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Researchers
Dr. Melody Morton Ninomiya is a researcher, educator, and mediator with experience in Indigenous health and wellness, critical public health, mental health and addictions, community-based and decolonizing research methods and methodologies, and knowledge translation. Dr. Morton Ninomiya is the Research Director of the Ishkode Research Group.
Prior to starting at Laurier, Dr. Morton Ninomiya held a CIHR postdoctoral fellowship at Well Living House, St. Michael’s Hospital, and postdoctoral position at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Since 2018, she has been a project scientist at CAMH on projects with First Nation communities in Ontario and Labrador. Dr. Morton Ninomiya received a PhD in Medicine (Community Health and Humanities) from Memorial University, MEd (Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning) from Memorial University, BEd from Queen’s University, and BA from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Dr. Laura Peach (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Fellow whose research focuses on community‑based research and evaluation methodologies, Indigenous health and wellness, and child and youth food literacy. Over the past decade, she has collaborated with diverse community partners (e.g., community organizations, health authorities, Indigenous communities) across Canada to meet their research and evaluation needs. Dr. Peach holds a PhD in Public Health Sciences (Health Evaluation specialization) from the University of Waterloo, as well as an MA in Geography and a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics from Western University. Dr. Peach is an Associate Research Director of the Ishkode Research Group.
Madison Wells (she/her) holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a specialization in Indigenous Peoples Health from the University of Victoria, BC. Prior to completing her MPH, Madison also attained a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Community Services with an area of focus on Indigenous Peoples' Health, and a Community, Family and Child Studies Diploma. Madison is passionate about the research-to-action pathway, and the capacity for Indigenous- and community-led research to catalyze positive change and improved health and wellbeing outcomes, particularly for equity-denied/deserving communities. Madison is a Associate Research Co-Director of the Ishkode Research Group.
Nicole Burns (she/her) is a settler to Turtle Island. She is a Research Assistant and IndWisdom Project Coordinator for Dr. Morton Ninomiya's research lab. Nicole graduated with a master's degree from Wilfrid Laurier's Community Psychology program in 2020 and is currently a PhD student in Global Governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. She has been engaged in community-led capacity building for the last several years, primarily working with Indigenous communities across Canada. Nicole's work centers around Indigenous Peoples right to self-determination; as an ally, she focuses on holding Western governments accountable to supporting and protecting Indigenous Peoples inherent rights. Nicole is primarily responsible for the coordination and management of the IndWisdom Study and the KSTAR Project, and providing mentorship to student trainees/researchers in the Ishkode Research Group.
There is a diverse and ever-evolving group of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students involved in projects with the Ishkode Research Group. For a complete list of current and past students, please visit: https://www.ishkoderg.org/researchers