Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab
Mitch and Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education, Ontario Tech University
Our Research Team
Dr. Jennifer Laffier
MHDA Lab Director​
Dr Jennifer Laffier is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University and a licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Psychotherapist with over 29 years of experience in the mental health field. As a licensed practitioner working with children, youth, post-secondary students, adults, and older adults, she specializes in Digital Wellness, Trauma therapy, Play-based therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Eco-Therapy (nature), and authentic happiness (flourishing). She researches and teaches in human development and mental health in the digital age. Her research topics include wellness during times of crisis, digital wellness, digital-self intelligence, emotional intelligence, life-long learning, ageism, bullying, digital drama, social media and mental health, healthy gaming behaviours, psycho-education, creativity, arts, play, and nature related to wellness. She presents nationally and internationally at conferences, community events and in schools and work environments on these various topics.
Aalyia graduated from the Life Science program at the University of Toronto in 2018, where she had majored in Psychology and Health Studies. She completed her Masters of Arts in Education, under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Laffier and Dr. Janette Hughes, and the Bachelor in Education program in 2021. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Education program at Ontario Tech University. Her research interests include digital wellness, child and youth mental health, identity development, digital technologies, art-making, and on-and-offline risk-and-resilience processes.
Aalyia Rehman​
Manager of Research and Innovation​
Mark Sayers
Doctoral Student
Mark Sayers is a Full-status and Treaty Ojibway Anishinaabe nini who grew up in his home community, the Garden River First Nation, near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Currrently, Mark is an enrolled student in the Doctor of Education Ed.D program at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ontario.
In addition to his Master of Education degree from Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ontario, Mark also earned a Bachelor of Education in Aboriginal Adult Education from Brock University in St. Catharines, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, and a Diploma in Anishinaabemowin Language Immersion from Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Melissa Farrow
Graduate Student
Melissa Farrow is a dedicated child and youth counsellor (CYC) and post secondary educator with experience in both clinical and educational settings. As a faculty member at Durham College and a second support clinician at SickKids, Melissa plays a pivotal role in the inpatient psychiatry and eating disorder unit, providing direct support and supervision to patients, families and frontline healthcare providers.
At Durham College, Melissa holds a project co-lead position, where she is spearheading a research-to-practice initiative that bridges college-based knowledge with community education. Her M.Ed. research investigates the impact of hybrid reflective supervision on enhancing mental health resilience and professional growth among healthcare providers. Melissa’s work emphasizes mental health resilience, and she is particularly passionate about advocating for mental health resources within healthcare and educational environments.
Angela Valela
Graduate Student
Angela completed her Bachelor of Science in mental health studies at the University of Toronto and later graduated from the Master of Arts in Education program at Ontario Tech University. She is pursuing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Angela is passionate about integrating digital technologies into trauma-informed care. Her research interests include digital media, youth and adolescent mental health, and digital wellness.
Putting research to practice, Angela is a dedicated community liaison where she assists community members during times of crisis.
Manager of Community Research and Outreach​​
Madison Westley​
Madison is a doctoral student in the Doctor of Education program at Ontario Tech University. She completed her Masters of Arts in Education at Ontario Tech in 2023, and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trent University, a Bachelor of Education from Queen's University, an eLearning Developer certificate from Durham College. Madison is passionate about child and youth mental health, digital media, trauma-informed care, community-based approaches to wellbeing, pop culture and student engagement, digital technologies, and accessibility in online learning​.
Shannon Shackles
Graduate Student
​Shannon is a high school chemistry and biology teacher in Brockville, Ontario. She graduated from the Bachelor of Science program at Carleton University in 2016, where she studied Biology and Psychology.
Shannon completed her Bachelor of Education at Ontario Tech University in 2018 and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Education program at Ontario Tech University. Her research interests include adolescent mental health, digital technologies, and virtual reality as therapeutic treatment.
Samantha Pereira da Silva
Graduate Student
Sam graduated with a BASc. in Kinesiology from the University of Guelph, where she developed a strong foundation in health, fitness, and wellness. She is currently pursuing her Master of Education at Ontario Tech University. In addition to her academic pursuits, Samantha is the co-owner of CrossFit Barrie, where she combines her passion for fitness with community building, helping individuals achieve their physical and mental well-being goals. Her role as an educator at Georgian College in Barrie further allows her to engage with diverse student populations in the areas of Fitness & Health Promotion and Wellness.
Sam’s research interests include social media use, digital wellness, child and youth mental health, athletic identity development, and resilience processes in both sports and educational settings. Her work aims to provide practical insights and strategies to support mental health and digital well-being in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.
Miron Boski
Graduate Student
Miron is a secondary teacher with the Durham District Schoolboard, teaching Biology, Science, and Math. He has taught in Ontario and internationally, including 18 months in South Korea. In addition to his teaching role, he works as a behavioral counselor, supporting students with diverse needs. Miron completed his undergraduate Life Sciences degree at McMaster University in 2017, his B.Ed. in 2023 at OTU, and is currently completing his M.Ed. project under the supervision of Dr. Laffier.
Miron's research interests include the impact of social media on adolescent well-being and academic outcomes, digital wellness, resiliency, and strategies to support student success in online and blended learning environments.
Lindsey Clapham
Graduate Student
Lindsey is a graduate student in the MED program at Ontario Tech University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education (BPHE), and Bachelor of Education (BEd) from Nipissing University. Lindsey is currently working as an OCT-certified teacher at BWDSB, and DDSB, with senior and intermediate qualifications in Biology & Physical Education. Lindsey has a passion for mental health, specifically the mental health of adolescence. Her research interests look to create more trauma-informed teaching in schools through the use of technology.
Michelle Reiterer
Graduate Student
Michelle is a student in Ontario Tech’s Master of Arts, Education program. She is also a Board Certified assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA) and has over a decade of experience implementing, creating and overseeing Applied Behaviour Analytic (ABA) programming for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other exceptionalities. Michelle is passionate about mental health, education, equity and social justice for individuals living with exceptional circumstances.
Lauren Luchka
Graduate Student
Lauren is an early years teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and a graduate student in education at Ontario Tech University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from the University of Winnipeg. Lauren has over a decade of experience teaching students from kindergarten through grade four, and is a certified Reading Recovery Teacher. She has a deep interest in mental health and well-being, bullying, literacy, digital technology, popular culture and student engagement.
Dr. Radhi Al-Mabuk
President, Ad Astra Research Institute
Radhi H. Al-Mabuk is a professor of education in the Department of Educational Psychology & Foundations at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, a position he has held since 1990. Al-Mabuk received his Ph.D in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his M.S. in Community Counseling from Winona State University, and B.A. in Social Studies Education from St. Mary’s University.
His areas of expertise include child and adolescent development, human motivation, moral development, and instructional psychology. Dr. Al-Mabuk's current research interests are threefold: comparative education; academic transitions; and psychology of forgiveness and revenge.
Afsaneh Shafai
Registered Creative Arts Therapist
Frontenac Youth Services, Oshawa, ON
Alexandra Feder
Graduate Student
Alexandra is a graduate student in Ontario Tech’s Master of Education program. She is currently working as an OCT-certified elementary school teacher at YRDSB, with intermediate and senior additional qualifications. She is passionate about mental health, trauma outcomes within K-12 students, and exploring school as a context of human development.
Heidi Allum
Graduate Student
Heidi is a full-time educator with the Durham District School Board, with qualifications in primary/junior education. Heidi has a Masters of Arts in Education from University of Ontario Tech, a Bachelor of Education from Trent University, and a BA from the University of British Columbia.
Heidi’s research interests includes trauma-informed practice and care within education, and seeks to create trauma-informed classrooms, schools, and communities through use of literature, writing, self-expression, and teacher efficacy.
Heather Bickle
Sessional Instructor, Faculty of Education
Mental Health Counsellor, Ontario Tech University
Dr. Barb Perry
Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences
Director, Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism
MA Graduate Students
Mental Health in the Digital Age Graduate Course