Meet Our Team
LAB DIRECTOR
Dr. Sharon Hou (she/her) is the Director of the Culture and Child Health Lab. She is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University, and a Registered Psychologist and Investigator at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Dr Hou is an Associate Member of the Women’s Health Research Institute and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.
Dr. Hou completed her Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology and French with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned her Master of Arts and Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Guelph, and completed two postdoctoral fellowships including a focus as a clinician-scientist in Oncology and Psychology at the University of Calgary, and specialization in Implementation Science and Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Hou immigrated with her family from Taiwan to Canada at an early age and grew up on the North Shore. Much of Dr. Hou’s work is shaped by her immigration experience and exposure to cultural diversity over her life. Outside of work, Dr. Hou enjoys brunch, traveling, hot yoga, and spending time with her beloved family and friends and her cat, Mosa.
Sharon Hou, PhD, RPsych
RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS
Lauren (she/her) is currently a second-year student pursuing her Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Commerce. Prior to her undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia, Lauren completed her General Certificate of Education Advanced Level at Raffles Institution in Singapore. Lauren’s current research interests include children’s healthcare, mental health, and early interventions. With the Culture and Child Health Lab, Lauren is supporting a project on the role of culture in immigrant youth health, specifically those with a serious and life-threatening illness.
Outside of academics, Lauren is an avid sunset and beach lover who also enjoys photography and a good pastry (bonus points if it’s while watching the sunset!). Lauren is excited to contribute to research that supports children and families and looks forward to learning and growing as part of the team.
Lauren Chew
Sophia (she/her) is a recent graduate of Honours Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She completed two undergraduate honours theses that explored the relationship between climate change and psychology, supervised by Dr. Jiaying Zhao and Dr. Lauren Emberson. Sophia has experience working in environmental organizations, policy, and higher education, and currently works as a Peer Supporter providing mental health programming for eating disorders, as well as a non-registered Counsellor providing direct patient support at a reproductive health clinic.
Sophia is interested in pursuing a career in counselling psychology and hopes to eventually become a registered psychologist. Outside of work and research, she enjoys rock climbing, observing dogs, and watching mockumentary-style comedies.
Sophia is grateful to live and learn on the shared, unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Sophia Guan
Ariana Martinez earned her BA in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is the current coordinator of the Healthy Families Lab with Dr. Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen. Her research interests focus on neurodivergence, eating disorders, and interventions supporting child and family mental health. She is particularly interested in the developmental, social, and cultural factors that shape children’s well-being and resilience.
Originally from Peru, Ariana brings a cross-cultural lens to her work, with a focus on how parenting and cultural context influence child development, especially among neurodivergent populations. She has recently expanded her research interests to explore the intersection of parenting and mental health, including how parental well-being impacts child outcomes. Ariana is also interested in the role of eHealth interventions in improving access to care and strengthening support systems for families navigating neurodevelopmental challenges. Through her work, she aims to contribute to more inclusive and effective approaches to family and child mental health.
Ariana Martinez
Griffin (he/him) is a third-year undergraduate student at UBC majoring in Microbiology and Immunology. His academic interests include healthcare, epidemiology, and global health, with a particular focus on oncology and the influence of social factors on health outcomes. He also has a strong interest in physical chemistry and prior research experience in a lab specializing in SFG spectroscopy.
Beyond academics, Griffin serves as VP Finance for Common Energy, a sustainability club at UBC dedicated to environmental outreach and promoting sustainability on campus through events and initiatives.
Outside of academics, he enjoys basketball, surfing, hiking, and watching TV and movies. He aspires to pursue a career in medicine, specifically in oncology or radiology, with a goal of advancing patient care, health equity, and health outcomes..
Griffin Mawson
Ryan (he/him) is an undergraduate student at UBC, pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences and a minor in Health and Society.
He spends time volunteering at BC Children’s Hospital as a Child Life Volunteer. Additionally, he has worked in various childcare positions as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and martial arts instructor. Recreationally, Ryan enjoys swimming, karate, kickboxing, and playing video games with friends.
In the future, Ryan wishes to pursue a career in healthcare and medicine, with the goal of becoming a pediatrician.
Ryan Tom
Lara (she/her) is in her final year of completing her Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology at the University of British Columbia. She completed her junior thesis in the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Lab with Dr. Joelle LeMoult and is currently conducting her senior thesis at the Sexual Health Research Centre with Dr. Lori Brotto.
Lara’s interest in clinical psychology research has been shaped by her work as a crisis line responder and behavioural interventionist for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as her experiences conducting research with vulnerable populations. Lara is particularly interested in interdisciplinary research that integrates culturally informed practices.
As a person of colour who grew up in Vancouver, she has witnessed the critical need for culturally sensitive mental health care and hopes to contribute to efforts that make psychological support more inclusive and accessible for diverse communities.
Lara Vaziri
Gabi (she/her) completed her Bachelor of General Studies at Simon Fraser University with a minor in Counselling and Human Development and an extended minor in Psychology. Over her studies and experiences, she developed interests in child and adolescent mental health, identity development, and meaningful family and community engagement in research.
Gabi is co-supervised by Drs. Hou and Siden at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute where she supports projects focused on pediatric pain, patient-oriented research, and implementation science. She also volunteers with the All Families Lab at Simon Fraser University with Dr. Hali Kil, where she contributes to studies on family dynamics and multiracial identity development.
Gabi is passionate about understanding how diverse social and learning experiences influence mental health outcomes for youth. She hopes to build a career integrating clinical work and research to support children and families in education and healthcare . Outside of work and school, she enjoys reading outdoors, running, yoga, gardening, and hopes to become a foster cat mom.
Gabi Zamma
Christina (she/her) is a first year student in Bachelor of Nursing at the University of British Columbia and hopes to integrate research into her nursing career to advance health equity in perinatal health. Prior to pursuing nursing school, Christina studied Food and Nutrition at the University of British Columbia.
Christina is co-supervised by Drs. Hou and Siden at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute where she supports a project focused on implementing a clinical pathway in community practices across British Columbia. Christina was a 2025 CHILD-BRIGHT Summer Student during which she conducted a qualitative analysis of interviews with community pediatricians using both inductive and deductive approaches. Christina is also supporting a scoping review on health equity and children living with health complexity.
Outside of work, Christina loves trying new food, playing with her cats Parsley and Basil, and reading novels.
Christina Zeng
Collaborators
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Dr. Katelynn Boerner
Pediatrics, University of British Columbia
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Dr. Jennifer Coelho
Provincial Specialized Eating Disorders Program for Children and Adolescents, BC Children’s Hospital
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Dr. Stephanie Glegg
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia
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Dr. Fiona Schulte
Oncology, University of Calgary
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Dr. Hal Siden
Pediatrics, University of British Columbia
We collaborate with national and international scholars, clinician-scientists, people with lived experience, and community partners to advance research in child health and health equity.
Check back soon - more collaborator profiles will be added as we continue to update this space.