Executive Director
Justine has an Honors Degree in Psychology from Mount Allison University ('10), a Diploma in Health Wellness and Recreation from Eastern College ('12), and a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of New Brunswick ('19). Previously, she has worked as a researcher in many fields including behavioral psychology, adulthood and aging, chronic pain, and human sexuality. More recently, Justine completed her Lean Six Sigma training and is a certified Green Belt. She is currently completing the Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Program through Saskatchewan's Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.
Research Coordinator
Kelsey has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gerontology and Psychology from St. Thomas University. She is currently finishing her Master’s degree in Applied Health Services Research at the University of New Brunswick in association with the Atlantic Regional Training Centre. Her research interests are all things aging, including community-based volunteer health services, food security, older drivers, home care, and housing issues.
Research Coordinator
Debbie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Art’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Michigan State University. She’s worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in hospitals, schools, long-term care, and private practice. More recently, Debbie worked with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care and community-based organizations in Ontario, where she developed, implemented, and evaluated various health care initiatives. Debbie enjoys working with older adults and has always been interested in research activities.
Research Coordinator
Lalita Bharadwaj holds a Bachelor of Science and Psychology Degree with a minor in Anthropology from the University of Calgary. She is currently completing her Master's degree in Kinesiology from the University of New Brunswick. Through CIRA, she hopes to expand her understanding of medical research and positively contribute to the collective knowledge of our rapidly aging population and improve their quality of life.
Research Coordinator
Cody has an honors degree in Kinesiology from the University of New Brunswick and is currently taking a Master of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Alberta. He has previous research experience with Canada East Spine Centre and Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College working in various fields of research. Cody’s research interests include physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in older adults.
Research Therapist
Kelsey obtained her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, followed by her Doctor of Chiropractic degree at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, in Toronto. She is in the process of completing her Master’s degree in Applied Health Services Research through the University of New Brunswick in association with the Atlantic Regional Training Centre. She is a practicing chiropractor with research interests in healthy aging, musculoskeletal health and function, rehabilitation, knowledge transfer, and clinical best practice guidelines.
Research Assistant
Danielle has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia. She is currently finishing her Master’s degree in Applied Health Services Research at the University of New Brunswick in association with the Atlantic Regional Training Centre. Her interests are community and population-based projects that contribute to improved health outcomes and overall quality of life. At CIRA, her role is assisting with the MedReviewRX project.
Research Coordinator
Jo-Ann has a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Gerontology from St. Thomas University, as well as a Human Services certificate from the New Brunswick Community College. Additionally, she holds a certificate in therapeutic recreation. She has worked in the field of gerontology in various capacities including recreation therapy and administration. Her research interests include aging in place, health literacy, aging in rural areas and assistive technology for persons living with dementia. Through CIRA, she hopes to expand her knowledge of health literacy and aging in place by conducting rigorous research which can benefit older adults and their informal caregivers.
Research Coordinator
Hanna has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honors) from Mount Allison University, and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Acadia University. She is currently pursuing a Diploma in Art Psychotherapy at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy. Hanna has experience with a variety of research topics, including academic motivation, gender equality, and clinical supervisory relationships. She is excited to be involved in new research projects at CIRA and contribute to the growing body of research focused on improving the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
Research Assistant
Stephanie is currently finishing her third year majoring in Psychology at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick. She is also currently applying to do an honours degree in Psychology to add to her current degree in Psychology. Stephanie plans on continuing her education and pursuing her Master’s degree in the field of psychology. She has previous experience in crisis intervention as well as in personal home care with the elderly community. Stephanie’s interest in the field of psychology revolves around personal growth as well as life coaching.
Research Coordinator
Ashley has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology from Dalhousie University, and a Master’s of Applied Health Services Research from Memorial University in association with the Atlantic Regional Training Centre. She has worked on a wide variety of research projects in academic, administrative, and hospital settings; but, her personal interests include gender-based analyses, mental health research, and patient advocacy. At CIRA, Ashley hopes to further her knowledge of the long-term care home environment and contribute to improved rates of mental health among seniors.
Research Coordinator
Megan holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. She plans to continue her education and pursue a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Megan's research interests include physical activity levels, assistive technology, and quality of life for the aging population. Through CIRA, she aspires to broaden her awareness and understanding of all aspects of aging. She hopes to give back to the aging community by contributing to communicative technologies for seniors while increasing their mental, social and physical wellbeing.
Research Assistant
Grace recently finished her third-year double majoring in Political Science and Law, Politics, and Society. Soon, she will be transferring from a Bachelor of Arts degree to a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Grace plans on using her social work degree to work in a setting with older adults, or in healthcare. She is interested in policy research surrounding aging in place, narrative care/engagement, and dignity in end-of-life care in palliative settings.
Our visiting researchers represent many different sectors and work with us from across Canada to support various research initiatives.
MedReviewRx
Carole is a Clinical Pharmacy Manager at the Doctor Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (DECRH) in Fredericton, NB. Carole received her undergraduate pharmacy degree from Dalhousie University. She completed the hospital pharmacy residency program at the Ottawa Hospital, General Site and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Colorado. Carole is particularly passionate about optimizing medication use in older adults.
Virtual Reality for Fall Prevention
Sherry is a Licensed Counselling Therapist, a sitting member of the board for The College of Counselling Therapy of New Brunswick, and is the co-founder and CEO of Innerva Virtual Inc. She has been conducting independent research in partnership with the University of New Brunswick into virtual reality since 2013. Sherry's primary focus is researching virtual reality based technology to provide solutions in support of healthy aging. Her research has been funded and supported by the Centre of Aging and Brain Health Innovations, New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, York Care Centre, University of New Brunswick, and the Centre for Innovation and Research in Aging.
2RaceWithMe - Promoting Physical Activity Using Augmented Reality Experiences
Mark Chignell has a Ph.D. in Psychology 1981(University of Canterbury, New Zealand) and a Masters in Industrial and Systems Engineering (Ohio State University). He is a Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto, where he has been since 1990. He carries out research in human factors and user interface design, with a particular interest in healthcare, and aging. In 2016 he founded Centivizer Inc. technologies that promote physical and cognitive activation for older people.
Virtual Reality Rehabilitative Exercise for Seniors
Lisa Sheehy is a physiotherapist who graduated from McMaster University. She has worked in hospital and private clinic settings, including in geriatric and neurological rehabilitation. In 2004, she completed her MSc and Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science at Queen’s University. She has worked at Bruyère Research Institute since 2014, first as a postdoctoral fellow and now as a research associate. Her primary research area is the use of technology for rehabilitation.
Improving Immunization Rates Among Seniors Using CANImmunize
Dr. Kumanan Wilson is a specialist in General Internal Medicine at The Ottawa Hospital, founder and CEO of CANImmunize, and an innovation advisor for Bruyère. Dr. Wilson and his CANImmunize team are focused on digital immunization solutions to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including adult immunization tracking. His research focuses on digital health, immunization, pandemic preparedness and public health policy and innovation. He has received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the World Health Organization (WHO), The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Canada’s Immunity Task Force.
2RaceWithMe - Promoting Physical Activity Using Augmented Reality Experiences
Dr. Jalila Jbilou holds a public health medical specialty as well as a Ph.D. in community health. She is professor of medicine at the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau Brunswick and the School of Psychology at Université de Moncton. She carries out patient-oriented research in models of care, with a specific interest in eHealth and virtual reality.
Reconnecting with GENIE
Odette Gould, PhD is a professor of psychology at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick and an adjunct research scientist with the Horizon Health Network. She obtained in BA in psychology at the Université de Moncton, and her Master’s and Doctorate at the University of Victoria in the Life Span Development and Aging program. Her work includes research on medication adherence in older adults, decision-making surrounding health care, intergenerational communication, and the experiences of front-line workers in nursing homes. She is also an active volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, co-founded a dementia caregiver support group in her community, and is involved in community education for dementia caregivers and care partners.
Through smart partnerships we innovate together to drive research that can be replicated across Canada and beyond - all for the betterment of older adults.
Thanks to our funders for their continued support.
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Several of our projects are recruiting. More info below: