Dr. Rebecca Haines-Saah is a health sociologist working in public health research, with a degree in Behavioural Health Sciences and Addiction Studies. Her research interests are in public health and harm reduction approaches to substance use and drug policy reform. Dr. Haines-Saah is known for tobacco and cannabis research with youth, and for her role as Kathleen Mead on the Canadian television series Degrassi Junior High.

She was born and raised in downtown Toronto and has lived in Montreal, Saskatoon and Vancouver.