Our People

Dr. Tara Horrill (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Manitoba, a Registered Nurse, and a white settler of European ancestry. Her research takes a critical approach to investigating health inequities within the context of the cancer care system, with a particular focus on equitable access to cancer care and equity-oriented approaches to care. Her doctoral research, which focused on inequities in access to oncology care among Indigenous Peoples in Canada, was awarded the inaugural Dr. Shannon Scott Prize for Excellence in Nursing Research. Her postdoctoral research (University of British Columbia/BC Cancer) focused on understanding the organizational factors that impact uptake of equity-oriented healthcare strategies in cancer care, laying the foundation for future implementation and evaluation of equity-promoting interventions in the cancer care sector. In her current role, Dr. Horrill is engaged in collaborative research and knowledge exchange initiatives in partnership with interdisciplinary researchers, clinicians, health system leaders, and patients with lived experience with the aim of generating evidence to address health inequities in the cancer care sector.

Komal Krishna Tiwari (she/her) is an enthusiastic researcher in the field of Health Services Research. Komal’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degrees in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (specialized in Musculoskeletal disorders & Sports Medicine). Komal has worked as a Physiotherapist, Research Assistant and Research Coordinator in various settings in Canada and abroad since past nine years. Throughout her academic journey, she has received distinct scholarships and awards for her academic excellence and scientific work. Her research interest includes qualitative and quantitative research, Evidence Synthesis, Knowledge Translation, Health Policy & Health Services research, and Systematic Literature & Scoping Reviews. Being a woman in health sciences and health research, she always adds and brings in live experiences, collaborative and inclusive approach to her work. Fun fact: She is a researcher who dedicates all her time to her work, and even more time to being a mother. She also loves spending her summer in cabins and kayaking

I am a white settler, uninvited guest with British and German ancestry. I am a trans, non-binary, and queer person living, learning, and loving on Treaty 1 Territory. I am currently completing my Master of Nursing thesis, focused on the experiences of gender inclusive and affirming practices of undergraduate nursing students and faculty across Canada. My work has focused on mental health and addictions, 2S/LGBTQiA+ health, community health, and harm reduction across the lifespan, in both urban (Treaty 13, Toronto) and remote areas (Treaty 3, Northwestern Ontario). I have been a research assistant for REACHE Lab since January 2023. In another life I would be an Ornithologist: I absolutely love birds and want them to thrive in our world as they once did.

Morgan (they/them) has a BA in International Development and Conflict Resolution, a MSc in Family Social Sciences/Community Health Sciences, and over a decade of experience doing research related to equity and cancer including 5 years experience in the cancer system working to address inequities across the cancer trajectory. Morgan is broadly interested in research focused on health equity, cancer care, gender minority health and data equity. They are currently completely a PhD focused on exploring ways to improve how gender diverse people are included and represented in cancer research using routinely collected data. Morgan has been working with REACHE Lab on a scoping review to support the ExACT project. Morgan has also recently developed a keen interest in woodworking, and spends as much time as possible planning home renos.

Adam (he/they) has been a registered nurse for the past 6 years in an urban Emergency Department. Adam is a Master of Nursing student at the University of Manitoba with a research focus on the health and wellness of people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. Adam is currently analyzing data for their thesis research focusing on uplifting the voices and experiences of nurses who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ in Winnipeg. Adam’s role at the REACHE lab is to bridge the gap between the lab’s research and the wider community through knowledge translation on social media platforms.

Amber Bourgeois (she/her) is a PhD candidate from the University of Victoria, School of Nursing and past CIHR Health Systems Impact Doctoral Fellow. Informed by critical and intersectional perspectives of health equity and social justice, Amber joins the REACHE Lab and brings her clinical experience as a nurse practitioner to examine inequities in accessing cancer care in real-world settings. The focus of her dissertation research aims to identify and understand barriers and facilitators to accessing cancer treatment and care from the perspective of people who experience socioeconomic disadvantage (i.e., poverty, homelessness), their chosen caregivers, and community-based support networks. This foundational work aims to make actionable recommendations that will work towards the development of policies, programs, and sustainable services to advance equitable access to treatment.

Young Rock (he/him) is a research assistant at the REACHE Lab and is working on “a study that examines inequities in access to lung cancer treatment among people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage in Manitoba”. The research focuses “on systems-level barriers and potential strategies for improvement.”. Young Rock graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Young Rock’s research interests are studies that center cancer care, health disparities, and the well-being of nurses.

Josh (he/him) is an undergraduate research assistant for the REACHe lab and is currently completing his Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Manitoba. Josh completed his Bachelor of Kinesiology in June 2022, and his current research interests include “providing equitable healthcare to underrepresented and rural communities within Canada.” He is also the Vice Stick of the Nursing Students’ Association where he helps introduce and navigate students through the Bachelor of Nursing program.

Esha Kaul (she/her) is an undergraduate research assistant at the REACHE Lab. She focuses on inequities in lung cancer treatment access for Manitobans experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages. Esha is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics. She is passionate about improving healthcare access for structurally marginalized communities. When not studying or working at the lab, Esha serves as a crisis counselor at Klinic Community Health.