Jennifer F. Chan

Jennifer F. Chan, MA, is a PhD student in the Health Adaptation Research on Trauma (HART) Lab at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Her research interests consist of using psychophysiological perspectives and biological measurements to study the relationship between physiological stress responses, and mental/physical health in first responders.

Check out Jennifer’s publication in SAGE Research Methods:  Chan, J. F., & Andersen, J. P. (2020). Challenges of cross-sectional survey measures for assessing occupational and organizational stress effects on mental health among police officers. SAGE Research Methods Cases. doi:10.4135/9781529740448

Monica Ghabrial

Monica Ghabrial, MA, is a PhD student in the psychology program at the University of Toronto. She is supervised by Dr. Judith P. Andersen and based primarily at the Mississauga campus. She completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Guelph and her Master of Arts at the University of Toronto. Her research interests include intersectionality, qualitative research, action research, women’s health, and sexual and ethnic minority wellbeing.

Women’s Health:

During her undergraduate education, Monica conducted research on discrimination against newcomer survivors of domestic abuse and the difficulty these women face when searching for permanent housing. This involved interviews administered to landlords across three cities, as well as a telephone audit study. After completing her BSc, she worked for three years on a CIHR-funded study for the prevention of sexual violence on university and college campuses and as a crisis-line operator at the local women’s shelter.

Monica has been involved in HIV prevention research in Cambodia through SiRCHESI (Siem Reap Citizens for Health, Educational, and Social Issues) – a grassroots organization that uses participatory action methodology to educate sex workers and “beer girls” on HIV transmission and condom use and to promote workplace safety – and completed an internship with this organization in Siem Reap in 2013.

She is affiliated with Women’s College Hospital (WCH), where she works in the Mental Health division. Monica is currently completing a practicum, investigating the effect of peer support on the health and wellbeing of women living with HIV. She is also working as a research assistant at WCH, on a program designed to address and reduce sexual distress experienced by survivors of gynecological cancers.

Racialized Sexual and Gender Minority Wellbeing:

As a member of the HART lab, Monica’s research has focused on examining the unique lived experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer people of colour (LGBTQ-POC). This research, informed by intersectionality theory, uses a combination of qualitative interviews and quantitative measures to investigate the contextual discrimination and identity conflicts that this population faces, as well as the great resilience they exhibit.

Check out Monica’s publication in the leading journal in the field of Counseling Psychology:  Ghabrial, M.A., & Andersen, J.P. (2020). Development and initial validation of the Queer People of Color Positive Identity Measure. Journal of Counseling Psychology

FORMER TRAINEES

Konstantinos Papazoglou

Konstantinos Papazoglou, MA, is a psychology PhD (2018) and Vanier CIHR scholar at the University of Toronto supervised by Professor Judith P. Andersen. After obtaining his master’s degree in mental health counseling at New York University (NYU) as Onassis foundation scholar in 2010, he worked as a clinician with military personnel (2006-2008) and police cadets in Athens, Greece (2010-2012) and inmates in correctional facilities of the State of New York (2009-2010). He served as a uniformed police officer in Athens, Greece for almost 14 years (1998-2012) eventually obtaining the rank of police captain.

His work focuses on the conceptualization of complex police trauma, first respondents’ resilience, police health promotion, and community-based trauma prevention through culturally relevant interventions. He has presented his work throughout North America and Europe (e.g., American Psychological Association, Canadian Psychological Association, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, etc.).

Christopher Zou

Christopher Zou, MA, is a psychology PhD (2017) at the University of Toronto.   He completed his undergraduate and Master’s degree at the University of Toronto, and is in his senior year of the doctorate program. He is currently working on multiple research projects with Dr. Judith P. Andersen at the HART lab, which includes (but not is limited) to the following:

Bullying and Health. Chris’ first line of work with Professor Andersen involves exploring the effect of experiencing adverse childhood events (e.g., parental divorce, bullying) on long-term health and well-being. He is especially interested in examining how minority membership (particularly sexual minority membership) can influence the impact of bullying on health.

Coming Out Project. Chris’ second line of work examines the underlying assumptions surrounding the “coming out” experience of sexual minorities. He is interested in examining the different definitions of “coming out” across researchers and the general public, and understanding the impact of coming out on health and well-being of individuals who belong to sexual minority groups. He hopes that by identifying some of these assumptions about “coming out”, we can better assist individuals who are going through this difficult process.