REAL

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Lawrence Nyika THE QUEST, THE JOHN RUEDY AWARD WINNER An honour that will last a lifetime “The 15 year achievements of the NSHRF are indeed remarkable. This is particularly true of the program that has provided support to graduate students in the health professions throughout the province. Research scientists form the foundation upon which advances in our knowledge are dependant. The support of future scientists is, therefore, essential in a flourishing research environment.” Dr. John Ruedy As Lawrence Nyika completes his PhD at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, he can trace his interest in the health sciences back to his high school in Zimbabwe. It was here that he initially studied biology and chemistry, and where the 2015 winner of The Quest, the John Ruedy Award, first became inspired to dig deeper to help find answers to important questions. His curiosity and commitment has continued. While earning his BEd, Lawrence conducted a research project about Zimbabwean secondary school students’ perceptions of malaria. “Quite simply,” says Lawrence, “I am passionate about health issues.” No one knows that better perhaps than the students Lawrence has taught. After completing his education degree in 2003, he taught science and HIV/AIDS education for approximately two years in Zimbabwe. It was quite challenging, says Lawrence, because the subject included sensitive reproductive health topics. “The Zimbabwean culture recognizes sexual health education for girls and boys as the sole responsibility of aunts and uncles in the home and community, rather than a topic for school-based, institutionalized study. As a teacher in this challenging situation, I became aware of issues and tensions associated with my responsibility to provide empowering health education.” Lawrence, who qualified as a medical laboratory technologist in 2007, went on to work in a hospital where part of his duties included performing tests for sexually transmitted infections. “The cases of youth testing positive for HIV confirmed for me that schools and communities were not adequately addressing students’ emerging health needs. I came to Canada in 2009 carrying these experiences with me, and explored factors that influence risky sexual behavior for my master’s thesis,” says Lawrence. Now the doctoral candidate, who received his first Scotia Scholars OM Award (master level) in 2012, is building on his master’s research, which was published in the PHEnex Journal. That work found that undergraduates perceived home and school as significant determinants of their identity in relation to sexual behaviour. A related finding from his study supports the growing body of literature suggesting that schools can do a better job promoting practices that enhance students’ health and well-being. “That research motivated me to further explore the role of schools in encouraging safe health practices among students,” says Lawrence. “I hope to find ways to increase the effectiveness of Nova Scotia schools to better address issues and challenges faced by adolescents of diverse cultural backgrounds in the areas of nutritional health, sexual heath, substance use, mental health, and others.” 15
“Being associated with such a distinguished scholar as Dr. John Ruedy is an honour that will last a lifetime.” – Lawrence Nyika LAWRENCE NYIKA “It is noteworthy,” he adds, “that my PhD research is inspired by the tragic Rehtaeh Parsons story.” The first recipient of The Quest Award from a university outside of Halifax, Lawrence says the support he has received from the Foundation is invaluable. “The NSHRF has made my graduate education easier. Having to pay less tuition out of pocket has given me great peace of mind. This is particularly important to me as a foreign student because I have to pay higher international fees,” Lawrence notes. “The support also gives me more time to concentrate on my studies, and this has helped me publish in well-respected journals as well as present at conferences in Canada.” For Lawrence, The Quest Award is about more than financial assistance and career advancement. It is inspiring, he says. “Being associated with such a distinguished scholar as Dr. John Ruedy is an honour that will last a lifetime.” ABOUT THE QUEST, THE JOHN RUEDY AWARD The Quest, the John Ruedy Award, is presented annually to the student researcher who demonstrates the greatest promise and potential for excellence in health research. The criteria includes students’ future plans, long-term goals, career expectations, and potential contribution to the field of health research. The award comes with a $5,000 contribution from the Capital District Health Authority (now Nova Scotia Health Authority) to help further the winner’s research. To learn more about Dr. John Ruedy and The Quest, please visit our website at www.nshrf.ca. NOVA SCOTIA HEALTH RESEARCH FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2014-15 16
Page 1: MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE ANNUAL REP
Page 4 and 5: Message from the Minister Governmen
Page 6 and 7: JEAN GRAY Message from the Past Cha
Page 8 and 9: “The Foundation has brought leade
Page 10 and 11: Promoting evidence-informed decisio
Page 12 and 13: Lloyd Brown Informed by research -
Page 14 and 15: “This study would not have happen
Page 16 and 17: Erna Snelgrove-Clarke The door is a
Page 20 and 21: Jaime Wertman COLLEEN ELLIOTT AWARD
Page 22 and 23: “The funding we have received fro
Page 24 and 25: Findings from focus groups with fro
Page 26 and 27: More REAL Nova Scotians The Scotia
Page 28 and 29: 15 th Anniversary Researchers The N
Page 30 and 31: Decade Club This year the NSHRF mar
Page 32 and 33: The NSHRF’s Celebration Event 201
Page 34 and 35: Peer Review 2014-2015 Since its est
Page 36 and 37: Statement of Operations YEAR ENDED
Page 38 and 39: Statement of Financial Position YEA
Page 40 and 41: Notes to Financial Statements YEAR
Page 42 and 43: 5. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING The annu
Page 44 and 45: 10. INCOME TAX STATUS According to
Page 46 and 47: NSHRF’s People Board of Directors
Page 48: 1660 Hollis Street, Suite 905, Hali

REAL

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?