Candace Nykiforuk appointed Vice Dean of the School of Public Health
Donna McKinnon - 2 July 2026
Dr. Candace Nykiforuk, Vice Dean, School of Public Health
Congratulations to Dr. Candace Nykiforuk, PhD, CE, on her appointment as the next Vice Dean of the School of Public Health. Her term officially commenced on July 1, 2026 for a three-year, renewable term.
An accomplished leader and professor within the School, Candace brings a wealth of institutional expertise from her previous tenure as Associate Dean of Research and Research Programs (2019–2022). Throughout her distinguished career, she has taken a deeply collaborative approach in both her leadership roles and in her research, which focuses heavily on financial wellbeing, chronic disease prevention and the profound impact that community environments have on overall health.
“In the spirit of the School of Public Health's Leadership for Societal Impact Strategic Plan 2025-2029, I am inspired by the potential transformative future for the School,” says Candace, adding that the School has the tools needed to build a strong, intentional foundation for that future.
“Our School is uniquely positioned to bridge innovative public health training, research and leadership with the urgent needs of communities to respond to many overlapping public health issues in this time of dynamic social and environmental change,” she says. “I am very excited to be part of the current senior leadership team that will be stewarding the School towards achieving its strategic vision.”
As a champion of community-centred health initiatives, Candace’s research tackles some of the most critical challenges in modern public health. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, her research integrates quantitative and qualitative techniques, including GIS mapping and spatial analysis, to translate applied public health into actionable policy. She is the founder and scientific director for the Centre for Healthy Communities and is a recipient of the prestigious Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Community Environments and Public Policy for Well-being.
Candace is also a proud U of A alumna, holding a BA in Geography, followed by a MA in Recreation and Leisure Studies and PhD in Health Studies and Gerontology from the University of Waterloo.
Looking ahead, she is excited to help bring the School's strategic goals to life — navigating new challenges and harnessing its unique strengths to create a lasting impact.
When she steps away from work, however, Candace is firmly rooted in the community and is thrilled about the return of Edmonton's Heritage Festival to Hawrelak Park.
“I'm looking forward to visiting as many booths and events as possible at the Festival with my family,” she says. “It is really an amazing, one-of-kind festival that shows the best of Edmonton's multicultural community and it is always wonderful to spend time at the park.”
Thank you, Dr. Maria Mayan, for seven incredible years of steadfast stewardship and exceptional leadership as the School’s (outgoing) Vice Dean.
Contact information for administrative staff and senior leaders in the School can be found here.