Dr. Laura Struik’s research focuses on understanding youth health behaviors, especially as it relates to tobacco and nicotine product use. A central element of her research is youth engagement, whereby diverse groups of youth are involved in the research process, from conceptualization through to knowledge translation. She is currently focused on developing and testing innovative solutions for preventing e-cigarette uptake among youth, as well as supporting youth in quitting e-cigarettes.

Dr. Gina Martin’s research focuses on understanding how the physical and social neighbourhoods where young people live, play, and learn influence their health. Much of her work focuses on understanding the effects of environments (social, built, and natural environments) on child and adolescent health and wellbeing. Dr. Martin has worked extensively on projects studying patterns of child and adolescent well-being and substance use. You can learn more about her work here: https://www.heyaresearch.ca/

My name is Laila Girum, and I am a 4th year Sociology major at Brescia University College in London, Ontario. Before joining the EPAV team, I worked alongside the rest of the ON team on a project called Teens Talk Vaping (TTV) and served as a member of the Human Environments Analysis Laboratory’s Youth Advisory Council (HEALYAC). From the HEALYAC to TTV, this current project’s focus on e-prevention and vaping is one I hold closely and believe I am equipped to offer a lot of insight on. That said, I am very excited to work alongside everyone on the EPAV team!

My name is Tanya Iwas, I am a Teacher Candidate at Western University’s Faculty of Education. In 2018, I began my journey at Western University’s Human Environments Analysis Lab as a volunteer and Youth Advisory Council member. Since then, I have had the privilege of transitioning through different roles and collaborating with wonderful colleagues in the lab who are part of this project. I look forward to using my background in athletics, passion for working with youth, and experience gained as a Teens Talk Vaping youth co-researcher to make a positive impact on the EPAV project and the greater community.

My name is Annie Cai, and I am a Grade 11 student at Kitsilano Secondary School in Vancouver. Through being a member of the BC Youth Advisory Council at McCreary, I became involved in the provincial government’s A-Z of vaping campaign and was introduced to the EPAV project in March 2023. I am excited to be involved in this project because its goal and message resonated with me, especially as a current high school student who sees vaping and its effects daily. I’m looking forward to working with the rest of the EPAV team towards making an impact on youth across the country!

My name is Adrian Delgado, and I am a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. I have been involved in the EPAV project since August of 2023. The EPAV project is rewarding to me because it promotes a healthy lifestyle for youth, which I believe is crucial to lifelong wellbeing.

My name is Kyla Christianson, and I am currently completing my Master of Science in Advanced Nursing at McGill University as a McCall MacBain Scholar. I have many friends and family members impacted by vaping and smoking, which initially sparked my interest in this research. I have been involved throughout my Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with the McCreary Center Society as a youth researcher looking at youth vaping throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. I also work as a research assistant with Dr. Laura Struik at the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s School of Nursing in cancer prevention through youth and young adult vaping and smoking research. I am passionate about research, nursing, cancer prevention, and health promotion and look forward to being a part of the EPAV team!

My name is Aliana Manji, and I am a third-year Public Health student at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Before joining the EPAV team, I was part of the Human Environments Analysis Lab’s (HEAL) Youth Advisory Council since its inception in 2018. I was one of the key leaders in the HEALYAC when we identified vaping as an issue, which not only shaped our focus at that time but also led to the creation of the Teens Talk Vaping (TTV) project. Building on the foundations laid by HEAL and TTV, I am now a youth co-researcher for EPAV, our latest initiative. I look forward to applying my strong advocacy for policy reform and my in-depth knowledge of youth substance abuse issues to our project!

My name is Amrit Dhami. I am currently a 2nd years nursing student at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. I was fortunate enough to become involved with the EPAV project in early September. Growing up in a community where vaping in adolescents is extremely common, this project resonated with me. I am enthusiastic to devote my time to collaborating with my fellow co-researchers as we help create a positive influence on youth nationwide.

My name is Marissa, and I am attending the University of British Columbia Okanagan to upgrade my nursing diploma to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Dr. Laura Struik spoke during one of my classes and sparked an interest in me with her research regarding vaping. I am personally impacted by an addiction injury, and I look forward to being an advocate for youth prevention. I am very excited to join the team and participate in the EPAV project.

My name is Roula Nawara. I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. In my first year, I was offered the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Laura Struik and Danielle Rodberg in the Youth Health Promotion and Cancer Prevention Lab. I have been heavily involved in a research project exploring youths’ experience using vaping cessation applications and the socioenvironmental factors that impact youths’ cessation journey. I enjoyed collaborating with youth through the process and look forward to collaborating with youths again for the EPAV project in creating vaping prevention campaigns together.