Dr. Jan C. Frijters, a respected academic and Professor at Brock University, serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Learning Disabilities, an Editorial Board member for the Journal of Educational Psychology, and sits as the Chief Neuropsychologist at Sharpen. With a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Guelph, his research focuses on critical aspects of child development, evidence-based reading interventions, and risk assessments.

Focusing his work on research that targets the accurate and early identification of children in need of reading assistance, Jan works to ensure that children most at-risk receive developmentally sensitive and effective interventions. His relentless efforts and in-depth expertise make a significant impact in the field of educational psychology.

When Dr. Frijters isn't busy transforming the world of targeted interventions, you can find him sharing his insights at conferences, mentoring aspiring educators, and continuously exploring innovative ways to make learning accessible and engaging for all.

Dr. Prarthana Franklin-Luther is a scholar and researcher with over 20 peer-reviewed publications in the areas of parenting, child health, and developmental outcomes. She received her Ph.D. in Child and Youth Studies from Brock University and then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at McMaster University, where she researched cognitive, behavioral, and social outcomes of preterm-born children. Dr. Franklin-Luther has presented her research findings at various conferences and has been cited in media outlets like CBC.ca. Clinically, she has worked as a psychometrist and psycho-educational evaluator for several years, applying her academic insights in a practical context.
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When Dr. Franklin-Luther isn't busy transforming the world of education and children’s development, she can be spotted exploring nature trails, accompanied by her husband and their beloved dog, Layla.

Patrick Heenan is a twenty-year educator. He holds an MS in Elementary Education with a K - 6 certification. Patrick is also certified in Reading Recovery, Empower Phonics / Empower Comprehension, and received training in Orton-Gillingham and Wilson. 

Patrick has twelve years of experience as a classroom teacher; having taught 1st - 4th grade. Patrick worked for five years as an Intervention Specialist within New Haven Public Schools. This grant-funded position was part of a collaboration with Yale University’s New Haven Lexinome Project. During this time he was immersed in Structured Literacy and Evidence-Based reading practices. Patrick spent his final two years in public school working as a Literacy Instructional Coach.

Patrick trained under Dr. Michael Bend in the ABeCeDarian Reading Program then joined Sharpen full-time to focus all his attention on identification and remediation of reading difficulties.

When Patrick isn't busy transforming the world of education,  you can find him at the beach with his family, or building furniture in his garage woodworking shop.