{"id":8,"date":"2026-01-06T19:41:42","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T19:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/variath\/?page_id=8"},"modified":"2026-06-04T17:46:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T17:46:16","slug":"research-team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/variath\/research-team\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Meet the Research Team!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Caroline Variath \u2013 Principal Investigator<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Assistant Professor
Health Sciences and Human Services
Vancouver Island University

Health Professional-Investigator
Michael Smith Health Research BC

Coordinator
Medical Assistance in Dying Program
Palliative and End of Life Care
Island Health <\/p>\n\n\n\n

caroline.variath@viu.ca<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Informed by the challenges Dr. Variath encountered in clinical practice as a registered nurse, particularly in the areas of ethics and end-of-life care, her program of research focuses on health equity, ethics, and experiences with Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). She employs patient-oriented and community-based approaches to enhance end-of-life care, with particular attention to improving the experiences of patients, family members, and healthcare providers in contexts of death and dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undergraduate Research Trainees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Madeleine Alie<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Madeleine is in her final year of the 2nd Entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Humber Polytechnic, located in Toronto, Ontario. She previously obtained her Honours Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of Guelph in 2021. Madeleine is passionate about her engagement in nursing research addressing systemic health inequities faced by vulnerable populations, low-barrier\/barrier-free primary healthcare for underserved populations in Toronto, and ethical decision-making pedagogy in undergraduate nursing education.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rebekah Aplin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Rebekah is a second-year nursing student and research assistant with the Variath Research Group. Her work involves supporting the development and organization of research materials, contributing to ethical analysis, and engaging with questions that sit at the intersection of health care, systems, and lived experience. She brings a background in science and community-based work, and values research that is careful, honest, and attentive to real-world complexity. Rebekah is motivated by curiosity and responsibility, and is drawn to research that has the potential to shape practice, policy, and how people are cared for.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Yacub Blackman<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Yacub is a second-year nursing student and research assistant with Dr. Variath’s research program. With a background in healthcare, He is interested in research that thoughtfully explores how health systems, care practices, and lived experiences intersect. He enjoys contributing to work that helps inform meaningful and compassionate approaches to care. Outside of his studies and research, Yacub enjoys spending time at the gym and hiking.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Yulia Bobkova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Yulia is a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Vancouver Island University. She is involved in developing the repository website, which contains community resources to better support individuals’ health and social needs, and in developing this project portfolio site.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Samantha Isidro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Samantha is currently a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Vancouver Island University. She is currently involved in and enthusiastic about helping create a repository website of community resources to better support individuals’ health and social needs. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys playing New York Times Games and running.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Riley Last<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Riley is in her final year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Vancouver Island University. With a variety of health and healthcare interests, Riley is primarily involved with research surrounding ethics education in undergraduate nursing education. Her aim in beginning a meaningful career is to carry forward principles of ethics, especially as they pertain to person-centred, equitable care.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Graduate Research Trainees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Anna Gerassimova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Anna is a Master of Education in Educational Leadership student at Vancouver Island University, and she previously obtained a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Psychology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais. She is currently involved in the development of a grief guide for VIU. Her interests are centred on people-focused work and wellbeing, especially how people learn and move through different systems and environments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Former Team Members<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Undergraduate Research Trainees<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n