Postdocs in the Spotlight: Simonne Collins

Welcome to our blog series highlighting the work of our postdoctoral fellows!

Postdoctoral fellows play a crucial role within CHILD-BRIGHT's research projects underway. These fellows are passionate about implementation science (IS) and patient-oriented research (POR) and its potential to improve health outcomes for children and youth with brain-based developmental disabilities and their families. 

Today, we’re delighted to introduce Simonne Collins, the newest member of CHILD-BRIGHT's IS Research Program. 

IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE PROGRAM

Simonne Collins (she/her)

Postdoctoral fellow, STIC Lab

IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia

From Melbourne to Halifax

Simonne, our newest postdoctoral fellow, hails from Melbourne, Australia. In the summer of 2024, propelled by her commitment to patient-oriented research (POR), she relocated to Halifax to start a CHILD-BRIGHT research fellowship based within the Strengthening Transitions in Care Lab at the IWK Health Centre. Her position with CHILD-BRIGHT is being supported by the IWK Foundation. Simonne has quickly become a pivotal member of the network’s Implementation Science (IS) Research Program!  

Simonne has been a proponent of POR since being introduced to the concept during her doctoral studies in Psychology at Monash University, in Melbourne. Her doctoral studies focused on children at risk of brain-based developmental disabilities. “There were things that we weren’t sure about,” she recalled. “We didn’t know whether we were asking the right questions or if they were even relevant to our population.” 

Ultimately, she and her team decided to consult with parent research partners, and the experience was truly illuminating: “It was so valuable to hear their insights! Hearing from PWLEs allowed us to get at the heart of the barriers they face.” 

Now, Simonne is delighted to be broadening her skillset in POR and implementation science—and the move to Canada adds to the adventure! 

“All our research should be with patient-partners and PWLEs!”

— Simonne Collins, CHILD-BRIGHT postdoctoral fellow

Simonne’s role at CHILD-BRIGHT

As part of CHILD-BRIGHT's Phase 2, the IS Research Program is working to better understand how evidence can be systematically applied in routine practice to improve the quality and effectiveness of pediatric health services in Canada. 

Under the supervision of co-leads Steven Miller and Janet Curran, Simonne is supporting two of the IS Research Program’s main goals: 1) review which IS methods are being used across the network’s Phase 2 projects and identify the unique factors that should be considered by IS project teams when implementing treatments and interventions for children with brain-based developmental disabilities; and 2) understand how pan-Canadian research networks like CHILD-BRIGHT can build IS skills among postdoctoral research fellows. Simonne reviews the projects’ research protocols; conducts interviews with researchers, partners with lived and living experience (PWLEs), and youth partners; analyzes the data; and disseminates the findings.  

Simonne also organizes regular meetings for the network’s postdoctoral fellows, giving them the opportunity to discuss the challenges they’re facing, form connections, and build a community within CHILD-BRIGHT. Experts in the field are invited to some of the meetings to share insights on implementation science methodologies and career development. 

Looking to the future

When asked how she thought her time at CHILD-BRIGHT would impact her career, Simonne was effusive: “Oh, quite considerably!” 

She's particularly excited to be immersed in IS research. “I’m really developing those skills,” she said. She’s also grateful to have the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of health experts, which includes researchers, clinicians, and PWLEs. “I’m building a great network across Canada!” Since her arrival, Simonne has also found it eye-opening to learn about another country’s health care system and its challenges. “And I’m bringing my own cultural insights to the network,” she added. 

Today, Simonne hopes that her research will always incorporate POR methodologies. “I think researchers are getting better at understanding the impact of POR on health outcomes,” she said. “It allows us to address the needs and challenges that actually matter to patients and families.” 

The 2024 Training Innovation Fund: Call for applications

Now accepting applications!

 The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is proud to launch its 2024 Training Innovation Fund (TIF)! 
 
The 2024 TIF competition will provide a maximum of $10,000 to up to four creative and innovative training initiatives that complement patient-oriented research (POR) activities in implementation science and knowledge mobilization. These initiatives must support POR related to childhood brain-based developmental disabilities and actively integrate the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and Indigenization

Click below to visit the competition page and review the full details, eligibility requirements, and application procedure.

Apply by August 31, 2024. Good luck!

Meet our previous winners:

• 2022 Training Innovation Fund

• 2018 Training Innovation Fund

Announcing the recipients of the 2024 CHILD-BRIGHT Graduate Student Fellowship in POR

CHILD-BRIGHT is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 CHILD-BRIGHT Graduate Student Fellowship in Patient-Oriented Research! 

This fellowship is designed to create practical training opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows engaged in patient-oriented research (POR) relating to brain-based developmental disabilities in children. 

This year, the fellowship is supporting our Phase 2 initiatives, which aim to mobilize and implement our research knowledge. POR is integral to evidence-informed health care and CHILD-BRIGHT is proud to support the POR projects of the following two recipients: 

1. Development of the Gamified Version of the Jooay Mobile Application: Promoting Participating of Children and Youth with Disabilities in Leisure Activities 

Recipient: Ebrahim Mahmoudi Kojidi

Project Summary: Play is essential for every child, but unfortunately, children living with brain-based developmental disabilities face challenges when it comes to finding activities adapted to their realities. The Jooay App is a mobile health tool created to help children and youth with disabilities identify and engage in community-based leisure activities, such as sports, arts, and camps in their neighbourhoods. Currently, Jooay is used by over 5,000 rehab and education professionals, families, and youth across Canada. However, the app could benefit over 850,000 Canadian children living with disabilities and their families. 

Working under the supervision of principal investigator Keiko Shikako, Ebrahim aims to understand what mobile app features, specifically gamification features, can motivate youth with disabilities, their parents, and professionals to use the Jooay app more often. Based on their feedback, he will work to design and implement a gamified version of the Jooay App, expand and evaluate its impact, and test strategies to scale up the use of the app across Canada. 

2. Sustainability Planning with the Child-Bright Network

Recipient: Zeenat Ladak

Project Summary: Long-term planning is essential to ensure the sustainability of national health networks such as CHILD-BRIGHT's. Our Legacy and Sustainability Taskforce (LAST) was established to determine how we can sustain the network’s infrastructure beyond 2026. 

Supervised by Dr. Celia Laur, Zeenat Ladak aims to answer two research questions: (1) What aspects of the network contribute to our legacy and should continue to be supported after 2026, and (2) what strategies should be used to support the sustainability of CHILD-BRIGHT's impact and capacity building efforts? 

By using implementation science tools and working closely with the network’s Engagement Council, LAST, and parent research partner Karena Crumpler, the project team will gather and assess member feedback to inform CHILD-BRIGHT's long-term sustainability plan.

Postdocs in the Spotlight: Marie-Ève

Welcome to our new blog series highlighting the work of our Azrieli CHILD-BRIGHT postdoctoral fellows!

Within the various research projects underway at the CHILD-BRIGHT Network, postdoctoral fellows play a crucial role. This year, thanks to the generous contribution of the Azrieli Foundation, we’re delighted to welcome a new cohort of up-and-coming scientists who are passionate about patient-oriented research (POR) and its incredible potential in the study of pediatric brain-based developmental disabilities. In the next few weeks, we’ll be showcasing each of our postdocs and the pivotal work they’re doing at CHILD-BRIGHT, across Canada. 

CARE PATHWAYS FOR CHD PROJECT

Marie-Ève Bolduc (she/her)

Postdoctoral fellow, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine 

Assistant professor, School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University 

Marie-Ève is the postdoctoral fellow on the network’s Care Pathways for CHD project, under the supervision of principal investigators Mike Seed and Andrea Patey. In this Phase 2 CHILD-BRIGHT project, the research team aims to develop recommendations, based on current approaches used around the world, to optimize the identification of developmental delays in children and adolescents with a congenital heart defect (CHD) in Canada. 

Marie-Ève oversees all aspects of coordinating the Care Pathways for CHD project. “My responsibilities include liaising with family partners, conducting comprehensive literature reviews, and leading our consensus groups,” she says. In this multifaceted role, Marie-Ève ensures that all voices are heard, that research is progressing well, and that the project is contributing to the advancement of neurodevelopmental care for children and adolescents with a CHD.

Marie-Ève has been interested in patient-oriented research (POR) since her first collaboration with a parent partner during her PhD. “I realized how important their feedback was,” she recalls. “But later, I realized that the project could’ve benefitted even more from their input.” She wished she’d had a deeper understanding of POR and the strategic integration of partner feedback throughout various project stages. “That’s when I decided to enroll in a patient-oriented research course.”

Marie-Ève believes that incorporating the perspectives of partners with lived experience (PWLE) in research has profound implications for the improvement of outcomes in our health care system. “Patient-generated research questions are instrumental,” she says. “They reflect the unique challenges faced by the individuals we’re trying to help.” While she knows she still has a lot to learn, Marie-Ève is optimistic that her ongoing collaboration with current research partners will help her learn and hone her expertise over time.  

“By actively involving users in shaping research agendas, projects become more relevant, resonant, and aligned with the lived experiences of patients. This not only enhances the design of robust research initiatives, but also ensures that patients’ needs and expectations are at the forefront.”

— Marie-Ève

Marie-Ève is thrilled to be an Azrieli-CHILD-BRIGHT postdoctoral fellow and knows that the scholarship is an invaluable opportunity to build on the knowledge acquired during her graduate and PhD studies. “Engaging in patient-oriented research and implementation science will not only enhance my skillset, but also significantly elevate the quality of my future projects,” she says happily. Being part of a collaborative network is also allowing her to learn from diverse expertise and make connections with researchers across North America. “This scholarship is a gateway to knowledge exchange, skill refinement, and collaborative opportunities,” says Marie-Ève. “I have no doubt that it will shape the trajectory of my research career.”

Postdocs in the Spotlight: Sharon

Welcome to our new blog series highlighting the work of our Azrieli CHILD-BRIGHT postdoctoral fellows!

Within the various research projects underway at the CHILD-BRIGHT Network, postdoctoral fellows play a crucial role. This year, thanks to the generous contribution of the Azrieli Foundation, we’re delighted to welcome a new cohort of up-and-coming scientists who are passionate about patient-oriented research (POR) and its incredible potential in the study of pediatric brain-based developmental disabilities. In the next few weeks, we’ll be showcasing each of our postdocs and the pivotal work they’re doing at CHILD-BRIGHT, across Canada. 

PAIN PATHWAY PROJECT

Sharon Hou (she/her)

Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Registered psychologist, BC Children’s Hospital 

Under the supervision of co-principal investigators (PIs) Hal Siden and Stephanie Glegg, Sharon is contributing to the CHILD-BRIGHT Pain Pathway project, a study on pain and irritability of unknown origin (PIUO) among children with severe neurological impairments. In Phase 1, the research team designed and tested a clinical pathway to streamline the assessment and management of PIUO (the Studying PIUO project). Now in Phase 2, the team is studying how to implement the clinical pathway in community pediatric practices with pediatricians across British Columbia.

Sharon is taking a lead role in carrying out the Pain Pathway project, from study design, recruitment, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of results. But none of her tasks are carried out solo: “I work closely with our multidisciplinary study team, including our parent partners and clinician partners” says Sharon, who is delighted to be working towards a collective goal of improving children’s health and well-being. 

Even before working with CHILD-BRIGHT, Sharon was a strong proponent of patient-oriented research (POR). Early on in her academic career, she happened to be mentored by researchers who use a POR approach, which allowed her to see its value first-hand. “Since then, I’ve been consistently working with partners who have lived and living experiences,” says Sharon. Incorporating lived experience perspectives has become a necessary foundation for her own research; it allows her to ask research questions that are relevant and meaningful to the children and families she works with. “What is most exciting and meaningful for me is being able to collaborate with people who bring diverse experiences and perspectives to the project,” says the postdoc.

“I want to make sure that my study findings are useful, informative, and accessible to children and families navigating the health care system.””

— Sharon

Sharon knows that this fellowship is an incredible opportunity to gain advanced training in patient-oriented pediatric health research. She’s not only learning how to conduct studies involving children with a high degree of health complexity and their families, but also strengthening her research methodologies in implementation science and knowledge mobilization. She’s also excited to be engaging with the broader CHILD-BRIGHT network of researchers, clinicians, and partners with lived experience, and can already see how it will lead to collaborations and opportunities in her future. “I believe this fellowship will help me build my program of research as I work towards becoming an independent researcher,” she says.