Students
We are delighted to work with student ambassadors and researchers. Read more about the students who have joined us in the past, and who are working with us now. And, be sure to contact us if you’re interested in a student position!
Samara Reyes: Medical student helping with AUD Action Series
Jun 2024
Samara is a 4th year medical student at UBC’s Vancouver Fraser Medical Program. She’s passionate about health advocacy, healthcare improvement, and reducing stigma for patients with alcohol use disorder.
Samara was motivated to work with CAUDS after a third-year family practice rotation in Princeton, BC. “I learned about the amazing CAUDS work being done in their community. Throughout my rotations, I saw how often the impact of a patient’s alcohol use was found incidentally upon presentation to the emergency department for a seemingly unrelated concern, and was struck by the importance of these moments as an opportunity to engage with patients about AUD.”
Specifically, Samara is working on the CAUDS team as a part of the APPLAUD (Approaches and Pharmacotherapies for Patients Living with Alcohol Use Disorder) Action Series quality improvement project. CAUDS is working in partnership with Health Quality BC and the BC Centre of Substance Use to deliver and evaluate this 4-month action series to share knowledge and tools to improve primary care for patients living with AUD.
“Long term, I hope to improve care for patients living with AUD in emergency departments and throughout the healthcare system.”
Thank you for joining us, Samara!
Karen Fulton: Master of Nursing student engages community and builds support for AUD in Princeton, BC
Jun 2023
Karen is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse who has worked in Mental Health and Substance Use for more than 7 years. In addition to her work as an Opioid Agonist Treatment nurse prescriber, Karen is also enrolled in the University of Calgary’s Master of Nursing program. There, she is completing a thesis exploring the connection between mindfulness, addiction recovery and peer support.
She is also working on community engagement in Princeton, BC as part of our society’s Building AUD Supportive Communities project. “I am passionate about gaining knowledge and understanding of addiction, the unique ways it shows up in people’s lives, and how people define what recovery looks like for them.”
She is inspired by CAUDS and the work of Dr. Jeff Harries. “I love how CAUDS and the local Princeton AUD working group embrace innovative ideas that build community, support health, and meet people where they are at in life without judgement. It is this compassionate approach that I believe will make a difference in people’s lives, families, and communities!” Learn more about the project here.
Hayley Ross: cognitive science student helps spread the word about alcohol use disorder
May 23 2023
We are delighted to welcome Hayley Ross back for another term as a research assistant at the Canadian AUD Society.
Hayley’s bachelor's degree in cognitive science at McGill University in Montreal sparked her interest in neuroscience and psychology, especially regarding mental and physical health.
She is excited to join CAUDS, this time as a research assistant, to help advance and promote effective treatment for AUD, and conduct literature searches and reviews to understand the current climate of AUD research and treatments. She aims to contribute to AUD research development and knowledge translation to spread information and awareness of AUD so it may improve the lives of those affected.
In Hayley’s past position with CAUDS she assisted with quality improvement projects, literature reviews, knowledge translation, and the writing of an opinion piece to further the use of Baclofen and Ondansetron as an effective treatment option for AUD now published in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine. Hayley will also continue her work on a manuscript started in her last term. It is based upon interviews with key policy makers and providers on their experience with women and AUD, with a focus on rural and remote communities.
From her past work term: “I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such inspiring an organization and team. This opportunity has helped me grow professionally, academically, and personally, and I would like to thank everyone who supported me during this wonderful placement.”
We look forward to working with you again, Hayley!
Annie Harries, Student Ambassador
Jul 26 2022
A big thank you to Annie Harries, daughter of the late Dr. Jeff Harries, for volunteering at the Canadian AUD Society as our new Student Ambassador.
“I will never forget how my dad would beam when his work presented life-changing results for patients, and that is something that is important for me to continue – the joy my dad had for helping people, and his need to continue it.”
Annie will be assisting us with fundraising and events, and ensuring that her dad’s voice of hope and compassion stays central to our work as we continue his legacy to change the way AUD is understood and treated across Canada and beyond.
In 2021, when Dr. Harries’ voice was faltering due to the progression of ALS, Annie became his translator at meetings, online conferences and awards ceremonies. “He always wanted me to help translate as his speech declined. I could understand him even at times when none of my family could, and I’ve missed being his voice.”
Annie has already raised more than $10,000 for the Canadian AUD Society, and is keen to continue supporting her dad’s legacy. Thank you Annie and welcome aboard!
Jaling Kersen: Masters student working to develop health and wellness plans
Apr 12 2022
Jaling Kersen, a Masters student in the University of Calgary’s Department of Community Health Sciences, will be working alongside the Ulkatcho community and Interior Health to develop a Health and Wellness plan for the nation, specifically focusing on those who are at risk for Alcohol Use Disorder.
Welcome, Jaling!
Stefan Kurbatfinski: Community health sciences masters student working to promote knowledge about Alcohol Use Disorder
Feb 01 2022
Stefan Kurbatfinski, a Master of Science student (in Community Health Sciences), has joined our team to promote the dissemination of research and enhance knowledge translation regarding Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). As a research intern, Stefan aims to work alongside community stakeholders to further understandings of AUD, develop strategic interventions to provide accessible care and treatment, and to effectively communicate and spread these interventions to the public.
Specializing in Population/Public Health, Stefan’s research interests encompass maternal and child mental health, adverse childhood experiences, parent-child interactions, and risk factors for family violence and poorer child health outcomes. As alcohol use disorder is a public health concern and a risk factor for family dysfunction and violence, and as someone who has indirectly worked in the field of drug misuse and witnessed first hand-the adverse effects it can have on family functioning, Stefan hopes to assist in developing interventions that can prevent the adverse effects of excessive alcohol use.
In addition to this research, Stefan is fascinated by the natural environment and has previously done some research regarding environmental preservation through field work. Outside of school and research, Stefan enjoys mindful activities such as meditation and yoga, hiking, photography, and spending time with his friends and family.
Welcome, Stefan!
Kyra Huston: Improving instruction about alcohol use disorder in Canadian medical schools
Apr 30 2021
The Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society is pleased to introduce you to Kyra Huston, a second year medical student at UBC’s Southern Medical Program. As part of this program’s FLEX project, she is currently conducting a literature review, compiling recommendations and best practices for incorporating more teaching about Alcohol Use Disorder in the Canadian medical school curriculum.
Kyra grew up in Cranbrook, BC, and previously obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from UBC’s Okanagan Campus. Now studying medicine, she hasn’t set her mind on any specialty, but could see herself pursuing a career as a family physician. She also has a particular interest in mental health and substance use. “While I am the first one in my family to pursue a career in medicine, my dad has a background in social work and has passed down his passion for mental health and substance use work,” she says.
As for her current project, she believes that incorporating more AUD content into the curriculum will not only allow for increased recognition of AUD in clinical settings and knowledge of the available treatment modalities, but, moving forward, will also allow for improved student and physician attitudes towards patients with AUD.
Thank you, Kyra!