Our team

Dr. Erica Di Ruggiero is an Associate Professor of Global Health, Division of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences & Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. She is also the Director of the Centre for Global Health and the Collaborative Specialization in Global Health, and co-director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Health Promotion. Her program of research examines how evidence affects global policy agendas related to employment, other determinants of health equity in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. She also studies population health interventions, using novel conceptual and methodological tools to conduct international comparative policy research on global social and health inequities. Prior to joining the DLSPH, she was the inaugural Deputy Scientific Director with the CIHR-Institute of Population and Public Health. She holds a PhD in public health sciences from University of Toronto.

Nicoda Foster is strongly committed to addressing the social determinants of health and advocates for the removal of barriers to improving the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable in society. She has demonstrated her passion for health equity through her career, working in sustainability, and her research that focuses on the health and wellbeing of minority women in Canada. Over the years, Nicoda has held several progressive administrative roles with organizations such as Toronto Metropolitan University’s Future Skills Centre where she managed funding agreements with over 70 project partners, Sinai Health System where she lead the development of the Geriatrics program’s evaluation and research infrastructure, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario where she supported the uptake of their world renowned best practice guidelines in nursing practice as well as Cancer Care Ontario where she provided leadership in the publication of their yearly report, the Cancer System Quality Index. She received her Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs and Policy Management at Carleton University, her Masters of Public Health from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and completed her Ph.D. at McMaster University.

Hello, my name is Abisha Pathmanathan (she/her), and I have received the wonderful opportunity to complete a student placement with the SDGs@UofT. After completing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto Scarborough, I am pursuing my MPH at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences (Health Promotion) to enhance my passions and knowledge about health promotion and project/program management. Stemming from my work as a student Program Coordinator and Health Promotion Assistant at UTSC’s Health & Wellness Centre, I have developed great pleasure in recognizing, informing, and supporting folks in navigating their health and social determinants of health. With the SDGs@UofT I hope to continue exploring these passions on local, national, and global scales by advocating for and supporting our scholars in conducting transdisciplinary research that can advance the SDGs and inform the post-2030 global goals.

Areej is a BA (Hons) graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University. She has 7+ years of experience working with and successfully advocating for marginalized groups, such as: women, children, 2SLGBTQIA+ populations, immigrants and newcomers to Canada, people with short and long-term physical and mental disabilities, and racialized groups. Areej also has extensive knowledge in project coordination, and has used qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and processes throughout her academic and professional career. With a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, she looks forward to contributing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and driving impactful outcomes.

Angeline Elsted is an up and coming marketer. As a BBA candidate pursuing a specialist degree in Marketing with a minor in Economics, she has spent recent years pursuing her passion in marketing and project management roles. With her very first marketing role as a Marketing Associate in the Association of Accountancy (AOA), Angeline further climbed the ladder, becoming a Digital Media Director, and eventually the Vice President of Public Relations. As an active member in the community, she is always looking for new opportunities for her to diversify her experiences. Having had a few internship experiences, Angeline worked as a Digital Marketing Assistant with the University of Toronto Scarborough, where she was able to efficiently promote and boost student morale with the university name. She also had the opportunity to intern as a Marketing Co-op at Sanofi in the vaccine department, where she was able to expand her project management skill set to help the team in managing assets going out on a daily basis. Overall, these experiences allowed her to demonstrate her creativity and analytical skills and learn what goes on behind the scenes in the world of marketing.

Mara Uzomah is dedicated to contributing to impactful research and administrative efforts that support global sustainability goals. As an HBSc student pursuing a specialist degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor degree in Linguistics, she brings a health and wellness oriented approach to advancing sustainable development. Currently serving as an Administration and Research Assistant at SDGs@UofT, Mara plays a key role in advancing initiatives related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mara's prior experience working alongside healthcare professionals and patients as an Assistant Physician at North York Family Physicians After Hours Clinic equip her with the interpersonal, strategic, and management skills for being sucessful at SDGs@UofT. She brings a well-rounded skill set in organization, communication, and team collaboration, and is committed to expanding her expertise in sustainable development and research. Mara plans to continue exploring opportunities that align with her passion for bettering vulnerable communities and sustainable healthcare.