Addressing real world health problems, contributing to health equity, and making meaningful contributions to their communities are some of the outcomes of receiving the Scotia Scholars Award from Research Nova Scotia, say 14 StFX students.
The $9,000 award supports students with exceptional potential who are engaged in health research. Funding is provided by Research Nova Scotia and allows each student to work under the guidance and supervision of a StFX faculty member.
This year, projects ranged from researching caregiver burnout to understanding autism in women, from fertility experiences of females diagnosed with childhood cancer in Atlantic Canada to maintaining brain health.
Award recipients are Simone Beck, Lydia Shaw-Peters, Bridget Clarke, Lauren Roper, Stella Gilbert, Kate LeBlanc, Adalia Wambolt, Alexa Robinson, Katherine MacNeil, Bridget Down, Robson Underwood, Leah Hicknell, Esmé Giovannoni, and Abby Hopkins.
ADDRESS REAL WORLD PROBLEMS
"This research opportunity, supported by the Scotia Scholars Award, not only supports my development and capacity to conduct research but also provides undergraduate students like myself with the ability to address real world problems even before completing our degrees. I am truly grateful to St. Francis Xavier University and Research Nova Scotia for this opportunity, as well as to my supervisors, Dr. Margo Watt and Dr. Christopher Lively, for their continued support," says Robson Underwood, a fourth year honours applied forensic psychology student, who investigated how individuals respond to climate change anxiety.
"This research opportunity, supported by the Scotia Scholars Award, not only supports my development and capacity to conduct research but also provides undergraduate students like myself with the ability to address real world problems even before completing our degrees."
~ 2025 Scotia Scholars Award recipient Robson Underwood
He investigated whether that response is adaptive or maladaptive, and whether we can predict this response based on the level of anxiety sensitivity that person has.
He says their research has the potential to significantly deepen understanding of climate change anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and how individuals cope with these concerns.
Anxiety sensitivity, the fear of anxiety-related sensations, is a transdiagnostic risk factor for mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction, he says. "And we hypothesized it would be associated with different responses to climate change anxiety. Following ethics clearance from the university, we developed an online survey that utilized tools designed to measure these various subjects and began collecting data from across Canada and the United States using a crowdsourcing platform."
They've in the process of analyzing and cleaning the data sourced thus far before conducting the next round of collection in the fall.
WATCH AND LEARN PROGRAM
Alexa Robinson of Salmon Arm, BC, a fourth year BSc in human kinetics student who is supervised by Dr. Ryan Reid, says her goal was to design and create a program to help Canadians learn how to use their smartwatch to track health data.
"In collaboration with another RNS Scotia Scholars Award recipient, we successfully developed the Watch and Learn' program. This virtual series consists of 12 videos designed to support Canadians with low digital and health literacy by teaching them how to use the health monitoring features of their Apple Watch and better understand the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines."
Following the program's development, they're finalizing edits in preparation for participant recruitment. In addition, a literature review was conducted throughout the summer. She will continue with participant recruitment, the implementation of the program, and data analysis this fall as the project expands into her honours thesis.
"This experience has taught me about the fluid nature of research and the importance of adaptability," Ms. Robinson says. "Unexpected challenges are bound to come up throughout the research process, but with an open mind and through collaboration, there are always solutions. I am very grateful to have received the Scotia Scholars Award. This opportunity enabled me to create a more comprehensive and detailed project, and I feel that I was able to grasp a deeper understanding of the research process thanks to Research Nova Scotia."
HEALTH AND DIGITAL LITERACY INFORMATION
Simone Coco Beck, a fourth year science student from Ottawa, ON, majoring in kinesiology and minoring in health sciences, co-developed the Watch and Learn series a virtual program of step-by-step educational videos designed to help Canadian adults improve both their digital and health literacy when using the Apple Watch for health monitoring.
"Many individuals have access to an Apple Watch but face challenges in using its health tracking features effectively, often due to limited understanding of the device or of health recommendations," says Ms. Beck, also supervised by Dr. Ryan Reid.
"Many individuals have access to an Apple Watch but face challenges in using its health tracking features effectively, often due to limited understanding of the device or of health recommendations," ~ 2025 Scotia Scholars Award recipient Simone Beck
"The program addresses this through two key components: digital literacy, which provides tutorials on using the smartwatch's health tracking tools and navigating the associated iPhone apps, and health literacy, which teaches the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep."
The content will later be translated into multiple languages to reach a broader population. The program's goal, she says, is to enhance users' awareness and understanding of the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, empowering them to confidently interpret and apply their smartwatch data to adopt healthier daily behaviors, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve overall well-being.
Ms. Beck says during the video creation process, they had to continuously edit and refine the content, as even minor adjustments such as the speed of speech, pronunciation of certain words, or the timing and pacing of visual directions could significantly affect how viewers interpreted the information. "This process highlights the importance of precision and attention to detail in effectively communicating both digital and health information, ensuring the videos were clear, accessible, and engaging."
UNDERSTANDING LEVEL 1 AUTISM IN WOMEN
Leah Hicknell, a fourth year applied forensic psychology student from Montreal, QC, says her research project aims to understand level 1 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in women.
"Women with autism are often misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or receive a diagnosis late in comparison to men. Barriers to diagnosis can lead to negative mental health outcomes for women and leave them feeling alienated from society. In the absence of a diagnosis, women may also have a reduced sense of belonging, or sense of community, and lack access to the resources and supports they need," says Ms. Hicknell, who is supervised by Dr. Erin Austen.
"I spent the summer doing background research for my project, including researching the female presentation of ASD, and identifying which characteristics may not get captured by current diagnostic tools. To learn more about women's experiences with ASD, we will be conducting an online survey with Canadian women who are over 18 and either have a diagnosis or suspect they may have ASD."
She says this will also help identify possible differences in measures such as belonging, and self-stigma between those with a diagnosis and those who are suspecting. They will also use the survey to learn more about the supports women feel they would benefit from.
While doing this research, they have been working to find available supports that can be accessed without a diagnosis that they can share with participants. "This has led to us to learn about tools such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. This tool is a simple lanyard, card, or pin, that notifies the people around you that you have a hidden disability, such as ASD. https://hdsunflower.com/ca/."
"This opportunity meant a lot to me as a student because it's allowed me to do a project where my ideas are being brought to life and supported. I have been able to work on research that I feel is important, which is incredibly motivating. This research has furthered my interest of continuing my studies in the field of psychology. I enjoyed this experience, and it has made me realize that research can also be a tool for social change, and changes in healthcare. I would like to someday be a clinical psychologist, and keeping up to date with research will be crucial to providing proper care, especially to neurodiverse or marginalized communities."
CAREGIVER BURNOUT
Katie MacNeil of Antigonish, NS, a fourth year health student taking a biomedical concentration, focused her research on caregiver burnout, particularly the unique challenges faced by caregivers in rural communities.
"I centred my work on parents of children with special needs, as they often encounter additional barriers when trying to access resources compared to other rural caregivers," says Ms. MacNeil who is supervised by Dr. Erin Austen and Dr. Megan MacGillivray.
Over the summer, she reviewed existing literature to explore these challenges and identify gaps in knowledge. From this, she developed a survey to help identify resource gaps and highlight areas where supports can be improved. "My ultimate goal is to create a resource that can connect rural caregivers to supports that enhance their mental health and well-being."
Ms. MacNeil will continue to develop the survey and collect data throughout the fall. From the literature, she's found that rural communities present both strengths and challenges for caregivers. Strong community relationships can be a protective factor, but the demands of caregiving often create isolation, which limits the benefits that rural communities can offer.
"What stood out to me most was the invisible labour of caregiving, particularly in rural areas. There is a population of individuals who dedicate their lives to caring for others while carrying additional responsibilities that often make it difficult to prioritize their own health and well-being. This experience emphasized the importance of highlighting and supporting this population."
"What stood out to me most was the invisible labour of caregiving, particularly in rural areas. There is a population of individuals who dedicate their lives to caring for others while carrying additional responsibilities that often make it difficult to prioritize their own health and well-being. This experience emphasized the importance of highlighting and supporting this population." ~ 2025 Scotia Scholars Award recipient Katie MacNeil
She also learned how community connections in rural areas can serve as a unique and protective health factor, but geographical barriers and caregiving demands can easily compromise this support. "The project really opened my eyes to the unseen work happening every day in our communities and empowered me to find ways to make meaningful change."
This opportunity is personally meaningful as it allows her to support a population close to her heart and highlight programs like Challenger Baseball.
"I grew up in a rural household with a sibling who has special needs, and I saw firsthand how my parents experienced caregiver burnout. I also witnessed the invisible labour they carried out daily while balancing family life and caregiving responsibilities.
"At the same time, I saw the positive impact of community supports, groups, and programs that helped create a strong sense of connection for our family. This project allows me to give back by researching ways to support caregivers and highlight programs, like Challenger Baseball, that played such a significant role in supporting my own family."
This research has already helped shape her passions and career goals. She plans to pursue a career in patient care and also hopes to use her role to advocate for individuals and communities that are not always seen.
INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY
Adalia Wambolt of Sackville, NS, a third year honours chemistry student working under the supervision of Dr. Alexander Foo and Dr. Geniece Hallett-Tapley, worked to chemically modify allergens (proteins from your food that cause allergies) with gold. Her research was primarily on gold nanoclusters and casein, an allergen found in milk. This was hoped to alter their biochemical properties in a way that would allow them to be used as a treatment for allergies.
She says further research into the classification and potential use of gold nanocluster allergen bioconjugates in immunology is required to fully understand how the proteins are being modified. They hope to develop these materials into therapeutic agents for use in a clinical setting.
"When deciding which university to attend, one of the main factors that led me to choose StFX was the research opportunities. This opportunity has allowed me to be fully immersed in research and I'm incredibly grateful to have been able to learn so much from my supervisors and coworkers," Ms. Wambolt says.
"I plan to pursue a career in medicine, so it was an incredible opportunity to work on a project that was health related. Through this project, I have gained valuable knowledge in immunology as well as a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of doing research. This opportunity has fueled my desire to continue doing research and studying chemistry and biology as I work toward becoming a doctor."
Additionally, she says being involved in the process of writing and submitting a paper to a scientific journal was an experience that stood out. "Having read so many published articles, it was fascinating to be involved in the behind the scenes' work that goes into a paper."
LEARN AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT
Fourth year BASc in Health student Kate LeBlanc of Saint John, NB, who is also taking a concentration in biomedical science, worked on a project called Evaluating the Repeatability of Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), under the supervision of Dr. Erin Mazerolle.
fNIRS is a non-invasive brain imaging tool that is portable, relatively low cost, and much easier to use than traditional imaging methods. Because of these advantages, it has strong potential to be used in clinical settings to assess conditions such as concussion, dementia, migraine, and stroke. "However, one of the main challenges is the past studies have not always produced consistent results, which limits its reliability for patient care," she says.
Her project aimed to address this issue by testing how reliably fNIRS can measure brain responses across repeated sessions.
She conducted a literature review and wrote the methods section of their study to ensure they followed best practices for repeatability research. She also practiced running the procedure on colleagues, refining each step until it was finalized for data collection. The finalized procedure includes two tasks: a CO2 breathing task and a finger tapping task. Both tasks are repeated one week later to see if the results remain consistent for each participant.
"If this method proves reliably repeatable, it could be a step toward using fNIRS in real world clinical practice."
She says one of the most important outcomes of her work this summer is that their procedure is now fully finalized and ready for use.
A highlight was the opportunity to work so closely with her supervisor, Dr. Mazerolle. "Her expertise and mentorship helped me learn an incredible amount in a short period of time. I gained confidence not only in my research skills but also in my ability to run an experiment that seemed intimidating at the beginning of the summer," says Ms. LeBlanc whose goal is to become an occupational therapist.
She is particularly excited about the potential impact of fNIRS as a clinical tool. "I look forward to seeing how this line of research continues to develop."
2025 Scotia Scholars Award recipients
GAINED INSIGHTS
Bridget Clarke, a fourth year BASc in Health student from St. John's, NL, conducted a fulsome literature review on the impacts of sex and income on colorectal cancer screening outcomes. Additionally, she worked on the introduction and methods section for her honours thesis. "This exceeded my goals of work to accomplish and has provided me with an in-depth understanding of my project and the areas I would like to focus on," says Ms. Clarke, who is supervised by Dr. Arlinda Ruco.
The project will continue until April 2026.
"This experience gave me the opportunity to work closely alongside my professor and gain valuable insight into the world of research. Additionally, it gave me the ability to focus on my project in the summer months before starting with a full courseload in the school year."
It also enabled her to examine existing data on colorectal cancer and areas that have not yet been researched. "By understanding where a lack of research exists, I am able to expand on the research for colorectal cancer in Nova Scotia. Personally, this has provided me with an opportunity to delve into research which will directly impact my honours thesis."
CONTRIBUTE TO MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS
Fourth year honours nursing student Esmé Giovannoni of New Maryland, NB, says the biggest standout throughout her project has been the incredible opportunity to be part of an amazing team conducting research for the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology. "I have especially valued being part of such a collaborative and supportive group, and I was particularly inspired by the strong representation of women in leadership and research roles. Seeing women lead important studies and shape the direction of health research highlighted the value of diverse perspectives and served as an important source of motivation for me, reinforcing my own aspirations to pursue a career in health research."
Working under the supervision of Dr. Donna Halperin, she gained ethics approval and began data collection for her research project, Exploring Research Team Roles and Processes in Advancing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Controlled Human Infection Model Trials: A Descriptive Study.
"Engaging in this research is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful improvements in health equity and vaccine development. As a future nurse, I recognize the importance of bridging the gap between clinical research and patient care. By supporting efforts to make CHIM trials more inclusive, I aim to contribute to research that leads to more effective and widely accessible vaccines, as well as improved health outcomes for diverse populations."
Controlled human infection model (CHIM) trials are clinical research studies in which healthy volunteers are intentionally exposed to an infectious disease in a controlled environment, Ms. Giovannoni says.
"These studies provide critical insights into the pathogenesis of the disease and host immune response, aiding in the development and refinement of vaccines. But equity-deserving populations (e.g., recent immigrants, Black, Indigenous, and Person of Colour populations) are persistently underrepresented in CHIM trials, limiting the generalizability of findings and reinforcing health disparities. This exclusion diminishes trust in research, restricts access to new treatments, and overlooks population-specific health needs; equity-deserving populations remain underserved and excluded from healthcare advancements," she says.
"With that being said, advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) within these studies is crucial. The purpose of this study is to explore how research personnel promote health equity and apply principles of EDIA within CHIM trials. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the study aims to generate insights that can inform a range of applications that support more inclusive research practices."
She worked alongside a team from the Canadian Centre of Vaccinology to conduct this study.
Her research will continue into the school year and is expected to be completed in spring 2026. She will be completing, presenting and defending her honours thesis, and a hard copy of her finished work will be available at StFX's Angus L. Macdonald Library.
IMPACTFUL AND IMPORTANT
Stella Gilbert, a fourth year nursing student from Ottawa, ON, supervised by Dr. Amy Hallaran, Associate Dean of Rankin School of Nursing, studied the experiences that women with endometriosis, living in the rural regions of the province of Nova Scotia, go through before their diagnosis.
The research explores their initial symptoms, their feelings and experiences surrounding interactions with the health care system and its existing teams, as well as what may have been difficult or conflicting throughout the journey to a diagnosis. She worked on her ethics board approval and the recruitment and data collection process with the help of her supervisor.
"The interviews stood out the most, as speaking with the participants one-on-one was impactful and important to me. Hearing firsthand some of their experiences was very inspiring and gave me a true insight into qualitative research and how it works," she says.
"This topic is something I am very passionate about and getting to expand my knowledge and hopefully enlighten others about it is something I am extremely grateful to get to do, especially during my time here at StFX. Taking this opportunity has expanded my horizons, helped me explore possible career pathways, and given me the chance to bring awareness to the public and the healthcare community about an important topic.
"This experience has helped me narrow my own aspirations, and this project has emphasized my love for speaking directly with people, particularly in the context of women's healthcare. I eventually hope to return to my education, complete a master's degree in nursing, and possibly work as a nurse practitioner focusing on women's healthcare, including endometriosis and other chronic conditions, alongside fertility and prenatal/postpartum care."
"This experience has helped me narrow my own aspirations, and this project has emphasized my love for speaking directly with people, particularly in the context of women's healthcare. I eventually hope to return to my education, complete a master's degree in nursing, and possibly work as a nurse practitioner focusing on women's healthcare, including endometriosis and other chronic conditions, alongside fertility and prenatal/postpartum care." ~ 2025 Scotia Scholars Award recipient Stella Gilbert
REAL IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES
Bridget Murphy Down is a fourth year BASc in Health student from St. John's, NL. She is also taking a concentration in biomedical science. Her research focused on the fertility experiences of females diagnosed with childhood cancer in Atlantic Canada.
"Over the summer, my primary objectives were to conduct a thorough literature review and obtain ethics approval to move forward with the study. As part of the ethics process, I developed and finalized both a survey and interview guide, which will be used to gather data from participants. These tools are now complete and approved, and the survey will be distributed shortly. Securing ethics approval is often a lengthy but essential step in conducting research with human participants, and achieving this milestone was a key goal for the summer. With these preparations in place, I am now ready to begin data collection," says Ms. Down who is supervised by Dr. Arlinda Ruco.
The research will continue to April 2026.
"This summer provided me with a valuable introduction to the research process. Working under the guidance of an experienced and supportive supervisor greatly enhanced my learning and contributed to both my academic and personal growth. Overall, the experience strengthened my research skills and my interest in pursuing further work in this area in the future."
"My interest in this topic began through my volunteer work with Relay for Life, a branch of the Canadian Cancer Society, where I had the privilege of meeting several childhood cancer survivors. Some of them shared their concerns about how their cancer treatments might have affected their fertility. Their stories stayed with me and became the inspiration for this project.
"Knowing that the findings from this research may help bring attention to an important but often overlooked aspect of cancer survivorship, and may contribute to improved support and care for survivors, makes this work incredibly meaningful. It is a privilege to contribute in some small way to a topic that could have a real impact on people's lives and futures," she says.
HOPING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND
Over the summer, Lauren Roper of Trenton, NS, a fourth year honours psychology student who is completing a subsidiary in sociology and a concentration in business administration, worked on her honours thesis project looking at a previously collected data set from participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities (LDs), and comorbid ADHD plus LD to better understand executive functioning in these groups.
"We are hoping to better understand if executive functioning deficits are related independently to LDs, or if they are present in individuals with LD due to comorbid ADHD. We are also hoping to determine if there are specific executive functions affected by each diagnosis," says Ms. Roper, who is supervised by Dr. Lindsay Berrigan.
"I have really enjoyed getting to experience the whole process of a project. It has been very interesting and valuable to be involved in a project from the beginning, and to learn the mechanics and background of research.
One program she is considering after StFX is school psychology and she has appreciated this opportunity to better understand the diagnoses she would encounter as a school psychologist. "I believe this project will help me have a better understanding of the individuals I would be working with, which is very important to me."
MAINTAIN BRAIN HEALTH
"My summer research project is an activity called the Maintain your Brain' game," says Lydia Shaw-Peters, an honours psychology student from Antigonish, NS who is also completing a math minor.
The game is intended to share evidence-backed strategies to help individuals and communities maintain brain health throughout the lifespan in a fun and memorable way. "I am evaluating the effectiveness of our game for my honours project. Specifically, I will evaluate a version of the game for adolescent audiences," says Ms. Shaw-Peters, who works under the supervision of Dr. Erin Mazerolle.
Their progress to date includes co-developing the Maintain your Brain' game with partners, including people with lived and living experience of cognitive impairment, Indigenous and South Asian educators, and alongside members of the healthcare and academic sector.
In May, they held a workshop in Toronto to pilot the game and identify changes that might improve effectiveness. They're currently implementing the proposed changes. Additionally, they've held piloted events with X-Chem Outreach - science camps for youth, Knowledge Seekers Summer Scholars, and Mayfest Antigonish; and have built partnerships with local teachers who will help co-develop the game for adolescents.
The rate of individuals experiencing cognitive impairment (thinking and/or memory problems that impair functioning) is reaching crisis levels, Ms. Shaw-Peters says. There are research-backed ways to prevent and slow cognitive impairment, but the general public isn't always aware of them. "We want to reduce this gap so that everyone can put research to use to maintain their cognitive function. We believe that sharing this knowledge will help keep our communities healthier and lower the burden of cognitive impairment on individuals and the healthcare system. It is important to begin learning about strategies to maintain brain health at an early age."
They hope to find preliminary evidence from quantitative and qualitative data that the game improves knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to brain health. Additionally, it will be a useful teaching tool.
Ms. Shaw-Peters says they will make this game freely available and promote it to their academic and community networks.
"This experience has instilled in me the importance of involving the community in creating educational tools that are relevant, accessible, and engaging for everyone," she says.
"This project demonstrates how research can be turned into something practical and fun that has the potential to make a difference in people's lives."
