McMaster Scholarly Profiles
McMaster Scholarly Profiles
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Dr. Marla Beauchamp is an Assistant Professor within the School of Rehabilitation Science. She considers herself a Clinical Researcher and a Health Services Researcher, and is best known for her research on mobility and aging. Marla is a part of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, the Research Institute of St. Joe's, and the MacMaster Rehabilitation and Aging Lab (MacReal).
Marla Beauchamp
Marla Beauchamp
PT, PhD. Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science.
PT, PhD. Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science.
Q: Based on your experiences, what advice would you give an early career scientist who wishes to work in the same area that you do?
A: Design your research to respond to practice gaps; be persistent, think big picture, and collaborate as much as you can.
Q: What are some realistic goals for the program of research in the first 3 years?
A: Develop a few projects that you think are fundable that help address your overarching research purpose, and write as many grants as you can to fund these projects. Engage a diverse team of collaborators to guide you and make the projects as strong as possible. Keep the focus on a few projects (e.g., 2-3) and keep revising, improving, and re-submitting until they are funded. Publish any leftover work from your postdoc and aim for 'low hanging fruit'- manuscripts easy to get out during this time.
Q: What are some of the most common challenges of starting a program of research and how can these be overcome?
A: Getting your first big grant is an important milestone- best advice here is to stay focused and be persistent! It's really important to carefully consider any feedback and suggested revisions you receive in this process- even a great grant can always get better the more you revise it and the more experts you involve.
Deciding on the breadth of your research program is another consideration- I think for this if you keep working on projects that you are interested in and with colleagues that are good collaborators, it will fall into place on it's own.
Final major challenge is to keep publishing. Only advice here is to learn how to prioritize and how to say no to a lot of the extra requests that can take a lot of time. You still need to be a good citizen but try to be more selective and save time for writing. Sometimes setting a day a week aside for this is helpful.
Q: Any lessons learned or tips you'd like to share with junior researchers/faculty?
A: Try to stay focused on doing your best work and not compare yourself to others. This job is so much more rewarding when you work with a diverse group of colleagues and collaborate with good people who are experts in their field. Don't be afraid to reach out for guidance and support and take initiative when you feel you can make an important contribution.
Dina Brooks
Dina Brooks
PhD, PT. Vice-Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences & Executive Director, School of Rehabilitation Science.
PhD, PT. Vice-Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences & Executive Director, School of Rehabilitation Science.
Q: What are some of the most important factors that must be in place before establishing a program of research?
A: Colleagues that are collaborative.
Q: What are some realistic goals for the program of research in the first 3 years?
A: Local funding and 5 publications a year.
Q: How can the sustainability of the program be ensured?
A: Graduate students and post docs.
Q: What does a successful program of research look like?
A: Your trainees become independent researchers.
Dina Brooks is the at McMaster University. She considers herself a clinical researcher, and is best known for her work with Pulmonary rehabilitation. Dina is associated with the Respiratory rehabilitation group at West Park.
Lisa Carlesso is an Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science. She considers herself a Clinical and Education Researcher, as well as a Clinical Epidemiologist, and is best known for her work with pain mechanisms/phenotyping in people with knee osteoarthritis. Lisa is associated with MIRA, IPRC, and St. Joseph's Father Sean O'Sullivan group.
Lisa Carlesso
Lisa Carlesso
PT, PhD. Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science.
PT, PhD. Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science.
Q: Based on your experiences, what advice would you give an early career scientist who wishes to work in the same area that you do?
A: Collaborate outside your area with senior investigators that are renowned in the field, they are always happy to do so; network and publicize your work; be an expert at what you do; publish and present at international multidisciplinary conferences.
Evelyne Durocher
Evelyne Durocher
PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.) Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science.
PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.) Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science.
Q: Based on your experiences, what advice would you give an early career scientist who wishes to work in the same area that you do?
A: Find and value strong mentors.
Q: What are some of the most common challenges of starting a program of research and how can these be overcome?
A: Sometimes it can be difficult to find allies or co-applicants, depending on your field. This can be overcome through approaches such as discussions with mentors who can introduce you to others, going to conferences, workshops and networking events and making a point of meeting others, or cold-calling potential collaborators. Don't be afraid of cold-calling potential collaborators and asking them to go for a walk or a coffee. I've met wonderful collaborators this way and those who are not interested say no or don't call back.
Q: What determines the impact of the program and what are its key performance indicators?
A: This is a hard one... I think that the impact can be measured with the reach of your outputs. There are the obvious metrics such as impact factor, number of downloads (of articles), number of citations etc., but what I find most meaningful that tells me that my work is meaningful or has reached people is when students or researchers email me directly to ask something about my work or an article I have put out.
Dr. Evelyne Durocher is an Occupational Therapist and Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science. She considers herself a clinical and health services researcher, who is best known for her work in Occupational Justice. Evelyn is also a part of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging.
Paul Kim considers himself a bench researcher, and is best known for his research in Mechanisms of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Paul is associated with the Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute.
Paul Kim
Paul Kim
PhD in Biochemistry. Associate Professor, Department of Medicine.
PhD in Biochemistry. Associate Professor, Department of Medicine.
Q: What are some of the most common challenges of starting a program of research and how can these be overcome?
A: Everything takes more time than you think. E.g. establishing the necessary ethics/biosafety, purchasing major equipment. To ensure these things do not hinder your research, it would be great to speak with senior researchers in similar positions to identify the critical items needed to set up your lab.
Q: What does a successful program of research look like?
A: In my eyes, a successful program would comprise of holding 1-2 major CIHR/NSERC grants with 2 grad students working on each grant. Most importantly, a successful program requires good lab personnel relationships with sufficient overlap to ensure transfer of necessary skillsets. This is the key to long term success (in my perspective).
Q: Are there any lessons learned or tips you'd like to share with junior researchers/faculty?
A:Be prepared to spend a major portion of your time on people management, and acknowledging their work. Professional development programs are important so that you are prepared to handle inevitable conflicts that require sensitivity and resolution.
Margo Mountjoy
Margo Mountjoy
MD, PhC, CCFP(SEM), FCFP, FACSM, Dip Sport Med. Associate Clinical Professor, Family Medicine
MD, PhC, CCFP(SEM), FCFP, FACSM, Dip Sport Med. Associate Clinical Professor, Family Medicine
Q: What is the most prominent program of research and/or scholarship that you are best known for?
A: Athlete health and well-being
Q: Based on your experiences, what advice would you give an early career scientist who wishes to work in the same area that you do?
A: Partner with researchers working in the field to learn the skills, and to develop research networks.
Q: What are some of the most common challenges of starting a program of research and how can these be overcome?
A: Making connections in the field of sport: this is essential! I recommend focusing on these partnerships in sport/ sport science.
Dr. Mountjoy considers herself a Clinical Researcher, Innovator, and Scholar. She is associated with IRNOVIS: International Research Network on Violence and Integrity in Sport.
Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald is an Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science. She considers herself a Clinical Researcher, who is best known for her work with swallowing impairments in older adults. Ashwini is a part of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, as well as her own Aging Swallow Research Lab.
Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald
Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald
PhD, SLP(C), CCC-SLP. Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science.
PhD, SLP(C), CCC-SLP. Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science.
Q: Based on your experiences, what advice would you give an early career scientist who wishes to work in the same area that you do?
A: You do not need to solve the world's biggest problems at the beginning of your career. Start with the low hanging fruit and slowly build credibility in the field. Network early and often.
Q: What are some of the most important factors that must be in place before establishing a program of research?
A: You need to understand your goals. What are you working towards? What is the big randomized controlled trial you would absolutely love to conduct one day? If you can envision that, you can start to work backwards and carve a path of how you might be able to get there eventually. The path will not be straight and narrow but it will allow you to develop some sort of plan. It is also important to establish strong mentors. People who you look up to in the field and who can advise you and be your cheerleaders.
Q: How can the sustainability of the program be ensured?
A: Innovation is the key to sustainability. What are you doing differently? How are you incorporating new ideas and concepts? Can you bring anything new to your field?
Q: Are there any lessons learned or tips you'd like to share with junior researchers/faculty?
A: Be open to collaborations outside of your discipline. Don't be turned off by rejections or failures. It's okay if your manuscript don't always get accepted to your first choice journals or if your funding applications are not successful. It is critical that you consider the criticism and use it to better future manuscripts and funding applications. The feedback is always helpful - even if at first it seems harsh or unnecessary.
Michelle Phoenix
Michelle Phoenix
PhD, Speech-Language Pathologist Reg. CASLPO. Assistant professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences.
PhD, Speech-Language Pathologist Reg. CASLPO. Assistant professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences.
Q: What is the most prominent program of research and/or scholarship that you are best known for?
A: Improving access and engagement in children's rehabilitation services with equity seeking families. This includes investigating models of service delivery, family experiences of care, health policy, and critical perspectives in family-centred care. This also includes studying the methods, outcomes, and training to promote authentic and meaningful engagement of stakeholders in research.
Q: What are other programs of research and/or scholarship that you have pursued?
A: Other areas of scholarship that I have been involved in include the topics of ethics in children's rehabilitation service delivery, parent mental health, tele-rehabilitation, and school based-therapy services.
Q: Do you have any advice for young investigators who are starting out in their careers?
A: Take time to develop community relationships and discuss the topics of research that would be of mutual benefit and interest before co-developing projects. Be courageous in connecting with scholars you admire, I have been gifted with mentorship, advice, and passionate collaborators. Stay curious, determined and resilient.
Dr. Phoenix considers herself a Health Services researcher who is associated with CanChild and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Dr. Sherbino considers himself an Educational Researcher, and is best known for his research in CBME, clinical reasoning/diagnostic error. He is associated with MERIT (McMaster Education Research, Innovation & Theory).
Jonathan Sherbino
Jonathan Sherbino
MD, MEd, FRCPC, FAcadMEd, DRCPSC (Clin Ed)
MD, MEd, FRCPC, FAcadMEd, DRCPSC (Clin Ed)
Q: Based on your experiences, what advice would you give an early career scientist who wishes to work in the same area that you do?
A: Join a community of practice.
Q: What are some of the most important factors that must be in place before establishing a program of research?
A: Formal graduate training with mentorship.
Q: What are some of the most common challenges of starting a program of research and how can these be overcome?
A: Dedicating and protecting time exclusively for writing.
Jenna Smith-Turchyn
Jenna Smith-Turchyn
MSc(PT), PhD. Assistant Professor in Rehabilitation Science.
MSc(PT), PhD. Assistant Professor in Rehabilitation Science.
Q: Based on your experiences, what advice would you give an early career scientist who wishes to work in the same area that you do?
A: Make strong and supportive interdisciplinary collaborations; try innovative, new, and creative approaches to implement interventions; be persistent and highlight important outcomes for a variety of stakeholders; highlight patient / participant experience.
Jenna Smith considers herself a clinical and health services researcher, and is best known for exercise oncology and cancer rehabilitation. Previously, she pursued multi-morbidity, physical therapy, and healthcare technology.
Dr. Jennifer Tsand is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine. She considers herself a Clinical Researcher, who is best known for her work in Community ICU Research Capacity, having previously purused Quality improvement in community ICU. Jennifer is also a part of the St. Joseph's Hamilton Research Institute.
Jennifer Tsang
Jennifer Tsang
MD, PhD, FRCPC, ABOM. Associate Professor, Department of Medicine.
MD, PhD, FRCPC, ABOM. Associate Professor, Department of Medicine.
Q: What are some of the most important factors that must be in place before establishing a program of research?
A: Collaborators, institutional support, mentorship.
Q: What determines the impact of the program and what are its key performance indicators?
A: The novelty of the program. Performance indicators: publications, grants, conference presentations.
Q: How can the sustainability of the program be ensured?
A: Legacy planning. Ensure you have a large team of likeminded individuals who share common goals who would carry the project longitudinally.
Q: Are there any lessons learned or tips you'd like to share with junior researchers/faculty?
A: Stay focus, start small, make small gains and build on them.
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