Meet our 2024 incoming doctoral cohort

"We welcome new colleagues in the doctoral program and are very excited to learn more about them and their research interests" said Cheryl-Anne Cait, Associate Dean for the Faculty of Social Work's PhD Program. "I look forward to working with them and supporting their growth and development as they pursue their scholarly goals."

Meet the Incoming Cohort 

Jason Anderson (he/him)  

BSW, MSW, RSW

My journey in social work has been unique.  My two degrees sandwich a 20-year career in policing I had as a member of the RCMP which was a childhood dream for me.  The realities and impact of policing resulted in a PTSD diagnosis leading to my eventual medical retirement. I now operate a private practice in the Brantford area, working almost exclusively with the first responder community who are affected by occupational stresses and PTSD. Based on my experiences, including the work I am currently doing, my interest is in researching the impact of employment-based (sanctuary) traumas on First Responders.

Fun Fact: I completed Ironman Canada in 2006 with a time of 15:51:58 as part of a Canadian Cancer Society fundraising effort.

Cristina Aquilina (she/her) 

BA, TESL, MSW  

My social work experience, of 15+ years, is rooted in feminist-based ideology and practice. I began supporting adolescent girls and women with multi-diagnosed mental health needs in residential treatment facilities and shelters. Expanding my career into education, I facilitated programming to neurodiverse children at the elementary level, language instruction to newcomer youth at the secondary level, and academic assessments to adults with physically diverse needs at the post-secondary level. My PhD research brings together my professional and familial experiences with mental health and neurodiversity to explore mental health support for girls with central auditory processing disorder.

Fun Fact: I am the lead vocalist and keyboardist in the band, Iron Horse.

Philip Awere-Gamrah  

BA, MA, MSW

Following my MSW graduation, I briefly worked in the community as a project coordinator and did a bit of work on grant applications and evaluation reports. After that, I entered child welfare where I have over 18 years of frontline experience working with children, mothers, fathers, youth, and the community to ensure safety in the home. I have worked and continue to work with men and fathers involved in the child welfare system. I have also had the chance to work and support community associations assisting newcomer and radicalized families to settle and integrate smoothly into the community. Before my graduate degree, I worked in the community in a program manager role supporting mothers experiencing challenges with poverty to acquire life skills. My research interest focuses on the experiences of Black African fathers within the child welfare system, exploring how their diverse intersectional identities shape their unique experiences. I am also interested in researching immigration policies, and immigrant recruitment and retention practices in rural towns and counties in Canada.

Fun Fact: I love playing soccer and I am thinking about coaching grassroots teams.

Nathan R. G. Barnett (he/him) 

BSW, MA  

Throughout my life I have remained involved in advocacy, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues and in the post-secondary sector. I was heavily involved in student politics during my undergrad, but also gained experience in the non-profit sector teaching EDI workshops on a variety of queer topics, particularly around affirming language and queer representation. I am hoping to further explore the connections between representation and language by researching how queer masculine youth use fan fiction as a form of identity exploration/formation.

Fun Fact: If I wasn’t in social work, I would be a costume designer since I love sewing and making elaborate costumes!

Utamika Cummings (she/her)  

BSc, MSW, RSW

I am a Project Manager, Registered Social Worker, Community Consultant and Educator with a passion for community research, capacity building, teaching and learning who has spent the past twenty years developing my skills through education and work in social work, project management, community-based projects, youth employment programs, EDI and teaching within community and post-secondary institutions. Unpacking the impact of my identity as a Black woman within these experiences forced me to explore seen and unseen subjectivities that influence the way I am seen.  I am interested to further explore social positioning and its impact on Black scholars in academia.

Fun Fact: I am a Fashion Designer and have my own business.

Rochelle deVries (she/her)  

BA, MEd

Over 25 years ago I began my career in rehabilitation and education of the visually impaired primarily in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, and community service providers, and later my private practice. Having access to this community as an ally, my approach to creating positive change grew out of the strong relationships with this community, hearing their stories and concerns, and co-creating new knowledge to increase independence, self-advocacy, and autonomy. I am interested in critically exploring disability, specifically blindness, by building a platform for equal dialogue for/with blind people to share their alternative ways of knowing and understanding of the world and themselves.

Fun Fact: Staying true to my Dutch heritage, I love all things coffee, tulips in the spring, a fresh stroopwafel, and a good thrift.

Samantha Matty (she/her)  

BSW, MSW, RSW

As a trained macro social worker, I am passionate about changing organizations and socio-political systems. I am committed to improving the lives of racialized and 2SLGBTQ communities. My professional background includes working in civil rights, child welfare, international development, post-secondary education, victim services, and forensic mental health care. My hope is to explore the ways that the criminal justice system and health and social service sectors respond to individuals who engage in harm or violence and explore recovery-based offender interventions. I would like to contribute to an anti-carceral state and more just and equitable communities.

Fun Fact: Every three years I grow out my hair and donate it; to date, I have made seven hair donations.

Oluseun Olayinka (she/her)  

BSc, MMP

I bring about 20 years of experience working in organizational and learning development. I have worked in the social services and management consulting sectors. This combination has resulted in me being the Executive Director of a social service organization in Waterloo. I have repositioned this organization for growth and sustainability by raising almost two million dollars in grants over the past 2 years and 3 months. I am passionate about inspiring black and racialized people to create change for themselves and their communities. I am a regular keynote and panel speaker at conferences on anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Fun Fact: In addition to being a mom of 4 children, I am a passionate cook and love to bake as well.