Principal Investigator

Dr. Sonia Udod holds a PhD from the University of Toronto , an M.Sc. from Pace University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan.

She brings extensive experience in nurse retention, leadership development, and health system improvement. Her work focuses on understanding the real challenges nurses and healthcare leaders face and using that evidence to develop strategies that strengthen leadership, improve workplace conditions, and support better care.

Research Supervisor/Manager

Komal is a health services researcher with a strong academic foundation in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, specializing in musculoskeletal disorders and sports medicine. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in these fields.

With over a decade of experience as a Physiotherapist, Research Assistant, and Research Coordinator in diverse settings across Canada and internationally, Komal brings a wealth of expertise to her work. Her research interests span qualitative and quantitative methodologies, evidence synthesis, knowledge translation, health policy, health services research, and systematic and scoping reviews.

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Komal has been recognized with numerous scholarships and awards for her excellence in research and scientific contributions. As a woman in health sciences, she values inclusivity and collaboration, integrating lived experiences into her research approach.

Data Manager

Saba has been with the LEAD team since 2022. Her research interests include healthcare leadership, nurse advocacy, interdisciplinary studies, and improving nurses’ work environments. Saba holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Toronto.

Research Project Coordinator

Alycia brings experience in research coordination, healthcare administration, and community-based work.

Most recently, she worked with the Manitoba Métis Federation as a Research Project Coordinator, supporting health and environmental research through funding, project coordination, qualitative data collection, and collaboration with community, academic, and government partners.

She has also worked in fast-paced healthcare settings, including the NICU at IWK Children’s Hospital, and as a research consultant on mental health projects. Alycia holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Business from Saint Mary’s University. She values teamwork, clear communication, and collaborative environments.

Research Project Coordinator

Sai is an epidemiology and health services policy researcher with expertise in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research. His research interests include health services research, healthcare policy, knowledge translation, evidence synthesis (including scoping reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses), and prospective cohort studies.

Prior to joining the LEAD Lab, Sai worked as a Junior Epidemiologist with Manitoba Health's Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit, where he contributed to population health research and surveillance initiatives. He has collaborated with multiple principal investigators at the College of Nursing, University of Manitoba, on a wide range of health research projects and has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. Sai is also actively involved in the peer-review process for several international health and medical journals, supporting the advancement of high-quality health research.

Research Project Coordinator

Gifty is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work explores food systems, health, sustainability, and social equity. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Manitoba, an MPhil from the University of Bergen, Norway and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana. With her combined background in anthropology and psychology, she draws on ethnographic research inquiry to understand people’s lived experiences.

Gifty is passionate about how research can inform more equitable policies and practices that create meaningful impact for communities. She brings extensive experience in interdisciplinary research projects focused on health, social determinants of well-being, freshwater fisheries, food systems, and equity, from her recent roles as Senior Research Associate at the University of Winnipeg and Research Coordinator at the University of Manitoba.

Gifty values evidence-based and collaborative research that advances knowledge and brings practical relevance for research participants, communities, service providers and policymakers.

Graduate Student/ Research Assistant

Vera is a Registered Nurse with over ten years of experience working with diverse communities across Ghana, West Africa. She cares deeply about strengthening health systems and supporting nurses in their work. Alongside her clinical background, Vera works as a Research Assistant, contributing to qualitative research through transcript checks, coding, literature reviews, and writing, helping ensure real experiences are reflected in meaningful research.

She is especially interested in nurse empowerment, resilience, and creating safer work environments. Vera values mentorship, community, and culturally responsive care, and believes that supporting nurses is key to building more equitable healthcare systems. She brings curiosity, integrity, and respect for people’s stories into everything she does

Nurse/Volunteer

Zhen is a Registered Nurse and a volunteer member of the LEAD team. She is also affiliated with the Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research at the University of Manitoba. Her clinical background includes acute neurosurgery, women’s health, urgent care, and community nursing. Her interests include nursing workforce development, transition to practice, healthy work environments, and health system improvement. Through her volunteer involvement with LEAD, Zhen contributes her clinical perspective and English-Mandarin bilingual communication experience to research and knowledge translation activities.