Meet Our Research Team
Founded in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Substance Use Research Hub was born out of a passion for understanding and addressing the complex issues surrounding substance use. Our team is comprised of individuals committed to conducting timely research that leads to positive change for individuals, families and communities impacted by the toxic drug supply. Our focus involves harm reduction strategies and stigma reduction initiatives, while striving to promote health equity.
Abigale Sprakes, PhD, RSW (she/her)
Dr. Sprakes is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Lakehead University and is the Mental Health Lead for Enhancing the Prevention of Injury & Disability at Work (EPID@Work) Research Institute. She is a community-based researcher grounded in a harm reduction and health equity perspectives, who utilizes an anti-oppressive framework that prioritizes the voices of individuals with living and lived experience.
Prior to her appointment as a full-time faculty member, she worked for over two decades in non-profit organizations, delivering services to those impacted by substance use, mental health, trauma, and gender-based violence.
Dr. Sprakes continues to provide clinical consultation and training to clinicians and organizations.
Sydney Ambury, RSW, MSW Student (she/her)
Sydney is a Master of Social Work student at Lakehead University and a research assistant with Dr. Sprakes. She has contributed to community-based research on safer supply, addiction-related disability, and client-staff relationships in harm reduction programs. She is currently working on her thesis under Dr. Sprakes' supervision, titled "Responding to the Opioid Epidemic in Rural Communities in Northwestern Ontario: Perspectives from Service Providers."
Sydney brings experience as a psychotherapist in Northern Ontario. She is passionate about bridging community-based practice with academic research to support more inclusive, client-centred systems of care.
Joelle Chartrain, RSW, MSW Student (she/her)
Joelle is a registered social worker with a background in neuroscience. She is a Master of Social Work student at Lakehead University and research assistant with Dr. Sprakes. She has been involved in community-based research, in both English and French, that focuses on various topics including social service provision throughout Canada and exploring harm reduction strategies specific to substance use.
In addition to being research assistant, Joelle provides psychotherapy services to youth and adults seeking support for substance use and mental health, utilizing a trauma-informed approach.
Sophie Kuhn, MSW, RSW (she/they)
Sophie Kuhn is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. They hold an HBSW and MSW from Lakehead University, their work has specialized in peer support, harm reduction, and community capacity-building. For the past five years, they have worked in the nonprofit sector, coordinating and facilitating peer support groups and mental health programs within Northern Ontario, with an emphasis on supporting and uplifting the lived experiences of trauma, substance use, and marginalization within vulnerable communities.
Sophie is part of the research team exploring the impact of the Safer Supply Program in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Logan McIvor, HBSW Student (he/they)
Logan is an undergraduate student, completing their Honours Bachelor of Social Work (HBSW). In addition to being a full-time student Logan works as a Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Mentor with Indigenous youth. As a research assistant, Logan has contributed to the digital storytelling project with the Safer Supply Program.
