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Principal Investigator

Dr. Daphne Korczak
Dr. Daphne J. Korczak, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Dr. Korczak holds the SickKids Chair in Child and Youth Medical Psychiatry, and is the Director of the Children’s Integrated Mood and Body (CLIMB) Depression Program, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Associate Scientist at the SickKids Research Institute, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Her research activities focus on the relationship between early-onset depression and future cardiometabolic risk, including obesity, and the mechanisms subserving this relationship.  Her secondary area of research is in child and adolescent suicidality, in which she is leading the first RCT of a youth suicide prevention intervention in Canada. In addition, Dr. Korczak leads a large collaborative research study team examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health in children and youth.

Dr. Korczak is the author of over 70 publications and book chapters and is a sought-after speaker for research, clinical, and community audiences on the topics of depression, suicidality, and the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents. Nationally, Dr. Korczak is the Chair of the Mental Health Task Force of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Chair of the Research and Scientific Committee, Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Team Members

Jacky Au (HBSc)

Jacky Au is the Clinical Research Project Manager for the Korczak Lab, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the lab's clinical research activities. He has been part of the SickKids Research Institute since 2016 and brings over nine years of experience leading clinical research projects.

Jacky is passionate about bridging the gap between research and clinical care and enjoys working closely with children and families. He is also a Master of Health Administration (HA MHSc) candidate at the University of Toronto.

Jacky Au (HBSc)

Clinical Research Project Manager

Jacky is the Clinical Research Project Manager for the Korczak Lab, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the lab's clinical research activities.

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Anett Schumacher (MSc, PhD)

Dr. Anett Schumacher joined the Korczak team in 2022. After receiving her PhD in Neuroscience from the Universität zu Lübeck in Germany, Anett relocated to Canada to commence postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto. As part of the Korczak team at the Hospital for Sick Children, Anett is interested in investigating cognitive aspects as well as neuro-immunological mechanisms of depression in children and adolescents.

Anett Schumacher (MSc, PhD)

Research Associate

Dr. Anett Schumacher joined the Korczak team in 2022. After receiving her PhD in Neuroscience from the Universität zu Lübeck in Germany, Anett relocated to Canada to commence postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto.

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Kimberley Tsujimoto (PhD, MA)

Dr. Kimberley Tsujimoto joined the Korczak team in 2021. She holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and Education from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. As a co-investigator, she plays a key role in supporting the Ontario COVID-19 and Kids’ Mental Health Study. She first trained in education, working with children and youth in elementary schools, primarily in the context of special education. As part of the Korczak team, Kimberley’s research investigates school-based mental health supports, to inform policies and practices at the intersection of health and education.

Kimberley Tsujimoto (PhD, MA)

Research Associate

Dr. Kimberley Tsujimoto joined the Korczak team in 2021. She holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and Education from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.

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Susan Campisi (MHSc, PhD)

Dr. Susan Campisi joined the Korczak team in 2020 as a post-doctoral research fellow. She received her PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto in 2020. Susan’s research area pediatric nutritional psychiatry focuses on child and adolescent depression in Canada and beyond. She has considerable expertise in evidence syntheses and studying the impact of diet on depression among children and adolescents in collaboration with the Korczak team.

Susan Campisi (MHSc, PhD)

Research Associate

Dr. Susan Campisi joined the Korczak team in 2020 as a post-doctoral research fellow. Susan’s research area pediatric nutritional psychiatry focuses on child and adolescent depression in Canada and beyond.

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Andrea Mckenzie (HBSc)

As a CRPC, Andrea leads the coordination of the CLIMB Program. Andrea oversees participant scheduling, conducting clinical interviews and managing communication with the clinical team. Her previous research at SickKids was focused on a neuro-oncology study involving brain tumor-specific chemotherapy treatment by opening the blood brain barrier via focused ultrasound.

Andrea Mckenzie (HBSc)

Clinical Research Project Coordinator

Andrea joined the Korczak lab in March 2025 as a Clinical Research Project Coordinator. She currently leads the coordination of the CLIMB Program.

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Miruna Jurj (MSc, HBSc)

Miruna joined the Korczak lab in August 2024 as a Clinical Research Project Coordinator. She earned her Master of Science in Neuroscience from Queen’s University in 2023 and her Honours Bilingual Bachelor of Science in Biology from York University in 2021. Her previous research projects focused on characterizing the gut microbiome in children with ASD and ADHD, and exploring brain transcriptome biomarkers in C. difficile infection. Miruna is passionate about pediatric research and mental health advocacy. She hopes to continue contributing to research on child & adolescent mental health, and improving current therapeutic approaches of mood disorders.

Miruna Jurj (MSc, HBSc)

Clinical Research Project Coordinator

Miruna joined the Korczak lab in August 2024 as a Clinical Research Project Coordinator. Miruna is passionate about pediatric research and mental health advocacy.

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Matthew Tracey (PhD(c), RN)

As the CRNC, Matt conducts clinical interviews with parents and youth for new assessments in the CLIMB program and manages participant follow-ups under the supervision of Dr. Korczak. He is currently a PhD candidate in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) at the University of Toronto.

Matthew Tracey (PhD(c), RN)

Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator

As the CRNC, Matt conducts clinical interviews with parents and youth for new assessments.

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Katie Stadelman (MSW)

Katie Stadelman is the MSCC for the SAFE multi-site study, where she supervises research therapists and helps coordinate site operations to ensure feasibility. Her research focuses on the qualitative components of the SAFE study. Katie is also a registered social worker and a PhD candidate in Social Work at the University of Toronto.

Katie Stadelman (MSW)

Multi-Site Clinical Coordinator

Katie Stadelman is the MSCC for the SAFE multi-site study, where she supervises research therapists and helps coordinate site operations to ensure feasibility.

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Eric Tu (MA, HBSc)

As a Data Analyst with the Korczak Lab since 2023, Eric is responsible for collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and interpreting data to support decision-making and strategic planning. His earlier research explored an online speed dating paradigm, perceptions of attachment styles during first dates and the role of charisma in the maintenance of relationships. His current work investigates the role of romantic chemistry in the initiation and maintenance of romantic relationships. Eric is a PhD candidate at York University.

Eric Tu (MA, HBSc)

Data Analyst

As a Data Analyst with the Korczak Lab since 2023, Eric is responsible for collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and interpreting data to support decision-making and strategic planning.

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Samantha Burns (PhD, MA)

Dr. Samantha Burns holds a PhD from the OISE program at the University of Toronto and has worked as a Data Analyst with the Korczak Lab since 2022. She analyzes and interprets data, prepares research reports, and supports the dissemination of findings through academic publications and conference presentations. Her work has included research on the impact of the pandemic and health behaviours on children’s mental health using advanced statistical modeling techniques.

Samantha Burns (PhD, MA)

Data Analyst

Dr. Samantha Burns holds a PhD from the OISE program at the University of Toronto and has worked as a Data Analyst with the Korczak Lab since 2022.

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Doris Schraa (HBSc)

As a Research Assistant, Doris provides administrative and operational support to clinical research studies, with a focus on the CLIMB program. She assists with project coordination, documentation, scheduling, and communication to ensure studies run smoothly. Doris completed her bachelor's degree with a Specialist in Psychology at the University of Toronto. Her academic interests centre around mental health, social determinants of health, and patient-centered care.

Doris Schraa (HBSc)

Clinical Research Project Assistant

As a Research Assistant, Doris provides administrative and operational support to clinical research studies, with a focus on the CLIMB program.

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Students

Amal Rizvi

SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program

Jessica Sun

SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program

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© 2020 Dr. Daphne Korczak.

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M5G 1X8

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