Lotenna Olisaeloka
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
As a physician, working in clinical settings in Nigeria and the UK exposed me to persistent gaps and access barriers in mental healthcare. While I enjoyed and deeply valued one-to-one patient care, the scale of the need made me think critically about innovative and scalable solutions. During my MSc in Global Health at University College London, I explored how population health approaches and digital technology can help bridge these gaps. These learnings reinforced my interest in the design and evaluation of effective, safe and user-centred digital interventions. I decided to pursue a doctoral degree to develop my expertise in these innovative areas and to create greater impact as a physician-scientist.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
I was drawn by the work of my supervisor, whose research I frequently cited during my master’s program. His work using conversational agents and digital tools to expand access to mental healthcare fascinated me. Our research lab brings together experts in medicine, psychology, public health and computer science within an environment where ethical innovation truly comes to life. Here, I can push the boundaries of digital mental health and generative AI while ensuring interventions remain effective and safe. With its cutting-edge research and one of the most beautiful campuses in the world, UBC is undoubtedly the ideal place for my doctoral research.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
The Population and Public Health program offers rigorous training grounded in interdisciplinary, impact-oriented research. It allows me to deepen my expertise in advanced epidemiology, machine learning, and mixed-methods research while collaborating across disciplines. I continue to develop as a physician-scientist through clinical and research activities within the Department of Psychiatry. More importantly, I contribute to research translation projects within the Mental Health Systems and Services Lab that directly support the Government of British Columbia in policy development and health systems transformation.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
It’s called “Beautiful British Columbia” for a reason! I knew Vancouver was beautiful, but the seamless blend of mountains, sea and forest still took my breath away. Being able to go from my bed to the beach in ten minutes feels like a daily blessing, and I love walking along the shores to stay grounded.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
My clinical and research experience across Nigeria and the UK exposed me to gaps in mental healthcare access, shaping my focus on system-level solutions. During my master’s at University College London, I developed skills in research design, systematic reviews and intervention design and evaluation. These experiences strengthened my ability to combine clinical insight with technical expertise, preparing me to develop and evaluate generative AI-based mental health interventions in my doctoral program at UBC.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I sing a lot! I also love staying active; I hike the Grouse Grind, play tennis and recently started learning to swim at UBC (I’m not great yet, but I don’t drown!). I enjoy exploring Vancouver’s amazing international cuisine and trying new restaurants. And as a little reward after a long day, I sometimes treat myself to ice cream from Rain or Shine on campus.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Embrace curiosity and be fearless in exploring ideas and opportunities beyond your comfort zone. Walk into any room with your head held high, knowing that you deserve to be there and your unique perspectives are valuable. Be proactive in building relationships with supervisors, peers and collaborators, because mentorship and networks shape both your research and growth. And don’t forget to take care of yourself; walk, breathe, explore! Make full use of campus resources, from academic and health services to recreation facilities and museums.
Learn more about Lotenna's research
Therapy and emotional support have become common uses of general-purpose generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots. Despite not being designed or clinically validated for such purposes, students are increasingly using these tools to manage their mental health amid persistent barriers to care. While AI offers potential for accessible support, important concerns remain about effectiveness and safety, particularly in light of emerging harms and fatal outcomes. My mixed-methods research examines how students use AI chatbots for mental health support. I apply epidemiological methods to measure prevalence, utilization patterns and associated mental health outcomes. Within this quantitative framework, I also develop machine learning algorithms to identify predictors of use and differential impacts across subpopulations. In parallel, I conduct semi-structured interviews to explore students' lived experiences, motivations and concerns when using AI for self-help purposes. This work will generate critical evidence to guide the ethical, equitable and user-centred design of AI-based mental health interventions.