Dr. Julie Robillard

Associate Professor, Neurology (UBC)
Scientist, Patient Experience (C&W)

​Julie M. Robillard, PhD is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Scientist in Patient Experience at BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital (C&W). She is an affiliated researcher with the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, the Women’s Health Research Institute, the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, and Vancouver Coastal Research Institute.

Dr. Robillard holds a PhD in Neuroscience and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the National Core for Neuroethics where she studied the quality and the ethics of eHealth and social media content about brain health.

As an Associate Professor and Scientist, she now leads the leads the Neuroscience, Engagement and Smart Tech (NEST) lab and oversees a range of initiatives related to patient experience research at C&W. Dr. Robillard brings her background in neuroscience and biomedical ethics to the evaluation and development of novel technologies to support brain health across the lifespan. A particular interest of her research is the integration of emotion modelling in a wide range of technologies, from eHealth resources to mobile apps. More recently, she has secured one of the inaugural New Frontiers in Research grants to implement emotional alignment algorithms into social robotics. Together with her team and through international interdisciplinary collaborations, she is exploring co-creation processes, development and applications of social robots in both older adult and youth populations.

Dr. Robillard is passionate about patient engagement and in her role as a Scientist in Patient Experience she is working with a number of groups at C&W and UBC to advance the capture, analysis and improvement of patient experience in both research and care. She is interested in using technology to provide novel means of engagement and patient experience evaluation strategies.

Dr. Robillard holds provincial, national and international leadership roles: she is Chair of the Ethical, Legal, Social Impacts Committee of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, a member of the Technology and Dementia Executive Committee of the International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatments, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Medical Device Development Centre of British Columbia, among others.

Current Trainees & Staff

Marianne Claire Bacani, BA, CMP, is an Events Director at Neuroethics Canada. Marianne received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy at the University of British Columbia in 2012. Marianne assists with meetings, seminars, and public outreach events that are hosted by Neuroethics Canada, including the annual Brain Awareness Week Distinguished Neuroethics Lecture and Café Neuroéthiques/Community Conversations, to name a few. Marianne handles the processing of finance, administrative, and basic human resource related requests at Neuroethics Canada. As for her creative contributions, Marianne designed Neuroethics Canada's most recent logos and branding materials, including the Brain Matters! Vancouver video series and Neuroethics Canada's annual reports. Outside Neuroethics Canada, Marianne enjoys volunteering at fundraising events for organizations who promote the performing arts, citizenship, awareness of various health issues in the community, and women empowerment.

Mallorie Tam, BSc is a Research Program Manager in the NEST Lab under the supervision of Dr. Julie Robillard. She received her BSc in Mental Health Science and Sociology at the University of Toronto in 2015. Since graduating, Mallorie has lived and worked in London, England and came to Vancouver, BC in 2017. Her interests include improving patient experience and engagement in health care systems as well as raising awareness about mental health issues in younger and older adults. Her main project focuses on evaluating the Alzheimer Society of B.C's First Link dementia support program. Outside of work, you can spark up a conversation with Mallorie about travelling, trying new places to eat, and NBA Basketball.

Susanna Martin, BSc (Hons) is a Research Assistant at the NEST lab supporting Mallorie Tam’s evaluation of the Alzheimer Society of B.C’s First Link dementia support programme. Susanna obtained her BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy in 2008 from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland. She worked in a number of clinical specialities, her most favorite being trauma, neurology and neurosciences. Prior to moving to Canada, Susanna also worked as a wellness coordinator developing community based projects to support the health and wellbeing of older adults and their care partners. She has a creative background and is interested in how the emerging field of neuroaesthetics may be utilized to enhance user experiences and inform service design. Susanna enjoys listening to podcasts, singing loudly whilst driving, practicing yoga, and taking long walks on the beach with her dog.

​Jill Dosso, PhD is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Neurology in the NEST Lab. She is interested in how people perceive and interact with social robotics and other new technologies. She will be working with families to think about how we can build social devices that are both ethical and helpful, with a special focus on children with anxiety. In her PhD work in Neuroscience at UBC, she studied how our interactions with technology are shaped by our larger social context -- our relationships with others and what we think our actions might communicate to them. Her publication list can be seen here. She also loves to think and write about how babies learn and can be found on twitter and by email.

Katarzyna Kabacińska, BA is a PhD student in the NEST Lab under the supervision of Dr. Julie Robillard. She completed a BA in Cognitive Systems at UBC and is currently enrolled in the Master of Science program in Experimental Medicine. Her interests lie at the intersection of mental health and human-computer interaction. Specifically, she’s interested in the use of socially assistive robots in support of mental health. In the future she would like to contribute to development and testing of technology that brings positive change in people’s lives. In her free time, she enjoys reading and role-playing games.

Viorica Hrincu, MSc is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwəta?/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She is a PhD student in the NEST lab under the supervision of Dr. Julie Robillard, and is doing work in ethics, social media, and dementia. She received her honours degree in Cell Biology from the University of Alberta, and completed her Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies at Neuroethics Canada at the University of British Columbia. Viorica's research interests include: ethics and health, tech ethics, dementia, cognition, subjectivity, and personal identity. Outside academia, she enjoys art, food, creative writing, and music. Her debut collection of illustrated poetry, fol.cl, is available at Moniker Press. 

Jordan Stevenson, MSc is a PhD student in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Dr. Julie Robillard. He is interested in how technology and exercise can be leveraged to improve pediatric patient experience/outcomes. Outside of work, he likes to huge his friends at jiu-jitsu and watch reality TV with his girlfriend.

Jaya Kailley, BSc is a Research Assistant under the supervision of Dr. Julie Robillard in the NEST Lab. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Sciences at the University of British Columbia, and she is entering medical school at the University of British Columbia in August 2023. Her work in the lab focuses on engaging children and youth with anxiety in the process of social robot development. Outside of work, Jaya enjoys playing the piano, drawing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Katelyn Teng is a Work Learn Research Assistant in the NEST Lab under the supervision of Dr. Julie Robillard. Katelyn is a second year undergraduate student pursuing a BSc in Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia, and is passionate about mental health advocation, neurodegenerative disorders, and technology’s role in patient experience. Outside of work and school, she can be found baking sweet treats, with friends and family, or as an education guide for natural history.

Cindy Zhang is a Work Learn Research Assistant in the NEST Lab under the supervision of Dr. Julie Robillard. She is a third year undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Psychology with a minor in English Literature. Her research interests include behavioural addictions, patient experience, and motivation for health behaviours. In her free time, she runs an Etsy shop for crochet goods and enjoys thrift shopping for books.

​Katie Roy is an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the NEST Lab under the supervision of Dr. Julie Robillard. She is working towards a Bsc. in Cognitive Systems at the University of British Columbia. Her current focus in the lab is on the use and impact of social robots in intergenerational settings. Outside the lab, she enjoys drawing, swimming and walks on the beach.

Shaye Rathjen is a Work Learn Research Assistant at the NEST under the supervision of Dr. Julie Robillard. He is a 4th year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in psychology. His interests include substance use disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and supporting those with mental health difficulties. In his free time he enjoys making music and spending time with family or friends.

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NEST Lab Alumni

Medical Students & Fellows

Somayyeh Mohammadi (co-supervisor with Dr. Bill Miller), Postdoctoral Fellow, Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, UBC
Carlee Poleschuk, FLEX Student, UBC Medicine, BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital, UBC
Joshua Kandiah, FLEX Student, UBC Medicine, BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital, UBC
Tanya Feng, FLEX Student, UBC Medicine, BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital, UBC
Stephanie Bourne, FLEX Student, BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital, UBC
Dr. Alicja Cieslak, Clinical Fellow in Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Calgary

Graduate Students

Julia Wu, Research Assistant, BC Children's and Women's Hospital, UBC
Holly Reid (project supervisor with Dr. Bill Miller), Masters of Occupational Therapy, UBC
Tish Huijbregts (project supervisor with Dr. Bill Miller), Masters of Occupational Therapy, UBC
Gordon Tao (project supervisor, thesis supervisor Dr. Bill Miller), PhD, Rehabilitation Sciences, UBC
Viorica Hrincu, Directed Studies Student, Masters’ in ISGP, UBC
Linda Givetash (co-supervisor), Master’s of Journalism, UBC
Katia Jitlina, Graduate Research Assistant, National Core for Neuroethics, UBC

Undergraduate Students

Mahala English, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Grayden Zaleski, Undergraduate Research Associate, Neuroethics, UBC
Anna Riminchan, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Alonso Daboub, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Yu Fei Jiang, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Gabriella Guerra, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Angela Machado, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Stephanie Quon, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Elaine Shi, Directed Studies, Cognitive Systems, UBC
Haiger Ye, Directed Studies, Integrated Sciences, UBC
Kim Vu, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Ela Bandari, Directed Studies, Psychology, UBC
Annika MacKenzie, Undergradaute Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Kalina Nowaczek, Undergradaute Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Olivia Edwards, Directed Studies, Cognitive Systems, UBC
Gabrielle Sunderland, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Parteek Bal, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Annika Ang, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Katarzyna Kabacinska, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Sonali Sharma, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Jessica Jun, Directed Studies Student, Neuroethics, UBC
Monica Ta, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Arlo Sporn, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Jen-Ai Lai, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Cody Lo, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Tanya Feng, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Kiely Landrigan, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Emanuel Cabral, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Dylan Roskams-Edris, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Thomas W. Johnson, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Neuroethics, UBC
Annie Chen, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Psychology, UBC
Luke Swenson, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Psychology, UBC