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

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.

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.

Noor (she/her) is a Ph.D. candidate in Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, a Registered Pharmacist with 15+ years of experience, and a healthcare researcher focused on medication use, cancer and chronic disease therapies, and health promotion. Her work integrates clinical and epidemiological expertise to advance equitable access to cancer care and improve health outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations.

Nimrit Ubhi (she/her) is an undergraduate Research Assistant at the REACHE Lab and currently serves as the lab’s Social Media Coordinator. She previously contributed to the Social Needs Assessment (SNA) Matrix during the summer and has since begun the Bachelor of Nursing program at the University of Manitoba’s Northern Cohort in Thompson. Nimrit continues to support the Social Needs Assessment (SNA) Project, which aims to co-develop and evaluate a social needs assessment tool for outpatient cancer care in Manitoba to improve equitable access and support for patients experiencing structural marginalization.

In addition to her research and communications role, Nimrit works as a Health Care Aide, gaining direct clinical experience that deepens her understanding of patient needs and strengthens her commitment to advancing equity in healthcare access.

Raymond (he/him) RN BN, is a researcher at the REACHE Lab. He is interested in men’s mental health and is currently working on his PhD thesis, which explores how discursive and cultural marginalization shapes mental health discourse among young men living in urban Canadian contexts. He completed a Bachelor’s in Nursing and brings this background to his interdisciplinary work on health and equity.

I am excited to be joining the team, I bring experience in research coordination, healthcare administration, and community-based work. I have most recently worked with the Manitoba Métis Federation as a Research Project Coordinator, supporting health and environmental research projects through acquiring funding, coordinating various projects, qualitative data collection and reporting, and collaboration with community, academic, and government partners. I have also worked in fast-paced healthcare environments, such as the NICU unit at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax Nova Scotia, and as a research consultant on mental health surveillance projects. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Business minor from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I value clear communication, teamwork, and creating supportive and collaborative environments. My mother is a Life Flight nurse in the Maritimes, so I was raised and still am by a nurse. My Father was in the Canadian AirForce growing up so I have moved all over Canada and lived in Florida. I also grew up ice skating and in Ballet, I currently enjoy yoga and walks with my dog, and I love being a new Auntie to my baby nephew Noah! I am looking forward to getting to know everyone more on the team and sharing ideas!

Gifty is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work explores food systems, health, sustainability, and social equity. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Manitoba, an MPhil from the University of Bergen, Norway and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana. With her combined background in anthropology and psychology, she draws on ethnographic research inquiry to understand people’s lived experiences.

Gifty is passionate about how research can inform more equitable policies and practices that create meaningful impact for communities. She brings extensive experience in interdisciplinary research projects focused on health, social determinants of well-being, freshwater fisheries, food systems, and equity, from her recent roles as Senior Research Associate at the University of Winnipeg and Research Coordinator at the University of Manitoba.

Gifty values evidence-based and collaborative research that advances knowledge and brings practical relevance for research participants, communities, service providers and policymakers.