My research focusses on investigating the associations between environmental and occupational exposures and a number of adverse health outcomes. Specific projects include evaluating the impacts of long-term exposure to air pollution and the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and dementia. I also study the health benefits of urban greenness which include how these features of the built environment help promote physical activity, and reduce the risk of mortality, and adverse birth outcomes. My research activities have also investigated the impacts of urban greenness in reducing harmful exposures of air pollution, noise, and urban heat island. My graduate students have participated in these research activities by conducting field work, and also working with large administrative health datasets.
More recently, I am undertaking a number of studies that evaluate the human health effects of low dose radiation. These studies include examining the cancer and mortality risks among workers in the Canadian National Dose Registry, and examining exposure to radon progeny and lung cancer risk among the Newfoundland Fluorspar miners. In 2020, I was awarded CIHR funding to examine patterns of mortality and cancer incidence among Canadians who live near the five nuclear power plants.
My substantive area of expertise is in the fields of epidemiology, biostatistics and environmental health. I am currently a Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics and in the Department and Neuroscience at Carleton University. I am also an Affiliate Scientist at the Ontario Occupational Cancer Research Centre in Toronto, and an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Public Health. I serve on the Advisory Committee for the Canadian Health Adaptations, Innovations, and Mobilization (CHAIM) Centre at Carleton (https://carleton.ca/chaimcentre/), and am a member of the Scientific Council for Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Québec
Students with an interest in biostatistics and environmental and occupational health are encouraged to contact me about training opportunities. At this time, I am considering applications to MSc/PHd training programs in Statistics at Carleton University, and epidemiology programs at McGill and Queen’s Universities where I hold adjunct appointments and am able to supervise students.
Students who have an interest in joining my research team are encouraged to provide me with a single PDF document that outlines their specific research interest, a current curriculum vitae, as well as a writing sample.
