Fiona Choi, PhD
Research Associate
Fiona received her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia with a focus on preclinical models of addiction. She currently holds the HSBC Fellowship in Addiction Research exploring factors associated with substance use disorders, trauma and related psychopathology. She is also involved in the development of an integrated mental health web platform for vulnerable youth, utilizing e-health tools to strengthen mental well-being.
Alireza Kazemi, MD
Data Scientist
Tam To, BA
Research Coordinator
Tam recently graduated from the Bachelor of Arts program at UBC with a major in Psychology and a minor in Commerce. She previously worked as a Communications, Media, and Events Assistant in the lab under the Work Learn program. During her time at the lab, she realized her interest in providing support to and learning about people who have lived and living experiences with substance use and concurrent disorders. She is especially interested in a promising pain and substance use management approach using a botanical formulation called TGIR ( Traditional Gastro-Intestinal Remedy) approved for use in Vietnam under the trade name Heantos-4 (H-4) and E-Mental Health solutions.
Outside of work, she loves to travel, learn about different cultures and languages as well as try local food!
Contact: tam.to@ubc.ca | acdadmin@cheos.ubc.ca
Katsy Concepcion, BSc Candidate
Project Coordinator
Katsy is an Integrated Sciences student (Neuroscience and Physiology) with a minor in Health and Society. She is interested in how technology and innovation can be utilized to build an equitable and sustainable healthcare system. Katsy strives to create tangible change within vulnerable communities through leadership, advocacy, and community-building.
Marisha Boyd, BSc
Communications & Events Coordinator
Marisha is a 4th year undergraduate student studying Behavioural Neuroscience with a minor in Health & Society. She is interested in how neuroscience, technology and policy can intersect to improve human and planetary health. She is eager to contribute to making e-health tools that are impactful and accessible to everyone.
Janet Suen, BSc
Staff member
Janet completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Dalhousie University in 2017. Through her studies, work, and volunteer activities, Janet has cultivated a passion for promoting mental wellness within underserved communities and vulnerable populations. She is interested in a wide-range of topics including trauma, self-compassion, social support, and substance use in the context of mental health and illness. Janet hopes to contribute to the growing field of e-health to reduce barriers in accessing mental health supports for all individuals.
Andy Tai, BSc
PhD Candidate in Neuroscience at UBC
Jane Kim, BSc
MSc student in Experimental Medicine
Vivian Tsang, MD
Resident Researcher
Vivian is a psychiatry research track resident at the University of British Columbia. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Childhood Cannabinoid Clinical Trials to advance the investigation of new pharmacotherapies and is most interested in furthering research in addictions and concurrent disorders. Vivian held previous positions on UBC’s Senate, Vancouver City Council Advisory Committees, and represented the Faculty of Medicine to lobby for resources for youth mental health with BC’s Minister of Health. On the side, she heads a national charity, The HOPE Initiative Foundation which works to inspire innovative solutions to existing systems through student leadership and community outreach in Canada.
Gurpreet Chopra
Work Learn Student | Research Project Assistant
Gurpreet completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and is interested in research relating to addictions and substance use. Having experience volunteering and working with marginalized and vulnerable people, such as those in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and on crisis lines, he is interested in helping mitigate the substance use, overdose, mental health, and housing crises affecting global and national health infrastructure. Gurpreet hopes to contribute to research relating to fentanyl, homelessness, and substance use disorders in vulnerable populations.