Our Team
Dr. Atiya Mahmood
Professor/Graduate Program Chair, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Atiya Mahmood is a Professor in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University. She holds a PhD in Architecture/Environment-Behaviour Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her expertise lies in environmental gerontology, with research centred on health and built environments for older adults. She has a particular interest in neighbourhood environments, mobility/walkability, active living, and the social engagement of diverse groups of older adults in community-based and supportive housing. She brings over twenty years of experience in qualitative and mixed methods research related to environment-behaviour studies and aging in the context of built environments.
Dr. Mikiko Terashima
Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Planning/Associate Professor, Dalhousie School of Planning
Dr. Terashima serves as an associate professor at the Dalhousie School of Planning and holds a cross-appointment with the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology. Her research focuses on methods to assess various social and built environmental factors that lead to systematic inequalities in health and well-being among diverse groups across different locations. One of her current research areas involves studying spatial accessibility to essential services for maintaining health and well-being, such as food outlets and primary health services. Another of Mikiko's interests is the built environment's role in enabling or restricting space usage by individuals with varying types and levels of abilities, particularly those with sensory impairments and older adults.
Dr. Habib Chaudhury
Professor/Associate Director of the Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Habib Chaudhury, Chair and Professor in the Department of Gerontology, possesses extensive research expertise in environmental gerontology. His research and consulting work focuses on areas such as the physical environment for individuals with dementia in long-term care facilities, dementia-friendly communities, and community planning and urban design for age-friendly environments. His projects have received funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), CapitalCare Foundation, and the Centre for Health Design. His published works include "Environments in an Aging Society: Autobiographical Perspectives in Environmental Gerontology" (Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Vol 38, 2018; co-edited with F. Oswald), "Remembering Home: Rediscovering the Self in Dementia" (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), and "Home and Identity in Later Life: International Perspectives" (Springer Publications, 2005; co-edited with G. Rowles). Dr. Chaudhury collaborates with various national and international organizations on research consulting in the planning and design of senior housing and long-term care facilities. He is also associated with the Centre for Research on Personhood in Dementia at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Aging and Environment and is a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia for the Government of Canada. Additionally, he chairs the Institute of Aging Advisory Board at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Dr. Chaudhury was honored with the Environmental Design Research Association’s (EDRA) Career Award in 2022.
Dr. Oskar Jonsson
Associate Researcher/Active and Healthy Ageing Research Group, Lund University (Sweden)
Dr. Oskar Jonsson focuses on exploring human-environment interactions. To achieve a more sustainable society, it's essential to allow both individuals and built environments to age gracefully. His research addresses ageing and health in relation to the design of public spaces, housing, and household products. Moreover, Oskar Jonsson is intrigued by how different types of knowledge—research-based, experiential, and practice-based—can be integrated and applied in practice. His research spans the arts and sciences of design and health, without being confined to a specific discipline. Oskar Jonsson's educational background includes a PhD in Industrial Design, an MFA in the History and Theory of Design, a BSc in Furniture Design, and a Journeyman qualification in Cabinet Making.
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Dr. Kevin Ng
Director of Technical and Program Content for the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) program
Dr. Kevin Ng leads technical content for the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ program, advancing inclusive design through training, standards, and research. Kevin is the Director of Technical and Program Content for the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) program. He oversees the RHFAC technical materials, RHFAC training, and Accessibility Professional Network (APN). He has played a major role in the evolution of the RHFAC program, having led its last update in 2020. Kevin also acts as a subject-matter expert on behalf of RHF in various research partnerships advancing accessibility and inclusion.
Benjamin Kinsey
Project Coordinator, PEACH Research Unit, Dalhousie University
Ben has completed his Master of Divinity at the Atlantic School of Theology. Before embarking on his theological journey, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from Laurentian University. His theological education has fueled a lasting enthusiasm for fostering healthy, inclusive, and accessible communities for everyone. Ben is keen on integrating his theological insights with his work at PEACH, with a special focus on creating accessible and inclusive third spaces, including churches and spiritual gathering venues.
Cindy Wei
Project Coordinator, Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University
Cindy is a member of Dr. Atiya Mahmood’s Inclusive Environments Lab and the Project Coordinator for the SFU site of NeighbourABLE. When she is not working on NeighbourABLE, she is the Project Coordinator for COPE-Engage, a subcategory of the COPE Study (A Comprehensive Approach to Enhance Older Adults’ Preparedness for Extreme Heat). She completed her Bachelor's and Master's of Science at the University of Waterloo, where she studied Kinesiology with a focus on nutrition for older adults. She has worked for several Canadian universities, under Dr. Travis Saunders (UPEI), Dr. Jenna Gibbs (McGill), and Dr. Heather Keller (UWaterloo).
Katherine Deturbide
Research Analyst, PEACH Research Unit, Dalhousie University
Since earning her Master's in Planning in 2020, Katherine has worked as a research analyst at the PEACH Research Unit. Her responsibilities at PEACH primarily involve spatial mapping, quantitative analysis related to accessible design and community planning, facilitating workshops and focus groups, and conducting research on walkability and rollability. She is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies at Dalhousie, focusing on how different roles in the planning and development process influence the delivery of accessible housing in Nova Scotia.
Letitia Zhu
Ph.D. Student, Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University
Letitia earned a Master’s degree in Engineering from Beijing Forestry University and is now working towards a PhD in Gerontology at Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on the intersection of art-based methods, community-engaged research, and technology, particularly concerning older adults with disabilities.
Samna Khan
Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator
Samna's educational background is in architecture, followed by a research Master's in Urban Management & Development from Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Her professional training has focused on interdisciplinary and collaborative planning approaches for sustainable cities. Her research interests include design of inclusive public spaces, accessibility and walkability within neighborhoods.
Aya Elgendi
Graduate Research Assistant
Aya is a Master of Architecture candidate at Dalhousie University and an experienced architectural designer committed to creating inclusive, sustainable urban spaces. With a focus on accessibility and equity, she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to every project. Her work spans residential and public developments, always emphasizing design that welcomes individuals of all abilities, backgrounds, and races. As part of the NeighbourABLE project, Aya applies both technical skill and community insight to help reimagine shared spaces as places of connection and belonging. She is passionate about building cities that reflect and serve the diverse communities within them.
Monica Satyajit Sathe
Graduate Research Assistant
Monica began her studies in the Master of Planning program at Dalhousie University in 2024. With a bachelor's degree in architecture, she has a growing interest in knowing how spaces evolve, and how cities and communities can be planned to make them inclusive and welcoming. Additionally, she enjoys being creative and continues to develop her graphic design skills, while also aiming to strengthen her skills in GIS applications.
Ayesha Shahid
Mitacs Globalink Student
Ayesha is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Public Administration at National University of Sciences and Technology. Her research interests are focused on creating an inclusive and accessible environment for Persons with Disabilities. She is passionate about creating equitable public spaces and services and aims to contribute to evidence-based policymaking that empowers marginalized communities.
Jin Cho
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jin is an undergraduate psychology student at Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on the health of older adults and the environment around them. She is interested in social psychology, particularly in projects that promote health, inclusion, and diversity
Mona Sadeghian
Graduate Research Assistant
Mona began her Master of Planning Studies (MPS) at Dalhousie University in September 2024. Before that, she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Architecture. Her interests focus on accessible design, disability-friendly and age-friendly design, as well as design strategies that promote equitable and healthy communities
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Malsha Jayalath
Research Assistant
Malsha graduated from the School of Planning at Dalhousie University and is currently working as a Research Assistant at the PEACH Research Unit. NeighbourABLE has been a valuable opportunity for her to apply an accessibility lens to the design of homes and neighbourhoods. By visiting homes and participating in direct conversations with individuals with mobility-related disabilities, she has gained insight into the everyday barriers people face and how inclusive design can support independence and ease of daily living. Through this work, the NeghbourABLE team aims to generate evidence that informs policy, supports community advocacy, and guides design improvements, fostering environments where accessibility is integral, not optional.
Atharv Khapne
Graduate Research Assistant
Atharv is a Master of Planning student at Dalhousie University with a Bachelor’s degree in Planning and a year of professional experience in Public Sector. He has a keen interest in community development and is passionate about how spaces influence social interaction, inclusivity, and everyday urban life.
Rabin Kaini
Graduate Research Assistant
Rabin is a Master of Planning student at Dalhousie University with a background in civil engineering and ESG. His work focuses on addressing the often overlooked realities of accessibility and ableism in Halifax. Through his role with NeighbourABLE, he visits people’s homes (with their permission), takes measurements, photographs spaces, and asks thoughtful questions to understand how well their environments support daily life. The aim is to identify where design supports or hinders independent living and how improvements can be made. Through research, data analysis, and community conversations, he contributes to a vision of Halifax where accessibility is not treated as a burden, but as a valuable and forward-thinking investment in inclusive urban design.
Liangyu (Lucy) Li
Mitacs Globalink Student
Lucy holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law , with professional training in national social governance surveys and cross-cultural policy analysis. Her research explores social equity in aging populations, the financial needs of seniors , and community resilience through participatory planning. As an active member of the East Asia Youth Red Cross Network (EAYN), she designs leadership development programs and advocates for across marginalized communities.
Mareike Zappe
Mitacs Globalink Student
Mareike is an undergraduate psychology student (B.Sc.). In her academic work, she uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore lived experiences with a focus on social structures and individual well-being. She’s especially interested in projects that promote inclusion and amplify underrepresented voices through community-based research.
Xiao (Amy) Sang
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Amy Sang is a Bachelor of Science Candidate in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. Her research interests include health promotion in communities, and aging and disability services.