As winter break approaches, our dedicated Fellows are concluding their first semester of training, enriched by a series of engaging sessions, including the impactful Connect2Learn session on Data Ethics. Now is a perfect moment to reflect on their growth and experiences over the past months. Join us for today鈥檚聽Fellows Feature, where we spotlight Mathieu and Omotayo. Let's dive into their insights and reflections as we wrap up the year!
Mathieu Marcotte
Let鈥檚 begin with Mathieu. Here鈥檚 a fun question for you: If you could instantly acquire one superpower to enhance your research capabilities, what would it be and why?
If I could acquire a superpower, it would be to stop time. This would allow me to analyze every detail of a research project in depth without the pressure of deadlines and the demands of outside life. With more time, I could explore more sources, refine my analyses, and develop innovative perspectives while balancing my academic and personal life.
Now, could you take us back to a pivotal moment that shaped your research interests and influenced your decision to join CAnD3?
In 2019, I started as a research assistant at the Universit茅 de Montr茅al. This experience combined my passion for sport and my studies in demography, leading me to produce a dissertation on both subjects. I used programming software, first SAS, then RStudio. The latter, at the heart of the CAnD3 training program, will enable me to deepen my skills for my research in sports demography.
If you could design a dream project combining your research interests with CAnD3's resources, what would it look like, and what impact would you hope to achieve?
My dream project is to become a sports demography researcher and teach the subject. The CAnD3 training, which includes learning programming tools and decision-making resources, aligns with my thesis on ethnoracial diversity in North American sports. It will prepare me to make public presentations and create attractive visualizations, essential prerequisites for achieving this dream.
Share a recent publication, presentation, or project you're proud of. What was the most exciting or challenging aspect of this work?
My dissertation, 鈥淎nalyse des tendances de la migration professionnelle des joueurs de la LNH de 1969 脿 2020 (Analysis of NHL player migration trends from 1969 to 2020)鈥�, is the biggest project of my research career. Presented at the Association des d茅mographes du Qu茅bec colloquium in 2023, it aroused great interest and won first prize. This exciting project enabled me to adapt demographic tools to a population of athletes while maintaining rigor and transparency in the analysis despite a sport-centered subject.
Finally, we'd love to see you in action! Outside the world of research and data, what hobby or interest do you have that might surprise people?
My passion for travel has enabled me to discover different cultures and broaden my perspective. So far, I've traveled mainly for pleasure. Still, I also aspire to do so as part of my job as a researcher, whether presenting research in sports demography, promoting the Universit茅 de Montr茅al's demography department, or continuing my training as a researcher.
Omotayo Olaoye
The floor is yours, Omotayo! Same question, if you could instantly acquire one superpower to enhance your research capabilities, what would it be and why?
If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to answer any research question. Too often, vital questions go unanswered due to design limitations. With this power, I would unlock new insights in population health and medication safety, advancing knowledge without boundaries.
Think back to a pivotal moment in your academic or professional journey. How did it shape your research interests and decision to join CAnD3?
A pivotal moment in my journey was working as a pharmacist in Nigeria. While I valued one-on-one patient care, I recognized the broader need to understand medication safety and effectiveness at the population level. This realization led me to pursue epidemiology, specifically pharmacoepidemiology. I now work in this field, focusing on COPD research primarily involving older patients. Joining CAnD3 was a natural step, as its commitment to aging populations aligns with my goals.
If you could design a dream project combining your research interests with CAnD3's resources, what would it look like, and what impact would you hope to achieve?
My dream project would integrate CAnD3鈥檚 social and policy-centered approach with my quantitative research on COPD medication safety in aging populations. By examining how social factors and policy frameworks influence medication outcomes, I aim to produce statistically robust and socially relevant evidence. This approach would not only enhance medication safety but also inform policies tailored to the unique needs of older patients.
Share a recent publication, presentation, or project you're proud of. What was the most exciting or challenging aspect of this work?
I am proud of my recent publication, "A systematic review of interventions to promote human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Africa," co-authored with S. Macdonald. Synthesizing data to address a critical public health need in Africa was both rewarding and challenging due to diverse intervention types and limited resources across regions. This experience reinforced my commitment to advancing impactful, evidence-based public health solutions.
Finally, we'd love to see you in action! Outside the world of research and data, what hobby or interest do you have that might surprise people?
I am passionate about cooking and traveling! I have a YouTube channel where I share my travel adventures (though I鈥檝e been too busy to post recently) and an Instagram page dedicated to my cooking. Exploring flavors and cultures through these hobbies brings me joy and helps me stay creative outside of research.
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Thank you both for sharing your inspiring stories!
