Two Saint Mary’s University scientists receive $795,000 in research funding

Two researchers in the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s have received a total of $795,000 in funding from two government organizations.

Dr. Erin Adlakha and Dr. Erin Cameron will have their work, on hydrothermal ore mineral deposits and soil invertebrates, respectively, funded in equal parts by grants from Canadian Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund and from Research Nova Scotia.

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Dr. Erin Cameron : “Global change impacts on soil invertebrates”

A researcher in the department of Environmental Science, Dr. Cameron’s work focuses on increasing understanding of the impacts of climate change and land use on below-ground ecosystems.

Dr. Erin Cameron

“Much of our understanding of these impacts in terrestrial ecosystems is based on aboveground organisms,” explained Dr. Cameron. “In contrast, although soils support high levels of biodiversity and provide key ecosystem services such as decomposition and carbon storage, we have a limited understanding of global change effects below ground.”

Her research seeks to address this gap in our knowledge by examining how climate change, land use change, and invasive species (earthworms) affect communities and ecosystem services (e.g., carbon dioxide flux) in Nova Scotia, Canada's North, and globally, using a combination of field observations, experiments, lab analyses, and modelling.

In Nova Scotia, her work will focus on examining how human disturbances may be affecting soil biodiversity and the ecosystem services provided by soil in forests, and on examining the spread and effects of non-native earthworms. This work will increase understanding of impacts of global change on soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and inform effective management of climate change and invasive species in Canada.

Read more about Dr. Cameron’s recent cover story in the prestigious Science Magazine, in which she studies the global diversity and biogeography of earthworms.

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Dr. Erin Adlakha: “Characterizing Alteration Footprints of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits Using Super Light Element Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence” 

A faculty member and researcher in the Department of Geology at Saint Mary’s, Dr. Adlakha’s research focuses on hydrothermal ore mineral deposits, which we mine for the metals that we use in everyday life. Part of Dr. Adlakha’s research is to understand the source of fluids and metals, and identify the chemical or physical “traps” that cause ore deposition.

Dr. Erin Adlakha

“These deposits precipitate from fluids (e.g. seawater, meteoric water, magmatic fluids) that circulate through Earth’s crust along structures — faults, fractures, mineral grain boundaries —and dissolve metals from the rocks that they pass through,” explained Dr. Adlakha. “When the fluids encounter a chemical and/or physical change, a reaction may occur that triggers the precipitation of economic minerals.”

“I am also interested in the mineralogy and chemical variation of un-economic alteration minerals that form as different fluids circulate through Earth’s crust, as they guide exploration geologists to find new deposits,” she added.

This CFI award will be used to purchase a Super Light Element Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer to characterize the complex ore and alteration systematics of different ore systems, including polymetallic Co deposits in Nova Scotia, Canada; W skarn deposits of the Canadian Cordillera; and polymetallic deposits of the Nonacho Basin, Northwest Territories.

“The results of this research will be used to develop deposit models that describe how hydrothermal ore deposits form, and provide exploration vectors for these deposits, thus contributing to the longevity and sustainability of Canada's exploration and mining programs,” said Dr. Adlakha.

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About the Canadian Foundation for Innovation

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) was built on the ideals of thinking big and investing in areas that matter to Canadians. Since its creation in 1997, the CFI has ensured Canadian researchers have the tools — the cutting-edge labs, facilities and equipment — they need to push the frontiers of knowledge in all disciplines, and to contribute to the full spectrum of research — from discovery to technology development.

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund enables excellent researchers to undertake leading-edge research by providing them with the foundational research infrastructure required to be or become leaders in their field. In turn, this enables institutions to remain internationally competitive in areas of research and technology development, aligned with their strategic priorities. 

Research Nova Scotia

Research Nova Scotia (RNS) is a not-for-profit corporation established to enhance research capacity and align research funding with provincial priorities. RNS invests in research that builds and translates knowledge to help ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Nova Scotia. This support for the research community in our province helps to advance strategic growth in Nova Scotia, and contributes to innovation in the healthcare system in Nova Scotia. 

Library expands access to books and other physical materials

The Library’s been busy working to safely expand our services!

If you need books and other physical material, you can now place a hold on SMU or other Novanet materials through our Novanet Catalogue. You can choose to pick up the material at SMU, or select a participating Novanet Library.

Need assistance finding books or other material, or placing holds? Contact us at research@smu.ca

Pick-up times at SMU are:

Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am- 2 pm

Fridays 10 am- 5 pm

Need materials from libraries beyond Novanet? Contact ill@smu.ca for more information.

Laptop Lending

The Library has a limited number of laptops for lending to local students in need. Students can place a hold here. Pick up is onsite.

Saint Mary’s University invests in online learning

Saint Mary's University is investing strategically to create an exceptional online learning environment for Fall 2020.  

Saint Mary's is providing $300,000 in additional funds for its Studio for Teaching and Learning to create more supports for faculty, students, and staff. These include a new program for students, Jump Start, the addition of staff to the Digital Learning Team to support faculty in their online instruction, and new Digital Teaching Assistants to support the university's existing teaching assistants transition to a virtual environment.

The university has also introduced a Peer Coaching program. Now every new student is paired with a student-coach who they can connect with throughout their first year of studies.  

"We are very fortunate that the Studio for Teaching and Learning has proven expertise in curricular innovation, accessibility and digital tools for learning," said Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "Over two decades, The Studio has developed an ecosystem for teaching and learning. Now we will adapt the technology and expertise to excel in this new virtual world." 

Professors have been working with specialists in digital learning and digital teaching assistants since March to adapt courses and teaching strategies. This work is continuing through the summer to ensure that the more than 1000 courses in Arts, Science and Business and graduate and professional degrees are designed to offer exceptional online academic experiences for Fall 2020.  

"I want to reassure students and parents that Saint Mary's is committed to providing an engaging, high-quality, and meaningful academic experience, whether students are studying in Bangladesh or Bras d'Or," said President Summerby-Murray. 

"We are actively working now and throughout the summer to make sure that faculty are ready for remote teaching,  and that all the necessary academic support services, co-curricular activities and community-building opportunities are available to students who will be studying online," said Dr. Esther E. Enns, Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning.   

"We have seen a strong interest in our online summer workshops in Jump Start," said Enns. "This as an encouraging sign that the activities and supports are resonating with students, and we will continue to provide and expand these offerings into the fall."  

The Jump Start program is available to all incoming and returning Saint Mary's students free of charge. It is a five-day program delivered in a virtual, online environment, matching university academic life and learning. The five days are split between two modules: How to be an Online Student and Summer Writing Workshop. Students learn by doing, participating, and meeting and making new friends. They will develop new academic skills while building on those they already have. 

Among the activities covered are:  

• practising the steps required to plan and write a variety of undergraduate assignments; 

• experiencing an online classroom lecture with a professor;

• opportunities to meet other students;

• learning about SMU’s academic and technology supports; 

• meeting and working with professional academic writing tutors; and 

• a roundtable discussion with SMU professors. 
  

More information about support for students and their online learning

• Learn more about Jump Start

• Information for future students (Fall 2020)

• Saint Mary’s moving online, increasing student supports

Saint Mary’s researcher to study the effect of COVID-19 on dating, romance and sex

Dating can be difficult at the best of times, and social distancing requirements, face masks, and limited access to restaurants and bars during a global pandemic make finding new romantic partners even more difficult.

This issue has inspired a new survey that looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has potentially changed how we feel about ourselves in terms of dating and romantic relationships. Respondents will be asked to complete a series of surveys examining their attitudes about sexuality, how many sexual partners they have had or wish to have, how they feel about themselves, and how much money they have recently spent on items related to appearance.

"This is a fascinating time to conduct research because people are having to adjust, to be creative in the way they date," said Dr. Maryanne Fisher, the Saint Mary's University researcher conducting the study. "Online dating websites are reporting a surge of membership enrollments and messages between users, which indicates people are trying to make connections, and potentially different types of connections, than ever before. I'm really intrigued by how we view ourselves as mates has changed due to the pandemic."

Dr. Maryanne Fisher, a researcher and professor of Psychology at Saint Mary's, has been studying these issues since 2017 and is tracking changes over time. She is an expert on the evolutionary foundations of human interpersonal relationships. Her primary research areas include the evolutionary foundations of human interpersonal relationships and women's mating strategies and indicators of female physical attractiveness.

This survey on the effects of COVID-19 on dating and romantic relationships, as well as perceptions of self-worth and attractiveness, will require about 20 minutes to complete. We have removed the collection of IP addresses in an effort to anonymize the responses, and you will not be asked your name or other identifying information. We are seeking volunteers 18+ to complete the confidential now.

Click here to take the survey.

SMU men’s hockey coach, Trevor Stienburg, steps back

Coach Trevor Stienburg (centre) with the 2019-2020 graduates of the Saint Mary’s University Men’s Hockey Team.

After two decades of accomplishments on and off the ice, Trevor "Stieny" Stienburg has stepped back from his duties as Head Coach of the Saint Mary's Huskies Men's Hockey Team.

Stienburg stepped back on June 1, 2020, which is precisely 23 years to the day that he first stepped onto the university.

When he joined the Huskies in 1997, his impact was instantaneous as he was the catalyst for the second significant era of Huskies Hockey. Stienburg is the longest-serving coach, with the highest record of wins, in Huskies' Hockey history. During his 23 years with the team, Stienburg led the Huskies to 369 regular-season wins, culminating in the team's first ever USPORTS National Championship in 2010.  

"After a lot of self-reflection and family discussion, I've decided that now is the right time to step back as the men's hockey coach," says Stienburg. "Over the last 23 years, the team has accomplished more than I could have imagined, and I'm very grateful to be a Husky."

Stienburg's leadership was recognized as he was named USPORTS Coach of the Year three times. Currently, he is the only university hockey coach ever to win Coach of the Year honours for two consecutive years, in 1998-99 and 1999-00.

Under his tenure, Stienburg led the Huskies hockey program to three AUS Championships (2002, 2009, 2010).

In addition to the 2010 National Championship, he coached the team to two medals in USPORTS Hockey Playoffs - a silver medal in 2013 and a bronze medal in 2016.

"Saint Mary's University is known for our excellence in athletics.  Coaches like Trevor are at the heart of our success," says Gabrielle Morrison, Vice-President, Finance & Administration. "He created a legacy not only at Saint Mary's, but also in the local and national hockey community." 

"Stienburg pursued excellence and was rewarded by his players and the community," says Scott Gray, director of athletics and recreation. "He paved the way for an NHL-size arena on campus, first by spearheading the move to the Halifax Forum and then by bringing his team home to the newly created Dauphinee Centre in 2019. This was a crowning achievement for the university and for Coach Stienberg and one that tops off his remarkable and lasting positive impact."

Stienburg is an ambassador for the university on and off the ice. He has actively given back to the community and instilled these lessons in his student-athletes. In 2005, he led the Huskies in fundraising $20,500 for Sebastian Savage, a Moncton Aigles Blues player, who became paralyzed after crashing into the boards during a game. 

"I want to express how proud I am of every student-athlete I had the privilege of coaching and how appreciative I am of every coach that has stepped in over the last 23 years," says Stienburg. "Without the talent exhibited by these players and coaches, the Huskies wouldn't be where they are now."

"Not only has Trevor brought great success for Huskies on the ice, but he also ensured that his athletes were students first, creating successful student-athletes in the classroom," says Saint Mary's University President, Robert Summerby-Murray. "On behalf of the entire Saint Mary's University community, I want to thank Trevor for the 23 years of service he has given and the impact he has had on so many people."

Inspiring new film spotlights sustainable communities solving environmental problems

A new documentary – to be released June 5, World Environment Day – focuses on the power of communities to find sustainable solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges.  The film, Sustainable Futures – Communities in Action, highlights how local communities have dealt with challenges they face with the environment, the climate, and how to sustain economies and livelihoods.

 “The strength that comes from these small communities shows that building a sustainable future isn’t as far off as some would think,” says Dr. Tony Charles, a professor at Saint Mary’s University and director of the Community Conservation Research Network. “We hope that by showcasing the successes of people working together in their communities, it will open up a discussion about rethinking the world’s path to sustainability.”

 This 52-minute film follows four communities from different corners of the world as they deal with some of the biggest global challenges. The film begins in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where the local community battles for food security. It travels to the other side of Canada to the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, British Columbia, which is working to protect their rights and build relationships. The film moves to Papendorp, South Africa, where the local community fights to build a sustainable future, and Koh Pitak, Thailand, showcasing the community’s success achieved through caring for the environment.

The film is presented by the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN) and Saint Mary’s University. It was produced by Nexus Media in Chester, Nova Scotia and financially supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

 The film will be available, starting June 5, at: www.communityconservation.net

Sobey School researcher looking into the factors that may impact COVID-19 transmission

Dr. Yigit Aydede leads a research project that brings together data on the effects of weather, climate and local air quality, along with social mobility, to determine their effects on the transmission of COVID-19. The project was recently funded through the Nova Scotia COVID-10 Health Research Coalition.

Dr. Yigit Aydede

“The expectation is that warmer days will mean lower transmission,” noted Sobey School of Business economics professor Aydede. “The assimilation of this data is going to be one of the best policy tools in terms of understanding the risk awareness, expectations and forecasting. This project will help the government determine the possible effects of mobility restrictions.”

Dr. Aydede said the project can only be done locally. “We are not the only one. This kind of research is being done around the world. You can’t take a model from, say, Amsterdam and use it here. It has to be local.”

The study will harness techniques of machine learning and neural networks to crunch vast amounts of data, examining them for relationships. Researchers will examine high-dimensional air quality and atmospheric data localized to a street-by-street basis, alongside satellite weather data, looking at their impacts on respiratory health. It will also factor in publicly available data from Google and Apple on social mobility, including not only what the reason for mobility is (shopping or recreation, for instance), but also what type of mobility is employed: car, transit, or walking, for example. Finally, they will pull in the publicly-available 811 and COVID testing data provided by the Nova Scotia government.

The weather and air quality data are coming from several different companies, two of which are based in Boston and Israel, called ClimaCell and Breezometer respectively. The actual analysis will rely on the robust processing platforms of Google and Amazon.

The funding was part of the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition. Dr. Aydede is the principal investigator, and leads a collaborative team of co-investigators including Dr. Mutlu Yuksel (Dalhousie) and Dr. Daniel Silver (Acadia). The project is a partnership with MLport (a research portal on machine learning Dr. Aydede helped found), Acadia’s Institute for Data Analytics (AIDA), and Saint Mary’s University’s CLARI, the Change Lab Action Research Initiative.

The project team initially came together in 2018 to examine the data relating to chronic respiratory illness, such as asthma. When COVID-19 began infecting the Atlantic region, they recognized there would be value in pivoting to address the urgent needs brought by the pandemic. The project has received additional funding from Mitacs. Dr. Aydede notes that most of the project funding will go to support the staff required for the data analysis, including graduate students. 

The COVID-19 Health Research Coalition is dedicated to fostering a research environment that engages our academic partnerships and responds to the current needs of Nova Scotians and our health system, in addition to maintaining the expertise in innovative research, discovery science, population/social sciences, and health system improvement.

Exploring ways to help Nova Scotian pulp mills produce medical-grade pulp for N95 respirator production

Dr. Christa Brosseau (left)

A Saint Mary’s University researcher is leading a project to help address a key support needed for the COVID-19 pandemic: personal protective equipment and their components.

“As a result of COVID-19, there is a massively increased global demand for N95 respirators,” says Dr. Christa Brosseau. “New technologies are urgently needed to help manage impending shortages, ideally with ’home-grown’ solutions.”

Dr. Christa Brosseau is a professor in Saint Mary’s University’s Faculty of Science and Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Chemistry & Materials. Her project will explore innovative chemical strategies to help determine if Nova Scotian pulp mills can produce medical-grade pulp for N95 respirator production. A recent grant from Research Nova Scotia will help propel this work forward.

N95 masks are typically composed primarily of synthetic polymer materials (polypropylene, polyester) with cellulose sometimes incorporated into one of the many layers that make up the respirator. At present, a single mill in Canada is producing medical grade pulp and they are struggling to keep up with the increased demand.

“Over the years, there has been an increased interest in making N95 respirators using only wood pulp”, says Dr. Brosseau. “However, wood pulp typically lacks certain properties that translate into effective respirator material.”

Dr. Brosseau’s team, in collaboration with the pulp and paper industry in Nova Scotia, will develop and test chemical additives that can address key challenges in the production of medical-grade pulp from thermomechanical pulp. Using combined expertise in the areas of chemical synthesis, materials characterization and process development, they will work towards an innovative “made-in-Nova Scotia” approach for creation of a product similar to the Western red cedar formulation currently produced in British Columbia.

If successful, this project could help meet the needs of frontline healthcare workers by supplying adequate PPE protection from COVID-19 while also supporting the Nova Scotian pulp and paper industry. The research team will work collaboratively with Port Hawkesbury Paper Mill who will provide thermomechanical pulp for experimentation.

“Although this research project was identified through our COVID research response initiative, it could also have a positive impact on the Nova Scotia forestry sector”, says Stefan Leslie, CEO of Research Nova Scotia. “As we pursue both a sustainable forestry industry and a response to the COVID pandemic, the research community is demonstrating its creativity and initiative.”

Note: This story originally appeared on the Research Nova Scotia website.

Emma DeLory takes over the reigns of Huskies rugby

Emma DeLory, the new head coach of the Saint Mary’s University Women’s rugby program.

Saint Mary's University is proud to announce that Emma DeLory has been named head coach of the Saint Mary's University women's rugby program. DeLory becomes the ninth coach in Huskies' history and takes over from Amber Davison, who is moving into an assistant role due to professional commitments.

"The first task is to put the pieces in place to build a winning culture," states DeLory. "The Huskies will look to get better each practice and each week as we become more familiar with each other."

Even in the current pandemic situation, DeLory is actively planning and connecting with the students through virtual means as she transitions into her new role. DeLory is no stranger to AUS Women's Rugby as she excelled as a student-athlete at Acadia University, receiving an AUS All-Star selection in 2015 while earning two degrees in Biology and Environmental Science.  

In addition to her new role, DeLory serves as Rugby Nova Scotia's development officer and the head coach of the Under-16 Women's provincial team. She also works with the Canadian National Women's Rugby program and serves as head coach of the Halifax West High School team.

"We are very excited about Coach DeLory joining our program as she brings passion and values that align with Saint Mary's University," says director of Athletics & Recreation Scott Gray. "She is well respected as a coach and leader in athletics and will be an asset to the Huskies in the building of our program."

Preventing burnout among front-line care workers during COVID-19 focus of new Saint Mary's research project

Dr. Debra Gilin

Dr. Debra Gilin, a professor in Saint Mary’s University’s Faculty of Psychology, is leading a study that will rapidly develop tailored screening and intervention tools to support mental health and prevent elevated job burnout or safety risks in COVID-19-responding health care staff in Nova Scotia.

“For Nova Scotia to successfully fight COVID-19, front-line health care workers must be physically and mentally well, and feel safe at work over the long haul,” says Dr. Gilin.

Dr. Gilin’s research team is comprised of leading Canadian experts in occupational health psychology, patient and occupational safety, and job burnout (Dr. Lori Francis, Dr. Mark Fleming, and Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley). A recent grant from the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition will now help propel their work forward.

The team is poised to rapidly deliver research that will screen and intervene for job burnout among front-line health care workers and deliver a “COVID Pulse” staff screening tool to identify those at high risk of burnout. Currently, the team is actively collecting job burnout data from health care and trauma exposed front-line workers during the peak of the COVID-19 escalation in Canada and the US. From there, they will mine the data, finding the most diagnostic factors of workload, stress, personality, and life demands that predict elevated burnout. Partner groups can use “COVID Pulse” to triage the most at-risk employees for earlier and greater support and mitigation. The hope is that this tool will be available by summer.

“We know that the protection of our health care workers’ emotional well-being and safety is a critical priority to succeed in the fight against COVID-19 long-term,” says Dr. Gilin. “By leveraging in-progress research resources, we will deliver these important outcomes with minimal research burden on the front-line workers who are already shouldering a heavy toll for the good of all Nova Scotians.”

Dr. Gilin’s study will use physically-distant, confidential interview and survey methods to listen to emerging sources of stress, trauma, safety risks, and needs among key staff groups on the front lines. The team will then tailor a set of resources, supports, and direct brief interventions, to leaders and their staff.

“The healthcare system response to COVID-19 in Nova Scotia will be a marathon, rather than a sprint,” she says, “And our front-line health care workers’ physical and mental well-being is perhaps the most critical resource we must preserve to be successful in the fight.”

This research project was funded by the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition. Partners include the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation, IWK Health Centre, IWK Foundation, QEII Health Sciences Foundation, Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation, and Research Nova Scotia. The Coalition is dedicated to leading and fostering a research environment that engages our academic partnerships and responds to the current needs of Nova Scotians and our health care system, in addition to maintaining the expertise in innovative research, discovery science, population/social sciences, and health system improvement. This funding partnership provides the opportunity to catalyze COVID-19 related research initiatives and achieve collective social impact.

Take the survey now

Researchers at Saint Mary’s are conducting this survey on empathy, burnout, and trauma among front-line workers during the COVID-19 response now, and they welcome your voice! Please consider responding, or sharing: https://traumaworksurvey.wordpress.com

For more information visit https://researchns.ca/covid19-health-research-coalition/

Note: This story originally appeared in the May Edition of the Research Nova Scotia Newsletter and has been republished with their permission.

Dr. Mohammad Rahaman: The calm before the economic storm

Dr. Mohammad Rohaman

The following is an excerpt from an article Dr. Mohammad Rohaman wrote for The Chronicle Herald.

The effect of COVID-19 on the Canadian economy has been swift and dramatic. Before COVID-19, the economy was expected to grow at a 1.6 per cent to 1.7 per cent rate in 2020. The Bank of Canada now expects economic activity to slow by as much as 30 per cent from the end of 2019; one estimate by Bloomberg projects a slump as high as 40 per cent. Just by looking at the number of unique applicants for the $2,000 Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), it appears that the pandemic has effectively wiped out all job gains made in the Canadian economy over the last 30 years.

How prepared are Canadians to weather such an unprecedented and virulent economic storm? To begin with, Canadian household and business insolvencies spiked dramatically even before COVID-19. Every single day in 2019, a whopping 375 people filed for insolvency proposals, a number that hasn’t been seen since the recession of 2008-2009. To add insult to the injury, the collapse in oil and gas prices led to a sky-high number of business insolvencies in 2019, the first such increase since 2001. On top of that, Canadian households owe $1.76 for every dollar in disposable income, one of the highest rates in the developed world. In places like Vancouver and Toronto, that spikes to about $2.40, at a level only seen in Iceland before the global financial crisis. The insolvency accounting firm MNP Consumer Debt Index, released recently, found that about half of Canadians (49 per cent) surveyed are now on the brink of insolvency, saying they are $200 or less away from not being able to meet their monthly debt obligations. It is therefore fair to say that Canadians entered the COVID-19 episode quite ill-prepared.

Why aren’t we seeing bankruptcies piling up? Because we are now witnessing the calm before the storm. Right now, every Canadian consumer and business are essentially creditor-proof due to the federal and provincial income, wage and rent support system and, of course, courts are closed. The trouble is the government does not know whose credit is good and whose is bad, but the bank knows. When the economy starts to reopen, the fault line will emerge, and some businesses will likely fall through the crack. Being accountable to their shareholders, banks are unlikely to pick up the slack when the government safety net ends…

Click here to view the entire article Dr. Rahaman wrote for the Chronicle Herald.

Saint Mary’s researchers receive funding as part of Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition

In this unprecedented time of local and global uncertainty, there has never been a greater need to conduct medical and health-related research to collect real-time evidence to inform practice, policy and decision making. The Nova Scotia research community has come together to respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic with a collective investment of just over $1.5 million in COVID-19 focused research. 

Today, the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition announced the lead researchers who are receiving funding. Among the recipients are two Saint Mary’s University researchers: Dr. Yigit Aydede, and Dr. Debra Gilin.

“The researchers receiving funding as part of this announcement are tackling the impacts and spread of the COVID-19 virus, turning their expertise to this global problem,” says Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President Research and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. “Our researchers are tackling this problem with the tools of machine learning and data analytics to track the virus spread in one case, and the expertise of workplace training and interventions to prevent front-line burnout in the other case.  These projects provide a window into the breadth of the research we do at Saint Mary’s. We work collaboratively and engage in research that matters to our communities.”

This funding supports COVID-19 research that will inform health system decisions, facilitate vaccine development, identify novel treatments, develop devices, and influence social response to the pandemic. Funding will also leverage existing research capabilities to help rapidly respond to the urgent need to support further COVID-19 focused research right here in Nova Scotia.

The COVID-19 Health Research Coalition is dedicated to fostering a research environment that engages our academic partnerships and responds to the current needs of Nova Scotians and our health system, in addition to maintaining the expertise in innovative research, discovery science, population/social sciences, and health system improvement.

Dr. Yigit Aydede

Funding recipient: Dr. Yigit Aydede

Project: The Role of Environmental Determinants and Social Mobility in Viral Infection Transmission in Halifax

Description: This study will analyze the relationships between COVID-19 transmission rates, meteorological and air quality, and the fluctuations in social mobility in Nova Scotia to allow for better calibration of spatial spread in simulation models that are used to inform policy making.

Funding amount: $36,900

Dr. Debra Gilin

Funding recipient: Dr. Debra Gilin

Project: Preventing Burnout Among Front-Line Care Workers to Fight Covid-19: Screen and Intervene

Description: This study will rapidly develop tailored screening and intervention tools to support mental health and prevent elevated job burnout or safety risks in COVID-19-responding health care staff in Nova Scotia.

Funding amount: $47,640

Additional information:

• The full list of Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition funding recipients.