Communications

Kristen Hovet

She/Her/Hers

Communications Manager

Kristen Hovet has a Master of Health Studies degree (Health Research major) and works to “translate” research findings to a diverse audience. Her focus at BCCHR includes leading the communications team, hosting BCCHR’s Best Lives podcast, writing web stories, leading special projects, editing and proofreading internal and external documents, and maintaining processes that improve and facilitate team efficiency. She has more than 10 years of experience in communications and science journalism. Kristen is involved in autism self-advocacy at the national and international levels.

Vidushy Avasthi

She/Her/Hers

Communications Coordinator

Vidushy Avasthi was a Work Learn student with the Communications team for almost a year before starting full-time. She drafts social media material, tracks engagement metrics for the internal newsletter, and follows media coverage of BCCHR’s researchers. Vidushy has a Bachelor of Media Studies degree with a minor in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. She is passionate about writing and knowledge translation, and how they inevitably come together in her role.

Glauce Fleury

She/Her/Hers

Communications Specialist

With a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a postgraduate diploma in journalistic communications, Glauce Fleury has 20+ years of combined communications experience — six of those in the newsroom where she covered health care and social justice. She is essentially a storyteller, expert in media relations and internal communications, and previously served a two-year term on the Board of Directors of the BC chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). With training in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and lived experience, she is passionate about telling human-interest stories and contributing to a more equitable society — her sweet spot is combining both.

Anastasia Lirani

She/Her/Hers

Communications Specialist

Before joining the Communications team full time, Anastasia was a Work Learn for almost two years. Her current responsibilities include creating the internal and external newsletters, drafting social media copy, designing lobby slides, writing and editing various communications materials, and ensuring the ResearchHub content is up to date. Anastasia has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. With a background in communications and design, she channels her passion towards effectively bridging the gap between research and the public.

Andrea Sakamoto

She/Her/Hers

Communications Specialist

Andrea Sakamoto has been working as a communications professional for more than 16 years, with more than 10 years in the public sector and nonprofit organizations. While she has experience with a wide range of internal and external communications, her current focus is on website management, microsite development and management, writing web stories, and editing and proofreading a variety of materials. Andrea’s interest in child health research stems from being a mother of two boys and working with Autistic children and youth for many years. Her specific areas of interest are mental health, developmental disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Andrea’s other interests include women’s health and gender inequality in health care and research.

Alan Worsley

He/Him/His

Communications Specialist

Alan Worsley leads media relations and social media. Alan has a PhD in immunology from the University of Edinburgh, an undergraduate degree in biology, and has worked in communications roles for nearly 10 years. He is passionate about science communication and sharing the knowledge and discoveries made in medical research.