Our people
Paul J. Veugelers - Unit Director & Professor
Paul received training in human nutrition (MSc from the University of Wageningen, the Netherlands), epidemiology (PhD from the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and biostatistical modeling (postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia). In 1998, he immigrated to Canada to join the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University, Halifax. In 2002, he took a position at the University of Alberta where he is currently a professor in the School of Public Health and Director of the Population Health Intervention Research Unit. Paul is married with two beautiful daughters, who love to stay active.
Megan Purcell - Project Coordinator
Megan completed a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Victoria in 2008. Her research analyzed health policy related to childhood overweight and chronic disease from a children's rights perspective. Megan has experience working in a variety of settings from recreation to government, and in numerous fields, including population health, children's services, and addiction and mental health. Megan is passionate about creating and supporting healthy environments for children and youth, and is excited to be a part of the REAL Kids Alberta team.
Marg Schwartz - Manager - APPLE Schools
Marg has been involved with school health promotion for over 25 years. She has a passion for health promotion and has worked in a number of roles to support her vision for healthy, active Alberta students including the founding manager for Schools Come Alive and Ever Active Schools. She has worked for both Alberta Education and Alberta Health and Wellness and is currently seconded from the Alberta government to the School of Public Health. She is the recipient of the Robert Routledge Memorial address, the Health and Physical Education Distinguished Service Award and a Premiers' Excellence Award. She completed her Bachelor of Education and Master Degree in Education from the University of Alberta. She is a mom, a hiker, curler and loves to travel. ¡Hola!
Andrea Cliff - Office Coordinator
Andrea is the person who will greet you with her contagious smile when you enter the unit. Her laughter and positive attitude makes every day brighter. Andrea has background experience as an Administrative Assistant with the Ever Active and Schools Come Alive programs of the Alberta Teachers Association. She sits on the Wellness Committee with the School of Public Health, helps with the planning of activities, unit events and oversees the general administration and day to day operations of the unit. Andrea has spent many years as a volunteer in her community. She loves to laugh and is married with two fantastic teenage kids. She enjoys being a part of such an amazing team.
Connie Lu - Data Manager
Connie received her Master of Science degree from the University of Alberta in 2007, with a focus on the analysis of forestry sustainability and government policy implications. Before moving to Canada in 2002, Connie studied in and worked with the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, where she was awarded a Master's degree for her study in the field of small town development economics. Connie's strong technical skills and experience in dealing with complicated models and data structure make her an invaluable addition to any research team.
Biao Wu - Post-doctoral fellow
Biao received his BSc in Mathematics from the Southwest Normal University, Chongqing, China in 1994. Then he continued his study in Economics in Renmin University of China in Beijing and completed it with a Master of Economics in 1997. From September 2000 to September 2005, he studied Probability and Statistics in Carleton University as a PhD student. He completed his Ph.D. degree in November 2005. Since then, he has been postdoctoral fellow in the math department of Carleton University, McMaster University and University of Alberta. He started his new position of Research Assistant in Paul Veugelers' Research Group in July 2009.