Graduate Students
| MSc in Psychiatry Research | |
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Name: Holly Carbyn Holly is member of the PROSIT lab and primarily works on the eCare-22q11 study investigating whether an online coaching intervention improves caregiver mental health, parenting practices, and child mental health in families affected by 22q11DS. Her areas of interest include clinical psychology, youth mental health, and accessible forms of mental health treatment. |
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Name: Zachary Hubshman Zachary is from Virginia, USA. He attended Virginia Tech where he researched addiction and intimate partner violence before moving to Nova Scotia, Canada to pursue researching how sleep impacts a variety of mental health outcomes in high risk youth. |
Name: Bronwyn Inness Bronwyn is a MSc Psychiatry Research student at Dalhousie University. She completed her BSc Honours in Psychology at Mount Allison University. Bronwyn also volunteers in a developmental psychology lab at Mount Saint Vincent University. She loves working with kids and is interested in learning about their social, emotional, and cognitive development. At Dalhousie, Bronwyn is investigating the effects of parental smartphone use and addiction on childhood socioemotional wellbeing. This research addresses a relevant topic regarding the impact that smartphones may have on children when they interfere with parent-child interactions. |
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Name: Steven Jackson Hi, I’m Steve! I’ve been working with Dr. Pavlova, the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network for Depression, and the Depression Clinical Research Program since 2021 and I’m passionate about improving treatment outcomes in people with mood disorders. In my spare time, I love to watch and referee hockey, go camping, and read. |
Name: Joey Nosko After completing an undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Alberta, Joey moved to Halifax to work with the research team at the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program (NSEPP) and start a MSc in Psychiatry Research. Joey’s work focuses primarily on treatment engagement among individuals with early phase psychosis, especially the factors which impact engagement with early intervention services such as the NSEPP. Outside of psychiatry, Joey is passionate about critical disability studies, gender studies, drawing and painting, and horror media. |
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Name: Colby Price Colby studies loss of control eating as a transdiagnostic factor in the development of eating disorders in children and adolescents. His research focuses on identifying risk factors and developing novel interventions and prevention strategies to support youth with disordered eating. He is particularly interested in implementation science to bridge the gaps between research and clinical practice. |
Name: Maxwell Seward Max graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2023 with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology, minoring in Neuroscience. He started the MSc. in Psychiatry Research in September of 2024 under the supervision of Dr. Kara Dempster and Dr. Derek Fisher. His Master’s thesis will explore the association of glutamate levels in the ACC with the EEG derived mismatch negativity, and if abnormalities in these markers during the first episode of psychosis could predict how individuals respond to treatment. |
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| PhD in Psychiatry Research | |
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Name: Kofi Medard Adu Medard is a dedicated mental health researcher and Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with over 20 years of experience in mental health nursing, education, and research. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychiatry Research at Dalhousie University, after earning MSc. degrees in Psychiatry Research from the University of Alberta and in Global Mental Health Policy from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. Medard has held academic and clinical roles in both Ghana and Canada, authored about 60 publications, and is committed to advancing mental health treatments, shaping policies, and mentoring future professionals to bridge research and practice globally. |
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Name: Dr. Jasmyn Cunningham Jasmyn completed her BSc(Hons) in Neuroscience at Dalhousie University, followed by her MSc in Medical Science at the University of Toronto. She then worked in research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) prior to completing her MD at McMaster University. She is currently a Resident Physician in the Dalhousie Postgraduate Psychiatry Training Program, as well as a PhD Student in Psychiatry Research. Her primary research interests concern the intersection of sleep, circadian rhythms, and mood disorders. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, knitting, and playing with her cat. |
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Name: Julia Fraiha-Pegado I am a first-year PhD candidate in psychiatric research at Dalhousie University, specializing in bipolar disorder. My work has been published in the International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, and I have presented at national and international conferences. Alongside my peers, I co-founded the Psychiatry Graduate Research Student Association, where I currently serve as vice president. |
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Name: Ashley Francis Ashley is a PhD candidate in the Psychiatry Research Program, where she studies the neural mechanisms underlying psychosis and substance use using EEG and neuroimaging techniques. Her research bridges neuroscience and mental health, exploring brain function in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Ashley has experience teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and is an active academic contributor, with peer-reviewed publications and international conference presentations. Beyond her work with brain data, she is passionate about mentoring young and Indigenous women in science and contributing to her community by organizing local events through her two small businesses. |
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Name: Gloria Obuobi-Donkor Gloria Obuobi-Donkor is a PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Psychiatry. Her research addresses mental health care gaps through supportive text messaging interventions. By leveraging mobile technology, Gloria aims to enhance access to care and improve mental health outcomes in diverse populations. Her work explores the effectiveness, engagement, and long-term impact of text-based interventions as adjuncts to traditional treatment. Gloria is passionate about mental health equity, digital health innovation, and the translation of evidence-based strategies into practical tools for everyday use. |
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Name: Katie Scott Katie began her academic journey studying Kinesiology at Memorial University before discovering a passion for research in neuroscience and psychiatry. She transferred to Dalhousie University, earning a B.Sc. in Neuroscience, and enrolled in the Master's in Psychiatry Research program. Accepted into the fast-track option, Katie transitioned directly into a Ph.D. in Psychiatry Research. Her doctoral research focuses on the genetic basis and clinical attributes of bipolar disorder. Katie is investigating elements of bipolar disorder that may predict treatment response, with the aim of improving treatment and diagnosis to enhance care for individuals living with the condition. |