EMPOWrD Team

Dr. Milena Head is a Professor of Information Systems, the Wayne C. Fox Chair in Business Innovation, Director of the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC), and Director of the Executive MBA program at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. A leading scholar in digital transformation, her research explores human-computer interaction and the ways individuals use and misuse technology. Her work places a strong emphasis on equity and inclusion in the digital age, particularly by examining how marginalized groups, such as older adults, engage with technology. Through this lens, her work seeks to bridge digital divides and promote inclusive innovation. Dr. Head is the Nominated Principal Investigator of EMPOWrD and leads the Combatting Misinformation research stream in this multidisciplinary major program of research. With over 160 publications in top journals and conferences, Dr. Head is widely recognized for her contributions to both research and education, earning numerous awards for her scholarly excellence and teaching impact. 

Dr. Milena Head is a Professor of Information Systems, the Wayne C. Fox Chair in Business Innovation, Director of the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC), and Director of the Executive MBA program at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. A leading scholar in digital transformation, her research explores human-computer interaction and the ways individuals use and misuse technology. Her work places a strong emphasis on equity and inclusion in the digital age, particularly by examining how marginalized groups, such as older adults, engage with technology. Through this lens, her work seeks to bridge digital divides and promote inclusive innovation. Dr. Head is the Nominated Principal Investigator of EMPOWrD and leads the Combatting Misinformation research stream in this multidisciplinary major program of research. With over 160 publications in top journals and conferences, Dr. Head is widely recognized for her contributions to both research and education, earning numerous awards for her scholarly excellence and teaching impact. 

Dr. Irina Ghilic is the Program Manager for EMPOWrD and MDTRC’s Learning Architect. With a background spanning learning experience design, organizational learning, and user experience research, she helps bridge academic and community partnerships to create inclusive, evidence-based digital learning initiatives. Within EMPOWrD, Irina leads program coordination, communications, and knowledge mobilization, ensuring interdisciplinary insights translate into meaningful impact for older adults.

Dr. Irina Ghilic is the Program Manager for EMPOWrD and MDTRC’s Learning Architect. With a background spanning learning experience design, organizational learning, and user experience research, she helps bridge academic and community partnerships to create inclusive, evidence-based digital learning initiatives. Within EMPOWrD, Irina leads program coordination, communications, and knowledge mobilization, ensuring interdisciplinary insights translate into meaningful impact for older adults.

Dr. Brendan Stanley is the Strategic Partnership Manager and a Research Scientist at the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC), housed within the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He holds a PhD in Experimental Behavioural Psychology and Neurosciences from McMaster University. In addition to cultivating partnerships across academia and industry, Dr. Stanley remains actively involved in research and leads the MDTRC’s User Experience (UX) program.

Dr. Brendan Stanley is the Strategic Partnership Manager and a Research Scientist at the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC), housed within the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He holds a PhD in Experimental Behavioural Psychology and Neurosciences from McMaster University. In addition to cultivating partnerships across academia and industry, Dr. Stanley remains actively involved in research and leads the MDTRC’s User Experience (UX) program.

Babak Safaei is a PhD Candidate in Information Systems at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. He is also a research coordinator and associate at McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre. His research examines the intersection of human–computer interaction (HCI), digital misinformation, and behavioral cybersecurity, with a focus on developing interventions that mitigate digital harm and enhance user resilience against digital deception among individuals of different age groups. 

Within EMPOWrD, Babak serves as a research assistant, contributing to Dimension 1 on digital misinformation and aging, including a meta-analysis on the efficacy of misinformation mitigation interventions. He also supports Dimensions 2 and Meta by contributing to scoping reviews that examine social connection among older adults living with dementia and the integration of HCI and design thinking with requirements engineering to enhance aging-in-place software development. 

Babak Safaei is a PhD Candidate in Information Systems at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. He is also a research coordinator and associate at McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre. His research examines the intersection of human–computer interaction (HCI), digital misinformation, and behavioral cybersecurity, with a focus on developing interventions that mitigate digital harm and enhance user resilience against digital deception among individuals of different age groups. 

Within EMPOWrD, Babak serves as a research assistant, contributing to Dimension 1 on digital misinformation and aging, including a meta-analysis on the efficacy of misinformation mitigation interventions. He also supports Dimensions 2 and Meta by contributing to scoping reviews that examine social connection among older adults living with dementia and the integration of HCI and design thinking with requirements engineering to enhance aging-in-place software development. 

Dr. Sheila Boamah is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at McMaster University, specializing in health system innovation to improve care quality and outcomes for underserved populations, including older adults. Her research focuses on co-creating solutions with communities and care providers to address the structural determinants of health disparities and to advance equity in access, experience, and outcomes of care across Canada and beyond. Guided by a commitment to transdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Boamah strives to bridge divides across traditionally siloed teams and sectors, focusing on improving care for patients and families and fostering a cohesive, collaborative healthcare ecosystem. 

Dr. Sheila Boamah is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at McMaster University, specializing in health system innovation to improve care quality and outcomes for underserved populations, including older adults. Her research focuses on co-creating solutions with communities and care providers to address the structural determinants of health disparities and to advance equity in access, experience, and outcomes of care across Canada and beyond. Guided by a commitment to transdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Boamah strives to bridge divides across traditionally siloed teams and sectors, focusing on improving care for patients and families and fostering a cohesive, collaborative healthcare ecosystem. 

Nicole Dalmer, MLIS PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Aging and Society as well as the Acting Director of the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, both at McMaster University. She received her MLIS from the University of Alberta in 2012 and completed her PhD in Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario in 2018. In her work, she takes up an interdisciplinary, critical gerontological approach as she explores the meanings, expectations, and values of connections (with people, nature, and technologies) in later life. Her work has been recognized by the Canadian Association on Gerontology’s New Investigator Award in 2022, the 2022 McMaster Faculty of Social Sciences Early Career Researcher Award, and the Canadian Association for Information Science (CAIS) Emerging Leader Award in 2023.

Nicole Dalmer, MLIS PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Aging and Society as well as the Acting Director of the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, both at McMaster University. She received her MLIS from the University of Alberta in 2012 and completed her PhD in Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario in 2018. In her work, she takes up an interdisciplinary, critical gerontological approach as she explores the meanings, expectations, and values of connections (with people, nature, and technologies) in later life. Her work has been recognized by the Canadian Association on Gerontology’s New Investigator Award in 2022, the 2022 McMaster Faculty of Social Sciences Early Career Researcher Award, and the Canadian Association for Information Science (CAIS) Emerging Leader Award in 2023.

Kyla Kovalik is a MA student in Health and Aging at McMaster University. She is a research assistant at the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, and her research focuses on intergenerational connection in community-based settings and supporting the well-being of older adults living with dementia and care partners. Kyla was an RA on a previous project that laid the groundwork for the ongoing research in Dimension 2, and continues her work as an RA in Dimension 2.

Kyla Kovalik is a MA student in Health and Aging at McMaster University. She is a research assistant at the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, and her research focuses on intergenerational connection in community-based settings and supporting the well-being of older adults living with dementia and care partners. Kyla was an RA on a previous project that laid the groundwork for the ongoing research in Dimension 2, and continues her work as an RA in Dimension 2.

Brian Detlor is Professor of Information Systems in the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He is a Past-President of the Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T). His recent research projects involve the investigation of digital literacy training programs, specifically to marginalized older adults, led by public libraries, social service agencies, other local community organizations. Research partner organizations include Hamilton Public Library, Dixon Hall, and CityHousing Hamilton. Brian is also a research member of McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre.

Brian Detlor is Professor of Information Systems in the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He is a Past-President of the Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T). His recent research projects involve the investigation of digital literacy training programs, specifically to marginalized older adults, led by public libraries, social service agencies, other local community organizations. Research partner organizations include Hamilton Public Library, Dixon Hall, and CityHousing Hamilton. Brian is also a research member of McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre.

Dr. Lisa Carlesso is an Associate Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science and Co-lead investigator of the Interdisciplinary Movement and Pain Research in Translational Science (IMPRinT) Lab. Her work is focused on understanding the pain experience of musculoskeletal disorders in older adults. As part of the Combatting Misinformation research stream, she is seeking to understand how the presentation of digital health information in different ways may impact the physical and psychosocial aspects of musculoskeletal pain. She is a strong advocate for providing older adults with accurate evidence based health information.

Dr. Lisa Carlesso is an Associate Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science and Co-lead investigator of the Interdisciplinary Movement and Pain Research in Translational Science (IMPRinT) Lab. Her work is focused on understanding the pain experience of musculoskeletal disorders in older adults. As part of the Combatting Misinformation research stream, she is seeking to understand how the presentation of digital health information in different ways may impact the physical and psychosocial aspects of musculoskeletal pain. She is a strong advocate for providing older adults with accurate evidence based health information.

Denise Geiskkovitch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computing and Software and the Barber-Gennum Endowed Chair in Information Technology in the Faculty of Engineering. Denise’s aging-related research focuses on human-computer interaction and human-robot interaction to develop technologies that have a positive impact on older adults’ lives.

Denise Geiskkovitch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computing and Software and the Barber-Gennum Endowed Chair in Information Technology in the Faculty of Engineering. Denise’s aging-related research focuses on human-computer interaction and human-robot interaction to develop technologies that have a positive impact on older adults’ lives.

Dr P.J. White is a Senior Lecturer and Research Director of design at the South East Technological University, Ireland. At McMaster University he is a member of McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, and an Adjunct Full Professor in the DeGroote School of Business. With over 20 years of research, industry, and lecturing experience Dr White specializes in Design research on aging and leads a broad portfolio of research within the areas of interdisciplinary product and service co-design. This research involves leading national and international bodies and partners ranging from health, education and public services. In his career to date, he has actively been involved in national and international development of academic Design disciplines, and emerging Design research fields.

Dr P.J. White is a Senior Lecturer and Research Director of design at the South East Technological University, Ireland. At McMaster University he is a member of McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, and an Adjunct Full Professor in the DeGroote School of Business. With over 20 years of research, industry, and lecturing experience Dr White specializes in Design research on aging and leads a broad portfolio of research within the areas of interdisciplinary product and service co-design. This research involves leading national and international bodies and partners ranging from health, education and public services. In his career to date, he has actively been involved in national and international development of academic Design disciplines, and emerging Design research fields.

Shyam is a PhD student in Software Engineering in the Department of Computing and Software at McMaster University. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, specifically designing and evaluating technologies for older adults. He contributes to the EMPOWrD project through the Meta Dimension, under the supervision of Dr. Denise Geiskkovitch and co-supervision of Dr. Sebastien Mosser.

Shyam is a PhD student in Software Engineering in the Department of Computing and Software at McMaster University. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, specifically designing and evaluating technologies for older adults. He contributes to the EMPOWrD project through the Meta Dimension, under the supervision of Dr. Denise Geiskkovitch and co-supervision of Dr. Sebastien Mosser.

Soo Chan Carusone is the Managing Director of the McMaster Collaborative for Health Aging and an Assistant Professor (Adjunct) in Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University.  She is a mixed methods researcher by training with extensive experience leading, facilitating and collaborating on research done through academic-community partnerships.  She is committed to promoting health and equity and is passionate about creative approaches to engagement that build trust and drive meaningful change.

Soo Chan Carusone is the Managing Director of the McMaster Collaborative for Health Aging and an Assistant Professor (Adjunct) in Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University.  She is a mixed methods researcher by training with extensive experience leading, facilitating and collaborating on research done through academic-community partnerships.  She is committed to promoting health and equity and is passionate about creative approaches to engagement that build trust and drive meaningful change.

Kat Drennan-Scace is the Manager of Digital Technology Services at the Hamilton Public Library, where she leads a talented team dedicated to building digital literacy and sparking creativity across the community. She oversees innovative programming in the library’s makerspaces, and fosters partnerships that enhance digital literacy skills in the community. With an MLIS from the University of Western Ontario and a BSc from McMaster University, she blends research-driven insight with hands-on leadership. A regular speaker at the Ontario Library Association conference, Kat thrives on exploring new technologies, building meaningful connections, and championing lifelong learning.

Kat Drennan-Scace is the Manager of Digital Technology Services at the Hamilton Public Library, where she leads a talented team dedicated to building digital literacy and sparking creativity across the community. She oversees innovative programming in the library’s makerspaces, and fosters partnerships that enhance digital literacy skills in the community. With an MLIS from the University of Western Ontario and a BSc from McMaster University, she blends research-driven insight with hands-on leadership. A regular speaker at the Ontario Library Association conference, Kat thrives on exploring new technologies, building meaningful connections, and championing lifelong learning.

Tracy Gibbs is a consultant and research collaborator with expertise in dementia-inclusive communities, age-friendly planning, and technology adoption. With a background in leadership, social justice, and community engagement, she applies knowledge of design and systems to advance change initiatives with older adults, people living with dementia, and diverse partners. Tracy is committed to participatory approaches that amplify lived experience and innovations that advance equity and dignity for all people.

Tracy Gibbs is a consultant and research collaborator with expertise in dementia-inclusive communities, age-friendly planning, and technology adoption. With a background in leadership, social justice, and community engagement, she applies knowledge of design and systems to advance change initiatives with older adults, people living with dementia, and diverse partners. Tracy is committed to participatory approaches that amplify lived experience and innovations that advance equity and dignity for all people.