Meet our 2025 Network for Healthy Populations Graduate Award  Program  Winners

Alexandra Auyeung is a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Her research applies mixed methods approaches to better understand exposure to indoor air pollution across urban environments and its effect on human health. She aims to highlight disparities in exposure, cardiometabolic conditions, and cancer risk for those living in industrialized cities in Canada. Alexandra is supervised by Dr. Matthew Adams.  

Batool M. AlMousawi is an MSc student in Health Systems Research (specializing in artificial intelligence) at the University of Toronto's Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation. Her research employs ethnographic methods to explore community engagement in the design of a population-level diabetes risk prediction model deployed in the Peel region of Ontario. By centering her work on individuals at the intersections of systems of oppression, Batool contributes to the co-design strategy of a responsible, human-centered health innovation that promotes equity in urban environments. Batool is supervised by Dr. Jay Shaw. 

Ibrahim Ghanem is a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography, Geomatics, and Environment at the University of Toronto Mississauga. His research focuses on exploring the relationship between neighbourhood-built environments and the health of racialized populations in Canada. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, Ghanem is investigating the pathways through which walkability influences residents’ mobility and health outcomes, with a focus on chronic diseases. Ghanem is supervised by Dr. Kathi Wilson.  

Jo-Ann Osei-Twum is a PhD candidate in Epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on the link between data-driven approaches to population health management and health inequities. Jo-Ann will use  machine learning methods to predict the risk of kidney health outcomes in Ontario and assess the associated health equity implications. Jo-Ann is supervised by Dr. Laura Rosella.  

Madison Stringer is a PhD candidate in Health Services Research at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. Her research focuses on the cost-effectiveness of postpartum diabetes prevention interventions for women with a history of gestational diabetes who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. She is examining how different delivery formats—in-person, virtual or digital—affect health outcomes and value for the healthcare system. Madison is supervised by Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe. 

Scarlett Rakowska is a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Her research integrates multispectral satellite imagery, LiDAR, Google Street View, and public perception surveys to classify urban green space and examine its associations with health outcomes, particularly type 2 diabetes. Scarlett is supervised by Dr. Matthew Adams.