This month's Scholars to Leaders session will host a panel discussion next Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. entitled The Power of a PhD - Conversations with PhDs working outside of Academia.
DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 2022
TIME: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Zoom
REGISTER NOW ON ZOOM
About the Panel
The power of a PhD transcends beyond the walls of academia, and understanding its value will assist trainees with effective self-promotion as they enter the job market. This session hosts panelists from various academic backgrounds who successfully translated their unique PhD skillset to diverse career paths. The session is intended to give you the opportunity to actively participate in an open discussion by submitting questions for the panelists beforehand, or contributing during the live question period.
Join your peers and celebrate the value of your PhD!
The expert panel includes:
- Dr. Helaina Gaspard - Director, Governance & Institutions at the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy
- Dr. Amanda Lorbergs - Manager, Research and Knowledge Translation at the Canadian Frailty Network
- Dr. Mark Neuert - Subject Matter Lead at Enbridge Pipelines
- Dr. Valencia Gaspard - Senior Policy Analyst at Natural Resources Canada's Major Projects Management Office
- Dr. Reza Ashouri Talooki - Program Assistant at Immigration, Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Panelist Bios
Dr. Helaina Gaspard is a researcher, advisor, teacher, and convener. Her work focuses on the state institutions that incentivize and govern the behaviour of actors, influencing the performance of organizations and public policy outcomes. Helaina holds an Hon. B.A. from Western, an M.A. from Queen's University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Amanda Lorbergs is the Manager of Research and Knowledge Translation at the Canadian Frailty Network (CFN), where she is responsible for developing, overseeing, and managing various CFN-led and CFN-funded evidence-based initiatives related frailty identification, treatment, and mitigation. Prior to this position, she received her doctorate in Rehabilitation Science from McMaster University, MSc (Kinesiology) from the University of Saskatchewan, and BSc (Human Kinetics) from the University of Guelph. Dr. Lorbergs was a National Institutes of Aging T32 postdoctoral fellow at BIDMC/Harvard Medical School where she trained in geriatrics and musculoskeletal epidemiology. In addition, Dr. Lorbergs obtained postdoctoral training in orthopedic clinical trials at Western University at the Wolf Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory and Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic. Dr. Lorbergs has a breadth of research experience and interests, including musculoskeletal aging, using medical imaging technologies to evaluate bone and muscle response to aging and targeted interventions, frailty, health promotion, and knowledge translation.
Dr. Mark Neuert received his Masters in 2011 and PhD in 2016 Western University performing research on applications of computational and numerical methods applied to biomechanical applications involving ulnar implants and craniofacial fracture and morphology. Leveraging the skills and experience in finite element modeling and statistical methods, Mark moved on to work for C-FER technologies, an engineering consulting firm in Edmonton, Alberta using finite element analysis and monte carlo simulation to assess pipeline integrity for major pipeline companies across North America. He now works as a subject matter lead in the Pipeline Integrity at Enbridge Pipelines.
Dr. Valencia Gaspard is a researcher, lecturer, and public servant. Currently a Senior Policy Analyst at Natural Resources Canada's Major Projects Management Office, Valencia's respect for rural communities is the driving force behind all her work. Valencia holds a PhD in Rural Studies, an MSc in Rural Planning and Development from the University of Guelph and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology from Western University. You can always find Valencia trying out new recipes in the kitchen and finding new hiking trails to explore.
Dr. Reza Ashouri Talooki completed B.A and M.A degrees in Arts - English Literature - in Iran and a PhD in Comparative Literature at Western University in 2017. However, he started teaching some credit and non-credit courses at Seneca College, Centennial College, and some high schools in Toronto between 2017 and 2018. Later in September 2018, Reza got into an M.A program in Public Policy and Administration at Ryerson University and focused his study on policy analysis and research, especially in areas such as immigration, education, and community development. Slightly prior to his graduation, Reza got a job as a Research Manager and Immigration Coordinator with the YMCA of Northern Alberta in Fort McMurray, where he managed community-based needs assessment and coordinated community engagement plans and activities. He left the position to join his family in Toronto after the pandemic. After teaching at Lambton College, Mississauga campus, and working on a part-time basis as a Compliance Researcher for a private consulting office in Toronto, Reza applied for Federal Gov. jobs and entered Immigration, Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as a Case Processing Clerk in Mississauga. Reza is currently working with IRCC in Scarborough as a Program Assistant and hopes to obtain a position as a Policy Analyst or Program Manager.
