Join us in congratulating RHSC PhD Student Justin Turner on receiving a Doctoral Personnel Award for Indigenous Scholars!
The Heart & Stroke Foundation Personnel Awards for Indigenous Scholars Competition provides funding opportunities for Indigenous Master’s and Doctoral students who are pursuing studies in an area specific to heart or brain health. These awards aim to promote strategic growth in heart and brain health science with Indigenous communities by supporting Indigenous students to pursue their post graduate studies.
Tell us a little bit about your lab. What type of research are you conducting?
I’m proud to be a member of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Research Laboratory (PRRL), which is led by Dr. Pat Camp. Our lab conducts epidemiological, health services, and clinical research to improve health outcomes for individuals with chronic lung disease. We’re based out of St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, but a large portion of our lab’s recent work has taken us to First Nations communities in north central BC, where we collaborate with the healthcare and research organization Carrier Sekani Family Services. It’s a true joy getting to work with a diverse team of passionate researchers, clinicians, community members, and fellow graduate students—all while conducting highly impactful research.
What award did you win, and how will this help your research?
I received a Doctoral Personnel Award for Indigenous Scholars, which is jointly funded by the Brain Canada Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health. This award will support my living expenses during the final portion of my PhD, which will enable me to focus on finishing my doctoral research projects, writing my dissertation, and honing my skills as a scholar.
What do you like to do outside of academia?
Outside of my graduate studies, I enjoy attending concerts and stand-up comedy shows, watching movies (and keeping track of them on my Letterboxd account), and taking in the beautiful outdoor scenery of the Lower Mainland. I’m also always up for discovering new vegan cuisine options—either ordered from a restaurant or made at home from a recipe book.