maters in Public Health
Researcher committed to understanding and addressing the economic and social drivers of health inequities, with the goal of informing interventions that create measurable improvements in community health and well-being.
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TRISTAN DERRY
MSc, Epidemiology
I recently completed my MSc in Epidemiology under the supervision of Dr. Johnson. My thesis evaluated the impact of a digital pharmacy on medication adherence, clinical outcomes, and healthcare utilization at two sites outside Kingston (https://qspace.library.queensu.ca/items/080261cf-b854-41a1-89f7-11bbb12285d7). I have also been working on the GONA evaluation project. I have a strong background in biostatistical/epidemiological methods, and I am always willing to discuss/assist with analyses. In my free time I love to garden, play volleyball, cook, and read.
YUAN (CARTER) GAO
Undergraduate Health Sciences Student
I am currently working with Dr. Johnson and Julia Wang to co-lead a project concerning mindfulness-based interventions for personal support workers at Providence Manor, Kingston. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, swimming, playing various sports/boardgames, and exploring the Kingston community!
ELIZABETH HORE
PhD, Epidemiology
I am researching frailty in relation to patient costs, resource utilization and mortality after cardiac surgery. I'm currently creating a population-level frailty assessment tool that can be applied to large patient datasets. I also aim to ask doctors, patients and hospital administrators how this tool could be useful in the clinic. In my spare time, I enjoy playing softball, singing and laughing with friends.
ALEX MAYHEW
Undergraduate Life Sciences Student
I am a fourth-year Life Sciences student completing a 596 independent research project under the supervision of Dr. Johnson. My project, titled “Evaluation of a Virtual Healthcare Pilot Program in Southeastern Ontario,” focuses on assessing healthcare utilization and outcomes among unattached patients participating in a virtual care program. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, running, playing sports, and spending time with friends.
NATALIE PFUETZNER
Undergraduate Life Sciences Student
I am a fourth-year Life Sciences student completing a 499 thesis project in epidemiology. I developed a passion for public health sciences throughout my degree, with a special interest for health inequities. My project examines the impact of an interstitial lung-disease nurse program at KHSC. I am also helping Dr. Johnson with her websites and social medias. In my spare time, I enjoy pilates, art, trying new food spots in Kingston, and cooking.
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MICHAELA MACGILLIVRAY
Undergraduate Life Sciences Student
I am currently studying Life Sciences with a Biomedical Discovery specialization at Queen's University. I am interested in exploring public health, women's healthcare, and health inequities within Canadian communities. My other hobbies include writing music, figure skating, and painting. I am very excited to be involved in this lab, and am currently completing an epidemiology research project surrounding mindfulness, supervised by Dr. Johnson.
CLAIRE LEE
Undergraduate Health Sciences Student
I am currently working in Dr. Johnson's Lab with a focus on the Health Links project. I am passionate about social determinants of health, economic policy, and patient-centered care. In my free time I enjoy running, lifting weights, trying new restaurants/foods, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family!
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YONATAN SHAKARGHI
Undergraduate Health Sciences Student
I am currently assisting Dr. Johnson’s lab with a focus on mindfulness-based mental health research. My work involves developing a conceptual framework to evaluate mindfulness interventions and exploring how artificial intelligence can improve digital approaches to mental health care. I am interested in how technology can be used to make mental health care more personalized and improve its delivery. In my free time, I enjoy skateboarding, rock climbing, and playing basketball.
ADAM SHAHIN
Undergraduate Life Sciences Student
I am a fourth-year Life Sciences student completing a 596 independent research project under the supervision of Dr. Johnson. My project, Feasibility and Cost Considerations of Portable MRI Implementation, investigates the economic feasibility and cost implications of introducing portable low-field MRI in rural Canada. Outside of school, I enjoy studying barriers to access to care, finding good coffee spots, and playing soccer.
ERFAN NASIRINIA
Undergraduate Health Sciences Student
I am in my third year of Health Sciences. I'm currently assisting Dr. Johnson with various projects. I'm particularly interested in health policy research focused on cancer outcomes, homelessness, and mental health. In my free time, I enjoy reading and writing poetry and stories, playing instruments, and playing tennis.
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JOEY QIAO
Undergraduate Health Sciences Student
I am currently volunteering in Dr. Johnson's lab with an interest in learning more about the world of public health policy and how research relating to this field is conducted. In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar and playing chess.
DANNY YU
Undergraduate Health Sciences Student
I am volunteering in Dr. Johnson's lab with a particular interest in the evaluation of health programs and their role in reducing healthcare inequities.
General interests: In my free time, I enjoy cooking, playing soccer, and sleeping.
ASHLEY UM
Undergraduate Health Sciences Student
Throughout my undergraduate study, I have developed strong interest and passion in global and public health. I am particularly interested in exploring health inequities experienced by equity-deserving groups and unique patient experiences associated with chronic conditions. In Dr. Johnson's lab, I am currently involved in medication adherence project while assisting Dr. Johnson with various research projects and tasks. Outside of school, I love to dance, watch movies, and write with new music.
JANHVI SHETTY
Undergraduate Health Sciences Student
I am currently working in Dr. Johnson's lab examining mindfulness-based interventions for personal support workers in Kingston, Ontario. I am particularly interested in health issues commonly experienced among older adults, including substance use disorder, rheumatologic conditions, and nutritional deficiencies, as well as how these challenges intersect with cultural contexts. Outside of academics, my current hobbies include sewing, scrapbooking, and playing guitar.
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AUDREY ANNE QUIRION
Undergraduate Life Sciences Student
I am a fourth-year Life Sciences student completing a 596 independent research project under the supervision of Dr. Ana Johnson and Dr. Kerstin de Wit. The project focuses on finding a surrogate measurement for frailty in older adults that could be implemented in routinely scanned measurement data in the emergency department. Along with my passion in research within epidemiology, I enjoy reading, hot yoga, and running.
CECILE WOO
Undergraduate Health Sciences Student
I am a fourth year Health Sciences student involved in two Dr. Johnson’s projects: the Gateway Medication Adherence Project and assisting with Alex’s evaluation of a Virtual Healthcare Pilot Program in Southeastern Ontario. I am passionate about health economics and digital health technologies. Outside of my academics, I love traveling, doing pilates, playing tennis, and pottery.
SHAKIRAA SUNTHARALINGAM
MPH, IPAC Specialization
I am a researcher dedicated to examining how economic conditions and social structures influence health outcomes in underserved communities. My work seeks to uncover the systemic barriers that sustain health inequities and to generate insights that guide effective, equity-driven policy and program development. By linking economic analysis with public health research, I aim to advance strategies that foster sustainable improvements in community well-being.
SIENA ISKANDER
Undergraduate Life Sciences Student
I am a third-year Life Sciences Specialization student with an interest in learning about the intersection of healthcare and public health. I am currently assisting Dr. Johnson on several projects and grants, and I hope to complete my own research project in the future. Outside of school, I enjoy baking, photography and exploring resturants around Kingston