Our Team

Dr. Bonnie Freeman (she/her) Algonquin/Mohawk, Bear Clan, Six Nation of the Grand River Territory

Job title/Role in the project: 
Associate Professor (July 1, 2021) and Co-applicant/investigator
Program/University: School of Social Work, McMaster University
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I currently have one tattoo and thinking about another.
What energizes you outside of work/school?
My research projects with land and water from a Haudenosaunee perspective and how it contributes to well-being.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Friendly, creative, hardworking.

Dr. Christopher Stuart Taylor (he/him)

Job title/Role in the project: Co-investigator
Program/University: 
Department of History & Arts First Program, University of Waterloo
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I have a full sleeve that extends onto my left pec, calf piece, some text on my right arm, and a piece that covers my ribs. Have been getting tattooed since I was 15.
What energizes you outside of work/school? My dog, fitness, and running.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Relentless, loyal, ambitious.

Dr. Deborah Davidson (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: 
Associate Professor, Sociology and Co-investigator
Program/University: Sociology, York University
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
One large tattoo of my Tattoo Project book cover, and several small tattoos comprising a family portrait.
What energizes you outside of work/school? Sunshine, fresh air, and friends.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
As a qualitative researcher, I checked with several friends and compiled list of synonyms to create a thematic list of three: Intelligent, loyal and caring/compassionate. That said, my favourite which is not among these three, was ‘sparkling’!

Jin Sol Kim (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: PhD Candidate/Collaborator
Program/University: University of Waterloo, PhD English
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I have three tattoos and have at least one memorial tattoo in mind. But hopefully I won’t need to get it.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
My partner, my dog, my friends, eating good food with the former, creating things with my hands, and a nice evening sky.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
This is four, but “mischief in human form.”

Dr. Mary Ellen Macdonald (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Associative Professor/Co-Investigator
Program/University: Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 0/0
What energizes you outside of work/school?: 
Snowshoeing, pets, fun beverages.

Melissa Reid Lambert (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Counsellor/Collaborator
Program/University: 
N/A but I attended Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Waterloo 🙂
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I currently have 8 tattoos and may get more.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
My children, walks in nature, time spent with friends and travel.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Empathetic, funny and open.

Dr. Patrina Duhaney (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Assistant Professor/Co-Investigator
Program/University: University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? None.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
Spending time with family, exercising, listening to music.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Passionate, driven, tenacious.

Dr. Reisa Klein (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Co-Investigator
Program/University: Adjunct Academic Colleague,
Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I have one tattoo that I got when I was 17 years old.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
My daughter, Yoga, walking along Edmonton’s river valley with friends, and great conversation!
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Curious, enthusiastic, determined.

Samantha Teichman (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Research Manager
Program/University: 
PhD Student, Simon Fraser University–Gerontology
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 5
What energizes you outside of work/school? Cooking, running and sunshine!
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Determined, funny and compassionate.

Dr. Susan Cadell (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Principal Investigator
Program/University: Renison
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? Zero… so far.
What energizes you outside of work/school? Knitting.
Three words used to describe: Passionate, advocate, present.

Dr. Tara La Rose (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Co-Investigator
Program/University: School of Social Work, McMaster University
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? None.
But I use to love to get the tiny books of tattoos from the gum machine when I was little. I would like them and stick them all over my arms.
What energizes you outside of work/school? Gardening, cooking.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Stubborn, dependable, quirky.

Amanda Lougheed (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: 
Research student in a Master of Social Work Practicum
Program/University: 
Renison University College affiliated with University of Waterloo
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I have 6 tattoos but have plans for at least 3 more.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
I am a powerlifter, I love swimming, hiking and geocaching around Vancouver Island and seeing live music with friends.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Tenacious, open and genuine.

Charles Gillen (he/him)

Job title/Role in the project: 
Healing tattoos research assistant focusing on race and society today.
Program/University: Peace And Conflicts / University of Waterloo
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I currently have one arm covered in tattoos, as well as I have my side tattooed and 2 tattoos on my leg, shoulder and neck. I plan to continue to get tattoos, I won’t be covered in tattoos but close.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
I constantly want to continue to better myself and better the lives around me, even if I might not know you, I’m here on this earth with you and want to make it the best for the both of us.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Energetic, passionate, empathetic.

Cynthia Benoit (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: 
Research Assistant – helping with any tasks assigned 🙂 !
Program/University: University of Waterloo
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? I have none at the time, but I am getting two. Not sure what it will look like yet.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
My family, my garden, camping and really any outside activity.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
My Gosh I really do not know….I would hope they would say: honest (Maybe too honest sometimes), kind, trustworthy.

Hazel Kabibi Palmer (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: 
Research student in a Master of Social Work Practicum
Program/University: University of Waterloo–Bachelor of Social Work
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
None at the moment, no plans currently but very interested in learning and hearing about tattoos others have gotten.
What energizes you outside of work/school? Family, friends and my faith community! Building and giving back to the community.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Passionate, loyal and energetic.

Heather Van Kerkhoven (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Research assistant
Program/University: University of Waterloo, Masters of Social Work
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I have been thinking about getting a tattoo for a couple of years, but since Covid-19 hit the world that plan has been put on the back burner until I feel comfortable to go and travel.
What energizes you outside of work/school? I love spending time with my family and friends, they are the world to me. Once the weather is warm, I spend most of my days outside soaking up the sun. I enjoy being physically active when I can and also sitting down reading a good book before bed.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
I think my friends would describe me as easy going, caring, and witty.

Janessa Swanson (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: 
Student researcher, assisting with media content
Program/University: University of Waterloo, Social Development Studies
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I currently have no tattoos but I am planning on getting a bouquet of birth flowers to represent my loved ones as well as a nightingale to represent my own healing and growth.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
Outside of school I have a passion for the outdoors, photography, and baking. I love exploring new destinations around the city and learning new recipes to share with my family and friends.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Resilient, entertaining, compassionate.

Kuel Thomas (he/him)

Job title/Role in the project: I am currently a research assistant helping with the social media aspect of the project and creating my own digital story.
Program/University: 
University of Waterloo–Double Honours Legal Studies/Sociology
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I currently have 4 tattoos and plan to get a full sleeve on my right arm.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
Sports, reading, yoga, meditation, nature, exercising. Honestly, I have too many side hobbies that I enjoy outside of work/school.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Funny, imaginative, balanced.

Mehsheed Bokhari (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Research assistant
Program/University: 
Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication. University of Waterloo.
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I don’t have any tattoos at the moment but I’m planning on getting some. I have a folder of all the tattoos I want.
What energizes you outside of work/school? I want to be a writer so I try to look for inspiration everywhere so I read a lot of books, watch a lot of shows and movies from around the world. Doing all these things energizes me.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Loyal, funny, and passionate.

Philip Johnsen (he/him)

Job title/Role in the project: 
Research Assistant helping with surveys and websites
Program/University: University of Waterloo, Science and Business-Biology
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I currently have 1 tattoo, and I may get more in the future.
What energizes you outside of work/school? Outside of work/school I enjoy hanging out with my friends, cooking, baking, swimming and running.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? Kind, fun, reliable.

Tammy Lai (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Research Assistant
Program/University: Public Health, University of Waterloo
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I currently have no tattoos, but who knows, maybe in the future?
What energizes you outside of work/school? Outside of work/school I love staying active and going on walks, eating lots of good food, watching Netflix, and trying new things (recently picked up the ukulele!).
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Happy, funny, caring.

Vikki Healey (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Practicum Student, Research Assistant
Program/University: MSW, University of Waterloo affiliated with Renison
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
I have 1 tattoo right now and am currently in the process of planning 1.
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
I love running and being outdoors on the lake kayaking or fishing, having bonfires, or anything I can do with my dog Happy and my family and friends. I also secretly love binge watching tv shows on Netflix.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
I asked a few friends, and the general consensus was caring, considerate, and out going with a touch of sassiness and stubbornness.

Fathima Marfath Kamoordeen (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Research Assistant
Program/University: Public Health, University of Waterloo
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? 
So far, I have none. I would like to get one on my wrist or arm as a self-harm recovered individual. I have fell in love to embracing my scars as they are a significant part of me and who I am and how much I have overcome.
What energizes you outside of work/school? Being an advocate for social justice particularly for visible minority women. I am committed in using education as a vehicle to improve health in communities. I am always excited to learn something new from someone else specially to find a lesson in one’s life story. Trust me, a cup of tea, and a conversation with someone, you’ll learn so much! In my free time, I love to cook, organize, and write.
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Humanitarian, intellectual, compassionate.

Ola Idris Ali (she/her)

Job title/Role in the project: Research Assistant
Program/University: University of Waterloo. Honours Arts and Business, Majoring in Political Science and Minoring in Economics and International Trade with a specialization in International Relations.
How many tattoos do you have and/or are planning? ONE!
What energizes you outside of work/school? 
Freedom, Community, Creativity and Books … lots and lots of books!
What three words would your friends use to describe you? 
Ambitious, kind, personable.