ASSOCIATE ProFessor
Dr. Fiona Schulte
Fiona Schulte is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She is also a registered psychologist in the Hematology, Oncology, and Transplant Program at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, and Associate Dean of Research Grants at the Cumming School of Medicine. Fiona’s research is broadly interested in enhancing the patient and family experience for patients diagnosed with cancer and improving the psychosocial late effects of childhood, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. She has a specific interest in the social competence outcomes in survivors who have received toxic therapies directed at the central nervous system. Fiona is a former Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology. She is also a member of a number of national and international committees focused on improving the care of pediatric and AYA cancer patients, survivors, and their families including the Children’s Oncology Group Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines psychosocial task force. In addition to the SIOP Young Investigator award, she has been recognized for her research by receiving the 2018 International Psycho-Oncology Society Hiroomi Kawano New Investigator Award and Calgary’s Avenue Magazine Top 40 Under 40 in 2017.
Education
PhD, University of Toronto
Social and Behavioral Health Science
MA, York University
Clinical Psychology
BA (Honours), Queen’s University
Psychology
Collaborator
Dr. Sharon Hou
Sharon Hou is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. She is also a Psychologist and Investigator at BC Children’s Hospital. She was previously a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Calgary, as well as a Postdoctoral Fellow at BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia. Sharon’s postdoctoral work was supported by the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute and the Cumming School of Medicine Postdoctoral Scholarship at the University of Calgary, and the Michael Smith Health Research BC Trainee Award.
Sharon’s research program focuses on social and cultural determinants of child health. She has a special interest in the study of multicultural groups (immigrant families), acculturation, and cultural characteristics (values, attitudes, beliefs) in relation to child and family outcomes. As a collaborator with the CARE4Kids Lab, Sharon is investigating cultural influences in pediatric cancer survivorship and developing a national, culturally responsive intervention to engage survivors of pediatric cancer in their follow-up care. Sharon was the 2024 recipient of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Postdoctoral Award from the University of Calgary, which recognizes her commitment to championing health equity and cultural considerations in research, teaching, and clinical care.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia, & BC Children’s Hospital
Psychosocial Oncology, Psychology, & Pediatrics
Predoctoral Residency, Alberta Children’s Hospital
Pediatric and Child Clinical Psychology
PhD, University of Guelph
Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
MSc, University of Guelph
Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
BA (Honours), University of California, Los Angeles
Psychology and French (Majors)
Applied Developmental Psychology (Minor)
COLLABORATOR
Dr. Perri Tutelman
Dr. Tutelman is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Chair in Transdisciplinary Digital Mental Health at the University of Calgary. Her research expertise is centered at the intersection of psychosocial oncology, digital mental health, and pain. Dr. Tutelman’s doctoral research at Dalhousie University was focused on examining the relationship between pain and fear of cancer recurrence in survivors of childhood cancer. Her work has been recognized nationally and internationally, including by the World Health Organization as evidence on the burden of cancer-related chronic pain in children. As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Tutelman also provides clinical care to children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs).
Dr. Tutelman is a leader in patient engagement in research. She works closely with patient partners to co-design research that addresses what matters most to patients and their families. Dr. Tutelman co-led a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership to establish the Top 10 research priorities for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer in Canada (#AYACancerPSP). She was a 2021 recipient of the inaugural Research Impact Canada Engaged Scholarship Award for her work to increase awareness outside academia and change stakeholder practices and guidelines in the area of cancer pain.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Calgary & Cancer Care Alberta
Psychosocial Oncology
Predoctoral Residency, Alberta Children’s Hospital Pediatric & Child Clinical Psychology
PhD, Dalhousie University Clinical Psychology
BHSc (Honours), McMaster University Child Health Specialization
Collaborator
Dr. Brooke Russell
Brooke Russell is a clinical psychologist and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Ottawa. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Calgary in 2024. Her research interests focus on fear of cancer recurrence and other psychosocial outcomes for survivors of childhood cancer (e.g., sleep, pain, symptom burden, quality of life). She is currently working on adapting the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Therapy (FORT) intervention for adolescent and early young adult survivors of childhood cancer and developing a new questionnaire to measure fear of cancer recurrence experienced by pediatric patients. Her clinical interests are in clinical, health, and rehabilitation psychology and she has a small clinical practice seeing children, teens, and young adults with cancer.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Ottawa
Psychosocial Oncology
Predoctoral Residency, Edmonton Consortium
Lifespan Clinical, Health, and Rehabilitation Psychology
PhD, University of Calgary
Clinical Psychology
MSc, University of Calgary
Clinical Psychology
BA (Honours), University of Calgary
Psychology
Postdoctoral fellow
Dr. Ismay de Beijer
Ismay de Beijer is a postdoctoral fellow at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Pedagogical Science from the Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. During her studies, she specialized in research and participated in the Honours Program in Social Sciences. She also gained international experience through an exchange program in Lima, Peru, where she wrote her Bachelor's thesis on academic resilience.
In addition, Dr. de Beijer holds a Research Master's degree in Behavioral Science, where she graduated cum laude and participated in an interdisciplinary Honours Program. Throughout her academic career, she held multiple student assistant and research positions, including work at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior. In 2021, she started her PhD at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht, focusing on long-term follow-up care and health behaviors in childhood cancer survivors. She defended her thesis entitled "Optimizing survivorship care" in January 2025.
With a strong passion for improving the health outcomes, health behaviors, and well-being of children and adolescents who have survived cancer, she is dedicated to advancing her research career. Her current work in the Care4Kids lab is supported by the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute and the Cumming School of Medicine Postdoctoral Scholarship at the University of Calgary.
Education
PhD, Utrecht University | Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology
Childhood Cancer Survivorship Care
MSc (Honours), Radboud University Nijmegen
Behavioral Science
BSc (Honours), Radboud University Nijmegen
Pedagogical Science
PHD Student
Hailey Zwicker
Hailey is a PhD student in the Medical Science program under the supervision of Dr. Fiona Schulte. She obtained her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Neuroscience from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Master of Science in Medical Science from the University of Calgary. Hailey has been fortunate to be a member of the CARE4Kids Lab and grow her interest in pediatric psychosocial research. She specifically is interested in children with Sickle Cell Disease, and how this disease and related environmental factors impacts psychosocial health. Her research interests include pediatric medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and intersectional health care. She is passionate about expanding knowledge and understanding of underrepresented populations in Western medicine and healthcare to aid in the future development of treatments and management strategies. In her spare time, Hailey enjoys playing field hockey, volunteering, and spending time outdoors with her schnoodle, Winnie.
Education
MSc, University of Calgary
Medical Science
BSc (Honours), Dalhousie University
Neuroscience
PHD STUDENT
Martina Ospelt
Martina is a PhD student in Health Sciences at the University of Lucerne, Switzerland, and is joining the CARE4kids Lab as a visiting researcher for six months. She holds a Master’s degree with a specialization in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine as well as Social Neuroscience and Social Psychology from the University of Bern. Before that, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration also from the University of Bern. Throughout her studies, she worked as a student assistant at the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the University of Bern and completed a research internship in sleep research at the University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in Bern. For her master’s thesis, she conducted case studies to determine the role of psychological variables in a telerehabilitation application for post-stroke aphasia. In October 2022, she started her PhD in Health Sciences at the University of Lucerne, focusing on the socio-bureaucratic hardships of survivors and parents after childhood cancer. In her spare time Martina enjoys spending time outside, being active, or reading a good book.
Education
MSc, University of Bern
Psychology
BSc, University of Bern
Psychology and Business Administration
Master’s graduate
Mehak Stokoe
After graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Mehak continued on as a Research Assistant for the CARE4Kids Lab, before pursuing a Master of Science in School and Applied Child Psychology. Her research interests include understanding educational outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer and exploring the relationship between brain regions and social outcomes. When she can, she enjoys painting, hiking and snowboarding.
Education
MSc, University of Calgary
School and Applied Child Psychology
BSc, University of Calgary
Psychology
Master’s Student
Rachelle Drummond
Rachelle Drummond is a Master of Science student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Calgary. Originally from Edmonton Alberta, Rachelle holds a Bachelor of Arts from MacEwan University with a double major in psychology and political science. In 2022, Rachelle earned a Master of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, where her research focused on health policy, specifically in the realm of Canadian follow-up guidelines and policies for childhood cancer. She earned her Master of Science in Community Health Sciences in 2024 from the Cumming School of Medicine, where her thesis focused on healthcare utilization among young-adult survivors of childhood cancer. Rachelle’s research passions include patient and survivor empowerment, improved knowledge sharing between health care workers and patients, post-traumatic growth, and health system sustainability. In her spare time, you can find Rachelle outside biking, hiking, skiing, climbing, or reading a good book.
Education
MSc, University of Calgary Community Health Sciences
MPP, University of Calgary Health Policy
BA, MacEwan University Psychology & Political Science
MASTER’S STUDENT
Heide Adham
Heide is pursuing a Master of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary. She obtained her Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) from the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the social competence of survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and solid tumours. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, painting, writing and lifting! She also has too many cats.
Education
BHSc (Honours), University of Calgary Biomedical Sciences
MASTER’S STUDENT
Simron Sidhu
Simron is a Master of Science student in the Medical Science program at the University of Calgary. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular Biology from the University of Calgary, with additional studies in Patient Engagement in Research. Simron's work is driven by a passion for integrating lived experiences into health problem-solving, fostering meaningful partnerships between communities and the healthcare system. His research interests include how immigrant populations interact with the health system, seeking to understand and address barriers to equitable care. Simron is also deeply committed to improving child and youth mental health, working to create a more inclusive and accessible healthcare landscape. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, he aims to drive systemic change that benefits marginalized populations. Outside of his research, Simron enjoys playing soccer and spending time with his puppy, Mocha.
Education
BSc, University of Calgary Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology
Honour’s Student
Emma Houghton
Emma completed a summer studentship with the CARE4Kids Lab. She is continuing her research on the mental health, executive function, and pain experience of survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as part of her honour’s degree in Psychology.
Honour’s Student
Simone Garneau
Simone completed a summer studentship with the CARE4Kids Lab. She is continuing her research on the pain narratives of adolescent and young adults transplanted for sickle cell disease, as part of their honour’s degree in Psychology.
Research PROGRAM MANAGER
Caitlin Forbes
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology from the University of Calgary, Caitlin moved abroad and completed internships at the KU Leuven, Belgium, and at the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development at the University of London, England. Caitlin returned to Calgary and began working at the CARE4Kids Lab as a Research Coordinator in 2017 where she developed a passion for psychosocial oncology. Outside of the lab, Caitlin enjoys learning to play guitar, playing softball, and traveling every chance she gets.
Education
BSc, University of Calgary
Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology
Research Coordinator
Brianna Henry
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Honours) from the University of Calgary, Brianna has continued working with the CARE4Kids Lab as a Research Assistant and Coordinator. Outside of academia, Brianna loves adventuring with her English Bulldog, Charlie.
Education
BSc (Honours), University of Calgary
Psychology
RESEARCH COORDINATOR
Jenny Duong
Jenny completed the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology program at the University of Calgary with the CARE4Kids Lab, and continued their research as a Research Assistant and Coordinator. They are passionate about the intersectionality of social identities and their role in population health outcomes, and aspires towards making a difference in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer, health equity research, and social policy. In their free time, Jenny likes to lift, game, read, and play music.
Education
BSc (Honours), University of Calgary
Psychology (Major)
Health & Society (Minor)
RESEARCH Coordinator
Amanda Button
Amanda is a Research Coordinator with the CARE4Kids Lab, supporting research on social outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer and youth affected by sickle cell disease.
Research Assistant
Tristyn Ranger
Tristyn graduated from the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology program from the University of British Columbia Okanagan and has lived experience as a cancer survivor since his diagnosis in 2017. He has been continuously involved with the cancer community for the last 7 years, working alongside various organizations and with families navigating a recent diagnosis. Tristyn is thrilled to contribute to a field that he is passionate about.
Education
BSc (Honours), University of British Columbia Okanagan
Psychology
Research assistant
Intisar El Houjairy
Intisar is a Research Assistant with the CARE4Kids Lab. She previously completed a summer studentship with the lab, researching sleep disturbances and wellbeing in pediatric cancer patients and their caregivers treated in hospitals or at home. Intisar is supporting research on suicidality and other outcomes of pediatric cancer survivors.
Research assistant
Emily Memedovich
Emily is a Research Assistant with the CARE4Kids Lab. She previously completed a summer studentship with the lab, researching the lived experiences of partners of individuals diagnosed with testicular cancer. Emily is supporting research on establishing and following cohorts of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors, to understand the long-term impacts of cancer treatment in this population.
PAtient and Family Partner
Victoria Forster
Dr. Vicky Forster is a postdoctoral research associate at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Her current work focuses on genetic pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes and researching better treatments for hypermutant cancers. She is also a 25-year survivor of childhood leukemia and has a keen interest in the short- and long-term effects of childhood cancer on survivors. She is a patient partner on Michaela Patton's project in Dr. Fiona Schulte's research group, looking at characterizing pain in long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Vicky is also a science writer contributing frequent articles to Forbes and oncology-focused websites. In her free time, Vicky enjoys seeing live music, exploring new places and is currently trying to learn how to ice-skate.
PAtient and Family Partner
Madison Tutt
Madison Tutt couldn’t wait to start high school. The athletic young Calgarian had her sights set on the volleyball team, but it was at a tryout that she started feeling pain. After a number of doctors and tests, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and immediately started chemotherapy to address the 15-pound tumour that was growing in her abdomen. Her hair started falling out on Christmas Day and she worried about how she would keep up with school and friends, as chaos and uncertainty swirled around her. Chemotherapy efforts failed but a surgery was able to remove the mass, bringing with it other complications. When it started to feel overwhelming, she was introduced to the psychosocial oncology team at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. They helped to carry the weight and let her know that her feelings were normal. Madison has been cancer-free since 2014 but still experiences side effects, including nerve pain, nausea and numbness in her legs. She says something new presents every few months, and she doesn’t expect it will stop. A strong-willed and positive young woman, she hasn’t let it keep her down and approaches each day with a maturity beyond her years. But sometimes she wishes she didn’t know so much.
PAtient and Family Partner
Janelle Gibson-Haerle
Janelle Gibson-Haerle is mother of a survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Her journey started when her daughter was diagnosed at age 4, and continues with her now 12-year old survivor. Gibson-Haerle wishes to support ongoing research to help improve the lives of childhood cancer survivors. As parent advisor to this powerful team, Gibson-Haerle provides input and feedback on research studies from the patient and family point of view.
Volunteers
Ayla Baber
Luciana Zapata Suárez
ALUMNI
Past Graduate Trainees
Michaela Patton (PhD Clinical Psychology)
Kaelyn McDonald (MSc Neuroscience)
Pauline Holmer (Visiting PhD Student, Clinical Psychology, University of Lucerne)
Sara Cho (MSc Community Health Sciences)
Past Undergraduate Students
Holly Wright (Visiting Medical Student, University of Alberta)
Tessa Chomistek (BSc (Hons) Psychology)
Andrew Tran (BSc (Hons) Psychology)
Elleine Allapitan (BSc (Hons) Psychology)
Chidera Nwaroh (Medical Research Practicum)
Courtney Tromburg (BA (Hons) Psychology)
Morgan Young-Speirs (Health & Society Research Practicum)
Lindsey Trepanier (BSc (Hons) Psychology; Research Assistant)
Hayley Wroot (Visiting Summer Student, University of British Columbia; Research Assistant)
Matthew Yeung (Summer Student)
Janelle Morhun (BA (Hons) Psychology; Research Assistant)
Past Visiting Scholars
Emma Rheel, PhD (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Past Research Assistants & Coordinators
Megan Mathison (Summer Research Assistant)
Araby Roberts (Research Assistant)
Favour Omobhude (Research Assistant)
Tessa Verhesen (Carrels) (Research Assistant)