YouAlberta
This week, we are profiling finalists for the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. 3MT condenses thousands of words and years of research led by graduate students who are making a difference in the local and global community. Check out all of the finalist profiles and vote for the People’s Choice Awards. Find out if your pick was a winner during the livestreamed Finals on March 29, 2022 at 1 pm MST.
Tell us about your research!
I am researching how school communities can help students have healthy sleep habits, also known as school-based sleep promotion. I hope my research helps schools, teachers and families learn and practice healthy sleep behaviours, leading to lower rates of childhood anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes and other negative consequences associated with poor sleep.
How did presenting a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) help explain your research to the public?
3MT is a great platform to help my research reach more than schools. I hope my 3MT plays a small part in shifting society's perspective on sleep. Sleep should be considered part of a healthy lifestyle, same as healthy eating or physical activity.
What does innovation mean to you?
To me, innovation means driving positive change.
What’s one big problem you want to solve through your work?
Inadequate sleep in childhood.
Who do you look up to as a mentor or collaborator?
Dr. Kate Storey, Genevieve Montemurro, Ever Active Schools and APPLE Schools.
Why is the University of Alberta a great place to learn, research and/or innovate?
My research supervisor once called a master's of science a "choose your own adventure." I feel as though this really captures the number of opportunities available at the U of A. As an M.Sc. student, I was able to explore courses, mentorships, training and volunteer opportunities. The opportunities were endless and I had to zone in on what I wanted to know. These opportunities helped me better understand the system in which my research aims to generate positive change.
Innovator Spotlight is a series that introduces you to students whose big ideas are making a big difference.
Do you know someone who’s breaking boundaries at the U of A? (Maybe it’s you!) We’re interested in hearing from students who are creating new solutions to make our world better, no matter their discipline or year of study.
Get in touch at youblog@ualberta.ca.