Vatanparast Nutritional Epidemiology Lab (VNEL)

Meet the Team

Dr. Hassan Vatanparast is the head of the VNELab. Dr. Vatanparast is a Professor in the field of Nutritional Epidemiology with Joint Appointment to the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition and School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan. He is actively involved in research and health promotion initiatives targeting children’s health and chronic disease. Dr. Vatanparast is leading several projects at the local, national and global levels aimed to improve the nutritional health of the general population, newcomers and indigenous communities.


Research Staff


Post Doctoral Fellows

Picture of Michele Monroy-Valle

Michele Monroy-Valle PhD, MPH
Post-Doctoral Fellow and Sessional Lecturer


Picture of Payam Sharifan

Payam Sharifan MD, PhD
Post-Doctoral Fellow


Picture of Mojtaba Shafiee

Mojtaba Shafiee BSc, MSc, PhD
Post-Doctoral Fellow and Sessional Lecturer


PhD Students

Picture of  Samer Al-Bazz

Samer Al-Bazz MSc
PhD Nutrition Student


Picture of  Hayelom Gebrekirstos Menegesha

Hayelom Gebrekirstos Menegesha BSc, MSc, MPH
PhD Epidemiology Student


Picture of Parisa Jandaghi

Parisa Jandaghi BSc, MSc
PhD Nutrition Student


Picture of Ms. Zahra Khorasanchi

Ms. Zahra Khorasanchi BSc, MSc
PhD Nutrition Student Department of Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS)


Picture of Karim  Karbin

Karim Karbin BSc, MSc
PhD Nutrition Student


Picture of  Mona  Alidadi

Mona Alidadi BSc, MSc
PhD Nutrition Student


Master Students

Picture of Samy Abdullah

Samy Abdullah BSc
MPH Thesis-based Student


Picture of  Katherine Hillier

Katherine Hillier BSc, RD
MSc Nutrition Student


Picture of  Izuchukwu Loveth Ejie

Izuchukwu Loveth Ejie BSc
MPH Public Health Student



Co-investigators of HSDS

Dr. Rachel Engler-Stringer
Co-investigator for HSDS

Associate Professor, Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan


Dr. Anne Leis
Co-investigator for HSDS

Department Head, Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan


Co-investigators of CMF

Dr. Rachel Engler-Stringer
Co-investigator for CMF

Associate Professor, Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan


Dr. Marwa Farag
Co-investigator for CMF

Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan


Dr. Carol Henry
Co-investigator for CMF

Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan​


Dr. Mustafa Koc
Co-Principal Investigator

Professor, Department of Sociology, Ryerson University


Dr. Tamer Qarmout
Co-investigator for CMF

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan


Dr. Louise Racine
Co-investigator for CMF

Professor, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan


Dr. Judy White
Co-investigator for CMF

Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina


Dr. Anna Ziersch
Co-investigator for CMF

Associate Professor, Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity, Flinders University


Co-investigators of HIC

Dr. Brian Gushulak
Migration Health Consultant, Co-investigator for HIC


Dr. Carol Henry
Co-investigator for HIC

Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan​


Dr. Ginny Lane
Co-investigator for HIC

Adjunct Professor, University of Saskatchewan


Dr. Judy White
Co-investigator for HIC

Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina