Sandy Zhang

Sandy is currently working on CervixCheck, a web-based application which utilizes HPV self-collection kits to improve cervical cancer screening in BC. Sandy is involved with community engagement to help guide and inform CervixCheck’s online platform. Her role focuses on engaging with patients and clinicians in four family practices through administering a cross-sectional survey to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the program. Her work will provide knowledge and insight into the acceptability of CervixCheck in preparation for its launch.

Sandy’s favorite part of her practicum thus far has been the opportunity to connect with women in the community and work with frontline health care teams to better understand and address the existing barriers to cervical screening through a unique program like CervixCheck.

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Catherine Sanders

Catherine is excited to be completing her practicum with the Advances in Screening and Prevention in Reproductive Cancers (ASPIRE) project. The most recent ASPIRE initiative is a pragmatic, randomized control trial in rural Uganda which compares 3 different approaches to cervical cancer screening.  Her role has been to assist with the design and implementation of the study, primarily through the development of standard operating procedures, training materials, and data collection forms. The most valuable aspect of her practicum has been gaining knowledge and experience in Implementation Science as an ideal approach to conducting research and improving health care and health service delivery in low- and middle-income countries.

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Kara Plotnikoff

Kara shares her time between the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Women’s Health Research Institute. Kara has been involved in the development, implementation, and analysis of a survey for BCCDC STI clinic clients exploring their perceptions about STI vaccines as an emerging form of prevention and treatment. Kara is also working with STRIVE-BC to plan a pre-conference symposium dedicated to the research and development of STI vaccines at a global scale, to be held preceding the STI & HIV World Congress in July 2019. Kara enjoys her time at the WHRI because of the ample opportunities to learn about the important and ground-breaking work in the field of women’s health research while being immersed in a dynamic and forward-thinking environment. She can often be found attending rounds or listening to webinars and live-streams trying to learn as much as she can about research and research methods.

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Christine Lukac, MPH

As part of Dr. Ogilvie’s team, I am studying the impact of the school based Human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program on the rates of genital warts (GW) in BC. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection, and GARDASIL®4 is a highly efficacious vaccine that protects against four HPV serotypes, including 6 and 11 which are associated with 90% of GWs. In 2008, the first cohorts of girls were immunized in grades 6 and 9, and by 2017 they reached the age of sexual maturity. Among the first immunized cohort, some women are now sexually active and may have been exposed to HPV. This work is timely and the results are highly anticipated by public health stakeholders in BC to monitor attainment of population health targets and optimize the HPV immunization program.

This project has afforded an opportunity to practice research skills during all stages of the study: literature review, project planning, data access, data management and analysis, communicating results, writing a manuscript, and submission for publication. I am grateful to be working with Dr. Ogilvie as she creates learning opportunities, promotes the strengths of her team members, and builds collaboration between her networks. For example, Dr. Ogilvie connected me with Dr. Robine Donken, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Vaccine Evaluation Center and Women’s Health Research Institute. One of my favourite and enjoyable parts of working on this project has been meeting with Dr. Donken on a weekly basis to discuss progress and next steps in data management and analysis.

Connect with Christine: LinkedIn