One-on-One Research Support

The One-on-One Research Mentorship Program is a structured, individualized initiative designed to support the scholarly development of faculty, staff, and students at Yorkville University. Through dedicated sessions with experienced researchers drawn from across the university community, participants receive personalized guidance, constructive feedback, and evidence-informed strategies to advance their research endeavors.

These sessions offer a confidential and supportive environment in which participants may discuss research conceptualization, methodological approaches, analytical challenges, and opportunities for scholarly growth. The program is well-suited for individuals at any stage of the research process — whether refining a project proposal, navigating data collection or analysis, preparing a manuscript for submission, or exploring the integration of research with teaching and professional practice.

How to Book a Session

Step 1: Identify a Mentor

Review the profiles of available mentors by selecting a mentor’s photo to access their biography and areas of research expertise. Mentors are experienced faculty members representing diverse disciplinary backgrounds and research methodologies, situated across Yorkville’s campuses and multiple time zones.

Select the booking link associated with your preferred mentor to view their availability and schedule an appointment. When booking, you will be prompted to briefly outline the research questions or topics you wish to discuss, enabling the mentor to prepare accordingly. Please note that only booking the session via this link and do not send emails to mentors after you have a confirmation from them.

Upon receiving confirmation from your mentor, submit any relevant documents in advance of your session — such as a research proposal, draft manuscript, or literature review — to facilitate a focused and productive consultation.

Join your scheduled session and engage with your mentor in a structured, supportive discussion tailored to your research needs and goals.

Tahmina Akhter

Bachelor of Business Administration

Research Expertise:

  • Research design and data analysis planning
  • Quantitative data analysis and statistical modeling
  • Applied data science for business and social sciences
  • Data analysis software (Python, statistical tools, etc.)
  • Academic and scholarly writing (research articles, reports, theses)
  • Journal publication process and peer-review navigation

Bio:

Dr. Tahmina Akhter holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and brings over 15 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. Her scholarly work focuses on statistical analysis, quantitative modeling, and applied data science, with applications spanning business, economics, and social sciences. She has extensive experience translating complex analytical concepts into practical, data-driven insights. Dr. Akhter is deeply committed to mentoring students and early-career researchers, particularly in rigorous research design, methodological soundness, and publication-quality academic writing.

Sriram Ananthan

Bachelor of Business Administration

Research Expertise:
• Literature review;
• Sampling & recruitment strategies;
• Other research methodologies

Bio:

Dr. Sriram Ananthan is an academic, researcher, and editor based in Canada, with expertise in entrepreneurship, business strategy, digital transformation, and applied technologies. He is a faculty member at Yorkville University and has contributed extensively to peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes published by leading international publishers, including Springer, Emerald, and IGI Global. His work focuses on experiential learning, innovation, sustainability, and the intersection of technology and business practice. Dr. Ananthan is actively involved in curriculum development, academic leadership, and knowledge dissemination through teaching, research, and editorial roles.

Imran Aziz

Bachelor of Business Administration

Research Expertise:

  • Topic scoping & research design
  • Data analysis planning & interpretation
  • Quantitative data analysis
  • Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)
  • Publishing & peer review navigation

 

Bio:

Dr. Imran Aziz holds a PhD in Economics from York University and specializes in labour economics and applied microeconomics. He is currently a full-time faculty member of the BBA program at Yorkville University, Ontario.

His research interests are examining the impacts of technology on labour market and social outcomes, including its effect on intergenerational mobility and income inequality.

Bhupinder Chahal

Bachelor of Business Administration

Research Expertise:
• Topic scoping & research design;
• Research ethics / REB application & consent materials;
• Instrument design (surveys, interview guides, observation protocols);
• Sampling & recruitment strategies;
• Publishing & peer review navigation;
• Knowledge mobilization (presentations, briefs, infographics, media)

Bio:

Dr. Bhupinder Pal Singh Chahal, PhD, is a Faculty of Business Administration at Yorkville University, New Westminster, BC, Canada. His interdisciplinary research spans Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Analytics, Supply chain management, Human Resource Management, and business innovation, with particular emphasis on AI-driven decision-making and sustainable digital transformation. He has published extensively in Scopus-indexed journals and international edited volumes, including recent IGI Global contributions addressing AI adoption, sustainability practices, and academic–work–life integration. Dr. Chahal is actively engaged in global scholarly collaborations, conference presentations, research mentoring, and editorial activities. Recipient of multiple academic awards across Canada, India, and Spain, he is committed to research excellence, mentoring emerging scholars, and advancing responsible, technology-enabled business scholarship.

Jo Chang

Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy

Research Expertise:
• Topic scoping & research design
• Literature review
• Evidence synthesis (scoping, systematic, etc.)
• Research ethics / REB application & consent materials
• Sampling & recruitment strategies
• Instrument design (surveys, interview guides, observation protocols)
• Data management & documentation (DMPs, organization, versioning)
• Data analysis planning & interpretation
• Data analysis software use (NVivo, MAXQDA, SPSS, R, etc.)
• Qualitative data analysis
• Other research methodologies
• Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)
• Grants and funding applications
• Publishing & peer review navigation
• Project management & timelines


Bio:

Dr. Jo Chang is a full-time faculty member and Research Course Lead in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program, and a sessional faculty member in the Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy program. She holds a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Education in Counselling Psychology, as well as a Master of Business Administration. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Dr. Chang has served as a peer reviewer for scholarly associations, a research consultant with the National Institutes of Health, and a member of dissertation committees and research ethics boards. Her scholarly interests include research pedagogy and fostering critical, reflective thinking. Current projects examine return-to-work experiences and the integration of Eastern philosophy into counselling for older women.

Çağdaş Dedeoğlu

Liberal Arts

Research Expertise:

  • Topic scoping & research design
  • Evidence synthesis (scoping, systematic, etc.)
  • Research ethics / REB application & consent materials
  • Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)
  • Publishing & peer review navigation

Bio:

Dr. Çağdaş Dedeoğlu is a full-time Professor of Liberal Studies_Yorkville University and the Founding Director of The Posthuman Lab. He holds a PhD in Political Science and International Relations and completed postdoctoral research in environmental philosophy and ethics at the University of Florida. His research centers around political posthumanism at the intersection of sustainability, security, and technology, with affiliations across several Canadian research institutes. He is a widely published scholar and speaker on topics including citizenship, climate security, military education, and artificial intelligence. He also has extensive experience in editorial and reviewer roles.

Karen Edge

Master of Education

Research Expertise:

  • Topic scoping & research design
  • Literature review
  • Evidence synthesis (scoping, systematic, etc.)
  • Research ethics / REB application & consent materials
  • Sampling & recruitment strategies
  • Instrument design (surveys, interview guides, observation protocols)
  • Qualitative data analysis
  • Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)
  • Grants and funding applications
  • Knowledge mobilization (presentations, briefs, infographics, media)
  • Publishing & peer review navigation
  • Project management & timelines
  • Data management & documentation (DMPs, organization, versioning)
  • Data analysis planning & interpretation

 

Bio:

Dr. Karen Edge is Dean of the Faculty of Education at Yorkville University and an Honorary Professor at UCL. Her internationally funded research focuses on leadership, equality, diversity, and system-level change. She is an award-winning scholar, keynote speaker, and global research collaborator.

Hossein Hakimpour

Bachelor of Business Administration

Research Expertise:
• Topic scoping & research design
• Literature review
• Evidence synthesis (scoping, systematic, etc.)
• Instrument design (surveys, interview guides, observation protocols)
• Sampling & recruitment strategies
• Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)
• Qualitative data analysis
• Quantitative data analysis

Bio:

Dr. Hossein Hakimpour is a scholar in strategic management and digital marketing whose research examines artificial intelligence for decision-making, CRM, and sustainability. He teaches business and marketing courses in Canada and has published extensively in international journals. His work integrates strategic foresight, innovation, and responsible AI into organizational decision-making.

Shabnam Javanmard

Liberal Arts

Research Expertise:

  • Literature review
  • Data analysis planning & interpretation
  • Data analysis software use (SPSS, R, etc.)
  • Quantitative data analysis
  • Scholarly writing (articles and theses)

Bio:

Shabnam Javanmard is a Ph.D. in psychology and a faculty member at Yorkville University. Her research focuses on quantitative research methods, applied social psychology, workplace well-being, and positive psychology. She has extensive experience in publishing peer-reviewed original articles and supporting students through the full research lifecycle from question development to data analysis and dissemination.

Amit Kohli

Bachelor of Business Administration

Research Expertise:
• Literature review
• Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)


Bio:

Dr. Amit Kohli is a sessional faculty member at Yorkville University with over 25 years of combined academic and industry experience. He completed postdoctoral research at the University of Arizona and the University of Calgary and holds a PhD from India along with two master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering and Administrative Sciences. Dr. Kohli has published more than 50 research papers, authored two books, holds multiple patents, and has received several teaching and research awards. His research interests include augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain, IoT, and digital transformation.

Doris MacKinnon

Master of Education

Research Expertise:

  • Literature review
  • Qualitative data analysis
  • Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)
  • Publishing & peer review navigation
  • Knowledge mobilization (presentations, briefs, infographics, media)

Bio:

Dr. Doris J. MacKinnon holds a PhD in Canadian and Indigenous History and conducts research on Métis women, Indigenous history, and adult education. Her work includes award-winning books and articles, with her most recent edited collection receiving the Canadian Historical Association’s Indigenous History Book of the Year (2025). She is widely recognized for her contributions to Indigenous scholarship and public history.

Gary Marshall

Bachelor of Business Administration

Research Expertise:

  • Literature review
  • Research ethics / REB application & consent materials
  • Instrument design (surveys, interview guides, observation protocols)
  • Data analysis software use (NVivo, MAXQDA, SPSS, R, etc.)
  • Qualitative data analysis
  • Quantitative data analysis
  • Other research methodologies
  • Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)
  • Publishing & peer review navigation

Bio:

Dr. Gary Marshall is an Adjunct Professor whose work focuses on leadership, ethical decision-making, Indigenous Studies, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. He brings a practitioner-scholar approach to research mentorship, emphasizing rigor and real-world relevance. He currently serves as a copy editor and reviewer for the International Journal of Modern Education Studies and is a nominee for Yorkville University’s President’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

James McKinnon

Liberal Arts

Research Expertise:

  • Topic scoping & research design
  • Literature review
  • Research ethics / REB application & consent materials
  • Qualitative data analysis
  • Other research methodologies
  • Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)
  • Grants and funding applications
  • Publishing & peer review navigation

Bio: Dr James McKinnon (PhD, MA, BA Hons, PGDipHELT) is a member of the YUBC Liberal Arts faculty. His research and creative practice explore creativity, adaptation, and theatrical pedagogy. He has published widely in drama and education journals, co-edited major scholarly volumes, and received national teaching excellence awards for his contributions to higher education.

Rhett Mohajer

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

Research Expertise:

  • Publishing & peer review navigation

Bio:

Dr. Rhett Mohajer (PsyD) is a Registered Psychotherapist, a Registered Clinical Counsellor, a psychoanalyst, a member of the Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy, and a member of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Mohajer’s research interests include understanding the impacts of trauma on the psyche, music and psychological health, and applications of psychoanalytic theories. Dr. Mohajer is the BCACC 2025 award winner for “distinguished professional contributions to applied research.” He has published on the applications of object relations theories, is a chapter contributor to the Palgrave Handbook of Ecosystems and well-being, and serves as an editorial board member of Dialogues in Health.

Avideh Najibzadeh

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

Research Expertise:

  • Topic scoping & research design
  • Literature review
  • Data analysis planning & interpretation
  • Data analysis software use (NVivo, MAXQDA, SPSS, R, etc.)
  • Qualitative data analysis
  • Quantitative data analysis
  • Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)

 

Bio: Dr. Avideh Najibzadeh is a Registered Psychotherapist and core faculty member at Yorkville University. She holds a PhD in General Psychology and brings extensive experience in mixed-methods research, identity development, and trauma treatment. Her scholarship integrates clinical practice with rigorous research mentorship.

Jeeyeon Ryu

Master of Education

Research Expertise:

  • Arts-based methodologies

Bio:

Dr. Jeeyeon Ryu holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies and teaches in the Faculty of Education at Yorkville University. As an arts-based educational researcher, she integrates piano improvisation, poetry, photography, videography, and storytelling into her scholarly work. She specializes in creative research methodologies such as a/r/tography, poetic inquiry, evocative autoethnography, and post-qualitative inquiry.

Nikki Sohaee

Bachelor of Business Administration

Research Expertise:

  • Topic scoping & research design
  • Literature review
  • Instrument design (surveys, interview guides, observation protocols)
  • Data management & documentation (DMPs, organization, versioning)
  • Data analysis planning & interpretation
  • Scholarly writing (articles, reports, theses)
  • Publishing & peer review navigation
  • Knowledge mobilization (presentations, briefs, infographics, media)
  • Evidence synthesis (scoping, systematic, etc.)

 

Bio: Dr. Nikki Sohaee is a Professor in the BBA program whose research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, business strategy, and generative AI. She is an active interdisciplinary researcher and mentor committed to strengthening research rigor and real-world impact.

Nakita Savant

Master of Education

Research Expertise:

  • Sampling & recruitment strategies
  • Data management & documentation (DMPs, organization, versioning)
  • Data analysis planning & interpretation
  • Publishing & peer review navigation
  • Knowledge mobilization (presentations, briefs, infographics, media)
  • Qualitative data analysis
  • Project management & timelines

Bio:

Dr. Nakita Savant Nakita Savant, EdD, holds a degree in Higher Education Leadership (EdD). She is a sessional instructor in the Master’s of Education Department at Yorkville University. Nakita was an Assistant Program professor in the Doctor of Education Leadership program at Saint Mary’s University of MN, a Curriculum Specialist at Capella University, and served as an Associate Dean of Faculty. Her teaching and research focus on transformative educational praxis, Artificial Intelligence, culture and health, and feminist theory. Her published works explore critical pedagogy, educational transformation, neurolinguistics, and the intersectionality of factors related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as their impact on the lived human experience. Nakita brings a heightened awareness of the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

Richard Viflanzoff

Bachelor of Business Administration

Research Expertise:
• Literature review; Sampling & recruitment strategies;
• Data analysis planning & interpretation;
• Qualitative data analysis;
• Topic scoping & research design;
• Instrument design (surveys, interview guides, observation protocols);
• Research ethics / REB application & consent materials

Bio: 

Dr. Richard Viflanzoff is a Sessional Faculty member in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at Yorkville University. He holds a PhD in International Business from the International School of Management (ISM Paris), where his doctoral research examined corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Chinese business environment. With a background in business leadership, sustainability, and international management, Dr. Viflanzoff brings extensive industry experience into his teaching, helping students connect theory to real-world practice through applied and research-informed learning. His research interests include CSR, sustainability / Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international business, cross-cultural leadership, and sustainability integration in business and polytechnic education. In addition to his PhD, he is currently pursuing an EdD in Curriculum Studies and Learning Sciences.

Matthew Dunleavy wearing a pink and purple polka-dot shirt under a grey blazer with red-framed glasses and a long reddish-brown beard smiling into the camera
Matthew Dunleavy

Senior Educational Developer, Faculty Excellence and Development

Matthew Dunleavy (he/him) is an educational developer and scholarly teacher with over 9+ years’ experience. He immediately joins our CTEI from York University where he was an Educational Developer with the Teaching Commons; before entering that role, he served as the Program Director of the Online Learning and Technology Consultants (OLTC) Program at the Maple League of Universities (Acadia University; Bishop’s University; Mount Allison University; and St. Francis Xavier University). In 2022, he was awarded the D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) for this work.