Science Career Talks 2022

Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics - October 2022

To register for this event, click here. 

Claire Tanner: Biochemistry (Nutrition), Memorial University (2008-2011); transferred to B.Sc. in Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University (2014)
https://www.clairetanner.com/ 

Claire is a registered dietitian from St. John’s, Newfoundland. She lived in Nova Scotia, Ontario before finding her way back to Newfoundland. Her food philosophy is deeply rooted from her east coast background and feels food brings people together and can create that warm feeling of being “home” no matter where you are in the world.

Her work as a dietitian has been to help people improve their health through nutrition, while still enjoying the foods they eat and drink. She's had the opportunity to work with many different people throughout her career and in various places where she's called home. She's passionate about helping her clients establish a healthy relationship with food and eliminate stress associated with meal times. Claire is registered with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Dietitians as well as the College of Dietitians of Ontario

Tara Antle: B.Sc. AHN (Applie Human Nutrition), Mount Saint Vincent.; Natural Nutrition diploma, Holistic Nutrition, Canadian School of Natural Nutrition
https://healthy-balance.ca/tara-antle/ 

Tara is originally from St. John’s and has nearly two decades worth of experience working in the nutrition field across Canada, most recently in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. She has helped thousands of Newfoundlanders, Labradorians and Canadians reach their individual health goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Tara opened her own private nutrition consulting business, Healthy Balance, in St. John’s almost ten years ago and has recently expanded her business to become a Holistic Health Group.

Her diverse educational background blends together two very different ends of the nutrition spectrum. To encompass the traditional side of the dietetic field, she graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition Degree (BSc.AHN). She is also a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) and graduated from a two-year program at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in Ottawa, Ontario. Tara has since registered with the professional governing body Nutritional Consultants Organization of Canada, a division of the International Organization of Nutritional Consultants. This enables her to use the professional designation of Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner (RNCP). 

Olatunji Anthony Akerele, B.Sc. Food Science and Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria; M.Sc. in Nutritional Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom; Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry, Memorial University

Olatunji Anthony Akerele completed his B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria with a first class honors and proceeded to the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, as a Developing Solutions Scholar, where he completed his M.Sc. in Nutritional Sciences with distinction. He then moved to Canada in January 2015, to pursue his Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research to date has shown that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil are important in upregulating neurotrophin signaling in the fetal brain during pregnancy. Anthony published six first-author publications and a book chapter from his Ph.D. and has won several prestigious awards. Anthony represented Memorial University and won the first-place prize and the people’s choice award at the Eastern Region, as well as at the Canada-Wide Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Anthony is currently a Scientific Specialist at Eastern Health, NL, where he develops and manages clinical methodologies. Anthony is a fellow of Venture for Canada and the Memorial School of Graduate studies. He is a member of the Christian Missionary Fellowship International, Newfoundland. Anthony is a mentor to many young people, and he is happily married with two kids.

Heidi Boyd: Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry - Dietetics), Memorial University; Masters in Community Nutrition, University of Toronto

Heidi Boyd graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (Dietetics) from Memorial University in 2000 and worked as a clinical and community dietitian in Ontario and in the central part of Newfoundland and Labrador before going to the University of Toronto to complete a Masters in Community Nutrition in 2006. Since that time Heidi has worked in public health nutrition, nutrition education and communications. Heidi is currently the Provincial Nutritionist with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. In this role Heidi works both provincially and cross-nationally to support eating well across the lifecycle and is passionate about improving food security and access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food.

Allied Health Services - February 2022

Watch presentation:

Kathryn Bautista: B.Sc. (Biology), M.Sc. (Physiotherapy)

Kathryn graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Memorial University in 2014, and with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto in 2016. She started working at Wedgewood Physiotherapy in 2017, where she treats patients with orthopedic injuries, sports injuries, and patients with neurological conditions. She also does exercise-based physiotherapy programs for healthy aging and falls prevention in older adults. Kathryn is completing courses towards her Diploma of Advanced Orthopedic Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy. She has completed courses for treating patients with neurological conditions through the Canadian Bobath Instructors Association and is certified in LSVT BIG, a standardized treatment protocol for people with Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonian syndromes. 

Jillian Ryan: B.Sc. (Biochemistry), M.Sc. (Audiology)
Jillian complete a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Memorial University in 1999, followed by a Master of Science degree in Audiology from Dalhousie University in 2003. Jillian spent the next five years working as an audiologist in Halifax, NS with the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centre. She made the move back to Newfoundland to work with Eastern Health before opening her own centre. Jillian is currently the owner and a practicing audiologist with NewLife Hearing Health Centre here in St. John's, NL.

Sarah Humber and Susan Costello of Eastern Health
Sarah is currently the Project Manager for a new cancer centre build in Corner Brook, NL. After completing a BSc in Biology from Acadia University, Sarah went on to complete a BSc in Radiation Therapy from the University of Toronto and became a certified Medical Radiation Technologist in Radiation Therapy (MRT(T)). She then completed an MSc in Enhance Radiotherapy and Oncology Practice at Sheffield Hallam University. Sarah spent some time working in her field in Ontario before moving back to Newfoundland.
Susan is the current Division Manager for the Radiation Therapy unit and has been since 2019. She completed a BSc in Radiation Sciences at the University of Toronto and is a certified (MRT(T)). Susan worked as a Radiation Therapist at the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Centre in St. John's from 23004-2019.

Cassidy Welsh: B.Sc. Biology, M.Sc. Genetic Counselling (in-progress)
Cassidy Welsh graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in biology in 2019. She then went on to begin a Masters of Science in Medicine where her research focused on the genetics of psoriatic arthritis and is hoping to graduate in May 2022. After exploring genetic research, volunteering at the Provincial Medical Genetics Program, and various other organizations, she decided to pursue a career in genetic counselling. Cassidy is now a first-year genetic counselling student at Sarah Lawrence College in New York.