Beyond Research

Female athletes find they are at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts as the majority of sports research focuses on male athletes. In this episode we explore this gap in sports research. We will hear from a Registered Dietician and personal trainer, a member of Canada’s women’s national under-20 soccer team, an established sports nutrition researcher, as well as a local student researcher who is striving to help level the playing field. 

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-sports-research-where-are-the-women/ 

In Season 2, Episode 10 – Sports Research: Where are the Women, we cover: 

04:17 – The sex data gap in sports nutrition research

09:06 – How the sex data gap can disadvantage female athletes

11:06 – Women’s menstrual cycles as an excuse to not include female participants in research

12:08 – Future aspirations: Fully addressing women’s needs in sport nutrition literature

12:50 – Considerations researchers need to give when gathering study participants

15:52 – Biggest sex data gap: The performance sector

18:14 – Registered Dietitian sees the sex data gap first hand

21:03 – Necessity of collaboration on various scales

Thank you to our guests:

Samantha Fisher is a fourth year Human Nutrition (Hons) student at St. Francis Xavier University and is a recent recipient of a Scotia Scholars Award for her research project “Investigating the Sex Data Gap in Sport Nutrition Research.”

Dr. Jennifer Jamieson is an Associate Professor of Human Nutrition at Saint Francis Xavier University. Dr. Jamieson is currently Samantha Fisher’s supervisor on her research project and previous professor of Mikaela Henderson.

Mikaela Henderson is a Registered Dietitian specializing in sports nutrition. Mikaela is the Team Dietitian for Saint Mary’s University varsity athletics, and she also has a private practice at Coastal Sports & Wellness.

Annika Leslie is a sophomore at West Virginia University. She is a defender for the WVU women’s varsity soccer team and member of Team Canada’s U20 women’s soccer team.

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Virtual Reality continues to be embraced by researchers, health care providers, and patients alike. Although the field is still relatively new, there seem to be more and more examples of virtual reality having a positive impact on health care delivery, treatment, and training both here at home and around the globe. In this episode we will explore examples of how research in the area of virtual reality could help address current gaps and in our healthcare system and improve patient care today and in the future.

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-virtual-reality-health-care/ 

In Season 2, Episode 9 – Virtual Reality & Health Care, we cover: 

03:11 – How virtual reality can be leveraged to support children with physical disability

06:32 – Mars VR Lab collaboration

09:15 – Benefits to using virtual reality technology in a youth rehabilitation context

11:48 – Better support training and use of a power wheelchair

13:43 – Virtual reality could potentially be used to improve or develop or elicit empathy in caregivers

22:04 – Exploring the interpersonal traits associated with a person’s willingness to work during the COVID 19 pandemic

27:11 – Does virtual reality have the potential to strengthen healthcare delivery?

Thank you to our guests:

Dr. Jordan Sheriko is the Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Megan Brydon is a PACS Application Specialist at the IWK Health Centre.

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you like this episode, be sure to hit the subscribe button and leave us five stars. You can also follow us on social:

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In this episode, we explore how resilient our land-based farms and farm-related businesses are to the impacts of global climate change, as well as solutions researchers and farmers are exploring to help improve our ability to adapt long-term. We hear from industry experts on how climate change is currently impacting our agri-food industry, what solutions are being implemented successfully, and discuss how we can best prepare for future climate-related challenges.

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-climate-change-and-agriculture/ 

In Season 2, Episode 8 – Climate Change & Agriculture, we cover: 

02:27 – Impact of climate change on pollinators

06:45 – How pollinators impact agriculture 

09:34 – Opportunities to improve our agricultural resilience in the face of climate change

12:08 – Research opportunities

14:42 – Climate effects on pest cycle

16:44 – Current & future impacts on climate change on agriculture

18:19 – Recommendations for how to address the impacts of climate change

19:48 – What is carbon sequestration and what are cover crops, and how can they help?

Thank you to our guests:

 Dr. Alana Pindar is the Weston Family Visiting Professor in Ecosystem Health and Food Security, appointed at Cape Breton University. Dr. Pindar is an entomologist with an expertise in pollinators. 

Rosalie Gillis-Madden is the On-Farm Climate Action Fund Technical Project Manager at Perennia Food and Agriculture. Rosalie is a resource to producers on all aspects of vegetable production. 

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you like this episode, be sure to hit the subscribe button and leave us five stars. You can also follow us on social:

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Research plays a vital role in creating economic growth, talent attraction, and youth retention. When properly executed, research investments also directly support provincial priorities. In this episode we explore the different ways research can create economic growth for both new and established companies. Listen as we discuss opportunities to further support research and innovation in local industries and institutions.

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-economic-growth-through-research/ 

In Season 2, Episode 7 – Economic Growth Through Research, we cover: 

02:05 – A look at innovation in the biomedical space

04:38 – Starts with asking the right question 

05:05 – Research creating spin-off companies and economic benefit

07:45 – Necessity of partnerships: Academia and industry

09:36 – Problem definition stage

11:58 – Aspirations for the future

13:34 – Scientific process

14:51 – 6 key questions to understanding the problem hypothesis

19:03 – Problem facing start-ups

19:48 - Need for continuous research at all stages of the innovation pipeline

Thank you to our guests:

 Dr. Daniel Boyd is an Associate Professor in Dalhousie University’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Co Founder & Scientific Advisor at IR Scientific, and Co Founder of ABK Biomedical.

Matt Cooper is the Chief Innovation Officer at Volta, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Matt has been developing and marketing products for over 20 years, including being a Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Swept, an innovative software for commercial cleaning companies.

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you like this episode, be sure to hit the subscribe button and leave us five stars. You can also follow us on social:

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Currently 4.4 million Canadians are living in food-insecure households and 1 in 6 households in Nova Scotia are food insecure. In this episode we hear from experts leading the way in research and response to food insecurity in Nova Scotia. Listen as we explore the concept of food security, the benefits of developing a food autonomy strategy, and research underway that can help us better understand and improve food security for all.

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-making-food-secure/ 

In Season 2, Episode 6 – Making Food Secure, we cover: 

01:40 – What is food security?

02:55 – Role of food banks 

05:28 – Food safety and quality

06:52 – Food accessibility

08:08– Food affordability

11:22 – Proposed food autonomy strategy

15:45 – The local food paradox 

18:47 – Consumer first thinking

19:45 – The role of research

Thank you to our guests:

 Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor and Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. He conducts research in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety.

Karen Theriault is the Director of Development and Communications at Feed Nova Scotia, based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you like this episode, be sure to hit the subscribe button and leave us five stars. You can also follow us on social:

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Nova Scotia and its 13,300 km of coastline is home to many coastal communities. Of these communities, some are already facing the impacts of changing sea levels, storm surges and climate change firsthand. In this episode you’ll hear from leading researchers who are helping us better understand, plan, and prepare for rising sea levels in Nova Scotia. Listen as we explore how sea level rise has affected our province and propose collaborative approaches to mitigate the impacts on our communities, our industries, and our way of life.

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-predicted-sea-level-rise/ 

In Season 2, Episode 5 – Predicted Sea Level Rise, we cover: 

05:11 – What is geomatics and what’s the role of LIDAR technology?

08:39 – Benchmark storms from historic data 

10:10 – How can we lessen the impacts of sea level rise?

12:06 – How is sea level rise impacting infrastructure and coastal communities?

16:26– Potential nature-based solutions

Thank you to our guests:

 Dr. Timothy Webster is the lead research scientist with Nova Scotia Community College’s Applied Geomatics Research Group, and a faculty member in remote sensing and GIS at NSCC’s Centre of Geographic Sciences.

Dr. Patricia Manuel is a professor in the School of Planning at Dalhousie University, and conducts research in a range of areas including environmental planning with a focus on climate change adaptation planning and wetlands interpretation and management.

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you like this episode, be sure to hit the subscribe button and leave us five stars. You can also follow us on social:

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In health research, the voices of people outside of the research team – the patients, caregivers, families – may be lost. In this episode, you’ll hear from leading researchers who are expanding the traditional definition of a research team and designing research programs focused on making an immediate impact. Although COVID-19 continues to be a major health care disrupter, it has also given researchers the space and permission needed to think outside of the box, expedite research projects, and arrive at new ideas and solutions that will serve us well beyond the pandemic. Listen to learn how conducting health research in real-time can help improve care and outcomes for patients, caregivers, and families.

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-real-time-health-research/ 

In Season 2, Episode 4 – Real Time Health Research, we cover: 

02:52 – Research study addressing the needs of families with babies in the NICU during the COVID-19 pandemic

05:31 – Conducting research in real-time with all stakeholders included

07:12 – How the COVID-19 pandemic impacted families with babies in the NICU

08:33 – Research to improve outcomes for newborns in the NICU specifically related to pain, stress, and neurodevelopment

14:53– What is FAR UV-C light, and can it help protect residents of long-term care facilities?

20:12 – Involving residents, families, and staff in informing the research

22:43 – Future aspirations

Thank you to our guests:

Dr. Kenneth Rockwood is a Professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University, and a Senior Medical Director at the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

Dr. Marsha Campbell-Yeo is a certified neonatal nurse practitioner, an associate professor of Pediatrics, Psychology & Neuroscience at Dalhousie University, and a clinician scientist at the IWK Health Centre.

Stefan Leslie is the CEO of Research Nova Scotia, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Lisa Carr is an Infection Control Specialist at Northwood based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you like this episode, be sure to hit the subscribe button and leave us five stars. You can also follow us on social:

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As Canada continues to deal with effects of Covid-19, concerns over the critical importance of the early years and the impacts on kids are growing. In this episode you’ll hear from researchers specializing in children’s mental health and development, each who will share unique insights on the status of children and family’s mental health throughout the pandemic. Specifically, you’ll learn about a growing area of research that is proving to be a critical support for children and youth during this difficult time: the power of play. 

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-the-power-of-play/ 

In Season 2, Episode 3 – The Power of Play, we cover: 

2:38 – Impact of COVID-19 on youth and children’s mental health and well-being

6:07 – Benefit of social interactions for mental, emotional, social, and physical health

08:22 – Supporting kids considered at risk or in vulnerable circumstances

10:34 – Continued research in early childhood development and mental health is critical

13:02– What is physical literacy and why is it important?

16:16 – Play deprivation and it’s impact

18:38 – Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on kids and their physical activity

19:55 – Loose parts play

Thank you to our guests:

 Dr. Alexa Bagnell is the Chief of Psychiatry at the IWK Health Centre, a pediatric hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a Professor of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University.

Dr. Michelle Stone is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University, and lead researcher for Play Outside Nova Scotia.

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you like this episode, be sure to hit the subscribe button and leave us five stars. You can also follow us on social:

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Did you know that in Canada, roughly 50% of the food produced is lost or wasted? In the latest episode of the Beyond Research Podcast, we’re exploring the ways scientific advancements in nutrition and food science are helping the agri-food industry better manage this growing problem. Listen to learn how local researchers Dr. Darren Burke of Outcast Foods and Dr. Marcia English of St.FX are working directly with the people who produce our food to create new products and generate new markets using food waste and by-products.

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-food-waste/ 

In Season 2, Episode 2 – Food Waste, we cover: 

2:32 – Impact of food waste and food loss 

3:27 – Why and how food waste and food loss happens

4:56 – How research can help solve the problem

12:59 – Upcycling food and utilizing the “misfit” or “outcast” produce

Thank you to our guests:

 Dr. Marcia English is an Assistant Professor in Human Nutrition at St. Francis Xavier University where she leads the X Food Research Lab.

Dr. Darren Burke is the founder and CEO of Outcast Foods, the first patent-pending zero waste upcycling technology company that is actively reducing food waste.

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you like this episode, be sure to hit the subscribe button and leave us five stars. You can also follow us on social:

Instagram: @beyondresearchpodcast

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We begin the new season by learning about the connection between world-leading technology development and an urgent – and often hidden – social crisis: energy poverty. In this episode, you’ll hear from the Mayor of Bridgewater, a small, rural town that is leading the charge on energy poverty, and two Nova Scotia researchers who are at the forefront of a global revolution in energy storage. Listen to learn how their work is intersecting to help meet our climate goals and help some of the more vulnerable members of our community.

Find our transcript here: https://researchns.ca/beyondresearch-energy-poverty/ 

In Season 2, Episode 1 – Energy Poverty, we cover: 

2:43 – What is energy poverty? 

4:14 – An initiative to lift a town out of energy poverty: Energize Bridgewater

7:24 – Who is responsible for solving the problem?

8:24 – Renewable energy and energy storage through lithium-ion batteries

11:22 – An example of an energy storage project

12:44 – The move from fossil fuel use to green sources of energy

19:12 – Controlling your energy production: Solar fuels

21:32 – Reducing the costs

25:33 – Canada’s position toward an energy revolution

Thank you to our guests:

David Mitchell is the Mayor of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, a small town with a bold idea: move the entire community toward efficient, clean energy through its Energize Bridgewater initiative.

Dr. Jeff Dahn is a professor of physics and atmospheric science at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the Tesla Canada Industrial Research Chair.

Dr. Michael Freund is a Professor of Chemistry, the Harry Shirreff Chair of Chemical Research, and the Director of the Clean Technologies Institute at Dalhousie University.

The Beyond Research Podcast is produced by Podstarter. It is available wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you like this episode, be sure to hit the subscribe button and leave us five stars. You can also follow us on social:

Instagram: @beyondresearchpodcast

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