Research Nova Scotia announcing Additional support for early-career health researchers

Halifax, NS – Research Nova Scotia is announcing two additional awards for early-career health researchers in Nova Scotia. We would like to extend congratulations to Drs. OmiSoore Dryden and Caitlin Lees, recipients of 2023 New Health Investigator Grants.

OmiSoore Dryden
Associate Professor, James R. Johnston Chair, Black Canadian Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University
Project: Black Queer and Trans Determinants of Health (BQTDH): A Mixed Method, Intersectional Approach to Understanding the Health Experiences of Black Queer and Trans Population in Nova Scotia
Amount: $100,000

Caitlin Lees
Physician, Nova Scotia Health
Assistant Professor, Medicine, Dalhousie University
Project: MAID in Nova Scotia: The Impact of Social and Clinical Factors on Access and Experience
Amount: $52,548

“These two projects address critical topics and I’m delighted we could support them,” says Stefan Leslie, CEO of Research Nova Scotia. “Improving healthcare is a priority in our province and we are confident these recipients’ work will inform practice, policy, and decision making to positively impact Nova Scotians’ health.”

This year, a total of fifteen early-career health researchers in Nova Scotia have received a New Health Investigator Grant to support work that aligns with the province’s health research priorities. Recipients’ projects span a broad range of topics including mental health, health inequalities, health technology and programs, reproduction, administrative workload, and support for children experiencing disabilities.

Recipients include researchers from Acadia University, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia Health, and St. Francis Xavier University. Recipients received between $47,125 and $100,000 to support the establishment of research programs, expand research to obtain future long-term funding, and to support significant contributions in the health research field. The Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness provides funding for New Health Investigator Grants.

About Research Nova Scotia
Research Nova Scotia supports, organizes, and coordinates research. With the curiosity to imagine a better world, and the determination to make it real, we champion the people and resources needed to improve the lives of Nova Scotians. Learn more about our research missions at researchns.ca.

Media Contact
Stephanie Reid
Director, Marketing & Communications
902.223.9450
stephanie.reid@researchns.ca

Additional Information

List of 2023 New Health Investigator Grant Recipients

  • Carly O’Neill, Acadia University, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
  • Emily Bremer, Acadia University, Associate Professor, Kinesiology
  • Cindy Feng, Dalhousie University, Associate Professor, Medicine
  • JianLi Wang, Dalhousie University, Professor, Community Health & Epidemiology
  • Kelvin Fong, Dalhousie University, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science
  • Nichole Austin, Dalhousie University, Assistant Professor, School of Health Administration
  • OmiSoore  Dryden, Dalhousie University, Associate Professor, James R. Johnston Chair, Black Canadian Studies, Faculty of Medicine
  • Rebecca Affoo, Dalhousie University, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health
  • Ruth Lavergne, Dalhousie University, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine
  • Shanon Phelan, Dalhousie University, Associate Professor, Faculty of Health
  • Jocelyn Stairs, IWK Health Centre, Assistant Professor, Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine
  • Amanda Vinson, Nova Scotia Health, Assistant Professor, Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine
  • Caitlin Lees, Nova Scotia Health, Assistant Professor, Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine
  • Richard Spence, Nova Scotia Health, Assistant Professor, Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine
  • Ruth Harvie, St. Francis Xavier University, Assistant Professor, Human Nutrition

Learn more about the recipients’ projects.