Michelle Leach, PhD
Scientific Director
Michelle joined YSPOR in November of 2021. She holds a B.Sc. in Genetics and Immunology, a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, and was a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow, spending 5 years researching infectious and genetic diseases at the University of Toronto. A fun fact about Michelle is that her passion for research once got her a ‘cease and desist’ order from the spy agency MI5 during one of her projects.
Amy Riske
Health Policy and Data Lead
Amy joined the YSPOR team in October 2023. She holds degrees in Exercise Physiology, Physiotherapy and a Master’s of Health Management. Amy spent six years working in Inuvik, Northwest Territories before moving to Whitehorse where she has been for the last 19 years. When Amy is not at work, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, texting her daughters while they are away at university, exploring Yukon’s incredible trails, spending time with her husband and dog and recharging off the grid at her cabin.
Anna Billowits
Evaluation and Policy Lead
Anna joined the YSPOR team full time in spring 2024. Anna was born in Whitehorse, grew up in Ottawa, and is excited to be back in the Yukon. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience from Simon Fraser University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Toronto. Anna is passionate about supporting the development and application of health research that is relevant and useful to communities. Anna loves being outside, making crafts and eating yummy food.
Contact Anna: 867-332-2934 or abillowits@yukonu.ca
Deena Titus
First Nations Community Research Coordinator – Dawson City
Born and raised in Dawson City, and a citizen of Tr’ondek Hwech’in, Deena brings a wealth of local knowledge and community spirit to YSPOR. She joined the unit as a community representative on the oversight committee from 2022 to 2023 and has been actively involved with the Gu Nähtsey harvest group since 2023.
Starting this July, Deena steps into her role as YSPOR’s First Nations Community Research Coordinator for the North, where she’ll be focusing on community-driven research initiatives and capacity building. Her interests and talents extend from quilting and sewing to crafting and gardening.
Pictured: Deena and her granddaughter, Amber.
Isabelle Schwarz
Research Assistant
Izzy recently joined YSPOR as a research assistant in September of 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph. Izzy is passionate about harnessing the power of exercise and nutrition to improve the health of all Canadians as well as doing research work that reflects the priorities of communities and creates positive change in the lives of individuals. She is super excited to explore the Yukon and is looking forward to hiking, cross-country skiing, and doing other outdoor activities around Whitehorse. She is especially excited to see the northern lights!
Hope Magun-Porter
Junior Researcher – Watson Lake
Hope joined the YSPOR team in March 2024. She is a member of the Kaska and Tahltan Nation who was born and raised in the Yukon. Hope is interested in cultural revitalization. She enjoys travelling and spending time on the land with family when she isn’t busy studying. Hope aims to study law and one day become a lawyer.
Janet Van Bibber
Training and Engagement Lead
Janet Van Bibber ùúye
agunda íchʼe (I am wolf clan)
Shadhęl tsʼän íchʼe (I am from Shadhęl {Champagne})
ä́tsųą shäw umą daklʼaweidí ächʼe na (My great grandmothers’ mother, who passed away, was dakl’aweidi
Janet joined YSPOR in March 2024, bringing extensive experience in community engagement and program development within the Yukon First Nations context. In her previous role as First Nations and Community Liaison-COVID at the Population and Public Health Evidence and Evaluation Branch, Janet developed and managed key relationships with Yukon First Nations, municipal leaders, and the Yukon Government. With a bachelor’s degree in social work and a diploma in business administration, Janet is committed to collaborating with Yukon First Nations and individuals with lived experiences to develop health research priorities, enhance community capacity, and facilitate training opportunities that benefit Yukon communities.
Contact Janet: 867-335-9309 or janet.vanbibber@yukonu.ca
Liris Smith
YukonU’s Research Chair in Health
Liris was YSPOR’s first ever employee acting as Scientific Director from August 2021 until she transitioned into the role of Health Chair in June of 2022. She is a licensed physical therapist and holds a Ph.D. in health sciences. A fun fact about Liris is that she is an avid hiker and once found herself in a situation where she needed to be helicopter evacuated out of the Annapurna mountain range in Nepal due to an intense monsoon.
Piper Fordham
Research Assistant
Piper started at YSPOR in Dawson City as a Junior Researcher in May of 2023. She strives to support and create an improved healthcare system, incorporating Indigenous medicine and ceremony as a common resource within the Dawson Community Hospital. She enjoys learning and researching how ceremony can raise spirits and improve healing and health. She feels privileged to be able to support and work with local Knowledge Keepers to document, share and educate about the power that plants, trees, and berries hold.
Shayna Haley, MCPM
Operations Manager
Shayna joined the YSPOR team in May of 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce with distinction and a Masters Certificate in Project Management. A fun fact about Shayna is that in 2023 she achieved one of her lifelong dreams, climbing 5,400 meters to reach Mount Everest Base Camp.