The Team

Leslie Meredith

Research Project Manager

Biography: Leslie completed an MEd at the University of Ottawa and has been working at the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine for over 20 yrs. She has had the lead staff role on national, provincial and regional research projects. She is currently working with Dr. Mathews on a variety of research projects focused on health services in primary care.

Dana Ryan

Research Associate

Biography: Dana Ryan is Master’s trained with approximately 15 years of experience working in an academic research capacity. She currently works as a Research Associate with the Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University and with the Faculty of Nursing at Memorial University. She has research expertise in mixed methods studies and has contributed to a number of projects involving physician retention, the development of competencies for registered nurses in primary care, post-graduate medical education, patient access to health care services, pandemic planning for primary care, the impact of funding models on nursing roles, and the development of a national post-licensure education program for nurses in primary care. Outside of research, she enjoys reading, travelling, hiking, and spending time with her pets.

Gillian Young

PhD student

Biography: Gillian completed her Bachelor's degree in the Arts and Science program at McMaster University and her MSc in Epidemiology at Western University. She is now in her second year of her PhD in Epidemiology at Western University under the supervision of Dr. Maria Mathews. Her master's thesis was titled "An evaluation of the physician retention program in Newfoundland and Labrador". Her research interests include program evaluation, health services, and health policy. Gillian's doctoral thesis will focus on an economic evaluation of the Primary Care Diabetes Support Program at St. Joseph's Health Care in London, Ontario. Outside of research Gillian enjoys swimming, playing the cello, and spending time outdoors.

Jennifer Phung

MSc student

Biography: Jennifer completed her BSc in Health science with a minor in biology and chemistry at Wilfrid Laurier University and is now pursuing her MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University under the supervision of Dr. Maria Mathews. Jennifer's research interests include health policy, health economics, health equity, and pharmacoepidemiology. Her thesis explores the impact of funding models on the integration of registered nurses in primary health care teams. In her free time Jennifer enjoys swimming, running, playing chess, and reading.

Cole Wyman

Medical Student

Biography: Cole Wyman is currently in his first year of Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine based at the Windsor campus. Cole completed his undergraduate degree in Life Sciences and Economics at Queen’s University and his MSc in International Health Policy at the London School of Economics. Cole’s research interests include health policy, integrated patient care, and health systems. In his free time Cole enjoys staying active by playing basketball and baseball, baking, and watching movies.

Anika Garg

Medical Student

Ethan Zhang

Medical Student

Olla Hilal

Undergraduate Student

Biography: Olla is in her fourth year of her Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Western University specializing in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. She is currently working on her thesis looking at patients taking Ozempic at the Primary Care Diabetes Support Program at St. Joseph's Health Care in London, Ontario under the supervision of Dr. Maria Mathews. Her research interests include barriers to accessing clinical trials and health services. Outside of research, Olla enjoys figure skating and spending time outdoors, especially going on runs with her dog.

Isabella Spensieri

Graduate Student RA

Biography: Isabella completed her Bachelor of Health Sciences at Western University. She is now a Master's of Science (MSc.) student at Western University within the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences program. Her master's research lies within public health ethics and health policy, with a particular focus on mental and addictions care. Aside from her master's research, Isabella also has a keen interest in primary care and family medicine research— especially promoting equitable access to primary care— and so she is delighted to be supporting research in the Mathews Health Services Research Lab.

Nancy Zheng

Biography: Nancy is a third-year undergraduate student at Western University pursuing an Honours Bachelor's of Health Sciences. Nancy's research interests lie in health policy, health equity, and health services. Outside of research and her studies, Nancy enjoys taking walks, hiking, reading, and volunteering.