Get to know the people who make our community special! Each month, we introduce an ISSWSH member and share their professional journey, personal interests, and connection to women’s sexual health.

Member of the Month: November 2026
Kingston, Ontario - Canada

My path into women's sexual health began with a fascination for the complexity of human sexuality and a recognition that women's sexual experiences had historically been underrepresented in both research and healthcare. As I learned more about the experiences of individuals living with sexual pain and other sexual concerns, I saw the tremendous need for rigorous research and compassionate clinical care in this area.

What has kept me in the field is the combination of scientific challenge and meaningful impact. Women's sexual health sits at the intersection of physiology, psychology, relationships, and lived experience, making it both intellectually exciting and deeply relevant to people's lives. Knowing that our work can help reduce stigma, improve treatment options, and empower individuals to better understand their sexual health continues to be a powerful source of inspiration.

The most rewarding aspect of my career is the people. I have the privilege of mentoring exceptional students, learning from research participants and consultants who entrust us with their experiences, and working alongside an incredible community of collaborators. Many of the most meaningful advances in our field come from bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, and I am continually energized by those partnerships. Seeing students flourish, contributing to discoveries that deepen our understanding of sexual health, and knowing that this work can ultimately improve people's lives are all sources of tremendous fulfillment.

Most people are surprised to learn that I've been training in kickboxing for the past several years and am still actively involved in it. While my professional life is centred on research, teaching, and mentoring, kickboxing gives me a completely different kind of challenge. I love the combination of focus, strategy, and physical training, and it's become an important outlet and source of balance in my life.

The best advice I've ever been given is to invest in people as much as projects. Research findings may advance the field, but mentoring students, building collaborations, and supporting colleagues are what create a lasting impact. That perspective has shaped my career and has led to some of my most rewarding professional experiences.

Give me a walkable city, amazing food, a few museums, and the chance to get slightly lost while discovering something unexpected, and I'm happy. I love vacations that combine learning, exploration, and a bit of adventure, with plenty of time to enjoy the local cuisine along the way.

Our Member of the Month feature celebrates the many perspectives and experiences within the ISSWSH community. Members are randomly selected and invited to participate in this optional feature.