Manager, Research Portfolio
Working closely with both Drs. Chris and Aislin Mushquash, Dr. Bel supports both the operational and administrative sides of the research program and helps keep our projects running smoothly, making sure our research continues to support community wellness. Dr. Bel supports team operations by assisting with hiring, onboarding, training, and long-term planning, managing project logistics, coordinating research activities, identifying funding opportunities and preparing applications and reports. Her role also includes analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, creating visual summaries, and helping to share the group’s findings through reports, articles, presentations, and knowledge translation events.

Dr. Bel joins the team as a four-time Lakehead Alumn having graduated with an HBSc in Applied Bio-Molecular Science, an MBA, an MSc in Biology, and a PhD in Medical Biotechnology. With an array of experiences in the research world, including supporting research operations and grant administration Lakehead University, Dr. Bel is excited to support the important work of Dr. Mushquash’s research group!

In her free time, Jocelyn enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs.

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Senior Research Coordinator
Steve is the Senior Research Coordinator for the Help in Hand project at the Coping Lab. Before accepting this role, he completed his Master of Science in Psychiatry Research at Dalhousie University. His thesis work was supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) CGS-M award and investigated the relationship between speech-derived repetitive negative thinking and objectively-measured physical activity in adults with mood disorders. Steve has also worked as a behavioural therapist for children and adolescents with ADHD and/or Autism.

Steve is primarily interested in studying psychotherapeutic interventions for mood and anxiety disorders and hopes to become a clinical psychologist.

Outside of the lab, he enjoys (short) hikes, dystopian fiction, and squinting at the sun while his fiancée is trying to take a photo of him.

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Senior Research Associate
Emily is the Senior Research Associate for Dr. Aislin Mushquash's research portfolio. As a two-time Lakehead University Alumni and a strong background in academic administration, research coordination, and teaching, Emily plays a central role in driving research progress by coordinating activities, supporting project teams, and ensuring timelines and deliverables stay on track across multiple initiatives. She is passionate about supporting students and advancing impactful research through collaboration, mentorship, and inclusive evidence-informed practice.

Emily is excited to contribute to the advancement of Dr. Mushquash's research projects by helping to maintain momentum and fostering collaboration across teams. With a Master’s degree in Education and a specialization in Gender and Women’s Studies, Emily brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to her work, with a strong commitment to creating supportive and collaborative spaces where learning, teaching, and research can flourish.

Outside of work, Emily spends her time playing with her (very busy) toddler and baking new flavours of focaccia bread.

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Research/Laboratory Coordinator

Sydney (she/her) joined Dr. Aislin Mushquash’s research program as the Research Coordinator in February 2026. She is a Lakehead University alumni and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2020. Before moving into research coordination, she spent three years working in a clinical setting providing ABA therapy for children with Autism. This clinical background sparked her interest in the research process and led me to my current role at Lakehead.

As the Research Coordinator, she manages the daily operations and administrative needs of the lab. Her responsibilities include coordinating large scale professional engagements, managing schedules, and maintaining CVs and publication records. She also supports the lab’s team of researchers to ensure that community-led initiatives and academic projects run smoothly.

Beyond my administrative role, she is actively expanding her research experience. She is currently contributing to multiple scoping reviews for the grad students in this lab. Having grown up in a city with a large Indigenous population, she is grateful for the opportunity to deepen her understanding of Indigenous cultures and wellness through the lab's community focused work.

Outside of the lab, Sydney makes most of the long Thunder Bay winters by skiing. During the warmer months, she enjoys hiking and exploring the local nature. She also has an interest in rowing and hopes to join a team in the future. She is a major fan of all things spooky and loves watching horror movies, with Halloween being her favourite time of year.

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