Research Nova Scotia has announced that seven outstanding graduate students at Acadia University have won the 2023-2024 Scotia Scholars Awards for their innovative health research projects.  

"Acadia is dedicated to fostering meaningful research opportunities for our students. These Scotia Scholar Awards not only support their innovative projects but also emphasize our students' valuable contributions to health-related research," said Dr. Anna Redden, Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic at Acadia. 

The Scotia Scholars Awards acknowledge exceptional potential in health research and provide essential monetary support for the winning projects. These awards aim to encourage the growth and retention of highly skilled individuals committed to enhancing knowledge in disease detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, improving healthcare systems, supporting vulnerable populations, and fostering greater opportunities for future health and well-being. 

Funding for these prestigious awards comes from the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. 

Introducing this year’s accomplished Master's and Doctoral award recipients from Acadia: 

MASTER’S AWARD 

Scotia Scholars Master’s Award offers up to $12,500 per year for a maximum of two years. 

Emily Pico 

Project: Utilitarian Processing: A strengths-based approach to examining ways that autistic persons understand the world around them 

Supervisor: Dr. Darlene Brodeur 

Amount: $12,500.00 

 

Kaylee Dyall 

Project: Compassionate care for the mind and body: An empirical evaluation of a brief self-compassion intervention for improving sexual functioning after treatments for breast cancer 

Supervisor: Dr. Stéphanie Gauvin 

Amount: $12,500.00 

 

Lindsay Heyland 

Project: Speech production and hearing loss in older adults: Somatosensory feedback as a clinical tool for more accurate speech in hearing loss 

Supervisor: Dr. Daniel Lametti 

Amount: $12,500.00 

 

Meaghan Hymers 

Project: Experiences of sexual fluidity and associated health outcomes: Towards a new model of understanding 

Supervisors: Dr. Diane Holmberg & Dr. Karen Blair 

Amount: $5,000.00 

 

Summer Fox 

Project: Virtual Reality (VR) Rehabilitation with community stroke patients: A Pilot study 

Supervisor: Dr. Daniel Blustein 

Amount: $12,500.00 

 

Tessa Cosman 

Project: Intolerance of uncertainty as a moderator of relationship uncertainty and conflict 

Supervisor: Dr. Kathryn Bell & Dr. Diane Holmberg 

Amount: $12,500.00 

 

DOCTORAL AWARD 

Scotia Scholars Doctoral Award provides up to $18,750 per year for a maximum of four years. 

Erika Kirk 

Project: Caring for the instrument: Fine-tuning teacher wellness in Nova Scotia 

Supervisor: Dr. Tanya Surette 

Amount: $18,750.00 

 

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