About Our Study
Our Mission
Diabetes Connect is a research initiative that aims to reduce the risk and burden of type 2 diabetes through early detection and community-based screening efforts and connecting individuals to primary care and community support programs.
Our goal is to deliver a tailored and culturally-sensitive intervention for early detection of diabetes in community settings that will have an impact on the health and wellbeing of our community members.
Our vision is to advance health equity and reduce the risk and burden of diabetes to improve health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
Who are we?
Diabetes Connect pop-up and mobile van screening are organized by the Prevent Diabetes, Save Lives Lab at the University of Toronto Mississauga, led by Dr. Ghazal Fazli, from the Department of Geography, Geomatics and the Environment, and our community partners in Peel Region.
This community-based screening initiative was co-designed with our community partners, and has been funded by the Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations at the University of Toronto.
Meet Our Team
Our research team is based at the University of Toronto Mississauga, in the Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment.
Principal Investigator and Lead Researcher
Dr. Ghazal Fazli
Ghazal Fazli is teaching as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga and the Lead in Education and Training for the Network for Healthy Populations. She is the Principal Investigator of the Prevent Diabetes Save Lives lab. Her research explores the impact of social, community, and environmental determinants of prediabetes and diabetes. As an epidemiologist, Ghazal has deep interests for research and policy initiatives that promote action on the social and environmental determinants of health to improve well-being and quality of life across the lifespan.
Research Associate
Natanela Dain
Natanela (Naty) is a Research Associate at the Prevent Diabetes Save Lives lab. She holds a Master of Arts in Sociology and Legal Studies from the University of Waterloo and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and English from the University of Toronto. Naty's research interests include the social and environmental determinants of health, diabetes prevention, and both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
Research Assistant
Aimen Zehra
Aimen is a Master of Public Health student at the University of Waterloo with a strong interest in chronic disease prevention and health equity. She supports research coordination, community engagement, and volunteer recruitment for the diabetes screening initiative. Aimen is passionate about making preventive health services more accessible and inclusive for underserved communities.
Research Assistant
Lilaani Thangavadivelu
Lilaani Thangavadivelu is a Master of Public Health student in Epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Her work focuses on health equity, chronic disease management, and the social and environmental determinants of health. She is experienced in leading community-based health initiatives and health equity workshops, with a strong grounding in co-designed, culturally responsive research. Through a blend of academic training and community engagement, Lilaani supports inclusive, evidence-informed approaches to public health.
Research Assistant
Alexis Argyropoulos
Alexis is completing her final year of an Honours Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto with research interests in chronic disease prevention, health equity, and the social and structural determinants of health. Her work focuses on improving population health and advancing equitable access to health services. Alexis is passionate about addressing upstream factors that shape health outcomes and promoting more inclusive approaches to disease prevention and early detection.