About IREA
Based in Edmonton, Canada, the Implementing Research for Equity in Aging (IREA) lab, is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of immigrant and racialized older adults in Canada. Founded in 2018 by Dr. Jordana Salma, we work closely with communities to create programs that promote social connections, physical activity, and better management of chronic health conditions. Through partnerships with community members, researchers, and healthcare professionals, we aim to make health empowerment more inclusive and equitable for everyone.
Our Team
This work could not be possible without all the talented, dedicated individuals committed to outputting accurate, relevant information about inclusive aging. IREA is run on the collective power of staff, trainees and volunteers.
Dr. Jordana Salma, PhD, RN
Principal Investigator, Lead Researcher
Dr. Salma is a Registered Nurse and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. She is the lead researcher at IREA and is focused on improving the health and well-being of immigrant and racialized older adults in Canada. Through her work, Dr. Salma seeks to reduce health inequities by shaping policies and services that better support the unique needs of older adults, ensuring they can age with dignity and access the care they deserve.
Staff
Alesia Au, MN, RN
Research Coordinator
Alesia Au is a community-based researcher and Registered Nurse with over seven years of experience in immigrant and refugee health research. Holding a Master of Nursing in Research with a specialization in Aging from the University of Alberta, she first started in IREA as a graduate research assistant since starting her Master’s in 2021. In her current role, Alesia is responsible for the operation and administration of multiple projects and builds relationships with collaborators and community partners.
Huda Temuri, Bsc
Research Assistant
Huda Temuri holds a BSc in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Alberta and first joined IREA as a research assistant in 2021. Since then, she has been part of various community-based participatory research projects, serving as a community liaison, recruiting participants, translating materials, and mediating interviews. Huda also has extensive experience working with non-profits such as E4C, IFSSA, ICNA, CoMAG, and MCHB, focusing on food security, social justice, and equity.
Trainees
Alyssa Domingo
PhD Student
Alyssa Mae Quiroz Domingo is a dedicated nurse, researcher, and advocate committed to health equity and community-driven change. With a background in neurosurgical nursing and a PhD in progress at the University of Alberta, she blends clinical expertise with qualitative research to amplify marginalized voices. As a research assistant for Dr. Jordana Salma and other faculty members, she explores aging, mental health, and community-based approaches. She is particularly interested in the Filipino concept of kapwa and participatory methodologies to highlight resilience, social connections, and collective well-being. Through global and local collaborations, she strives to co-create meaningful, inclusive healthcare solutions that honour diverse lived experiences.
Lesley Hodge
PhD Student
Lesley Hodge is a PhD student in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. She holds a Master of Nursing in Research from the University of Alberta. She has worked in the IREA program as a graduate research assistant. She is currently co-supervised by IREA’s principal investigator (Dr. Jordana Salma) for her PhD studies, which focus on community-based participatory research in a rural, resource-dependent context.
Vestine Mukanoheli
PhD Student
Vestine is a PhD student at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Nursing. She is a registered nurse with a masters degree in medical-surgical nursing, specializing in cardiac nursing. With over ten years of experience as a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, she has also worked as a registered nurse in various healthcare settings. Her research focuses on the aging population, particularly among immigrants. Since 2023, she has been a graduate research assistant at IREA.
Sadaf Murad-Kassam
PhD Student
Sadaf Murad-Kassam is a registered nurse, educator, and researcher. She is a PhD student at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Nursing. Her PhD research focuses on ‘Exploring the Hospitalization Experiences of Ethno-Racial Older Adults with Dementia and Their Care Partners’. She has been a research assistant with Dr. Jordana since 2022 on her CIHR-funded research project focused on immigrant older adult women. As a research assistant, she is furthering her expertise in qualitative research, community engagement, and patient-oriented approaches. Upon completing her PhD, Sadaf envisions leading interdisciplinary research and advocacy initiatives to enhance dementia care in Canada and globally.