A new scholarship focused on advancing critical health-care research will support a Brock University student summer placement with the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute (NHKI).

Co-funded by the University and the knowledge institute, the NHKI-Brock University Summer Student Research Scholarship, valued at $10,000, will enable one Brock undergraduate student enrolled in a health-related program to pursue a research-focused placement at the NHKI between May and August.

NHKI participates in research and multi-centre clinical trials in cardiology, critical care medicine, emergency medicine, hematology and transfusion medicine, neurology, oncology and thrombosis with a commitment to improving the quality of patient care.

Michelle McGinn (left), Brock’s Acting Vice-President, Research, and Dr. Jennifer Tsang, NHKI Executive Director and Chief Scientist, at Niagara Health’s St. Catharines Hospital.

Scholarship recipients will work alongside an NHKI researcher to contribute to an existing research project. Depending upon the project, the student will assist with data collection, entry, validation and analysis as well as abstract writing and presenting study findings or updates.

“We’re very excited to co-fund the NHKI-Brock University Summer Student Research Scholarship,” says Brock University Acting Vice-President, Research Michelle McGinn. “We value our long-running, fruitful partnership with Niagara Health and share their passion for developing students’ research skills and networks in a real-world setting.”

In addition to collaborations in research, Niagara Health and Brock work together to provide students with clinical placements and graduates with career opportunities, most from Brock’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

“This new scholarship not only demonstrates our ongoing commitment to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities in Niagara and around the world, it offers a unique experiential learning opportunity for our students to contribute to research in a community hospital setting that will help uncover critical knowledge and offer evidence to advance health policy and practices,” says Peter Tiidus, Dean for Brock’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

Complementing the NHKI’s collaboration with Brock University, the NHKI has also partnered with Niagara College and the Thrombosis and Artherosclerosis Research Institute to provide two additional scholarships available to post-secondary students.

The goal of the scholarships is to support the retention of high-potential students in Niagara, says Dr. Jennifer Tsang, Niagara Health Intensivist and NHKI Executive Director and Chief Scientist.

“These partnerships will expose students to a vibrant and prolific research environment committed to advancing patient care and treatment locally and beyond. In the process, they’ll develop valuable research skills and new networks within a community hospital research setting to carry forward in their careers while contributing to the growth of the NHKI,” she says.

Students have until Thursday, March 28 to apply to the NHKI-Brock University Summer Student Research Scholarship. More information is available on the Niagara Health website.

All student recipients will be acknowledged at Niagara Health Research Day, taking place Thursday, May 2 at Niagara College.