Current Trainees
Erin McConnell (she/her)
Registered Nurse and MSc in Nursing Student
Email: erin.mcconnell@dal.ca
Erin graduated from Dalhousie University in 2018 with a BSc in Nursing. Since graduation, Erin has worked as a Registered Nurse and Research Coordinator. Her background is in adult care, specifically in nephrology and transplant. Erin started the MSc in Nursing program at Dalhousie University in 2022. Erin enjoys keeping active, spending time outside, and reading. She also has a BSc in Biology and is an animal lover. Erin is excited to learn more about knowledge translation and grow her research experience and skills under the mentorship of the STIC lab.
Registered Nurse and MSc in Nursing Student
Email: erin.mcconnell@dal.ca
Erin graduated from Dalhousie University in 2018 with a BSc in Nursing. Since graduation, Erin has worked as a Registered Nurse and Research Coordinator. Her background is in adult care, specifically in nephrology and transplant. Erin started the MSc in Nursing program at Dalhousie University in 2022. Erin enjoys keeping active, spending time outside, and reading. She also has a BSc in Biology and is an animal lover. Erin is excited to learn more about knowledge translation and grow her research experience and skills under the mentorship of the STIC lab.
Maddie Gallant (she/her)
Registered Nurse and PhD in Nursing Student
Email: Maddie.gallant@dal.ca
Maddie graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2017 with a BSc in Nursing. Currently, Maddie is studying at Dalhousie University in the PhD in Nursing Program. Maddie is a perinatal nurse consultant with the Reproductive Care Program of Nova Scotia. She also works as a Research Assistant with Dr. Christine Cassidy. Maddie’s background and expertise is founded in perinatal nursing, and implementation science. Maddie has a passion for improving health outcomes for mothers/pregnant persons with substance use disorder and their infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence/opioid withdrawal syndrome. When not studying, or working in the health care system, Maddie enjoys spending time at home with her two little ones under the age of two. Maddie is involved in a variety of research projects within the STIC lab and is excited to continue growing in her research capacity under the mentorship of Dr. Janet Curran and Dr. Christine Cassidy.
Registered Nurse and PhD in Nursing Student
Email: Maddie.gallant@dal.ca
Maddie graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2017 with a BSc in Nursing. Currently, Maddie is studying at Dalhousie University in the PhD in Nursing Program. Maddie is a perinatal nurse consultant with the Reproductive Care Program of Nova Scotia. She also works as a Research Assistant with Dr. Christine Cassidy. Maddie’s background and expertise is founded in perinatal nursing, and implementation science. Maddie has a passion for improving health outcomes for mothers/pregnant persons with substance use disorder and their infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence/opioid withdrawal syndrome. When not studying, or working in the health care system, Maddie enjoys spending time at home with her two little ones under the age of two. Maddie is involved in a variety of research projects within the STIC lab and is excited to continue growing in her research capacity under the mentorship of Dr. Janet Curran and Dr. Christine Cassidy.
Mari Somerville (she/her)
Postdoctoral Fellow Email: mari.somerville@dal.ca Mari is a Registered Dietitian and CIHR Health System Impact Fellow (Postdoctoral Stream) with the STIC Lab. Her program of research involves understanding the science of learning health systems and using these findings to implement evidence-based patient safety recommendations across IWK Health. Previously, Mari worked in a pediatric oncology ward in Bangladesh where she helped improve the nutritional status of newly diagnosed patients. After completing a Master of Public Health at the University of Toronto, Mari moved to Australia to complete her PhD at Griffith University. Mari also has a BSc in Nutrition. She is excited to return to Nova Scotia and work with the STIC lab, helping to facilitate the EDUCATE Project. 
Jennifer Lane (she/her) Postdoctoral Fellow Email: jennifer.lane@dal.ca Jennifer Lane is a Postdoctoral Fellow working on the CIHR Project Grant: Uncovering the Wider Impact of COVID-19 Measures on the Lives of Children with Complex Care Needs and their Families. A Registered Nurse with expertise in mental health and addictions, Jennifer uses stigma as a resource for exploring power related themes in research. She is also a part-time academic at Dalhousie University who loves teaching. When she isn’t working, she’s with her wife and son, Kris and Oscar, and her 130lb dog, Peggy. |
Sydney Breneol (she/her)
PhD Candidate Email: s.breneol@dal.ca Sydney Breneol is registered nurse with a BSc in Nursing from the University of Prince Edward Island. Before pursuing graduate studies, Sydney worked as a pediatric nurse in Prince Edward Island. Sydney is a doctoral candidate in the Nursing program at Dalhousie University under the supervisor of Dr. Janet Curran. Her work seeks to explore the population of children with medical complexity in the Canadian Maritimes. Sydney’s doctoral research is supported by the Killam Trust Predoctoral Scholarship, Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation Scotia Scholar Award, Helen Watson Memorial Scholarship, IWK Health Centre’s Ruby Blois Doctoral Scholarship, Dalhousie School of Nursing, CIHR Doctoral Award and BRIC NS Student Research Award. 
Allyson Gallant (she/her)
PhD Student Email: allyson.gallant@dal.ca Allyson is a doctoral student under the co-supervision of Dr. Janet Curran and Dr. Audrey Steenbeek. She completed a BSc (Honours) at the University of Prince Edward Island and a Master of Public Health from the University of Saskatchewan. Previously, she has worked as a Research Coordinator with Dr. Curran in the STIC Lab. Allyson also spent time working as a Research Assistant in Scotland. Her areas of interest include behaviour change research and vaccine hesitancy among high-risk adults. |
Former Trainees
Dr. Andrea Bishop
Dr. Christine Cassidy
Dr. Logan Lawrence
Danielle Shin
Dr. Christine Cassidy
Dr. Logan Lawrence
Danielle Shin
