
Kaku Lema, MBA
Knowledge Mobilization Manager
Kaku Lema is the Knowledge Mobilization Manager for the SHAPE Hub. She is an expert in bridging the gap between research findings and practical applications.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Human Geography from the University of British Columbia and Master’s of Business Administration in Project Management from Università degli studi Guglielmo Marconi. She has led various projects such as the Medical Training & Fellowship Programme funded by the East Africa Development Bank at the British Council. This program led to the training of physicians in the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.

Leila Karimi
Research Communications Coordinator
Leila Karimi is the Research Communications Coordinator for the SHAPE Hub. She brings over a decade of experience in design, branding, and communications, with a strong background in visual storytelling and strategic communications. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Islamic Azad University in Tehran and Management Certification in Design from Emily Carr University and BCIT, respectively. Leila has a passion for crafting impactful content and is skilled in digital media, visual design, and stakeholder engagement to amplify the reach and impact of research initiatives.
BRITISH COLUMBIA

Samantha Martin-Ferris
Research Assistant
Samantha Martin-Ferris is an award-winning youth activist and Indigenous researcher from the Gitksan Nation in Northern BC. In 2023, she took home first place at the International UN Worlds Challenge alongside fellow lab mate Piper Scott-Fiddler for her culturally based Indigenous health intervention, ‘the Lifegivers Box’. Her research primarily focuses on Indigenous youths’ rights to good health through measuring quantitative data and advocating for them through community-based health reports. She is currently co-supervised by Dr. Sarah Munro and Dr. Aline Talhouk as a part of UBC’s WACH program. Samantha is currently assisting as lead data analyst with the national Indigenous women two-spirit research priority setting survey on sexual difficulties and genito-pelvic pain as a part of the SHAPE Hub.
BRITISH COLUMBIA

Lareina Sharma
Volunteer
Lareina is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family Studies at UBC. She is assisting with data collection for the Indigenous Women & Two-Spirit persons research priority setting.
BRITISH COLUMBIA

Vicky Nguyen
Volunteer
Vicky is an undergraduate student majoring in Neurophysiology and Public Health at UBC. She is supporting outreach for the national healthcare provider evaluation.