Keeping up with Knowledge Translation

The Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU), is excited to share with you a new capacity development pilot series, Keeping up with Knowledge Translation. Each session will touch on both the practice and science of KT and will highlight researchers and organizations in the Maritimes. 

The webinar series will be of interest to key stakeholders across the health care community including health care professionals, Patient Partners, trainees, policy-makers, and researchers.

This pilot series will take place every second month, with our third session being on Thursday, March 18.  Please see below for event details and registration.

Session 3: The Science and Practice of Communication

Presenter(s):

Sarah Nersesian, MSc, PhD Candidate 
Sarah Nersesian is a passionate researcher who loves to share scientific knowledge through illustrations and other visual communication strategies. She obtained her MSc in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Queen’s University and is currently completing her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at Dalhousie University focusing on exploring the impact of intra-tumoural immune cells on tumour development and treatment responses. Over her academic journey, she has published her research in journals including, The British Medical Journal, Scientific Reports, The American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, , Oncoimmunology, Frontiers of Immunology, Bladder Cancer, and The Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer. Many of these publications were accompanied by her custom scientific illustrations. With her unique expertise combining scientific communication strategies with illustration and graphic design, Sarah founded Designs that Cell in 2017. Sarah’s vision for the company was a space where “scien-artists” such as herself and others could combine their scientific foundation with their visual communication skills to illustrate the ideas of other members of the scientific community. She is a senior illustrator at Designs that Cell and oversees all its operations.

Natasha Vitkin, MSc, MPH 
Natasha Vitkin is a science communicator passionate about using visual knowledge translation strategies to promote equity and improve population health. She completed her MSc at Queen’s University in cancer immunology and recently obtained her MPH at Simon Fraser University where she took a variety of courses exploring the social determinants of health. She is currently working as a research assistant at Simon Fraser University investigating barriers that LGBTQ2+ populations encounter when accessing mental health care. Her research has been published in numerous journals including Frontiers of Immunology, The American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, and the British Journal of Cancer. Natasha joined Designs that Cell in 2018. Beginning as an illustrator and social media manager, her role has evolved as the company has grown to include client management, marketing, and research.

Please email Julia Kontak, Knowledge Translation Coordinator at Julia.Kontak@nshealth.ca for late registration and to receive the zoom link.