Andrea lives and works on the traditional unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

Andrea completed her Bachelor of Science Honours degree specializing in neuroscience at Queen’s University. Her passion for inner city health, advocacy, and science led her to complete integrated MD/PhD training at the University of British Columbia Department of Psychiatry in the field of psychiatric epidemiology (Supervisor: Dr. William Honer). Her dissertation examined the risk factors and dynamics of psychosis and substance use among adults living in urban precarious housing or homelessness. Her early research and healthcare leadership have been recognized by the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Vanier Scholarship, and the Schizophrenia International Research Society.

Andrea is concurrently a Resident Physician in the Division of Neurology and Postdoctoral Fellow in the Clinician Investigator Program at University of British Columbia (Supervisor Dr. Thalia Field). Her research aims to improve brain health among marginalized communities, by applying complex systems perspectives to examine interrelationships between social networks, brain structure, and health outcomes.

Andrea is pursuing a multifaceted career as a physician scientist in Neurology to advance the prevention and management of neurological conditions, particularly among historically, socially, and economically marginalized communities. She keeps well by spending time with her community and exploring the local inlets and mountains by kayaking, hiking, and skiing.