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David Nicholas, PhD, RSW

David Nicholas, PhD, RSW, has a background in psychosocial outcome and intervention research related to children, youth and families affected by illness and disability. Dr. Nicholas brings expertise in qualitative and mixed method research approaches. He brings an extensive clinical and administrative background in the fields of social work and health and disability. Dr. Nicholas is the author of over 70 research publications. Over the past 20 years he has held over $12 million in research grants, and has been a PI on major grant funding from the federal and provincial sources including grants funded by SSHRC and CIHR. Dr. Nicholas has been a key leader in nurturing capacity building, addressing vocational issues in ASD, and building partnerships in Canada and internationally. Much of his current research focuses on seeking more equitable opportunities for obtaining and retaining employment for persons with ASD.



Paul Arnold, MD, PhD

Dr. Arnold, MD, PhD is the inaugural Director of The Mathison Centre for Mental Health & Education and the Alberta Innovates Translational Health Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health at the University of Calgary. He is a Professor with the Departments of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary and a child and adolescent psychiatrist practicing at Alberta Children’s Hospital.  He is an internationally known researcher in the genomics of pediatric neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders, particularly Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As Director of the Mathison Centre, he leads a multidisciplinary research hub of over 100 mental health researchers from seven faculties across the University of Calgary. Working closely with Alberta Health Services, Dr. Arnold leads large comprehensive research programs focused on creating a learning health system and testing early interventions for children, adolescents and emerging adults. 

Gina Dimitropoulos, PhD

Dr. Gina Dimitropoulos is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, and is cross-appointed with the Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics.  She conducts research in developing and testing interventions in youth and family peer support, patient navigation, and care coordination for transitioning adolescents to the continuum of adult services with a focus on youth involved in multiple systems (justice and child protection services) as well as post-secondary students. Dr. Dimitropoulos has also pioneered adaptations to existing treatments for youth and young adults with eating disorders and other mental health concerns transitioning from pediatric to adult services. Her expertise spans multiple methodologies including qualitative and mixed-methods research, youth and family engagement and implementation science.

Theresa Jubenville-Wood, Ph.D

Dr. Theresa Jubenville-Wood, Ph.D., is a Registered Psychologist in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario. She has a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary. Dr. Jubenville-Wood completed her pre-doctoral internship with the London Clinical Psychology Residency Consortium in London, Ontario. Throughout her clinical training, she focused on obtaining experience supporting the mental health needs of neurodivergent adults. Dr. Jubenville-Wood’s doctoral research used qualitative methods to explore what helps and hinders in psychotherapy for autistic adults, and this work is currently being prepared for publication. Dr. Jubenville-Wood has consulted on provincial and national projects designed to educate and advocate for the mental health needs of neurodivergent adults. Dr. Jubenville-Wood provides individualized therapy for adults in Alberta and Ontario through her private practice. She works in the areas of women’s mental health, maternal mental health, and supporting the mental health of neurodivergent adults. She also enjoys educating organizations and workplaces about mental health and wellness practices, and building awareness and inclusion of neurodiversity.

Michael Frost, Artist

I’m person who identifies as an artivist, self-advocate, arts-based researcher, gardener, care partner, and volunteer at a local respite care organization. I am also an autistic person. I’m currently engaged in advocacy work looking at ways of improving access to oral healthcare for invisibly disabled persons. I also create collage and digital stories which explore themes I first explore in my collage. My collage work explores themes around how I hope society can become more inclusive of invisibly disabled persons.
I share my digital stories on my YouTube channel Sculpting Thought Sculpting Dialogue.

Ade Orimalade, MD, FRCPC, FRCPsych

Dr. Ade Orimalade is an adult-focused Developmental Disability Psychiatrist, and Associate Clinical Professor with the University of Alberta, Department of Psychiatry. He practices at Alberta Health Services in Edmonton. Dr. Orimalade brings specialty training and expertise in Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability. Prior to his current role, he provided adult autism-focused psychiatry service in the United Kingdom.