OUR TEAM
Basem Gohar, PhD, MSc, C.Psych
Lab Founder & Principal Investigator
Dr. Basem Gohar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Medicine at Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and leads the University of Guelph’s Research in Occupational Health and Wellness (UGROHW) lab. He is also a registered clinical psychologist in Ontario. Dr. Gohar’s research focuses on workplace mental health, particularly within human and veterinary healthcare settings. Dr. Gohar’s research addresses three key areas in the healthcare field: Staffing shortages and employee retention, moral distress and moral injury and preparedness to practice. Dr. Gohar has a proven track record, securing tri-council funding (CIHR and SSHRC) and industry grants, with numerous peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals. He employs various research methods, including knowledge syntheses (e.g. meta-analyses and scoping reviews), and quantitative and qualitative approaches. With a unique educational, research and clinical background, Dr. Gohar teaches clinical communication and ethics to student veterinarians. He also teaches qualitative health research and knowledge synthesis at the graduate level.
Akshaye Goela, BSc Student
Akshaye is a fourth-year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Guelph with a strong interest in healthcare systems and workplace well-being. He is excited to explore this field through a systematic review for his undergraduate thesis with Dr. Basem Gohar, focusing on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals. Previously, Akshaye conducted research at Western University’s Robarts Research Institute under Dr. Aaron So, where he analyzed dynamic CT perfusion images to validate a novel method for measuring fractional flow reserve (FFR). His work aimed to improve the non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease severity, helping physicians better identify which patients may require treatment, and was published in Radiology Advances. Outside of academics, Akshaye is Co-President of the Indian Student Association, Director of Events for the Guelph Medical Case Report Club, a varsity Nordic skier, and a former member of the university’s rowing team. He enjoys socializing with friends, staying active through volleyball (indoor and beach) and hockey, going on runs, and sharing his workouts on Strava.
Amanda Walczyk, BSc Student
Lab Manager & Research Assistant
Amanda is a third-year Biological Science student at the University of Guelph. She is interested in mental health and qualitative research, and is working with the UGROHW Lab to research occupational health and wellbeing within healthcare settings. She is excited to embrace new opportunities and challenges through this research. Additionally, she manages and maintains the UGROHW lab website. Amanda is passionate about being active in her community through academics, clubs, and research. She was a member of the Best Buddies club for two years, which fosters connections between students and members of the community, and advocates for accessibility. She is constantly looking for new ways to get involved. In addition to her academics and volunteering, she enjoys bouldering, board games, and reading.
Ana Simone Roshdi, BSc Student
Ana Simone Roshdi is a fourth-year Biomedical Science student. For her fourth-year research project, she is working with Dr. Gohar to pursue her passion for moral injury within the healthcare industry. Ana’s dedication to healthcare and supporting future health professionals also inspired her to establish the University of Guelph HOSA chapter, allowing students to explore possible careers in wellness through health-based national competitions. Ana has also gained valuable experience through her time as a research student at SickKids hospital, fueling her passion for research that can result in legislative action. Outside of her coursework, Ana enjoys exercising, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends.
Carol Ibrahim, MSc Student
Carol Ibrahim recently graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science. She is returning to the University of Guelph to pursue a Master of Science in Population Medicine with a specialization in Public Health. During her final year, Carol embarked on a research thesis project, investigating the intricate mechanisms responsible for the exaggerated blood pressure response during exercise. This experience ignited her passion for research and motivated her to pursue a master’s degree. Carol is eager to merge her biomedical science background with public health to address real-world issues and develop effective interventions and policies to enhance community health and well-being. Outside of school, Carol volunteers as a program leader with United for Literacy, a non-profit organization that provides tutoring services for children new to Canada. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, knitting, and spending time with family and friends.
Janine Noorloos, PhD Student
Janine Noorloos (she/her) is a registered social worker pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. With interests in social epidemiology, upstream intervention, population health, and implementation science, she examines the occupational health and wellness of human and animal health professionals, with a commitment to equity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical application. She has recently led and contributed to research on the role of social work in veterinary medicine, system responses to violence against women and gender-diverse persons, caregiver support, and health inequities related to lymphatic filariasis. Her professional background spans program evaluation, policy analysis, and practical application in healthcare and community organizations. Janine began her academic journey in violin performance at Wilfrid Laurier University before completing a Master of Health Science in Translational Research at the University of Toronto, where she is now a lecturer. She later earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie University and a Master of Social Work from McMaster University
Jaskiran Baweja, MSc Student
Jaskiran graduated from the University of Guelph in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and is pursuing an Mater of Science in Population Medicine. Her research interests are psychiatric epidemiology and occupational health and wellness. Outside of academics, Jaskiran works as a medical assistant at an ophthalmology clinic and volunteer at a non-profit organization that offers solution-focused emotional support to community members and promotes mental health and wellness. In her free time, Jaskiran likes to paint, watch Netflix, spend time with loved ones, and go for walks.
Jatan Pabla, BSc Student
Jatan is a fourth-year Biomedical Science student at the University of Guelph. For his fourth-year research project, Jatan is working with Dr. Gohar to investigate readiness to practice among early career physicians. His dedication to healthcare and education is reflected in his role as a Human Anatomy facilitator, guiding students in exploring the complexities of the human body. He will also be participating in the fourth-year Advanced Human Anatomy course, conducting both research and a dissection project. In addition, Jatan serves as a University of Guelph Ambassador, participating in and facilitating major university events. Outside of coursework, he enjoys reading, watching Formula One, and working out.
Karli Longthorne, PhD Candidate
Karli (she/her) is a mental health and well-being researcher, currently pursuing a PhD project that aims to investigate, develop and evaluate institutional well-being interventions for veterinary academic employees who work at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). The project, which is co-advised by Dr. Andria Jones and Dr. Basem Gohar brings together psychological and epidemiological inquiry and mixed-method research to drive positive social change and transformation at the OVC and similar veterinary institutions. Karli’s work is inspired by her commitment to addressing complex social issues related to mental health and well-being in vulnerable populations; and by her passion for using science to inform systematic issues through knowledge mobilization.
Kate Wycherley, DVM
Assistant Professor, MSc (in progress)
Dr. Kate Wycherley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Studies at the Ontario Veterinary College. Kate graduated from the OVC with a veterinary degree in 2019 and has been a practicing veterinarian ever since. She decided to join Dr. Gohar and the UGROHW Lab in order to help develop solutions for the major problem of new graduate confidence in the veterinary industry (MSc Thesis in Clinical Studies). Her current project involves investigating what areas of clinical confidence are lacking in new graduates and the role mentorship can play in alleviating this. When she is not working on her research project, Kate finds a lot of joy in teaching her students the basics of canine and feline dentistry.
Mackinsey Highland, MPH Student
Mackinsey Highland is a Master of Public Health candidate at the University of Guelph, currently entering her final year in her course-based program, with a strong interest in health promotion, program evaluation, and knowledge translation. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Kinesiology and a diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion, which have shaped her understanding of health from both individual and population-level perspectives. Mackinsey has contributed to a variety of health-focused roles across academic, clinical, and research settings. Most recently, during her placement with the SHINE Wellness team at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), she supported the development of the 2026–2029 strategic wellness plan and led initiatives to enhance staff well-being. Her work involved mental health program planning and evaluation, the creation of health education materials, and the proposal and coordination of a Code Lavender Alert, a staff crisis support response. She also brings experience in patient-centered knowledge translation, data collection, facilitation of focus group discussions, and stakeholder reporting.
Her research interests lie in workplace mental health and the development of psychologically safe environments through evidence-informed strategies. With a background in fitness, Mackinsey enjoys exercising through pilates and teaches spin classes. In her free time, she loves spending time with her dog Simba, discovering new cafés, and watching reality TV.
Maziha Kamal, MSc student (Thesis)
Maziha completed a Bilingual Honours bachelor of Science at York University, specializing in Biology. Her undergraduate degree included a field course involving observation of animals’ interactions with people in various ecological contexts, including bird-banding sessions and small mammals’ response to camera monitoring. These experiences sparked Maziha’s curiosity about the potential therapeutic effects of animal-human interactions, particularly in high-stress environments such as healthcare settings. Currently, as an MSc Student in Population Medicine at the University of Guelph, Maziha is co-supervised by Dr. Basem Gohar in the UGROHW Lab and Dr. Jason Coe in the Relationship-Centered Veterinary Medicine (RCVM) lab. Through this dual-supervision opportunity, Maziha is investigating the impact of support from a facility dog on human-healthcare workers’ perceived stress, perceived work support, and organizational commitment. When not immersed in research, Maziha enjoys exploring the vibrant worlds of Nintendo games! Beyond that, she looks for opportunities to innovate healthcare, whether it’s brainstorming new service expansions or refining her skills in healthcare management.
Mia Maljevic, MSc student
Mia Maljevic recently graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Health & Disease and Environmental Biology, and minoring in Spanish. She is excited to begin her Master of Science in Population Medicine at the University of Guelph. During her undergraduate studies, Mia gained research experience through coursework and research assistant positions. In her third year, she worked as a data collector at North York General Hospital, where she gathered gait data from older adults and supported research on non-wearable fall detection systems. In her final year, she served as a project assistant at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, contributing to initiatives aimed at advancing healthcare and pharmacy education, particularly for underrepresented communities. Mia is passionate about public health and is eager to deepen her knowledge and skills to help address population health challenges and promote community well-being. Outside of academics, she enjoys going to the gym, reading, drawing, and spending time with friends and family.
Michael W Brunt, PhD, MSc, RMLAT
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Michael W Brunt is a MITACS Elevate postdoctoral fellow. He is also a registered master laboratory animal technician which inspired his PhD dissertation at the University of British Columbia to understand the ethics of using animals for scientific experimentation at Canadian institutions. Dr. Brunt conducts multidisciplinary research which focuses on improving the lives of animals by understanding the people who care for them (veterinarians, farmers, pet guardians) in the workplace, at home, on farm, or in laboratories. He has held academic positions at the Ontario Veterinary College as a SSHRC postdoctoral fellow and a NSERC postdoctoral scholar, a proven track record of peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, and a book chapter in An Introduction to Veterinary Humanities. Dr. Brunt’s current research partners with The College of Veterinarians of Ontario to explore the workplace mental health of early career and newly licensed Ontario veterinarians
Monique Nasser, BSc Student
Monique is a second-year Biomedical Science student at the University of Guelph. She works with Dr. Gohar and his team on research related to the mental health of occupational workers. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, Monique aspires to enter the medical field. In terms of extracurriculars, Monique is an RnD member of the Journal of Health Advocacy and Medicine club, where she conducts reviews on research pertaining to those topics. Outside of school, Monique enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with her family.
Muhammad (Hamzah) Abid, PhD Student
Hamzah is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health within the Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph (U of G). He completed his Master of Public Health (MPH) from U of G. Hamzah’s undergraduate degree was in Occupational and Public Health: Public Health and Safety (BASc) from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). During his MPH, Hamzah completed his practicum with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), where he worked on several COVID-19 synthesis research projects. After MPH, Hamzah worked as an Epidemiologist and as a Health Promoter with the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit (now called South East Health Unit). Hamzah’s PhD project will focus on investigating the factors that impact employee retention and the overall mental health & well-being of healthcare workers. In his spare time, Hamzah enjoys physical activities such as hiking, swimming, and horseback riding.
Rebecca Halpern, BSc Student
Rebecca is a third-year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Guelph. She is passionate about mental health and is especially interested in strategies to reduce burnout among healthcare providers. Rebecca has gained experience in healthcare through her role working in research at Sunnybrook Hospital and through volunteering with Guelph’s first response team. She is excited to support the lab’s work and contribute to projects that will make a meaningful impact. Outside of academics, Rebecca enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching sitcoms, running, and trying new recipes.
Rebecca Hatzitolios, MPH Student
Rebecca Hatzitolios is a Master of Public Health candidate at the University of Guelph, enrolled in a course-based program with a focus on health promotion and community engagement. With a Bachelor of Dental Science from the University of British Columbia, Rebecca brings her expertise as a Registered Dental Hygienist to her current studies in population medicine. Her roles at Hamilton Health Science (HHS) as a practicum student allowed her to contribute to innovative health promotion initiatives, leveraging her skills in program coordination, evaluation and health education material development while focusing on healthcare workplace mental health and wellbeing. Passionate about addressing social determinants of health, Rebecca has led impactful oral health programs for underserved populations, aligning with her personal goals to provide exemplary care and advance health equity. She is committed to a collaborative approach in learning and community-focused care, drawing on her experience in interdisciplinary teams and her dedication to fostering inclusive environments. Rebecca aims to further enhance community well-being through evidence-based public health research and strategies. In her spare time, Rebecca loves to paint, try new recipes and cuddle her dog, Piper.
Sara Mesiha, BSc Student
Sara is a third-year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Guelph. She is passionate about the mental and physical health of both human and animal care professionals. She hopes to support Dr. Gohar’s research by helping communicate the lab’s findings through accessible formats such as social media. Sara has a strong interest in veterinary medicine as she can combine her deep interest in health care and love for animals. She works as a pharmacy assistant, volunteers at a veterinary clinic, and is active in helping support vulnerable communities. Outside academics, she plays competitive soccer, enjoys connecting with others through shared interests, and loves exploring local cafés and the outdoors.
Sofia Calabrese, BA Student
Sofia is a fourth-year Psychology student at the University of Guelph with a passion for mental health advocacy and research. In the lab, she helps translate key findings into accessible formats to broaden the lab’s reach. Her research interests include youth mental health, and she will be completing her honours thesis with the Child Development Research Unit in the upcoming academic year. Sofia also works as a Research Assistant with Student Wellness, where she supports the integration of survivor-centered practices into university policy to better support individuals impacted by sexual and gender-based violence. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, being outdoors, and rock climbing.