Dane Mauer-Vakil
PhD Candidate
Student Academic Placement
Research Interests
Dane is a PhD Candidate in the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, specializing in health evaluation. He is also a CIHR Health System Impact Fellow embedded at Waypoint (2024–2025). His research centers on mental health services, systems, and policies, with a focus on forensic psychiatry, substance use, and bipolar disorder. He also conducts research on innovative models for integrating mental health services into primary care, publicly funded psychotherapy services, and illicit tobacco markets.
Dane’s academic background is in health psychology (Bachelor of Kinesiology) and health policy (Master of Science), both from the University of Toronto. His career goal is to improve the lives of individuals with mental health conditions who have interacted with the criminal justice system—particularly those with bipolar disorder and substance use—through rigorous health services, systems, and policy research. In his spare time, he enjoys exercise, listening to podcasts, and reading.
Publications