Program Staff and Student Assistants

Dr. Katie Aubrecht

Co-Director

Dr. Katie Aubrecht is an Associate Professor in StFX’s Department of Sociology Co-Director of the Centre for Aging and Disability Justice and Scientific Director of the Spatializing Care: Intersectional Disability Studies Lab at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX). Her work looks at marginality and mental health, rurality and resilience, across the lifespan as health equity and social justice issues.

She holds a Tier II Canada Research Chair Health Equity and Social Justice. Through this role, and using a team-based approach, she works with others to create, share and action knowledge to improve care and mental health of people in rural communities who face social and economic barriers. Her research uses participatory action approaches, meaning community members are involved in shaping the work. It has three goals: 1) Find promising ways to apply human rights principles to rural mental health care; 2) Study how these approaches affect health equity; 3) Share knowledge to promote social justice and inform policy in Canada and beyond.

Katie earned her PhD in Social Justice Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. She also holds a Master’s degree in Sociology with a focus on Critical Disability Studies from York University and a Bachelor of Arts Honours with Distinction in Sociology from St. Francis Xavier University. At StFX, Katie teaches courses that explore how society understands disability, mental health, and social difference, such as Social Policy, Disability and Culture, and Spaces and Places of Mental Healthcare.

Before joining the Sociology Department at StFX, Katie worked as a research coordinator and postdoctoral fellow at the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging at Mount Saint Vincent University, where she taught courses on Healthy Aging, Dementia, Critical Theories in Family Studies, and Care Policy. She later completed a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Health System Impact Postdoctoral Fellowship with Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care–Research, advancing evidence-informed approaches to person- and family-centered dementia care. Katie also serves on the Executive and Advisory Committees for CIHR’s pan-Canadian Health System Impact Training Platform, where she is a Co-Principal Applicant and champion for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Reconciliation.

Email: @email
Website: https://www.stfx.ca/carelab
Phone: 902-867-4845

Dr. Megan MacGillivray

Co-Director

Dr. Megan MacGillivray is an Associate Professor in the Interdisciplinary Health Program, Co-Director of the Centre for Aging and Disability Justice, and leads her research lab at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX). Her current work is focused on understanding the social prescribing landscape in Nova Scotia in hopes of identifying perceived barriers to inform strategies for successful implementation.

Social prescribing aims to address the social determinants of health and often focuses on reducing social isolation. Nova Scotians are at increased risk for social isolation due to the rapidly aging and largely rural population, as well as the high prevalence of Nova Scotians who experience disability.

Megan earned her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of British Columbia. She also holds a MSc degree in Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia and a BSc with Honours in Human Kinetics from St. Francis Xavier University. At StFX, Megan teaches courses that explore social determinants of health, aging and disability across the lifecourse from a public health lens, and health innovation. A focus on equity, diversity and inclusion is woven into all courses.

Before joining the Interdisciplinary Health Program at StFX, Megan worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the Psychology Department at StFX where she explored movement patterns of infants. Megan was employed on various research projects at the University of British Columbia including: self-management of a mobile app for spinal cord injury, long-term health outcomes among people with a rare condition (Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita), peer-based wheelchair skills training, and many other adaptive mobility studies.

Megan is passionate about exploring innovative solutions to health ‘problems’. Megan is an affiliate scientist with Nova Scotia Health, an Associate Scientist with Maritime SPOR Support Unit, and an Affiliate member of the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD).

Email: @email
Phone: 902-867-1268

Erin MacLellan

Project Coordinator

Erin MacLellan is a Program Assistant for the Generating Rural Opportunities for Wellbeing – Social Participation (GROW-SP) Collective Impact Initiative. She is from St. Peter's, Nova Scotia and recently graduated from StFX University with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science and a minor in Sociology with Distinction. She was an editorial board member for the 2024 and 2025 editions of Policy+, the undergraduate, peer-reviewed student journal by the Mulroney Institute of Government.

She worked as a Research Assistant with the StFX Spatializing Care Lab before starting as a Program Assistant with the Centre on Aging and Disability Justice.

Miko Moraleta

Communications Assistant

Miko Moraleta is a BBA Marketing student entering his final year at StFX. Based in Moncton, NB, Miko has a strong interest in bringing people together and creating meaningful connections. He previously served on the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee and co-founded the Moncton Intergenerational Discussion Group, an online initiative that brought seniors and youth together to help combat isolation during quarantine.

Outside of his studies, Miko enjoys photography through his creative project, MUSEOMIKO, as well as running and travelling. He's excited to bring his curiosity, creativity, and passion for community to this initiative, and looks forward to working alongside Dr. Aubrecht and Dr. MacGillivary.

Siona Chisholm

Research Assistant

Siona Chisholm is from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She is a 2025 and 2026 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Pre-Health Studies and a Master of Science in Business Analytics. While at Notre Dame, she competed as an NCAA athlete on the Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field team.

Her academic background spans pre-medical studies, psychology, and data analytics, with project experience across female health and sport performance, long term care, environmental health, and health analytics, including a graduate capstone project with Children’s Mercy Hospital focused on hospital readmission risk.

Siona hopes to pursue a future career in medicine and women’s health while contributing to interdisciplinary health research. Growing up in Antigonish, she is excited for the opportunity to work with the Centre for Aging and Disability and the GROW Project and to apply her background in health, research, and analytics to help support local communities. Outside of her academic and research interests, Siona enjoys distance running, hiking, baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Elizabeth Abler

Research Assistant

Elizabeth Abler is a student at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She is engaged in work related to sociology and community-based initiatives, with an interest in social issues and community wellbeing. Through her academic and applied work, she contributes to projects that support inclusive, community-driven approaches to research and practice.

Kate Benning

Research Assistant

Kate Benning is a third year Honours Sociology student at St. Francis Xavier University, where she is also pursuing a subsidiary in Development Studies. Originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Kate brings a deep interest in the social dimensions of health and rural life to her academic and research work. She joined the Spatializing Care Lab to contribute to interdisciplinary research exploring how mental health intersects with disability and rurality. In addition to her role as a student researcher with the lab, Kate supports event coordination and knowledge mobilization efforts for the Centre on Aging and Disability Justice, helping to bridge research, practice, and public engagement.

Logan Durant

Research Assistant

Logan graduated in 2025 from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Psychology, following a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health he received in 2024. Currently, he works as a Program Assistant for the Collective Impact Project, helping with the asset mapping piece of the project. Additionally, he works as a research assistant in the Prejudice Awareness and Reduction (PAR) lab, examining how Canadian immigrants use online spaces to express, advance and evolve their cultural identities in Canada, as well as investigating ideological constructs and their influence on racial prejudice in children. Logan is considering pursuing a career in clinical psychology, with hopes to apply his knowledge of mental health to clinical practice.

Logan’s research interests cover various topics, including mental health, psychopathology, child and adolescent psychology, cognitive psychology, and how these topics relate to and intersect with medicine and the medical field.

Aside from academic interests, Logan is also passionate about music, cooking, and socializing with friends and family.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/logan-durant-410182303

Emma Elliot

Student Assistant

I am a third-year sociology major at StFX, and I am all about people and nature! I love exploring how the outdoors brings people of all ages together and enhances overall well-being. I’m looking forward to expanding my knowledge through work with the GROW-SP project and the Spatializing Care Lab.

Najibah Chowdhury Kazi

Student Assistant

I am in my 2nd year in the BASC Health program. I started working in research last year under Dr. Katie Aubrecht, researching socio-structural barriers impacting older adult immigrants. I presented an abstract at the Dalhousie Interdisciplinary Health Conference on March 2025, and I also presented a poster in Student Research Day at St. FX 2025. Currently, I am doing research on local older adult population in Nova Scotia and I want to further my research skills.

You can find my abstract in this link here: https://ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/article/view/12476

Janet Kennedy

Research Assistant

I am from Ottawa, ON. I graduated in 2025 with a BASc in Health Honours, majoring in Biomedical Science and minoring in Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health. For my honours thesis, I conducted a scoping review examining post-partum pain management policies and practices for individuals who gave birth by cesarean section, under the supervision of Dr. Aubrecht. I am interested in women's and reproductive health, substance use and addiction medicine, and health equity, and I hope to make meaningful contributions to these areas through future research and community involvement. Outside of academics, a fun fact about me is that I played varsity rugby at StFX and have been playing rugby in New Zealand since completing my undergraduate degree!

Keira Landry

Student Assistant

My name is Keira Landry and I am a 4th year BA student with a major in Sociology and a minor in French. Upon graduation, I plan to continue my studies by pursuing a B.Ed. I grew up in the small village of St. Peters, Nova Scotia. My parents and brother still reside in the community. During high school, I worked multiple jobs, while maintaining a position as a waitress at the Bras D’or Lakes Inn. I continue to enjoy working in this position which has helped me develop a strong work ethic and improve my communication and problem-solving skills. Growing up, I immersed myself in many cultural experiences and performed on multiple stages. I sing and play the guitar as well as danced for many years and I was involved in several theatre productions at the Highland Arts Theatre in Sydney NS. Being on stage and working with so many unique individuals has helped me improve my confidence and teamwork skills and helped shape the person I am today. I am always up for a challenge. I enjoy meeting new people and learning about different perspectives.

Katie MacNeil

Research Assistant

Katie MacNeil graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health, First Class Honours with Distinction. Her honours thesis was a mixed-methods study examining the role of adaptive recreational programs in supporting the well-being of caregivers of children with disabilities in rural Nova Scotia, under the supervision of Dr. Megan MacGillivray and Dr. Erin Austen. She also completed a capstone project in partnership with the GROW – Social Participation project, focusing on disability confidence training in the volunteer sector. She is now building on these experiences as a Research Assistant with the Centre on Aging and Disability Justice, where her work centers on the Social Prescribing Accessibility in Nova Scotia project under the supervision of Dr. Megan MacGillivray.

Originally from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Katie will begin the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at Dalhousie University in January 2027, with a particular interest in rural healthcare and social prescribing. During her time at St.FX, she served as Co-President of the Health Society and Vice-President of the St.FX Medical Response Team. She has also held leadership roles within 4-H, most notably serving as Chair of the DEIA Committee for 4-H Nova Scotia and as a member of the DEI Committee while serving on the 4-H Canada Board of Directors.

Outside of academics and research, Katie enjoys coaching and playing volleyball.

Email: @email
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katherine-macneil

Nuala Murphy

Student Assistant

I am entering my fourth year at StFX in the Health Honours Program. My honours thesis, supervised by Dr. Megan MacGillivray will examine the role of social participation among bereaved older adults living in rural Nova Scotia. I am also the President of the StFX Health Society, which organizes events and activities for students in the Health Program.

I am interested in topics related to aging and health, and how social connection relates to physical health. I am interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and hope to continue exploring the relationship between social and physical health.

Lauren Neeve

Research Assistant

Lauren Neeve is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Sociology and a Subsidiary in Philosophy. Her honours thesis, Belonging Across Boundaries: Refining Purpose and Resilience through Narratives of Aging and Disability in the University Environment, explored aging, disability, and inclusion in higher education. She received the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Award upon graduation in recognition of her academic excellence.

Kate Steele

Research Assistant

Kate Steele is in her fourth year at StFX, where she is completing a double major in Psychology and Sociology. She brings research experience from the StFX Psychology Department and is passionate about supporting others. Kate draws on her lived experience with disability to contribute a deep understanding of people and their diverse needs. She is excited to join the project and looks forward to contributing meaningfully to ongoing research.

Reagan Strang

Research Assistant

Reagan Strang is a 3rd year student from Newfoundland pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health. In the lab, she is connected to the Rural Aging and Accessibility Network and collective impact initiative. She enjoys working in the community and is actively involved with organizations such as the Special Olympics both in her hometown and here in Antigonish. In the future, she hopes to become an Occupational Therapist and continue to work in the field of disability.

Sarah Warren

Research Assistant

Sarah Warren is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health with a concentration in Biomedical Sciences, graduating with First Class Honours. Her research honours thesis, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Home Care Nurses in Rural Nova Scotia, explored the experiences of home care nurses working in rural Nova Scotia during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of her undergraduate studies, she also completed a capstone project in partnership with Guysborough Memorial Hospital, where she explored the hospital’s virtual care program and identified opportunities to improve communication and knowledge of the program, as well as build trust among patients and providers. Her research interests include rural health, healthcare accessibility, aging, and improving health services for rural and underserved communities.