Our Team
Dr Keisha Jefferies
MBRACe Director & Assistant Professor
As MBRACe Director, Dr. Jefferies uses her clinical and research expertise to guide research that improves health outcomes for Black populations and increases representation of Black students in health care professions.ssions.
Crenda Marfo
Program Manager
As program manager, Crenda uses her education and international experience in policy and gender studies to inform and reshape health, education and research for women and Black populations.
Ali Hammoud
Research Associate
As MBRACe's new Research Associate, Ali brings valuable expertise in evidence synthesis, community health, and advocacy. His contributions to national and international research initiatives will strengthen and support the advancement of MBRACe’s ongoing work. Welcome Ali!
Our team is an energetic group that is passionate about research and open to learning.
Our Research Interns & Students
Our 2026 Students
MBRACe is delighted to welcome five new members to our research team for the summer of 2026. We look forward to getting to know these students and working together to advance Black health.
Tami Akindele
Tami Akindele is from Nigeria, and was born and raised in England. He is going into his fourth year in a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Dalhousie.
Tami Akindele joined MBRACe via the SSHRC Black Student Research Program Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA). This award allows him to engage in full time research over the summer of 2026. Tami Akindele supports the Inclusivity in Nursing program, which includes research that addresses issues of discrimination and racism in nursing education, as well as the Pamela Nursing Program.
Outside of scholarly practice, Tami Akindele enjoys football, listening to music, and videography.
Priscilia K Esale Bizimhari
Priscilia is a recipient of the 2026 Mitacs Globalink Research scholarship and is an ambitious neuroscientist striving for a career of academic excellence that will advance her knowledge in molecular biology and gene therapy medicine.
At MBRACe, her focus will be on the uterine fibroids project among Black women of African descent. She will be involved in the scoping review process, creating infographics and videographics that enhance knowledge on black women dealing with uterine fibroids.
Outside of school and work, Priscilia enjoys travelling, trying new foods, learning coding languages such as R and singing. She also plays football as a right winger and is a massive supporter of Chelsea Football Club based in Stamford Bridge, London.
Wilcéia Aparecida Souza da Silva
Wilcéia is a sixth-year medical student in her final semester at the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil. Scholarship recipient of the Mitacs Globalink 2026 - Summer Research Internship Program.
She has coordinated research on genetics in Quilombola populations in Paraná and on reproductive rights and healthcare access for women and girls in Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS). She has also served as president and vice president of the Collective of Black Medical Students in Curitiba (Negrex-CWB) and currently coordinates the Academic League of Dermatology at the Hospital de Clínicas (Laderm - UFPR).
This summer, she is collaborating with the Pamoja Nursing Program on research addressing discrimination and anti-Black racism in nursing education and practice. Wilcéia intends to pursue a career in dermatology and promote education on skin disorders and Black skin care.
Wilcéia is into gym life, sports, and cheering for Flamengo back in Brazil. I love all kinds of music and am always down for a good concert or live show.
Precious Isafiade
Precious Isafiade is currently completing a Master of Health Administration at Dalhousie University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, graduating Cum Laude, and is a SHRM-CP-certified professional with interests in health equity, workforce systems, research operations, and people-centred healthcare improvement.
Through her MHA residency with MBRACe, Precious supports research coordination, evidence synthesis, knowledge translation, workflow development, and onboarding continuity across health equity research projects. Her work reflects her broader passion for strengthening systems that are more responsive, inclusive, and supportive of communities, patients, families, and healthcare workers.
Outside of her academic and professional work, Precious enjoys writing, mentoring, exploring leadership ideas, and spending time with her family.
Paula Serafim Mainardes Rosa
Paula is a fifth-year Psychology student at the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil and a scholarship recipient as part of the Mitacs Globalink 2026 Summer Research Internship Program.
Paula is a Brazilian researcher and human rights advocate. Her studies and academic interests focus on the prevention and combating of sexual violence against children and adolescents, women's rights and the experiences of the homeless population.
In Brazil, she also undertakes internships in public health and socio-education involving the LGBTQIAPN+ population. This summer, she is collaborating on research related to the mental health of Black women in Nova Scotia. Paula intends to pursue a career in Social Psychology and promote access to higher education for young people from vulnerable communities.
Her personal interests include different cultural expressions, such as singing and playing musical instruments, dance, Capoeira, Muay Thai, Yoga, visual arts, and more.
MBRACe Alumni
Tarelle
2025
Imhotep's Student Research Scholarship
Vitória
2025
Mitacs Globablink Research Intern
Ty
2024
NSERC Undergrad Student Research Award
Tatiana
2024
Mitacs Globalink Summer Research Intern
Eshaa
2025
NSERC Undergrad Summer Research Award
Ahmed
2024
NSERC Undergrad Student Research Award
Lisa
2023-2024
Research Coordinator
Samantha
2025
NSERC Undergrad Summer Research Award
Adara
2024
SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)
Miguel
2024
Mitacs Globalink Summer Research Intern
Tatiana
Nursing - Mitacs Globalink Summer Research Intern 2024
Research Focus - Public Health
Future Interests - Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
“My experience with M-BRACe was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. The mission, vision, and the projects they work on have always caught my attention, as they not only focus on the health of the population but also on social components, which makes a big difference. The team is amazing, and every day I was able to learn something new. The experience was enriching from start to finish”.
Join Our Team
We are always looking for individuals who are passionate about research and advancing Black health. We have roles for Graduate, Undergraduate, High School Students and Volunteers.