Empowering Kids, Informing Policy (EKIP) Research Team

Dr. Mavra Ahmed is a public health nutrition and food policy scientist with recognized expertise in systems-based approaches to improving child nutrition and food environments. She is a Research Associate at the Joannah & Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition and the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. She also holds adjunct faculty and lecturer positions at the Ontario Tech University, Toronto Metropolitan and York University. Her areas of expertise include food and nutrition policy (e.g. school food programs, food labelling and nutritional quality of the food supply, marketing, nutrient profiling, and consumer nutrition literacy), dietary assessment, digital health interventions, and the application of machine learning/artificial intelligence in nutrition research.

Alison Mildon is a postdoctoral fellow in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. Her research investigates the experiences and determinants of inequities in perinatal health and infant nutrition security, and opportunities to address these through community based interventions. Dr. Mildon received her Masters and PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto, and is a Registered Dietitian with extensive experience in public health nutrition. Her work as both a researcher and practitioner aims to improve maternal, infant and child nutrition and food security among diverse populations in Canada and globally.

Asma Musa is a Registered Dietitian, public health researcher, and PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, where she is affiliated with the Joannah and Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition. Her work focuses on culturally responsive school food programs, Black food sovereignty, and advancing equitable food systems through community-engaged and policy-relevant research. With experience across community, academic, and national initiatives, Asma is deeply committed to strengthening school food program quality, centering Black and marginalized voices, and translating evidence into action to support the health, dignity, and wellbeing of children and youth across Canada.

Benjamin Organ is a public health researcher at the University of Toronto’s Joannah and Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition. His work examines the political, governance, and implementation dimensions of Canada’s National School Food Program, including the first comprehensive mapping of Canada's policymaking landscape. Drawing on legislative analysis, policy stakeholder engagements, and public opinion research, Benjamin aims to connect audiences with practical, research-based tools to drive policy change and community impact.

Selina Quibrantar is a researcher at the Joannah and Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition at the University of Toronto, where she also leads the Centre’s youth engagement strategy. Specializing in qualitative methods and community-engaged research, her work takes an equity-focused approach that centers community voices in nutrition and public health initiatives. She has examined parents’ and caregivers’ perspectives on school food program attributes, contributing to a framework that defines core components of a holistic, multicomponent school food program. Committed to positive change and healthier communities, Selina seeks to make a lasting impact on individual and community well-being across Canada.

Nina Trask is a Research Officer at the University of Toronto’s Joannah and Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition. Her research focuses on school food programs and shaping public health policies to advance healthy food environments for youth. With experience spanning community, academic, and national initiatives, she is committed to exploring solutions that strengthen school food program quality, promote equitable access to nutritious food, and improve the health and wellbeing of children and youth across Canada.

Nicole Weber is a registered dietitian, public health researcher and 3rd generation French-German settler based at the Joannah & Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition at the University of Toronto. Her earlier research focused on understanding the implementation realities of school food programs (SFPs), with over five years of experience generating evidence to inform Canada's National SFP. She co-led a province-wide study gathering perspectives from SFP coordinators and coordinated with the Toronto District School Board examining how different program models impact student nutrition, food literacy, academic achievement and overall well-being.

She is currently supporting Indigenous-led research that aims to learn from the promising practices of Indigenous-focused SFPs. Her work emphasizes culturally grounded approaches and seeks to strengthen food sovereignty for Indigenous students. She is committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation through relational accountability and working in good ways with Indigenous partners and communities, guided by the principles of respect, relevance, reciprocity and responsibility. 

Annette Blais is an administrative officer and former researcher at the University of Toronto’s Joannah and Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition. Her work examines the landscape and nutritional quality of school food programs across Canada, offering critical baseline insights ahead of the National School Food Policy. Annette brings a policy-informed, evidence-driven approach to advancing equitable, high-quality school food initiatives.