OUR MISSION
Racial and ethnic disparities in health are a reality that impacts the overall well-being of children, adolescents and their families, particularly those who are racially minoritized. The primary mission of PowerinYouth Lab researchers is to engage with and produce research that supports understanding of the complex relationships between racial discrimination and certain health outcomes (e.g., stress, anxiety, depression) among young people, particularly within the Canadian context.
We also aim to explore and develop interventions focused on the promotion of child and youth well-being, empowerment and racial equity. We truly believe in the P.O.W.E.R in youth!
TEAM
Meet our team of passionate and dedicated researchers
.jpg)
Assistant Professor
Clinical Child Psychologist
Lab Director
Dr. Linda Iwenofu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology & Human Development at OISE - University of Toronto. She is also a clinical psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and specializes in the psychological assessment and treatment of children, youth and families presenting with a wide range of difficulties (e.g., learning problems, relational issues, trauma, ADHD, behavioral problems). Dr. Iwenofu's current research broadly focuses on understanding the ways in which individual differences such as race, ethnicity, language, poverty, immigration and exposure to adverse events impact child and youth trajectories toward health and wellness. Dr. Iwenofu specializes in research examining the mechanisms through which anti-Black racism impacts child health outcomes. She teaches graduate-level courses on psychoeducational assessment and intervention with culturally and linguistically diverse children, youth and families, as well as on anti-racist approaches to professional work with children, youth and emerging adults within educational and clinical contexts.
Shawna Grossman, M.A.
Ph.D Student, School and Clinical Child Psychology
Lab Manager
Shawna Grossman is a fourth-year doctoral student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology (SCCP) program at OISE. Her research focuses on studying the impacts of traumatic stress related to racial discrimination on the mental and physical health-related outcomes among children and youth from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds. She is currently working on conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of racial discrimination on health outcomes among Black children and youth, as part of her doctoral thesis. Shawna’s doctoral research is currently funded by an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and she was the recipient of a Leong Centre Studentship. In addition, Shawna recently completed her master’s thesis, which studied the longitudinal development of vocabulary and reading fluency skills in a sample of elementary-school aged English Language Learners. Her master’s research was funded by a CGS-M (SSHRC) award. As a clinician-in-training, Shawna is interested in supporting the holistic health and wellbeing of children, adolescents, and emerging adults from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Shawna has previously completed clinical training at the Toronto District School Board, Surrey Place, the Family Psychology Centre, and the Feelings Place.
Florencia Saposnik, B.A. (Hons)
M.A. student, School and Clinical Child Psychology
Florencia Saposnik is a first year Master's student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at OISE. She completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University in Health Studies, specializing in Mental Health and Additions while also minoring in psychology. Florencia was awarded the SSHRC Canadian Graduate Scholarship for this academic year (2024-2025). Her research interests include accessibility to mental healthcare, social determinants of health, and educational outcomes. More specifically, Florencia is interested in examining barriers caregivers experience when attempting to access psychoeducational assessments; specifically examining how race, immigration status, and English as a second language play a role.
Harmoni Watson, B.A. (Spec. Hons)
M.A. Student, School and Clinical Child Psychology
​Harmoni Watson is a first-year doctoral student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology (SCCP) program at OISE. Her broad research interests include examining the ways in which racial discrimination affects the well-being and academic performance of racialized children and youth. Harmoni has recently completed her master’s thesis, which investigated whether maternal cognitive sensitivity mediated the association
between maternal attachment and child developmental outcomes. Her master’s research was funded by a CGS-M (SSHRC) award. She plans to expand on this research as part of her doctoral program, by examining how to integrate attachment theory to understand the intergenerational transmission of risk due to racism and prejudice. Harmoni is also a clinician-in-training and has completed a practicum
placement at the Toronto District School Board.
Cheyenne McIntyre, BSc. (Hons)
Research Assistant
Cheyenne McIntyre is currently a Research Assistant with the Power in Youth Laboratory at OISE, under the supervision of Dr. Iwenofu. She received her Honours BSc in Mental Health Studies from the University of Toronto Scarborough where she gained extensive research experience. Her research interests include improving mental health outcomes and care for marginalized populations within Canada. In the future, she intends to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology.
Vashti Kamassah, B.A. (Hons)
PhD, Develpomental Psychology and Education
Vashti Kamassah is a first-year doctoral student in Developmental Psychology and Education at OISE. Her research interests include accessible education for historically marginalized people (e.g., racialized persons, persons with disabilities), alternative approaches to “traditional” education, and the effect of marginalized identities (e.g., race, gender, immigrant status) on individuals' lives and their relationship with education.
Kimberly Dsilva, BSc. (Hons)
M.A. Student, School and Clinical Child Psychology
Kimberly Dsilva is a second year Master's student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at OISE. Her undergraduate thesis evaluated the use of a psychoeducational video game to raise awareness about the mental health effects of cannabis use on Black racialized youth who have experienced a first episode of psychosis or have cannabis use disorder. Her master’s thesis will focus on the effects of racial discrimination on self-esteem in Black youth. Kimberly is very interested in the investigation of risk and resilience factors, and is passionate about implementing early intervention and tailored programs to protect at risk children and youth from negative health outcomes. She has experience working as a developmental service worker, daycare assistant teacher, and ABA Therapist for children with autism. She was also a Research Assistant at the George Hull Centre for Children and Families, supporting a school-based social emotional learning project and the CASTER (Child and Adolescent Screener for Traumatic Events and Response) pilot project, amongst others. Kimberly is currently completing her practicum placement at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. For the 2023-24 year, she was awarded a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship.
Paul Douglas II, BSc. (Hons)
Research Assistant
Paul Douglas II is a second-year international student in the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in Developmental Psychology and Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). He serves as a Research Assistant in the Power in Youth Lab, where he investigates the relationship between childhood exposure to racial discrimination and negative health outcomes later in life, under the supervision of Dr. Linda Iwenofu, PhD, C. Psych.
As an Inclusive Excellence Scholar and Junior Fellow at Massey College, Paul is deeply committed to addressing anti-Black racism (ABR) and promoting racial equity and inclusivity within clinical and school psychology programs. He believes that increasing racial diversity and inclusivity in these programs is essential for improving mental and physical health outcomes for all individuals. By diversifying both researchers and sample populations, Paul aims to enhance the generalizability of evaluations, assessments, and psychotherapeutic approaches.
Paul aspires to contribute to the field as a school and child clinical psychologist.
Josanne Buchanan, M. A.
Ph.D Student, School and Clinical Child Psychology
Josanne Buchanan is a first year PhD student in the Developmental Psychology and Education program at OISE. Josanne’s research interests include: understanding the ways in which children’s identities are correlated with experiences that influence their wellbeing, examining the links between media use habits of youth from racialized backgrounds and their mental health outcomes, and digital wellness outcomes of youth from racialized and marginalized communities.
​