Staff
Alannah Delahunty-Pike (she/her)
Research Associate Email: adpike@dal.ca Alannah graduated from McGill University with a BA in Cultural Studies (2006), followed by a MSc in Africa and International Development (2011) from the University of Edinburgh. Upon returning to Canada after her Masters, she began working in health research. She has worked in a wide variety of research contexts in Canada and sub-Saharan Africa with 10+ years of experience on a variety of projects, largely focused on health equity, patient-centred care, and social determinants of health. Alannah is excited to apply her research and project management skills to the organization and overall direction of the STIPC lab. 
Drew Burchell (they/them)
Research Cordinator Email: drew.burchell@iwk.nshealth.ca Drew completed a B.Sc. at Dalhousie, then graduated from Laurier with a Master of Arts in Community Psychology. They have a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, and their research has focused on issues affecting the 2SLGBTQ+ community. They bring this lens to their work on the Patient Managed Discharge Communication Tool project 
Jennifer Lane (she/her)
Research Cordinator 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. 
Madison Hickey (she/her) Research Assistant Email: maddiehick3@gmail.com My name is Madison Hickey and I will be working within the team as a Research Assistant while I go through my Master's degree in Nursing. I am an RN working within acute care for the last four years, doing most of my work in Halifax in the Cardiac Surgery ICU. I've also done intermittent travel contracts around the country. Throughout my time working as a member of the healthcare team, I have witnessed challenges that I am hoping to be a part of addressing through academia focusing on a research lense. I love traveling, adventuring, meeting new people, listening to music and art of all kinds, and having a good laugh. I look forward to working within this team of intelligent, determined people to explore an alternative way of better serving our population. 
Amanda Higgins (she/her)
Research Assistant Email: amanda.higgins@dal.ca Amanda graduate from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology. Amanda joined the STIC lab working with Dr. Christine Cassidy on the Exploring the transition from pediatric to adult health care project, identified as a priority by the MSSU. Amanda’s passion and expertise is in improving the transition of care for youth with chronic health conditions and also sits on the Transition of Care Committee at IWK Health. Amanda enjoys staying active in her spare time, frequenting yoga and spin classes in the city. She hopes to begin a graduate degree in Health Promotion at Dalhousie in the fall of 2023. Amanda is excited to continue learning and growing as researcher with the guidance of the entire STIC lab team. 
Erin McConnell (she/her)
Registered Nurse and MSc in Nursing Student Email: erin.mcconnell@dal.ca Erin graduated from Dalhousie University in the Fall of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Since graduation, Erin has worked as a floor nurse and research coordinator. Her background is in adult care, specifically in nephrology and transplant. Erin started the MSc in Nursing program in the Fall of 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. 
Ripu Daman (she/her)
Research Coordinator Email: ripu.daman@dal.ca Ripu is an international medical graduate with experience in women's and children's health. As part of the Integrated Care Study, she joined Dr. Cassidy's team after working for Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto for two years. In that position, she was responsible for conducting quantitative research on a variety of national projects. It is extremely exciting for her to get the opportunity to conduct qualitative research, especially to interview people from different backgrounds and learn about their experiences with healthcare. She is passionate about improving health outcomes for patients and their families. In her spare time, Ripu enjoys hiking, traveling, and photography. At the STIC lab, she is thrilled to be part of a wonderful team under great mentorship. In addition, she is excited to learn more about knowledge translation, implementation science, and a deeper understanding of qualitative research! |
Holly McCulloch (she/her)
Research Coordinator Email: holly.mcculloch@iwk.nshealth.ca Holly graduated from Acadia University with a BHSc in Biology and Chemistry (2016), followed by a MASc in Biomedical Engineering (2019) at the University of Ottawa. She is currently working part-time as a Research Coordinator for both Dr. Curran and the IWK Heart Centre. I look forward to learning and applying my research skills within the STIC lab. 
Rebecca Mackay
Parent Research Assistant Email: rebecca.mackay@iwk.nshealth.ca As a mother to three children who have used the emergency department, Rebecca brings an invaluable perspective to the research team. Rebecca is currently a Research Assistant working on the Youth and Parent Engagement Scoping Review and development of a patient and family engagement strategy for the IWK Health Centre. 
Catie Johnson (she/her)
Research Assistant Email: ct862685@dal.ca Catie graduated from Dalhousie in 2021 with a BSc in Biology and she is currently completing a Master’s degree in Speech Science. She works as a research assistant with the STIC lab on various projects, and has a research interest in pediatric medical complexity and neurological speech disorders. Catie is excited to be working on the COVID Complex Care Project, and looks forward to expanding her research skills through this work. 
Stephanie Rowe (she/her) Research Assistant Email: st431257@dal.ca Stephanie is currently in her second year of her undergraduate at Dalhousie university, in a Bachelor of Science program. Stephanie has worked as a youth consultant with the STIC lab since 2020, and has been a research assistant since the start of 2022. Her hobbies include reading, hiking, and cooking, and she enjoys spending time in nature! She is very excited to be involved with several projects in the future and looks forward to collaborating with bright minds on this team, and doing our best leave a positive impact. 
Leah Boulos (she/her)
Evidence Synthesis Manager Email: LeahM.Boulos@nshealth.ca Leah Boulos (she/her) Evidence Synthesis Manager Email: LeahM.Boulos@nshealth.ca Leah is a health sciences librarian specializing in evidence synthesis. She received her MLIS from Dalhousie University in 2016, and since that time has been working at the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit, most recently as their Senior Evidence Synthesis Consultant. As Evidence Synthesis Manager at STIC, Leah will co-lead and manage rapid review projects and will offer coaching to teams who are new to evidence synthesis. Leah also holds a Bachelor of Music in piano from Mount Allison University (2010), and spends most of her free time chasing after her two young kids. 
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 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. 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. 
Joyce Al-Rassi (she/her)
Research Assistant Email: joycerassi@dal.ca Joyce will graduate from Dalhousie University, School of Nursing in May of 2023. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing. I began working with Dr. Cassidy on a scoping review about knowledge translation and implementation science and am now working with Maddie Gallant on her scoping review. Joyce is very interested in learning more about implementation science. Joyce is very excited to start collaborating with everyone at STIC, on the project about the implementation of the Eat, sleep, console model. Joyce really loves travelling and making coffee and going for nature walks with her mini goldendoodle! 
Hilary Grantmyre (she/her)
Registered Nurse, Research Assistant Email: hgrantmyre@gmail.com Hilary Grantmyre is a Registered Nurse and part of the urology and oral maxillofacial operating room team at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax. After graduating with a BA(Honours) from Queens University and a BScN from Dalhousie University, she began her career in a neurological intermediate care unit before moving into surgery. With an interest in gender equality and health promotion, Hilary spent a year with the United Nations Development Program in Indonesia and subsequently lived in Belize. She currently runs a business in her spare time, The Sunday Edit, creating apparel and promoting self-care for healthcare professionals. Hilary is excited to be working with STIC to assist in translating knowledge into action in the healthcare field. |
