What does receiving a Banting Fellowship mean to you?
Coming from an immigrant blue-collar family with no prior connection to academia, walking the path of an academic has been challenging on so many levels, professionally and personally. This award helps confirm that the 11 years of effort I have put into my research, community, and leadership endeavours have been recognized at the highest level. It validates the sacrifices, late nights, and persistence that have shaped my journey.
More than just financial support, the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship represents an opportunity to further contribute to my field, collaborate with leading scholars, and continue making a meaningful impact. It also serves as a reminder that underrepresented individuals have a place in academia and bring valuable perspectives to the table.
Tell us about your Banting research.
My research focuses on advancing equity across healthcare systems. For my postdoctoral work, I am developing and testing material to help train interprofessional clinicians to engage in more inclusive communication with diverse patients. Through teaching about and giving clinicians opportunities to practice with real-world cases that address race, culture, immigration, religion, sex, gender, and disability justice, my goal is to ensure that clinicians are better equipped to provide compassionate, patient-centred, and holistic care across all healthcare settings.
About postdoc life
What inspired you to pursue a postdoc at McMaster?
McMaster is an international champion for medical education and health equity, making this a perfect home for my postdoctoral work. Additionally, I am extremely excited to work with Dr. Hsien Seow who is a world leader in building and evaluating community-based educational programs to improve serious illness communication.
What aspect of your postdoc are you most excited about?
I am most excited about the opportunity to translate research into real-world impact. By embedding health equity into medical training for clinicians, my work has the potential to directly improve patient care, especially for those from diverse and vulnerable communities. I am also eager to collaborate with leading experts, learn from clinicians on the ground, and refine innovative education strategies. The chance to conduct a large-scale trial and see tangible improvements in clinician communication, and ultimately patient experiences, is extremely motivating.
When you’re not busy being a postdoctoral researcher, how do you like to spend your free time?
When I’m not immersed in research, I love spending time with my dog. He brings so much joy to my world and constantly reminds me that unconditional love is a remedy to even the most challenging of days.
Beyond your Banting postdoc
After your postdoc, what do you see as the next step in your life journey?
After my postdoc, I hope to continue building a career that bridges research, education, and real-world impact in academia. My goal is to drive meaningful change across healthcare systems by integrating health equity into education and practice. I aim to develop initiatives that ensure equity is not just an aspiration but a measurable and sustainable part of how healthcare is delivered. No matter where the next step takes me, I want my work to make a meaningful difference for patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems as a whole.