Tell us a little bit about yourself and the journey that originally brought you to CapaCITY/É.
I joined CapaCITY/É through my master’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Anne Harris, who is affiliated with the initiative. I hold an Honours Bachelor of Science degree with a background in public health and French from the University of Toronto. Before graduate school, I worked as a research assistant at St. Michael’s Hospital. Both my academic training and work experience deepened my motivation to work closely with communities on issues that directly affect health and equity.
What sparked your interest in working in the field of sustainable transportation and implementation science?
Much of my interest comes from lived experience. Growing up in a city where transportation challenges are very visible, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of preventable injuries and inequities linked to mobility. These realities made me passionate about working on research that can inform safer, healthier, and more inclusive transportation systems.
What was the most valuable thing you learned from your time as a graduate student working on CapaCITY/É?
The most valuable lesson I took away was how collaborative, community-engaged research can generate insights that are both academically rigorous and directly useful to policymakers. I also learned the importance of considering diverse voices and equity perspectives when designing surveys and interpreting findings. I had the chance to apply these lessons while working on Objective 2, where I helped design, analyze, and report on the first wave of community surveys in Saskatoon, SK.
Where is your journey taking you next, and how do you see your time at CapaCITY/É shaping your future path?
Looking ahead, I’m moving into a role with the Public Health Agency of Canada, where I’ll continue to grow my experience in public health and applied research. My time at CapaCITY/É has been formative in shaping how I think about research, not just as an academic exercise, but as a collaborative process that can directly support healthier, safer, and more equitable communities. Through this experience, I’ve developed practical skills in equity-centered approaches and implementation science, both of which I see as essential for bridging the gap between research and policy. These are skills I’ll take with me into government work, and they’ve also sparked an openness to returning to academia in the future.
Can you share something interesting about yourself that isn’t on your resume?
I love exploring new places and going on adventures, whether it’s a cool spot I stumble across in my city or trying a completely new hobby.
