Team Members

Charlotte is Director of the Children’s Health Policy Centre and Professor Emerita in the Faulty of Health Sciences at SFU. Canada Research Chair in Children’s Health Policy (Tier 2, 2007–2018) and University Professor (2018–2023), she is a child and youth psychiatrist with longstanding interests in public health and health policy. After her basic training at UBC, Charlotte worked with First Nations communities across BC for eight years before going on to complete her MD followed by residencies and research training at McMaster University. She held faculty appointments at McMaster and UBC before joining SFU in 2006. Charlotte’s research focuses on improving social and emotional wellbeing for all children, and on the public policies needed to reach this goal. She has led or co-led: several qualitative studies depicting the child health policy process in Canada; the BC Healthy Connections Project, a randomized controlled trial evaluating the Nurse-Family Partnership program and showing successful outcomes including reduced prenatal substance exposure and improved early childhood mental health and learning; and a multi-decade program of providing systematic reviews to the BC Government on effective approaches for preventing and treating childhood mental disorders. Charlotte currently supports the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council’s long-term research project, Hishuk-ish Tsawalk, that focuses on child well-being. She also supports a McMaster-led study on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and learning for children across the country. In addition to her research, Charlotte mentors at SFU and consults with policymakers. As a psychiatrist, she also cares for disadvantaged children and youth — who inspire and inform every aspect of her research, mentoring and policy consultation.

Nicole Catherine is Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Children’s Health Policy Centre in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. She holds the Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Child Health Equity and Policy. She conducts research on the early prevention of child health inequities and on ensuring inclusion of underserved children– in both research and policy-making. With academic and policy partners, Nicole co-led the BC Healthy Connections Project (BCHCP), a randomized-controlled trial evaluating the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program (2011–2022). In partnership with policymakers, child-serving organizations and Indigenous communities, she conducts primary research with children and families e.g., on addressing barriers to service provision and on cultural adaptations of early prevention programs. Nicole collaborates with Indigenous leaders across Canada to understand the experiences of children of Indigenous mothers experiencing incarceration. She is a co-investigator for a Canadian digital mental health research training platform, and an expert advisor to two new international NFP trials — in the United States with multiparous mothers, and a trial in Norway. In addition to her research, Nicole is an instructor at SFU and enjoys the beautiful local mountains in her spare time.

Kim is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, SFU. She brings an applied public health perspective to her research and teaching that focuses on child and youth mental health, social determinants of health, and life course epidemiology. The primary focus of her research is investigating the social context factors within children’s early environments that are associated with future mental health and well-being throughout the life course and into the next generation. Kim is particularly interested in research that informs policy, and has worked with Child Development Monitoring teams in BC and Australia to embed routinely collected population child health monitoring data into policy and practice. Kim’s work applies an integrated knowledge translation approach, co-constructing research with community leaders, health service providers, and policy-makers to identify policy windows and maximize research impacts. Her collaborators include the BC Centre for Disease Control, Canadian Mental Health Association, and BC health authorities, school boards, and Ministries.

Christine is Adjunct Professor with the Children’s Health Policy Centre in the Faculty of Health Sciences at SFU. She is the lead Scientific Writer for the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly, an electronic publication designed to inform policy-makers, practitioners and the public about new research in children’s mental health. Christine has also co-authored commissioned reports and peer-reviewed articles on a variety of topics related to children’s mental health. Her teaching contributions include supervising and mentoring graduate students and research trainees. She also teaches senior undergraduate and graduate classes on children’s mental health at SFU. In addition, Christine has a clinical psychology practice which focuses on providing evidence-based mental health services to adolescents who are in conflict with the law.

Jen is a Senior Research Manager overseeing various research projects for the Children’s Health Policy Centre in the Faculty of Health Sciences at SFU. She provides leadership in developing the methodologies, protocols and processes for conducting systematic reviews, the basis of various academic publications and reports produced by the Centre. Her work includes the  Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly, our electronic publication designed to inform policy-makers and practitioners about new research on effective mental health prevention and treatment interventions for children. She has co-authored commissioned reports and peer-reviewed journal articles on topics related to children’s mental health. Earning her Masters of Public Health at SFU, Jen’s scholarly interests, training and experience have focused on integrating research and policy and practice in promoting children’s wellbeing.

Rosemary Lever is a Research Associate supporting various research projects for the Children’s Health Policy Centre in the Faculty of Health Sciences at SFU, particularly the BC Healthy Connections project (BCHCP). Rosemary has worked with the BCHCP since commencement of the study, providing leadership in the development of protocols, methodologies, data collection procedures, and study team management, under the oversight of the Scientific Director Nicole Catherine. She is currently coauthoring manuscripts on BCHCP outcomes and assisting in the development and administration of long-term follow-ups. Rosemary developed an interest in the social factors affecting children’s health and development when she pursued her MA in Developmental Psychology at Carleton University and has worked in public health research for more than a decade.

Jessica is a Research Assistant with the Children’s Health Policy Centre in the Faculty of Health Sciences at SFU. In her role, she supports ongoing research projects, including the long-term follow-up of the BC Healthy Connections Project (BCHCP), a scientific evaluation of the Nurse-Family Partnership prevention program, and the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly, our electronic publication designed to inform policy-makers and practitioners about new research in children’s mental health. After completing a BA in Health Sciences at SFU, Jessica developed an interest in public health, particularly in promoting children’s wellbeing.

Oliver is a Research Assistant for the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly, our electronic publication designed to inform policy-makers and practitioners about new research in children’s mental health.In this role, he synthesizes academic materials for the centre’s systematic review. After completing a BA in Psychology from the University of Victoria, Oliver sought to become familiar with the health-policy sector and contribute to research within the field. Outside of his work on the Quarterly, he also provides support on day-to-day research operations.

Yufei is Research Associate for the BC Healthy Connections Project, a scientific evaluation of the Nurse-Family Partnership prevention program.He completed his early academic work at Renmin University of China, where he earned a Master’s degree in Economics. Yufei developed an interest in the statistical and economic evaluation methods for health care programs while earning his Master of Public Health degree at the University of Alberta. Yufei obtained extensive experience in clinical and health administrative data working as a health economist in the Institute of Health Economics (Edmonton). In addition to the Children’s Health Policy Centre, Yufei also works as a statistician for the Arthritis Research Canada.

Melodie is the Production Editor for the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly, our electronic publication designed to inform policy-makers and practitioners about new research in children’s mental health. She is a communications strategist experienced in editing, web design and visual communications. Her primary focus is the Quarterly, but she also provides communications counsel, manages the Children’s Health Policy Centre website and helps the centre share our work with the community.

Tim is a certified general accountant who manages the Children’s Health Policy Centre’s funding and strategic planning, and who oversees the centre’s financial, accounting and human resources systems. As well, he oversees all funding agreements to ensure that they comply with contractual terms and conditions. He has long valued working in the children’s mental health arena.