Student and Postdoctoral Engagement Community Logo

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.

CALL FOR APPLICANTS - 2026 Student and Postdoctoral Engagement Community Executive

CIMVHR SPEC is growing! We’re looking for engaged students with a passion for military, Veteran, family and public safety personnel research to join the CIMVHR SPEC. The following positions are available to all graduate and postdoctoral students working in military, Veteran, public safety personnel and family health research who are affiliated with one of CIMVHR’s 46 university members or global affiliates. The link to the online application is below.

Not sure if your university is affiliated? Click https://cimvhr.ca/partners/ to find out.

The SPEC Committee meets once a month, and all members are encouraged to attend CIMVHR events when possible. Each position is a two year term with the possibility to extend for a third year.

Closing date: February 13th at 1pm 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.

Nikol Rybolov
Co-Chair

MSc Student, University of Toronto

Research Population: Military and Veterans with Blast Exposure

Capt. (Ret’d) SueEllen MacGowan
Co-Chair

MA Student, University of Ottawa

Research Population: Military, Veterans, Public Safety Personnel with PTSD

Olivia Ardilliez
Events

MSc Student, University of Ottawa

Research Population:  Military, Veterans, and RCMP with PTSD, as well as their families

Piaf Des Rosiers
Events

PhD student, University of Ottawa

Research Population: CAF healthcare providers and families of CAF healthcare providers

Meredith Seager
Events - Professional Development

PhD Student, University of Manitoba

Research Population: Military, Veterans, Public Safety Personnel, Other (trauma focus)

Melissa Richardson
Networking Lead

MSc Candidate, Queen's University

Research Population: PSP, military and Veteran families

Ronessa Dass
Communications Lead

BSC, MA Student, McMaster University

Research Population: Veterans with chronic pain

Kayla Kirby
Events

MSc Student, University of Regina

Research Population: Public Safety Personnel, Public Safety Personnel families

Madeline Kuiper
Support Member

PhD student, Anglia Ruskin University

Research Population: Military, Veteran

2nd Lieut. (Ret’d) Blair Maddock-Ferrie
Support Member

RMC, MA Student, Carleton University

Research Population: Military and defense policy

Siobhan Cambridge
Support Member

PhD Student, Anglia Ruskin University

Research Population: Children and young people from Armed Forces families, Armed Forces personnel and Veterans

 

Janice Tilly
Support Member

PhD Student, University of Manitoba

Research Population: Military and Veteran

Autumn Brambell
Support Member

MSc Student, University of Regina

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

Kiranpreet (Kiran) Ghag
Support Member

PhD Student, University of Alberta

Research Population: Female Veterans

Rachel S. Dunleavy
Support Member

MPS-AT Student, St. Stephen's College

Research Population: Military-attached civilian spouses/partners

Christina Connelly, CD, MBA, CRSP
Support Member

Chartered Director Program (Candidate), DeGroote School of Business - McMaster University

Research Population: Veteran Entrepreneurship

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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