Research Team

Research Associates & Staff

Jaclyn Lanthier

Ph.D, Philosophy of Neuroscience

She/Her

About Jaclyn:

Jaclyn is a vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) advocate from Toronto, Canada, who founded The Lost Labia Chronicles, an evidence-based platform for VLS information and support. She is currently enrolled in the EUPATI training program and is enhancing her advocacy skills. With a Ph.D. in philosophy of neuroscience from Western University, she has expertise in evaluating scientific methods and ensuring research credibility. Jaclyn is dedicated to science communication, knowledge translation, and improving the quality of life for individuals with VLS through education and support.  

Carlie McPhee

Research Coordinator

She/They

About Carlie:

​Carlie is a seasoned sexual health educator, with a love for supporting sexual health research. She brings an undergraduate in health education and a master’s certificate in sexual health, and many years of public health work experience. Carlie is an avid reader (trying to read 200 books this year!), and loves to play outside all year round.

Graduate Students

Hannah Dykeman

MSc Student, Women+ Health Sciences​ 

She/Her

About Hannah:

Hannah is a first-year MSc student in the UBC Women+ and Children’s Health program. ​Her primary research interests involve investigating the etiologies, treatments, and health consequences of vulvar pain disorders. Hannah aims to understand the biopsychosocial factors influencing vulvar pain with the goal of enhancing treatment options. 

Katherine Hunker

MSc Student, Women+ Health Sciences 

She/Her

About Katherine:

Katherine is a MSc student in the UBC Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences Program. Her research interests center on sexual and vulvar health concerns, and how these concerns are addressed in the healthcare system. Katherine uses mixed methods to better understand sexual health concerns in the context of chronic health conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, lichen sclerosus). The goal of Katherine’s research is to develop resources and trainings for patients and healthcare providers that positively impact patients’ sexual well being and healthcare satisfaction. 

Kiarah O’Kane

MA Student, Clinical psychology

She/They

About Kiarah:

Kiarah is a second-year MA student in the UBC Clinical Psychology Program. Their research interests are twofold: First, to examine the modifiable factors impacting the sexual well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. Second, to use psychophysiological and eye tracking methods to explore gender and sexual orientation differences in sexual response patterns. These research interests serve the overarching goal of developing accessible interventions for bolstering the sexual well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.

Medical Students

Carly Johnston​ 

Research FLEX Student​ 

She/Her

About Carly:

Carly is a 4th year medical student at UBC VFMP program. Before medicine, she received an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology from SFU and worked as a kinesiologist for a few years. She is now in her final year of medical school hoping to pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She’s incredibly passionate about reproductive health, specifically focusing on reproductive mental health and perinatal anxiety. She is excited to join the PHASE lab team to learn more about how different vulvar conditions impact people with vulvas psychological and sexual functioning. When she’s not busy with school, you can find her down on the seawall with her partner, Chris, and miniature dachshund, Daisy.

Jennifer Zhang

Volunteer Research Assistant

She/Her

About Jennifer:

Jennifer is a second-year medical student at UBC and a recent BKIN grad. Her research and clinical practice interests predominantly center around reproductive health, substance use, and rural health. ​

Undergraduate Students

Sam Campbell​

Volunteer Research Assistant​ 

They/She

About Sam:

Sam is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UBC. Her research interests encompass individuals’ and couples’ sexual well-being, especially in groups traditionally underrepresented in research. In the future, they intend to pursue graduate school in psychology.

Emmett Harries​ 

Volunteer Research Assistant​ 

He/Him

About Emmett:

​Emmett is a fourth-year psychology student at UBC. His primary research interests involve public sexual health literacy, relational development, and sexual well-being in relationships. Upon completion of his degree, Emmett plans to pursue graduate studies and a further career in public health. ​​

Lorelei McEwen​

Volunteer Research Assistant​ 

They/She

About Lorelei:

Lorelei is a fourth-year​ psychology honours student at UBC. Within the lab, she primarily works on the VLS Couples study and is interested in improving sexual health/wellbeing outcomes for disabled and queer communities. In the future, Lorelei intends to achieve a PhD in Clinical psychology with a focus on integrating underrepresented community perspectives (D/disabled, queer, BIPOC) into clinical research initiatives.