Nova Scotia International Student (NSIS) Project
Meet The Faculty Team:
Dr. Eugena Kwon
(Principal Investigator)
https://eugenakwon22.wixsite.com/mysite
Dr. Eugena Kwon an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Trent University. She holds a Collaborative Ph.D. in Sociology & Migration and Ethnic Relations (MER) from Western University.
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Dr. Kwon specializes in the following four inter-related research areas: (1) international migration (e.g., post-migration integration and settlement experiences of immigrants and international students); (2) sociology of work and occupations; (3) gender and professions; and (4) population health and well-being.
She is the principal investigator of NSIS project, and is also involved in several other COVID-19 related projects with the support from external funding agencies (e.g., SSHRC, NSERC, and CLARI). Dr. Kwon currently hold approximately $780,000 of external grants through multiple projects (both as principal investigator & as a co-applicant). Her projects involve close collaboration with community partners.
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Her work has been published in Gender Issues, AIDS Care, Sleep Health, Canadian Ethnic Studies, Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health and more. Please visit Dr. Kwon's website for more information about her work.
Dr. Min-Jung Kwak
(Co-Applicant)
Dr. Min-Jung Kwak is an Associate Professor in Geography & Environmental Studies, with extensive expertise in student mobility and the international education industry. Dr. Kwak’s research interests are broadly located at the intersection of economic, urban and social geography, with a regional focus on the Atlantic region.
Over the years, her research interests have been developed into four substantive areas: (1) Immigrant entrepreneurship, (2) Education migration and student mobility, (3) Immigrant healthcare services, and (4) Korean-Canadian studies.
Dr. Kwak Dr. Kwak is the P.I. of a SSHRC COVID PEG (2021-22) project which examines the impact of COVID on immigrant entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia.
Dr. Steven Smith
(Co-Applicant)
Dr. Steven Smith is a Professor of Psychology and the Associate Vice-President Academic & Enrolment Management at Saint Mary’s University.
He has 25 years of research experience in attitudes, persuasion, health promotion, survey design, factor analysis and data analysis. With more than 13 years of senior management experience, he has worked as both Associate Dean and Dean of Science at SMU.
He currently leads the Strategic Enrolment Management initiative for the university, an area he has worked (and published) in for close to a decade.
Dr. Michael Zhang
(Co-Applicant)
Dr. ​Michael Zhang is a healthcare economist and management scientist specializing in mental health services for children and youth.
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He has expertise in mental health services for youth and integrating academic and social support in a post-secondary setting.
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Michael is also a Co-Principal Investigator of a $2.5 million CIHR project, Atlantic Canada Children’s Effective Service & Strategies in Mental Health (ACCESS-MH).
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Dr. Kazumi Tsuchiya
(Collaborator)
Dr. Kazumi Tsuchiya is an Assistant Professor in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. She is a population health researcher who uses both quantitative and mixed methods approaches to examine health inequities. Her program of research includes social determinants of health, racial and ethnic and immigrant minority health disparities, immigration, and the impact of legal and citizenship status on health across the life course.
Dr. Gowoon Jung
(Collaborator)
Dr. Gowoon Jung is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. Dr. Jung’s research interests include gender/sexuality, religion, transnational family, educational migration, and international student mobility. She is the principal investigator of the NSF project supported by the Korean government, and the project examines Korean millennials and generation Z’s perception of shifting gender norms.
Katelynn Carter-Rogers
(Collaborator)
Katelynn Carter-Rogers is a PhD Student in the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University. Katelynn is a highly skilled social science researcher and consultant with a decade of experience in advanced statistics, research design, student intervention and success, and attitudes measurement. Katelynn has been involved in research focused on marginalized populations (including indigenous populations), barriers to success, and interventions leading to successful transitions.
Student Research Team:
Brianna Roy
( Research Assistant)
Brianna is a compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking Anthropology graduate from Saint Mary’s University. Throughout her time as a Saint Mary’s student, she has developed an interest in researching the effects of food insecurity in Canada, even participating in a student-driven research project on that topic.
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In the next few years, she aspires to further her education by completing a Bachelor of Social Work and someday becoming a registered social worker. Brianna is passionate about many social issues, primarily youth mental health and barriers to people with disabilities. She hopes to someday work in a career where she feels like she is helping make a positive impact, no matter how small.
Katherine Pindera
(Research Assistant - Team Lead)
Katherine is a candidate for the Master of Arts in International Development Studies at Saint Mary’s University. She graduated from Saint Mary’s with a Bachelor of Arts in Hons. International Development Studies, and recently completed her thesis titled “Confronting the Contagion: Cuba’s Response to the SARS-CoV-2 Virus”. In the M.A. program, she plans to expand her current research in her area of interest– research and development of biotechnology products in Cuba, and global health equity.
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She has always been passionate about learning, equity in education and considers herself to be a lifelong-learner. Katherine is driven by her established values of trust and community in which she strives to never leave any doubt of the integrity of her intentions.
Meylin Zink Yi
( Research Assistant)
Meylin is a graduate student in the Master’s of Applied Health Service Research (MAHSR) at Saint Mary’s University and holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Pedagogy - Ecojustice and Sustainability Education from UBC. Meylin is also a certified horticulturist and strengths and organization coach. She is a life-long learner who is passionate about individual and community wellbeing as well as plants and the natural world.
Her current research focuses on the perceived effects of climate and environmental changes on the health and wellbeing of youth in Indigenous and vulnerable populations. Meylin’s practices are greatly influenced by her previous experience and exposure to environmental conservation and education, equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous frameworks.
Project Collaborators:
Dr. Yujiro Sano
(Collaborator)
Dr. Yujiro Sano is a post-doctoral researcher at Nipissing University.
He is a quantitative researcher with expertise in youth migration, immigration, population mobility and health/well-being.
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Dr. Emmanuel Kyeremeh
(Collaborator)
Dr. Emmanuel Kyeremeh is a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto.
He has research expertise in immigrant integration, social networks of international immigrants.
Past Members of the Student Research Team:
Kadeem Joseph
( Research Assistant)
Kadeem is a driven, decisive, and hardworking Human Resource and Psychology graduate from Saint Mary’s University. His passion for understanding individuals in the workplace has increased his interest in pursuing a master’s degree in industrial-Organizational Psychology or Human Resource Management.
In pursing this degree, he hopes to explore how favoritism and nepotism plays a role in the workplace and how it impacts minorities on a whole.
Mackenzie Green
(Research Assistant - Team Lead)
Mackenzie is in the process of completing her Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Throughout her time in university, she has developed a passion for being a part of sociological research projects, especially on topics concerning racial and ethnic diversity and mental illness.
She aspires to pursue a career in the educational field to inspire youth and make policy changes that promote an inclusive learning environment. She aims to eventually become an educator at the university level and continue her interest in conducting research.
Brooke Taylor
(Research Intern)
Brooke Is a determined and inspired undergraduate student at Saint Mary’s University, who is working towards completing an Honours in sociology. Brooke aspires to then complete a Bachelor of Education after her undergraduate degree.
She is passionate about challenging herself, and those around her, to be open-minded, accepting of new perspectives and believes that she can best contribute in this way through being an educator. It has become increasingly important for Brooke to continuously explore the social world around us and flourish in new understandings and discoveries.
Swaraj Shrestha
(Research Intern)
Dedicated and results-oriented, Swaraj is heading towards the 2nd year in his Bachelor's degree in Computing Science and Business Administration at Saint Mary’s University.
He has always been interested in problem solving - finding elegant and efficient solutions, which is one of the main reasons for pursuing Computer Science.
Thus, in a technologically advancing world, he plans to contribute by accumulating technical knowledge from computing science and analytical thinking from business studies.
Focus Group Team:
Megan Murphy
(Focus Group Facilitator)
Megan is a driven and analytical academic, currently completing the final requirements for her master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Saint Mary’s University after which she has been accepted to pursue her Ph.D. in the same field. Most of her research and projects are driven by her passion for diversity and inclusion.
Her purpose as an I/O psychologist is to explore ways to make the workplace a more welcoming and comfortable environment for all. She hopes to do so by following her dream of becoming a professor in her field as well as offering her expertise as a consultant to various organizations part-time.
Gabriel Nimoh
(Focus Group Facilitator)
Gabriel Nimoh Tawiah is a Master of Art (Geography) student at Saint Mary’s University, NS. His research investigates issues concerning Immigrant Experiences and Challenges and his current thesis explores Black entrepreneurship in Halifax, NS.
His career goal is to work in a research institution or immigrant serving organization which will give him the opportunity to be part of the minds that seek to find lasting and practical solutions to migration problems and provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need.
Collaborating Partner Organizations:
PLANifax
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(Collaborative project funded by CLARI )
Collaboration funded through CLARI Action Research Grant, for a project titled:
“The impact of COVID-19 on recent immigrants and international students in Nova Scotia.”
EduNova Co-operative Ltd
(Collaborative project funded by SSHRC )
Collaboration funded through SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant, for a project titled:
“The changing nature of work and learning in the COVID-19 era and the impact on international students’ health and well-being in Nova Scotia.”
Wix.com
(Sponsor for our personal branding workshop)
"Personal branding workshop: Building an online presence for career success."
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Co-organized by:
Dr. Eugena Kwon from Saint Mary's University, EduNova Co-operative Ltd, and Wix! (wix.com)
Fri, July 16th, 1PM (AST) / 12PM (EST)
Communication Team:
Jerisa Haque
(Media Coordinator)
Jerisa is a recent graduate from Saint Mary’s University, with a BA in Anthropology and Sociology.
She is working towards a UX Research and Design career and has a keen interest in social issues and research, and viewing them through an anthropological lens.
The international student/immigrant experience is an important topic she hopes to address throughout her career as a research and UX designer -- by digging deep into structural and organizational problems and approaching them with empathy.
Swaraj Shrestha
(Media Coordinator)
Dedicated and results-oriented, Swaraj is heading towards the 2nd year in his Bachelor's degree in Computing Science and Business Administration at Saint Mary’s University.
He has always been interested in problem solving - finding elegant and efficient solutions, which is one of the main reasons for pursuing Computer Science.
Thus, in a technologically advancing world, he plans to contribute by accumulating technical knowledge from computing science and analytical thinking from business studies.
Funded By:
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CLARI Action Research Grant – “The impact of COVID-19 on recent immigrants and international students in Nova Scotia.”
SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant – COVID-19 Special Initiative: ​"The changing nature of work and learning during the COVID-19 era and the impact on international students’ health and well-being in Nova Scotia." -
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SSHRC Insight Development Grant – "The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on international students’ school-to-work transition and pathways to permanent residency."
