Dr. Alex Abramovich is a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and an Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Dr. Abramovich holds a Canada Research Chair in 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness and Mental Health, and is an award winning, internationally recognized leader whose program of research aims to investigate and improve the health and social inequities experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. Dr. Abramovich has been addressing the issue of 2SLGBTQ+ youth homelessness for over 15 years. His research has led to ground-breaking practice and policy reform, including the launch of Canada’s first dedicated transitional housing program for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. He has worked closely with all levels of government to develop policies, strategies, and programs that address the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Dr. Abramovich is committed to research that successfully and ethically engages marginalized populations.
Nicole Elkington is a Research Coordinator at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, with a strong academic background from the University of Guelph and Brock University. Specializing in data analysis and project management, she enjoys deriving insightful findings from complex datasets, with a keen interest in supporting 2SLGBTQ+/queer communities and exploring the nuances of youth homelessness. Nicole is passionate about research that promotes equity and inclusion as evidenced through her engagement in research that emphasizes the representation of marginalized groups.
Nicole Elkington is a Research Coordinator at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, with a strong academic background from the University of Guelph and Brock University. Specializing in data analysis and project management, she enjoys deriving insightful findings from complex datasets, with a keen interest in supporting 2SLGBTQ+/queer communities and exploring the nuances of youth homelessness. Nicole is passionate about research that promotes equity and inclusion as evidenced through her engagement in research that emphasizes the representation of marginalized groups.
John Segui (he/him) is a Registered Social Worker and a Ph.D. student at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. He is also a research trainee at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). John received his Bachelor of Social Work at the University of British Columbia and Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto. Before his doctoral work, John worked in-patient and outpatient mental health settings as a psychotherapist. His doctoral dissertation focuses on the mental health outcomes of young Asian-Canadian sexual minority men experiencing stigma in dating apps (i.e., Grindr, Tinder, Hinge, Bumble).
John Segui (he/him) is a Registered Social Worker and a Ph.D. student at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. He is also a research trainee at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). John received his Bachelor of Social Work at the University of British Columbia and Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto. Before his doctoral work, John worked in-patient and outpatient mental health settings as a psychotherapist. His doctoral dissertation focuses on the mental health outcomes of young Asian-Canadian sexual minority men experiencing stigma in dating apps (i.e., Grindr, Tinder, Hinge, Bumble).
Dr. Katie MacEntee is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in the University of Toronto. Her research is interdisciplinary and spans the areas of health and education with a focus on the use of participatory visual methodologies to study peer navigation and HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, youth homelessness, and access to disability accommodations in experiential education. She has worked internationally and in diverse rural and urban settings with youth and adults to explore these topics. She has a special interest in cellphilm method, which integrates mobile technology into participatory video-making. Using local technology and Do-It-Yourself techniques, these approaches leverage everyday media practices for knowledge creation and mobilization. In 2023, she published her second book on the topic: Cellphilm as a Participatory Visual Method: Mobilizing opportunities for research, teaching and social change.
Dr. Katie MacEntee is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in the University of Toronto. Her research is interdisciplinary and spans the areas of health and education with a focus on the use of participatory visual methodologies to study peer navigation and HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, youth homelessness, and access to disability accommodations in experiential education. She has worked internationally and in diverse rural and urban settings with youth and adults to explore these topics. She has a special interest in cellphilm method, which integrates mobile technology into participatory video-making. Using local technology and Do-It-Yourself techniques, these approaches leverage everyday media practices for knowledge creation and mobilization. In 2023, she published her second book on the topic: Cellphilm as a Participatory Visual Method: Mobilizing opportunities for research, teaching and social change.
Michael Silberberg is a Research Analyst at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Queen’s University, where he completed his undergraduate thesis exploring the ways in which people across a wide range of gender/sex and sexual identities understand their own sexual attractions. At the 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Health and Homelessness Lab, Michael is working to support research projects investigating transgender youth’s utilization of healthcare resources, and 2SLGBTQ+ youth’s experiences with hidden homelessness. He is passionate about engaging in research which works to bolster 2SLGBTQ+ communities by addressing pressing social inequities, and fostering positive change.
Michael Silberberg is a Research Analyst at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Queen’s University, where he completed his undergraduate thesis exploring the ways in which people across a wide range of gender/sex and sexual identities understand their own sexual attractions. At the 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Health and Homelessness Lab, Michael is working to support research projects investigating transgender youth’s utilization of healthcare resources, and 2SLGBTQ+ youth’s experiences with hidden homelessness. He is passionate about engaging in research which works to bolster 2SLGBTQ+ communities by addressing pressing social inequities, and fostering positive change.
Sarah Scott, HBSc. is a PhD student at the University of Toronto studying the role of intersectional identity on stress psychophysiology. At the 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Health and Homelessness Lab, Sarah is working as a Research Practicum Student to investigate transgender Ontarians’ experiences accessing and receiving healthcare as shared on Reddit. Her interdisciplinary research interests include stress physiology and psychology, trauma (specifically psychosocial), intersectional identity, and resilience interventions.
Sarah Scott, HBSc. is a PhD student at the University of Toronto studying the role of intersectional identity on stress psychophysiology. At the 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Health and Homelessness Lab, Sarah is working as a Research Practicum Student to investigate transgender Ontarians’ experiences accessing and receiving healthcare as shared on Reddit. Her interdisciplinary research interests include stress physiology and psychology, trauma (specifically psychosocial), intersectional identity, and resilience interventions.
The 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Health and Homelessness Research Lab, led by Dr. Alex Abramovich, applies community-based, action-oriented, mixed-methods research to investigate and address the health and social inequities and systemic and structural barriers to health, wellbeing, and housing experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ youth and young adults. We aim to provide evidence-informed recommendations for innovative solutions to prevent, reduce, and end 2SLGBTQ+ youth homelessness nationally and internationally.