Lab Members
Research Manager
Katie Vaughan, MPlan
Katie oversees all administration and research projects at Corkum LABS. She is the Project Manager of a 5-year CIHR Sleep Research Consortium team grant and Kids Brain Health Network Cycle III Implementation Project. Before her time in the lab, Katie completed her Bachelor of Arts in Human Kinetics (Honours) in 2019 from St. Francis Xavier University, and completed her Master in Planning in 2021 from Dalhousie University.
Research Associate
Fakir Yunus, MBBS, MPH, MSc, PhD
Dr. Yunus has been working as a Research Associate since November 2023, contributing to the implementation of the Sleep Across Lifespan project. Prior to this role, he completed a 3-year of the Mitacs Accelerate Post-Doctoral Fellowship within the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. By background, he is a medical doctor (MBBS) from Bangladesh (not registered in Canada). After completing his MPH from the BRAC University James P. Grant School of Public Health, he earned his MSc and PhD from The University of Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy and Nutrition. With over 10 years’ experience in public health research, a major portion of his research career has involved implementing several Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).
Software Developers
Dishant Behera, BCs
Dishant is a software developer currently working on revamping the Better Nights, Better Days program. Before joining Corkum LABS, he completed his Bachelor of Computer Science degree at Dalhousie University. He has worked on a wide variety of software projects that have helped him hone his software development skills.
Anantha Suraj, BCs
Suraj has been part of Corkum LABS since 2024, working as a Software Developer in the lab. He graduated with a Bachelor of Computer Science in 2023 from Dalhousie University. He is currently working on updating the ABCs of Sleeping app for children and babies, as well as replicating the ABCs app for adults and youth
Part Time Data & Technical Support
Nafisah Ali, MPH
Nafisah joined Corkum LABS in 2022 to support the research team in data management and analysis, specifically on the Better Nights, Better Days for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders program. Nafisah completed her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Dalhousie University, and completed her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the University of Toronto.
Esmot ara Begum, PhD
Dr. Begum worked as a Postdoctoral Trainee in Corkum LABS from 2013-2014. After completing her research training period, she worked as a Research Associate between 2015-2021. In her current position, she is responsible for data analysis and REDCap Technical Support. Prior to this position, Dr. Begum completed a PhD in Pediatric at the Mie University (Japan), and her dissertation was focused on Neonatal Physiology. Dr. Begum did her first postdoctoral training at the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience in McGill University. Dr. Begum joined Corkum LABS in 2013 for her 2nd postdoctoral appointment. She has been involved with the Better Nights, Better Days and Better Nights, Better Days for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders projects.
Matt Orr, PhD
Dr. Orr has been working as a Research Associate since 2022. Dr. Orr completed his PhD in Experimental Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Corkum in 2022, and his dissertation was on the ASSIST for Disruptive Classroom Behaviour program. He is involved in data management and collection for all projects in Corkum LABS and is a postdoctoral researcher with the Department of Psychiatry.
Research Assistants
Mya Dockrill, MA
Mya has been a part of Corkum LABS since 2020, where she has worked under Dr. Elizabeth Keys, Dr. Michel Bertrand, Dr. Sheila Garland, and Dr. Penny Corkum. Mya completed a summer studentship in 2020 and 2023 working on various projects including the Better Nights, Better Days during COVID-19 study and on the ABCs of SLEEPING study. Throughout her undergrad, master’s, and PhD, Mya continues to work as a research assistant on multiple projects in the lab.
Alzena Ilie, BSc (Hons)
Alzena has been a part of Corkum LABS since 2021, and is working as a Research Assistant in the lab. Alzena completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Honours) in 2022 under the supervision of Dr. Corkum. She is currently working on a Scoping Review on Indigenous children's sleep, and is working on the COVID-19 Sleep and Mental Health Study.
Derek Van Voorst, MA
Derek has been a part of Corkum LABS since 2017, and is a research assistant working on the Better Nights, Better Days for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorder study, as well as the ASSIST study. Derek completed his Bachelor of Arts in History (Honours) at Dalhousie University in 2022, and obtained his Master of Letters in Intellectual History in 2023 at the University of St Andrews (Scotland).
Peyton Williams
Peyton has been a part of Corkum LABS since 2024, and is working as a research assistant in the lab. Peyton is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honours) under the supervision of Dr. Corkum. She is currently working on the French Translation of eHealth & eLearning Programs and multiple projects in the lab.