Harjot Suri
MSc Physiotherapy, McMaster (2026)
Harjot Suri is currently a graduate student in the MSc Physiotherapy program at McMaster University, with an expected graduation in 2026. He completed his Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Kinesiology at York University, where he also earned an Athletic Therapy Certification. As part of his undergraduate research in Dr. Kalu’s lab, he contributed to a scoping review on the use of wearable devices with and without sensors to improve the quality of life for older adults with dementia. In addition, Harjot holds a Seasonal Certified Athletic Therapist (CAT[C]) certification, reflecting his dedication to advancing his expertise in physiotherapy and athletic therapy.
Hila Broshi
B.Sc. Kinesiology & Athletic Therapy, YorkU
Hila has graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Kinesiology and Health Science, along with an Athletic Therapy Certificate, from York University. She is currently working as a certified athletic therapist in an interdisciplinary clinic at Pro-life Wellness Retreat. During her undergraduate studies, Hila co-authored a scoping review titled "Culture Matters: Stakeholders' Consideration of Culture in Older Adults' Mobility Assessment, Prevention, and Intervention." The goal of this project is to explore how culture and cultural competence impact physiotherapy care and rehabilitation for older adults. Hila hopes the findings of this review will guide clinicians in considering these factors to improve mobility outcomes for older adults.
Sonia Ibeh
B.Sc. Nursing, YorkU (2025)
Recipient of the CIHR Undergraduate Research Student Award, Summer 2024
Sonia Ibeh completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at York University in 2025 and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Health Informatics, with an expected graduation in 2026. During her time in the M4 and Aging Lab, she contributed to the project titled “Psychometric Properties of Cognitive Measures”, supporting efforts to strengthen the assessment tools used in research involving older adults. She currently works as a Digital Business Coach and remains passionate about combining healthcare knowledge with digital innovation to improve systems and outcomes.
Kosisochukwu Anyaegbunam
B.Sc. Nursing, YorkU (2025)
Recipient of the SSHRC Undergraduate Research Student Award, Summer 2024
Kosisochukwu Anyaegbunam completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at York University in April 2025. As a student researcher in the M4 and Aging Lab, she contributed to a project titled “Socially Focused Intelligent Assistive Technologies for Caregiving for Homebound Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Scoping Review.” Her work helped inform a growing body of knowledge on the role of socially-focused intelligent assistive technologies in improving care practices and addressing social isolation.
Helen Ihejiahi
B.Sc. Nursing, YorkU
Recipient of the SSHRC Undergraduate Research Student Award, Summer 2024
Helen Ihejiahi worked on a SSHRC URSA project in the M4 and Aging Lab that employed a comprehensive scoping review to determine the social needs of Black older persons that were addressed and those that were not. Using the Population, Concepts, and Context (PCC) paradigm, she was in charge of creating the search strategy, conducting the search across eight databases, and uploading the findings to Covidence. To ensure consistency, she collaborated with another student to develop the inclusion and exclusion criteria and to screen titles, abstracts, and full texts. She also extracted and visualized the data to help clarify the trends observed in the literature.
Ashley Chan
B.Sc. Kinesiology & Health Science, YorkU (2025)
Ashley Chan graduated in April 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Science from York University. In her final year, she completed an Independent Study in the M4 and Aging Lab, contributing to a scoping review on wearable mobility devices for older adults, with or without artificial intelligence (AI). Her work helped identify key benefits, challenges, and research gaps in the field. Ashley plans to pursue a career in dentistry.
Areeya Hillman
B.Sc. Kinesiology & Health Science, YorkU (2025)
Areeya Hillman completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University in 2025. In her 4th year of the program, she took on an Independent Study in the M4 and Aging Lab, where she conducted a scoping review of wearable mobility devices for older adults, with or without artificial intelligence (AI). Her work explored the applications, benefits, and limitations of these technologies. Areeya plans to pursue a Master’s degree after graduation.
Jessica Isacco
B.Sc. Kinesiology & Health Science, YorkU
As a Research Assistant in her final undergraduate year, Jessica Isacco screened articles, extracted data, and synthesized findings for a scoping review that explored the met and unmet needs of Black older adults and culturally appropriate self-management strategies for diabetes.
Sana Gondal
B.Sc. Biomedical Science, YorkU
Sana Gondal served as a volunteer researcher in the M4 and Aging Lab, where she contributed to the project “Met and Unmet Needs of Black Older Adults: A Scoping Review.” Her work supported the identification and synthesis of key literature addressing gaps in culturally responsive care for older adults.
Sana plans to continue her academic and research journey, with a focus on advancing evidence-based healthcare and improving health outcomes across diverse communities.
Peng Zixun
Mitacs GlobalLink Research Intern
Mitacs GlobalLink Research Intern, Summer 2025
Peng Zixun contributed to the M4 and Aging Lab as a Mitacs GlobalLink Research Intern, conducting qualitative thematic analysis of CAMAiW data and assisting with a scoping review focused on intelligent assistive technologies and aging. This work supported the lab’s ongoing efforts to advance research on technology-enabled approaches that enhance mobility and independence among older adults.
Peng intends to pursue graduate studies in Interaction Design or Game Design, with a focus on developing user-centered and inclusive technologies that promote accessibility and creativity.
Jonathan Wright
B.Sc. Kinesiology and Health Science, York University (2025)
Recipient of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Undergraduate Student Award, 2025
Jonathan Wright completed his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University in 2025. As a CIHR Student in the M4 and Aging Lab under the supervision of Dr. Michael Kalu, he contributed to a scoping review on cognitive and physical rehabilitation in older athletes. The project explored how intervention characteristics such as frequency, intensity, duration, type, volume, and progression influence health outcomes and social well-being.
Jonathan’s research helped identify trends and gaps in rehabilitation strategies to inform programs that support independence, performance, and quality of life in aging athletes.
Yetunde Ojebola-Afeyodion
B.A. Global Political Studies, York University (4th Year)
Yetunde Ojebola-Afeyodion was a fourth-year Global Political Studies student in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and a RAY (Research at York) student in Dr. Kalu’s lab.
She contributed to a scoping review exploring fake participants in research — specifically in virtual interviews. Her work supported screening and data extraction to identify strategies used to detect, prevent, and manage inauthentic participation in digital research settings.
Her research interests lie at the intersection of law, public policy, and aging. Yetunde plans to pursue graduate studies in legal administration or interdisciplinary policy research, aiming to work within institutions or think tanks that develop equitable and inclusive policy frameworks.
Her experience in the M4 & Aging Lab has strengthened her interest in safeguarding research integrity and understanding how digital innovations can support trustworthy, human-centred research practices.
Uchenna Ezeakunne
2nd Entry B.Sc. Nursing, York University (Year 1)
2025 Undergraduate Research Student Award (URSA) Recipient
Uchenna Ezeakunne was a first-year student in the Second-Entry Nursing program at York University and a 2025 URSA award recipient in Dr. Kalu’s lab.
She contributed to a scoping review on culturally appropriate self-management strategies for older adults living with diabetes. Her responsibilities included screening articles and extracting data to support evidence synthesis.
Uchenna plans to become a Registered Nurse and later a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, with a clinical and research interest in culturally responsive care and improving health outcomes for diverse aging populations.
Francisca Andrea Parra Rojas
Mitacs GlobalLink Research Intern
Mitacs GlobalLink Research Intern, Summer 2025
Francisca Andrea Parra Rojas contributed to the M4 and Aging Lab as a Mitacs GlobalLink Research Intern, where she participated in projects exploring the experiences of marginalized and aging populations. Her work included a qualitative case study on identifying homebound Black older adults and a systematic scoping review examining “fake” participants in virtual research interviews. Her broader research interests center on aging, migration, and emotional well-being, particularly in understanding how social and emotional factors influence care and inclusion.
Francisca plans to pursue graduate and doctoral studies in Public Health, Aging, Migration Studies, or Emotional Wellbeing. She aspires to become a university professor and researcher dedicated to advancing knowledge and promoting empathy and emotional competence in Social Work education and practice.
Katie Dawson-Amoah
SSHRC Undergraduate Research Student Award Recipient
Recipient of the SSHRC Undergraduate Research Student Award, 2025
Katie Dawson-Amoah was a student researcher in the M4 and Aging Lab, where she worked on the qualitative analysis of characteristics of homebound older adults in BIPOC communities. Her work involved transcribing qualitative data and conducting thematic analysis to explore how factors such as location, lived experiences, and social contexts influence homebound status among older adults.
Katie aims to pursue a career in nursing and become a nurse practitioner focused on patient-centered and community-based care.
Alexandria (Lexie) Waddington
MSc Physiotherapy, University of Northampton (2027)
Lexie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and an Athletic Therapy Certification from York University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Physiotherapy at the University of Northampton, with an expected graduation in 2027.
During her time in the M4 and Aging Lab, Lexie co-authored the scoping review “Culture Matters: Stakeholders' Consideration of Culture in Older Adults' Mobility Assessment, Prevention, and Intervention.” Her work contributed to a deeper understanding of how cultural factors influence mobility assessment and rehabilitation in older adults.
Beyond her research, Lexie has gained extensive experience in athletic therapy and rehabilitation. She has worked as an Athletic Therapist at Revibe Markham, served as Head Athletic Therapist and Clinic Coordinator at the Glendon Athletic Club, and assisted as a Therapist for the Markham Waxers U16 AAA Hockey Team.
Ambika Mehta
B.Sc. Kinesiology & Health Science, YorkU (2025)
Ambika Mehta completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University in 2025. In her final year, she undertook an Independent Study in the M4 and Aging Lab focused on the met and unmet needs of Black older adults. Her role involved screening articles and extracting relevant data to explore cognitive, environmental, financial, physical, personal, psychological, and social needs. Ambika aspires to pursue a master’s degree in physiotherapy.
Alexander Wakim
Independent Study, YorkU
Alexander Wakim completed an Independent Study on cognitive and physical rehabilitation interventions for older athletes. His review mapped the evidence on both individual and combined therapies and examined related health and social outcomes.
Aaliyah Sterling
BSc Kinesiology and Health Science, YorkU
Recipient of the Undergraduate Research Student Award (URSA), 2025
Aaliyah Sterling worked in Dr. Kalu’s lab as a 2025 URSA award recipient. She contributed to a systematic review investigating the presence and impact of fake participants in virtual research studies. Her responsibilities included screening abstracts using Covidence, conducting full-text reviews, extracting data, and documenting reasons for exclusion based on predefined criteria. This work supported efforts to strengthen online research quality by examining how fraudulent participation affects data integrity and by informing detection and prevention strategies for researchers.