“Over the years, the number of women pursuing psychology as a career has greatly increased (Sentell et al., 2001). Despite the growing number of women in the field of psychology, there is still an evident pay gap depending upon gender. The same is true with many other professions (Sentell et al., 2001). The gender pay gap is defined here as the difference in women’s earnings in relation to the earnings of men (Pelletier et al., 2019). It is derived from outdated societal attitudes and beliefs about the place and value of women in the workplace (Government of New Brunswick, n.d.).”
Read moreThe Importance of Blue Skies Research
“With blue skies research, you cannot predict when an application is going to occur. But it’s definitely going to occur. We are here with all the technology we have because of blue skies research. If there was no blue skies research, the world would look very different today.”
Read moreExperienceNB: How Can We Make UNB a University of Impact? Students Take the Lead in Assessing Community Engagement in Experiential Learning
Experiential education (i.e., a direct experience with content and environment) goes beyond listening in a classroom – it allows students to actively engage and reflect on hands-on experiences, make connections to existing knowledge, and apply their learning to new opportunities. As the world modernizes, new skillsets are needed, making experiential learning one of the most important investments for a university. This is where Pathways to Professions (P2P) comes in.
Read moreThe need to better understand the interactions of legalized cannabis and mental health
“Cannabis is one of the most commonly used recreational substances globally and the second-most used in Canada (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, 2007). Since its legalization in 2018, which permitted the sale (from government sanctioned locations), growth and recreational use for citizens of legal age (Cannabis Act, 2018), its recreational and therapeutic usage has increased (Statistics Canada, 2019). Pain, anxiety, and depression are the most common indications for the therapeutic use of cannabis (Sexton et al., 2016). However, the existing body of literature only supports cannabis’s efficacy in alleviating pain – not symptoms of anxiety and depression (Kosiba et al., 2019).”
Read moreDr. Lloyd Waugh: Photogrammetry as a Visual Documentation Tool of Construction Sites
“When Dr. Lloyd Waugh’s began his research, it may not have been directed for use in a pandemic affected time; however, it may be increasingly valuable in a period when remote work has become more widespread. Dr. Waugh has passionately shared the thrilling advancements of his research at the University of New Brunswick on using photogrammetry as a documentation tool of on-site construction progress.”
Read moreOur Summer with BoostNB: Student-Led Research on Economic Indicators for New Brunswick
“If you ask New Brunswickers to tell you about their province, they might talk about the beautiful forests, fresh seafood, covered bridges, and a slower, more pleasant way of life. On the surface, these are all elements that define the New Brunswick that we know and love. However, they are also elements that play a key part in the provincial economy – something you are less likely to hear about. From our small population to our natural resources and beyond, New Brunswick relies on growth in many different areas to boost its economy and ensure the progress and prosperity of its people.”
Read moreCharacterizing Populations During a Pandemic: Our Summer on a Virtual Research Team
“Have you ever wondered what Statistics Canada does with their census data? Well we have. Our names are Nihla Hussain and Madeleine Gorman-Asal, and in February 2020 we attended the Atlantic Student Research Journal’s inaugural Reaching Higher conference. It was there that we first learned about the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data, and Training (NB-IRDT), and its Pathways to Professions program. We both share a passion for research, which led us to attend the conference and to apply for the 2020 Pathways to Professions program.”
Read moreUnderstanding the Public Health Concern of the Saint John River through Dr. Janice Lawrence’s Cyanobacteria Research
““There [has been] a big conversation and dialogue about the river, how important it is, and how many peoples’ lives were affected when they became afraid of something they always took for granted to be safe”, says Dr. Janice Lawrence, Professor and Associate Dean of Science at the University of New Brunswick. Janice has found herself explaining her research on toxin-producing cyanobacteria distribution to lake associations and cottage owners alike, due to the growing concern that the bodies of water near them could be potentially hazardous. However, it was not Janice’s initial plan to be studying cyanobacteria, a prominent type of photosynthetic bacteria. Janice did her PhD at Dalhousie University studying toxic phytoplankton, a type of marine algae, and became interested in why toxic blooms, or the rapid increase of toxin-producing organisms, occur in some places in the ocean but not others.”
Read moreNatural Curiosity: Dr. Tony Noble
“Dr. Tony Noble began his journey at the University of New Brunswick. A long time resident of Fredericton and a track and field athlete, he attended UNB largely for its cross country program. Enrolling in general sciences, Dr. Noble believed he would pursue a path in medicine. Like many, he switched his focus and realized he enjoyed physics more, especially during an era of so many unanswered questions within the world of physics. He remembers having a professor who was very passionate about the new discoveries in physics and would bring excitement to the classroom, which fuelled Dr. Noble’s scientific desire to learn more. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Math from UNB, he went on to complete a Master of Science and PhD in particle physics from the University of British Columbia in 1990.”
Read moreAdvancements in Spine Surgery in Atlantic Canada
“Experiencing involuntary spasms or aches in your lower back? Numbness, burning, or tingling down your leg? You are most likely suffering from lower back pain (LBP) or commonly referred to as sciatica, which is pain in the back radiating into the leg. Lumbar radiculopathy is one of the most common conditions associated with LBP. It is a leading cause of disability and often a reason for patients to undergo spine surgery. Traditionally, spine surgery is done as “open surgery”. However, spine surgery has transformed significantly through technological advancements and new approaches such as minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS).”
Read moreBetween Space and Earth: A Researcher’s Journey to the Ionosphere
Dr. P.T. Jayachandran, a professor at the University of New Brunswick, seeks to accelerate the human understanding of the upper atmosphere. He has founded Atlantic Canada’s largest space research organization, implemented a radar system throughout the Arctic, and collaborates with industry partners to reduce error in navigation signals.
Learn more about Dr. P.T. Jayachandran.
Read moreThe Atlantic Canadian Roots of Nobel Laureate Dr. Arthur McDonald
“Nobel Laureate in physics Dr. Arthur McDonald has deep roots in Atlantic Canada. Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, his passion for math and physics was instilled in him by his high school math teacher. By going out of his way to offer extra classes beyond the curriculum, this teacher was able to truly engage Dr. McDonald and other motivated classmates. Despite his clear affinity for mathematics, when Dr. McDonald went on to Dalhousie University for his undergraduate degree he was unsure of which science he intended to pursue. Another mentor, this time his first-year physics professor, showed Dr. McDonald the power of using mathematics as a tool for understanding and describing the universe. From here, Dr. McDonald embarked on a lifelong partnership with physics.“
Learn more about Dr. Arthur McDonald’s Atlantic Canadian roots.
Read moreThe Career Path of Dr. Valerie Reeves
“It is commonly believed that experiences shape people's lives, which is more than true for Dr. Valerie Reeves. Coming from Salisbury, New Brunswick, Dr. Reeves chose to start her professional career here at UNB, Fredericton. Enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program, she had her sights set on pursuing a biology degree with the hopes of someday becoming a Marine Biologist. Learn more about a mixed methods approach and how that can affect findings in STEM. “
Learn more about Dr. Valerie Reeves Career Path.
Read moreHow a Mixed Methods Research Design Can Add Meaning to Our Findings in STEM
“The purpose of conducting research is to convey knowledge that is both accurate and applicable outside of a lab setting. Yet, as researchers we often limit ourselves between opting for one of two divided categories: quantitative or qualitative methods.”
Learn more about a mixed methods approach and how that can affect findings in STEM.
Read moreThe Professional Journey of Dr. Tony Reiman
Dr. Reiman didn’t always dream of entering the medical profession. As a student at UNB taking a double major in Biology and Physics, Reiman’s earlier interests were based in technological development and innovation, rather than medicine. Today, Dr. Tony Reiman is nothing short of a hero in our community. In addition to easing the suffering of cancer patients as an oncologist at the Saint John Regional Hospital, he holds various titles such as Canadian Cancer Society Research Chair and Assistant Dean of Research at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB) to name a few.”
Read moreEnhancing the Performance of Canadian Paddlers via Inertial Measurement Units
Josh Goreham is a PhD in Health student studying sport biomechanics at Dalhousie University. He measures sport technique using inertial measurement units, with the goal of helping enhance the performance of Canadian canoe kayak sprint athletes.
Read moreAn Interview with Dr. Chris McGibbon
I was fortunate enough to be able to sit down with Dr. Chris McGibbon, Research Chair in Rehabilitation Biomechanics at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Kinesiology to talk about his career; how he got here, and what drives his success.
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