The Scotia Scholars Award provides financial support to research trainees with exceptional potential who are engaged in health research at participating Nova Scotia institutions. This award will support the growth and retention of highly skilled individuals who are advancing and translating knowledge in disease detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, strengthening health care delivery systems, caring for vulnerable populations, and promoting better opportunities for future health and wellbeing. Funding for this award is provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.
$894,500
Funding
76
Students
9
Institutions
Project: Risk Factors and Barriers to Successful Reintegration of Indigenous People in Contact with the Canadian Justice System
Charlotte Aelick
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Julie Blais
RNS Funding Contribution: $60,000.00
Project: VPAC receptors as potential targets to treat Cystic Fibrosis lung disease
Brett Allen
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Valerie Chappe
RNS Funding Contribution: $20,000.00
Project: Does Sense of Belonging Impact Help-Seeking for Mental Illness?
Akua Amankwah-Poku
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Erin Austen
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: How do ticks detect repellents? Natural product-based repellents to prevent tick bite and transmission of Lyme disease and other vector borne diseases
Miranda Amiro
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Nicoletta Faraone
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: Can empathy coaching reduce medical residents’ levels of burnout, job dissatisfaction and turnover intentions over the course of their residency period? A longitudinal study
Gregory Anderson
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Saint Mary’s University (SMU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Debra Gilin
RNS Funding Contribution: $15,000.00
Project: Optimizing patient experience for stroke survivors in a fNIRS neurofeedback intervention with Therapeutic Recreation strategies
Christine Ausman
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Heather Neyedli
RNS Funding Contribution: $60,000.00
Project: Evaluating the Validity of Motor Simulation Theory and Mechanisms of Motor Imagery
Hudson Barr
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Shaun Boe
RNS Funding Contribution: $20,000.00
Project: Understanding spatial neglect recovery: An exploration of neural markers of prism adaptation in neurotypical and neurodivergent cohorts
Noémie Bergeron-Germain
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Anne-Sophie Champod
RNS Funding Contribution: $12,500.00
Project: Inflammation and Ultrafiltration: Enhancing Recovery after Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
Joel Bierer
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jean Marshall
RNS Funding Contribution: $60,000.00
Project: Investigating the Thermal and Kinetic Properties of Buffer Solutions for a Model Protein under Cryogenic Conditions
Shalyn Bona
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. M. Shajahan Razul
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: How are the Students Doing? An Investigation of Nova Scotian Youth Mental Well-Being
Allison Britten
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Krista Ritchie
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Exploring social justice advocacy in Nova Scotian physicians
Alexandra Bromley
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jennifer Brady
RNS Funding Contribution: $11,333.33
Project: Exploring the molecular mechanisms by which mastoparan exerts anti-cancer and anti-migration effects on colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro
Rikki Clark
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Melanie Power Coombs
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: Memory of parent reaction to coming out as LGBTQ+ across decades: Association to mental health, internalized homophobia, and relationship closeness
Olivia Cleary
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Diane Holmberg
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Studying the anti-metastatic potential of phloridzin docosahexaenoate (PZ-DHA) on colon cancer
Alex Comeau
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Melanie Power Coombs
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: Do female varsity cross-country athletes experience alterations in physiological aerobic performance during ovulation and menstruation phases their menstrual cycle
Courtney Crouse
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Karen Kendall
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: No One Left Behind: Making Connections about Accessibility and the Inclusion of Older Adults in the Village of New Minas
Alexandria Delaney
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Rebecca Casey
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: Rural Health Delivery in Nova Scotia
Amanda DeLong
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
Supervisor(s): Linda McCallum
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Investigating the Relationship Between Body-Image and Risky Sexual Behavior in Adolescents
Grace Durling
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Kara Thompson
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Understanding Young Friends in an Online Sample of Individuals with Sexual Interest in Children
Desiree Elchuk
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Saint Mary’s University (SMU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Skye Stephens
RNS Funding Contribution: $2,500.00
Project: Developing an Intervention to Prevent Physician Burnout Post COVID-19 Pandemic
Seyedehsan Etezad
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Saint Mary’s University (SMU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Debra Gilin
RNS Funding Contribution: $15,000.00
Project: Investigating the Sex Data Gap in Sport Nutrition Research
Samantha Fisher
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jennifer Jamieson
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Probing the nature of motor imagery-based learning for rehabilitation: A brain and behaviour perspective
Theresa Gaughan
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Shaun Boe
RNS Funding Contribution: $29,000.00
Project: Examining Public Perceptions of Mental Health Interventions (Wellness checks) in Nova Scotia
Elizabeth Gerhardt
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Saint Mary’s University (SMU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Meg Ternes
RNS Funding Contribution: $6,800.00
Project: Textile Embedded Vital Health Signs Monitor
Alireza Ghasemi Ghodrat
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Ghada Koleilat
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Humanities in Hospital Healthcare: A Study of Books by Heart
Samuel Goldberg
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
University of King’s College (UKC)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Gordon McOuat
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Recreation Inventory in Residential Centres for People with Disabilities
Jeffery Goodwin
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
Supervisor(s): Michael Maguire
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Exploring renal nutrition intervention effectiveness in addressing nutritional diagnoses in the behavioural and environmental domain: Striking a balance between clinical outcomes and social determinants of health
Laura Gosine
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Shannan Grant & Dr. Patty Williams
RNS Funding Contribution: $18,833.33
Project: Does self-compassion buffer against PDA-related vigilance in predicting positive sexual minority identity and well-being?
Courtney Gosselin
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Diane Holmberg
RNS Funding Contribution: $2,500.00
Project: Establishment of long-term Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on human epithelial cell culture to study host stress and inflammatory responses during chronic infection
Shannen Grandy
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Zhenyu Cheng
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Spiritual Care is not just for Christians. Working collaboratively to increase the health of the Community in the Western Zone with Spiritual care
Dawn-Lea Greer
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Atlantic School of Theology (AST)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jody Clarke
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: An angled Ultrasound Endoscope for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Theresa Gu
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jeremy Brown
RNS Funding Contribution: $20,000.00
Project: Qualitative Analysis of Patient Experiences During the Transition from the Hospital to the Home
Kealeigh Halliday
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Christina Holmes
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: The Books by Heart Project
Abigail Hanson
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
University of King’s College (UKC)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Gordon McOuat
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Are Health Outcomes Related to Valence of the Memories of Coming Out
Emma Herman
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Diane Holmberg & Dr. Karen Blair
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: Time well spent: Promoting mental health in everyday life
Taylor Hill
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Sean Mackinnon
RNS Funding Contribution: $45,000.00
Project: Transgender Experiences with Primary Care in Rural Nova Scotia Following the 104 Highway from Truro to New Glasgow to Antigonish
Laura Hughes-McKay
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Deborah Mansell
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
https://researchns.ca/2023/01/12/learning-about-the-experiences-of-trans-and-queer-young-adults-with-primary-care-in-northeastern-rural-nova-scotia/
https://porthawkesburyreporter.com/stfx-study-examines-health-care-experiences-of-trans-and-queer-adults/
Project: Developing an intuitive augmented reality feedback system for use with a prosthesis simulator
Lincoln Inglis
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Daniel Blustein
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: Antioxidant Activity in a Freeze-Tolerant Insect
Grace Kaiser
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jantina Toxopeus
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Expectations and Perceptions of Access to Justice from Nova Scotian Justice Involved Women
Claire Keenan
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Saint Mary’s University (SMU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Marc Patry
RNS Funding Contribution: $6,800.00
Project: Nova Scotia’s New Telehealth Programs: Mental Health Policy and Rural Nova Scotians
Robin Lauzon
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Rachel Brickner
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
https://www2.acadiau.ca/home/news-reader-page/empowering-acadia-students-research-on-rural-mental-health-care.html
Project: Assessment of Pain in Neonates with Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: A Systematic Scoping Review
Julianna Lavergne
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Britney Benoit
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Sensory Evaluation of Foods Formulated with Seaweeds and Their Effect on Satiety and Food Intake
Tongtong Li
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Bohdan Luhovyy
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Investigating collagen fibril buckling resistance with age and in vivo loading
Theodore (Ted) Lownie
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Saint Mary’s University (SMU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Samuel Veres
RNS Funding Contribution: $6,800.00
Project: Changes in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic and potential population impacts on prevalence of future alcohol related illness
Ryan Lukic
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Catherine Mah
RNS Funding Contribution: $45,000.00
Project: Demystifying geolocated health data
Andrew MacCulloch
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
Supervisor(s): Dean Tsaltas
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Mapping the Participant Experience in Controlled Human Infection Model Trials: A Modified Grounded Theory Study
Anna Mack
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Donna Halperin & Dr. Scott Halperin
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Investigating Workplace Trauma in Nova Scotian Nurses
Hannah Markham
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Saint Mary’s University (SMU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Kevin Kelloway
RNS Funding Contribution: $6,800.00
Project: Vestigial Orienting in Speech Perception
Melina Markotjohn
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Steven Aiken
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Pandemic Flu and Maternity Care in Nova Scotia
Emma Martel
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
University of King’s College (UKC)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Gordon McOuat
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Cyber dating abuse victimization and the predictors of help seeking behaviors
Jennifer McArthur
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Saint Mary’s University (SMU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Marguerite Ternes
RNS Funding Contribution: $6,800.00
Project: The Role of Attachment Styles in Technology-Based Addictions
Taylor McAulay
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Doug Symons
RNS Funding Contribution: $2,500.00
Project: Nanoparticles and Their Application in Drug Delivery and Bacterial Infections
Chelsey McGean
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Peng Zhang
RNS Funding Contribution: $20,000.00
Project: Examining the Role of Femmephobia as a Situational Risk Factor in Intimate Partner Violence
Rhonda McInnis
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Kathryn Bell
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Parasite manipulation of blood metabolite levels to suppress host feeding behaviour
Dylan Miller
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Shelley Adamo
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Probing the relationship between frailty, vascular health, and cognitive function in older adults
Elisabeth Morrison
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Nicholas Bray
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: Machine Learning Approach to Analysis of Gait in Parkinson’s Patients
Emily Napier
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Sageev Oore
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Does Lactate Oxidation Consume Heat in Mammals?
Erin Noftall
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Daniel Kane
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
https://researchns.ca/2023/06/01/scotia-scholars-spotlight-erin-noftall/
Project: Development of a semi-synthetic composite hydrogel to model normal as well as chronically infected mucous-microbe-epithelium niches
Courtney O’Brien
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Brendan Leung
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Understanding the Time Course of Resistance Exercise Induced Muscle Damage in Sarcopenic Women
Callum Pufahl
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Réne Murphy
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: Investigating variations in survival rates for women diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in Nova Scotia
Sarah Scruton
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robin Urquhart
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: The Impact of Childhood Adversity on Anxiety Disorders in People with Mood Disorders
Ruth Shelton
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Barbara Pavlova
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: An Investigation of Food Security Within Nova Scotia’s Refugee Population
Julia Shields
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Mahasti Khakpour
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Helping Students Help Themselves: Identifying Factors for Success in a Multidimensional Wellness Program
Olivia Stevenson
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Jonathon Fowles
RNS Funding Contribution: $2,000.00
Project: A Cross-Sectional, Non-Randomized Pilot Study of User Fee Health Care in Nova Scotia
Lauren Stienburg
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Elizabeth McGibbon
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Detecting the spread of invasive mosquitoes and disease potential in Nova Scotia
Taylor Swanburg
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Neil Kirk Hillier
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Assessing Clozapine Eligibility in Schizophrenia
Temi Toba-Oluboka
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Phil Tibbo
RNS Funding Contribution: $20,000.00
Project: BE LONGING SONG
Amanda Trager
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD University)
Supervisor(s): Dr. April Mandrona
RNS Funding Contribution: $20,000.00
Project: Effectiveness of a new computerized treatment protocol for spatial neglect post stroke
Gina Vaillancourt
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Anne Sophie Champod
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00
Project: Investigating How the Type and Magnitude of Needs Post-Treatment Impact Health Care Utilization in Cancer Survivors
Jessica Vickery
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Robin Urquhart
RNS Funding Contribution: $10,000.00
Project: Activity Monitors in Healthcare: Perceived Barriers and Facilitators of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
Chloe Vukosa
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Ryan Reid
RNS Funding Contribution: $5,000.00
Project: Investigation the molecular mechanisms of oncogenic long non-coding RNAs associated with breast cancer stem cells
Marie-Claire Wasson
Doctoral Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Paola Marcato
RNS Funding Contribution: $60,000.00
Project: Exploring Weight-focused Evidence Implementation in Dietetic Practice: A National Survey
Rachel Waugh
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Shannan Grant
RNS Funding Contribution: $18,833.33
Project: Examining the relationship of psychopathy and indiscriminate arousal in victim-age polymorphic sexual offenders
Samantha Williams
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Saint Mary’s University (SMU)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Skye Stephens
RNS Funding Contribution: $2,500.00
Project: Leisure recording and savoring as a stress survival strategy
Guoqing Yu
Master’s Scotia Scholars Award
Dalhousie University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Susan Hutchinson
RNS Funding Contribution: $20,000.00
Project: Impact of Stress on Neurogenesis in Zebrafish
Sydney Zakutney
Undergraduate Scotia Scholars Award
Acadia University
Supervisor(s): Dr. Brian Wilson
RNS Funding Contribution: $1,500.00