The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Student and Postdoctoral Engagement Community (SPEC) exists to support the professional development of graduate and postdoctoral students who are working in the area of military, Veteran, public safety personnel and family health research. The overarching mission of the CIMVHR SPEC is to maintain and expand this field of research by including and supporting trainees and students to enter and engage the field.

The SPEC provides students with the opportunity to:

  1. Network and support each other during their graduate education.
  2. Learn about professional development opportunities related to military, Veteran, public safety personnel and family health research.
  3. Be connected to the larger national bodies central to this area of research.

The SPEC aims to have a vibrant graduate student and postdoctoral community, which is recognized for its potential contributions to the development of excellence in the field of military, Veteran, public safety personnel and family health research both in Canada and around the world.

Closing date: August 17th at 5pm ET

The SPEC Executive: Who we are

The SPEC Executive includes students and postdocs from across Canada. We are keen to foster dialogue between the many remarkable students and postdoctoral fellows in the field of military, Veteran, PSP and family health across Canada and around the world.

Marshall Gerbrandt
Co-Chair

PhD student, University of New Brunswick

Research Population: Military

Ashley Williams
Co-Chair

Post-Doctoral Fellow, McMaster University

Research Population: Veteran and Families

Shannon Hill
Past Co-Chair

PhD Candidate, Queen’s University

Research Population: Military Families

Kathryn Reeves
Events - Forum

MA, Mount Saint Vincent University

Research Population: Military Families 

Melissa Richardson
Networking Lead

MSc Candidate, Queen's University

Research Population: PSP, military and Veteran families

Lena Wang
Communications Lead

BHSc Student, McMaster University

Research Population: military, Veteran, other

Ronessa Dass
Support Member

BSC, MA Student, McMaster University

Research Population: Veterans with chronic pain

Aidan Dauphinee
Support Member

MScOT Student, University of Toronto

Research Population: Military, Veteran, Public Safety Personnel

Madeline Kuiper
Support Member

MAHSR candidate, University of Prince Edward Island

Research Population: Military, Veteran

Léa Ruelle
Support Member
Sarah Salvis
Support Member
Sana Sharif
Support Member

M.Sc, Lakehead University

Research Population: Other

Robyn Shields
Support Member

PhD Student, University of Regina

Research Population: Public Safety Personnel

Janice Tilly
Support Member

PhD Student, University of Manitoba

Research Population: Military and Veteran

Sidney Yap
Support Member

PhD Student, University of Alberta

Research Population: Military, Veterans, Public Safety Personnel, Other

Join the SPEC Network

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive regular email communications from the executive about professional development opportunities, scholarships, upcoming SPEC events and more.

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