91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ

Event

Beyond the PhD: Career Journeys of Our Graduates

Friday, December 12, 2025 12:30to13:30
Price: 
Free

Join us for a dynamic panel featuring three graduates of our PhD program who have transitioned into impactful careers across different sectors. Learn how they leveraged their research training, navigated career decisions, and built fulfilling professional lives. A great opportunity to gain insights and ask questions about your own future beyond academia.

A light lunch will be provided.

Seminar title:ÌýBeyond the PhD: Career Journeys of Our Graduates-

Speakers:Ìý

  • Reem El-Sherif, PhD,ÌýHealth Services Researcher at the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)-
  • Nadia O’Brien, PhD, Senior Policy Analyst on Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI)-
  • JustinÌýGagnon, Embedded Scientist with OROT,Ìýa Connected Health Incubator that brings togetherÌýhealthcare actorsÌýand end users with entrepreneurs and innovators to build and launchÌýdigitalÌýinnovations thatÌýimprove people’s lives.

Date:ÌýFriday December 12, 12.30-13.30pm

Where: Hybrid. In person at 5858, chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, 3rd floor, Room 307.ÌýOnline via Zoom

About The SpeakersÌý

Reem El-Sherif, MBBCh, PhD, is an international medical graduate (MBChB from the University of Cairo) and has completed an MSc and PhD in Family Medicine and Primary Care Research at 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ. She has over 10 years of experience in primary care and health services research, and specializes in literature reviews, mixed methods research and qualitative methodologies using a participatory approach. She is currently a Health Services Researcher at the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA).

Nadia O’Brien, MPH, PhD, earned a PhD in Family Medicine and Primary Care from 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ in 2020, a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Simon Fraser University, and an Undergraduate degree in Medical Anthropology from the University of Toronto. She also completed a brief postdoctoral fellowship with the Canada Research Chair in Patient and Public Partnership where she was awarded the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) postdoctoral funding - Transition to Leadership Award. She then joined the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) during the COVID-19 pandemic and now works as a senior policy analyst on Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI).ÌýNadia’s experience in research, infectious disease and public health was developed though her research on community-led structural interventions with sex workers in India, a participatory research project led by Indigenous women in Quebec, during her PhD with the Canadian HIV Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS), and at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BCCfE).

Justin GagnonÌýis an Embedded Scientist with OROT and Adjunct Professor at 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ. He specializes in evaluating healthcare innovations through pre-market assessments, pilot studies, and post-implementation evaluations. His work bridges innovation and practice, aligning technologies with clinical needs. With expertise in implementation science, health IT, policy, and mixed-methods research, he focuses on driving sustainable adoption and improving health outcomes.

Research Seminar Series

Each month, the Department of Family Medicine hosts a research seminar that explores a wide range of topics and methods relevant to primary health care. These seminars feature a variety of speakers, including researchers from other universities and departments, as well as our own faculty, students, and collaborators.ÌýOpen to the entire 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ community, these seminars serve as a dynamic forum for learning, discussion, and exchange, fostering meaningful connections across disciplines and institutions.

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