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.
Contact Michelle: mleach@yukonu.ca
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.
Contact Amy: amy.riske@yukonu.ca or 867-334-7215
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
Julia Gyapay
Research Professional
Julia joined YSPOR in November of 2024. Julia was born and raised in Hay River, Northwest Territories. She holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours degree in Biomedical Studies and a Master of Science in Public Health and Health Systems. Julia is passionate about supporting inclusive health research and knowledge co-production in collaboration with northern Indigenous communities and partner organizations. In her free time, Julia enjoys coaching cross-country skiing, championing northern youth-led climate change and food sovereignty projects, and completing “Type 2 fun” cycling, hiking, paddling and ski adventures.
Contact Julia: 867-332-2934 or jgyapay@yukonu.ca
Cassandra Bangay
Senior Research Professional
Cassandra is a public policy researcher, and project manager with experience in academic and government research, community consultation, and project development. She holds a Master of International Public Policy from the Balsillie School of International Affairs, and has experience working in academic research centres, think tanks and multilateral organizations. Her roles have involved extended terms in Uganda, Colombia, United States, Viet Nam and Belgium where she has worked on projects ranging from refugee resettlement, HIV and AIDS service delivery, post conflict peacebuilding, and energy efficient building consultation.
Most recently Cassandra worked for the local immigration partnership for Peel Ontario, where she managed several projects including immigrant healthcare related research focusing on newcomer healthcare access and outcomes. This project, and other population health research projects that she supported through the University of Waterloo inspired her to pursue work at YSPOR as a Senior Research Professional. Cassandra calls Dawson City home, and enjoys participating in community activities like firefighting, playing hockey, and volunteering with emergency medical services.
Contact Cass: cassandra.bangay@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.
Contact Deena: deena.titus@yukonu.ca
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.
Contact Shayna: shayna.haley@yukonu.ca
Airha Perucho
Junior Researcher – Dawson City
Airha joined YSPOR in January of 2025. She goes to Robert Service in Dawson City, and is graduating in 2026. She is a member of a youth Mental Wellness Advisory Committee, and also a Youth Councilor for the Dawson District Renewable Resources Council. Her interest in YSPOR’s work and knowledge in plant medicine stemmed from insightful conversations with the elders of Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation. Airha’s dreams are to become a singer, travel around the world, and to engage in activism for children’s rights. In her free time, Airha likes to go on walks, study astrology, hang out with friends, and play sports.
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.
Nikki Anderson
Junior Researcher – Mayo
Nicole (Nikki) Anderson is from Mayo Yukon, and a citizen of the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun. She is the Community Campus Planner at Yukon University’s Mayo campus and is a Junior Researcher with YSPOR. Passionate about fostering community connection and well-being, her work focuses on integrating research with creative initiatives that promote social engagement and mental health. She is particularly interested in how artistic expression can build resilience, create spaces for healing, and strengthen community bonds.
In addition to her professional work, Nikki is committed to lifelong learning and exploring new skills. She recently took up knitting as a creative outlet and enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her two dogs, embracing the beauty of Yukon’s natural landscape. Through her various endeavors, she strives to inspire collaboration and connection within her community.
Sylas Itsi
Junior Researcher – Whitehorse
Sylas Itsi first joined YSPOR in October of 2024. He is Vuntut & Tetlit Gwich’in First Nations. His Kaska name is “Non Dena”. Born in Whitehorse but raised primarily in the community of Ross River and Pelly Banks, with most of his upbringing on the land, which has played a significant role in shaping his values and worldview.
Before joining YSPOR he worked as a pharmacy technician at Whitehorse General Hospital for the past four years, gaining valuable experience in healthcare and appreciation for traditional wellness. Sylas is dedicated to bridging the gap between indigenous and western approach as it relates to policy, practices and integration. He is excited to bring his perspective to the YSPOR team, where he looks to contribute to meaningful research that honors traditional indigenous knowledge. In his free time, he enjoys photography and spending time on the land hunting and hiking
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!
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.
Esther Ogunkanmbi
MPH Practicum Student
Esther Ogunkanmbi is a Master of Public Health (MPH) candidate at the University of Alberta, currently serving as a practicum student with the Yukon Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (YSPOR) at Yukon University. With strong skills in data analysis, research synthesis, and effective communication, along with her experience as a Tobacco, Vaping, and Smoking Enforcement Student Research Analyst with Alberta Health Services, Esther is eager to apply her expertise to this four-month project. She aims to enhance the dissemination of important public health insights. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys cooking delicious meals, dancing to her favorite tunes, and getting lost in captivating TV series.
Sienna Moody
MPH Practicum Student
Sienna joined the YSPOR team in January 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Public Health, minoring in Addictions and Mental Health, from the University of Waterloo. Sienna also attended Ilisimatusarfik (University of Greenland) to study Arctic Social Sciences. She is currently completing her Master of Public Health, specializing in Indigenous Health, at the University of Toronto. Sienna is passionate about the relationships between environmental and human health and using health research to address community-identified priorities. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, reading, and spending time with nature. Sienna is grateful for the opportunity to learn and connect with the YSPOR community!
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.
Contact Liris: lsmith@yukonu.ca