Mind: The Gap CKDU

Meet Dr. Jon Bailey! An Anesthesiologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine at Dalhousie University. In this episode we chat about investigating anesthesia in a microgravity environment. Dr. Bailey’s unique and innovative work tests the placement of nerve blocks in microgravity settings to help improve healthcare administered in space. This research is not only a starting point for improving care in microgravity conditions, but also adds valuable knowledge relating to providing healthcare in low resource settings. Look forward to interesting conversations about expensive placebos, using clicker sounds to make better surgeons, and rock climbing.

Meet Dr. Maria Pawlowska! An expert in research management with a focus on open science and international collaboration. In this episode we chat why you should care about open science. From advocating for diamond open access – free to pay, free to publish – to incorporating other ways of knowing, open science practices allow researchers to promote high quality research that is accessible for all. Look forward to interesting conversations about inclusivity in STEM, promoting people at random, and the impact of humans masquerading as polar bears on reindeer.

Meet Dr. Aaron Newman! A Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. In this episode we chat about the Neurotechnology Innovation Certificate program and the SURGE Innovation Sandbox. Both of these unique opportunities allow students to develop critical thinking skills and embrace creativity and failure. Dr. Newman is dedicated to fostering supportive environments that allows students to learn professional skills and new innovative ways to solve complex problems. Look forward to interesting conversations about recognizing one’s own incompetence, characteristics of night owls, and not being afraid to fail.

Meet Dr. Sara Kirk! A professor of health promotion in the School of Health and Human Performance, and the Scientific Director of the Healthy Populations Institute (HPI). In this episode we chat about the HPI, the Uplift Partnership, and creating supportive environments for chronic disease prevention. HPI is a multi-faculty research institute at Dalhousie University and a leader in population health research in Atlantic Canada. The Uplift Partnership is a school-university-community partnership supporting the health and learning of school-aged children and youth using a Health Promoting Schools approach. Look forward to interesting conversations about the production of the world’s most expensive coffee, how pizza may protect against illness and disease, and how healthy behaviour is abnormal behaviour.

Meet Dr. Ruth Martin-Misener! A professor and director of the School of Nursing and the Assistant Dean of Research in the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University. In this episode we chat about the new Masters of Nursing Degree in Mental Health and Addictions. This degree will allow nurses to advance their own careers while creating impact by increasing access to mental health and addictions care. As the Director of Nursing, Dr. Martin-Misener provides leadership for the education programs that the school of nursing offers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and she helps to foster research and scholarship. Look forward to interesting conversations about using centrifugal force to deliver babies, the effects of country music, and transforming healthcare through nursing education, research, and scholarship.

Meet Dr. Rebecca Affoo! A speech language pathologist and an assistant professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. In this episode we learn about speech language pathologists – health professionals who help individuals who have difficulty with communication or eating/swallowing. Dr. Affoo is a speech language pathologist who is also passionate about evidence based educational practices. Look forward to interesting conversations about active learning approaches, why huh? sounds similar in every language, and the problems with using long words needlessly.