Dr. Linna Tam-Seto
Biography
Dr. Linna Tam-Seto is Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Science (Queen’s), Master of Science, Post-Professional Occupational Therapy (Dalhousie), Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy (Queen’s), and Bachelor of Arts, Women’s Studies (Queen’s). She is a registered occupational therapist with experience working in child, adolescent, and family mental health and supporting evidence-based professional practice. Dr. Tam-Seto was the inaugural Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Canadian Defence and Security Network completing her work at the Centre for International and Defence Policy (Queen’s) developing a mentorship program aimed at supporting women in the Canadian Armed Forces. She led the Military Health and Wellbeing Research Group in the Trauma and Recovery Research Unit (McMaster) and a Research Scientist with the Families Matter Research Group. Dr. Tam-Seto’s research interests include understanding the health and well-being of Canada’s military members, Veterans, public safety personnel, and their families with a focus on life transitions and changes.
Dr. Sandra Biskupski-Mujanovic
Dr. Sandra Biskupski-Mujanovic is a SSHRC Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) postdoctoral research fellow in the University of Waterloo Political Science Department and the Balsillie School of International Affairs. Dr. Biskupski-Mujanovic holds a PhD in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies with a specialization in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction from Western University. She does feminist work on security, militarization, and gender inequality. Her current research project is on men’s perspectives on achieving gender equality in the Canadian Armed Forces. She is a member of Dr. Tam-Seto’s 2SLGBTQIA+ MST research study team.
Morgan Fox
Morgan Fox is an MA Candidate in European and Eurasian Affairs at the University of Toronto. She was previously a Program Associate at Project Ploughshares, a peace and disarmament civil society organization. Before this, Morgan completed her undergraduate degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Queen's University. While there, she researched NATO’s implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda as an Undergraduate Researcher at the Centre for International and Defence Policy. At the LINKS lab, Morgan is involved in several projects related to the experiences of Veterans and service members in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Corina Pesti Godoy
Corina is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Health Studies with a Certificate in Disability and Physical Activity at Queen’s University. At The Links Lab, she serves as the Digital Content Coordinator, where she works to enhance the lab’s digital presence. Her work involves developing and managing web content, designing digital assets, and supporting communication efforts to help make the lab’s research more accessible and visually engaging.
Shannon Orchard Young
Shannon Orchard-Young MSc is a community-based researcher who uses data-driven storytelling to promote survivor and community health. Her work focuses on preventing sexual and gender-based violence, advancing policy change, and building trauma-informed practices in underrepresented communities. Shannon is a dedicated advocate for institutional change, working to strengthen policies, programs, and systems addressing violence. She has worked extensively on domestic sex trafficking prevention and sexual health promotion. Most recently, her work has included the development of e-learning courses to address sexual violence in Canadian communities and the growing need for military cultural competency in civilian service providers. She holds a MSc in Sexual and Reproductive health from Queen Margaret University’s Institute for Global Health and Development. Within the LINKS Lab she supports research activities aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of frontline service providers across the life course, including miliary and Veteran populations.
Leah Liebenthal
Leah Liebenthal is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. She holds an undergraduate degree in Behavioural Psychology from Seneca College, where her research focused on the relationship between perceived stress and coping mechanisms in post-secondary students. At the Links Lab, Leah is contributing to a project that explores the experiences of veterans, and their families.
Trainees
Jessica Hajj
Jessica has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Health Studies with a Health Research Specialization and a Gerontology minor from the University of Waterloo. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. Jessica is working on the project, “Lights Out: Exploring Sleep in Public Safety Families- A Scoping Review”.
Rebecca Mendoza
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Cognitive Science from the Carleton University, with a concentration in cognition and psychology, and a minor in linguistics. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. Rebecca is working on the project, “Lights Out: Exploring Sleep in Public Safety Families- A Scoping Review”.
Lea Goldman
Lea is completing her master’s degree in occupational therapy at the University of Toronto and will be starting medical school at the University of Ottawa in September 2025. Before this, Lea completed her BSc. in psychology at York University. At the LINKS lab, Lea is working on the project, “Growing Up with a Military Mom: A Scoping Review of the Experiences of Adult Children with Military Mothers”.
Shannon Polito
Shannon Polito is a student in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. She previously completed a Bachelor of Allied Health Sciences (Honours) Degree from Ontario Tech University. Shannon also earned Diplomas as an Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant, and in Recreation and Leisure Services, from Fleming College. Shannon is interested in research related to the health and well-being of military members, Veterans, public safety personnel, and their families, with a focus on sexual/gender diversity and intersectionality. She is currently working on the project, “Mapping Inclusivity: An environmental scan for programs and services for 2SLGBTQIA+ families”.
Aidan Dauphinee
Aidan Dauphinee is a student in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. He has a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) from Queen’s University. Aidan is a support member of the Student and Post-Doctoral Engagement Committee of the Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research, and he has an interest in knowledge synthesis research supporting defence and public safety personnel and their families. Aidan is currently working on the project, “Mapping pride in service: An environmental scan of organizations and programs that support sexual/gender diversity among military-connected families”.
Tal Newman
Tal holds a BSc in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University and is graduating with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Her clinical placements include experiences in mental health, orthopedics, and school-based OT. Tal has enjoyed working under the supervision of Dr. Linna Tam-Seto on a scoping review exploring the occupation of motherhood among military-connected women. This work reflects her overall interest in the health and well-being of military families across their life-course. Tal is passionate about pursuing a clinical role as an occupational therapist in supporting older adults to engage in meaningful activities that enhances their quality of life. At the LINKS lab, Tal is working on the project, “Growing Up with a Military Mom: A Scoping Review of the Experiences of Adult Children with Military Mothers”.
