Health Data Analytics Symposium demonstrates the power of applied analytics in healthcare

MBAN students at the Health Data Analytics Symposium at Saint Mary’s University

Sobey School of Business Dean Dr. Michel Delorme

MBAN students presented their projects

Healthcare and data executives in attendance

As healthcare systems face increasing operational complexity, the ability to translate data into clear, actionable insight has become essential. The second edition of Saint Mary’s University’s Health Data Analytics Symposium brought this challenge into focus through applied analytics projects developed inside Nova Scotia Health, offering a practical view of how data can support decision-making in real clinical and operational environments.

The Symposium showcased work completed by Master of Business Analytics (MBAN) students during their internships with Nova Scotia Health. Embedded within teams across the system, students worked with live data, real constraints and active problems to explore issues such as workforce planning, scheduling fairness, emergency department flow and patient experience. The projects were not theoretical exercises, but responses to questions the health system continues to actively grapple with.

Building on the momentum of its inaugural year, the Symposium demonstrated how applied analytics can bridge the gap between academic learning and system needs. The student presentations reflected not only technical capability but also an understanding of the healthcare context, collaboration and the human implications of data-informed decisions.

For healthcare leaders in attendance, the relevance of the work was evident.

“Watching a master’s student take a theoretical concept and move it into an applied project that speaks directly to workforce risk is incredibly powerful,” said Matthew Murphy, Vice President, Organizational Support and Readiness at Emergency Medical Care Inc. and former Chief Data Officer at Nova Scotia Health. “That kind of work is important not only for Nova Scotia Health, but for healthcare systems more broadly.”

Several projects focused on workforce sustainability and operational resilience, areas of growing concern across the healthcare sector. Others examined patient flow and experience in high-pressure environments such as emergency departments, highlighting how thoughtful use of data can support more timely decision-making and improved outcomes.

Scott McKenna of Nova Scotia Health noted that the partnership with Saint Mary’s continues to evolve, reinforcing its value for both organizations. He emphasized that the collaboration supports talent development while also helping the health system explore new analytical approaches to complex challenges.

For students, the opportunity to work inside the health system provided learning that could not be replicated in the classroom alone.

“ “Working within Nova Scotia Health helped me understand how analytics can reduce bias, support staff, and improve decision-making while keeping care human-centered.””

— Yilong Wu, MBAN student

MBAN student Yilong Wu, who presented an intelligent scheduling system for MRI staff, described the experience as transformative. “Efficiency matters, but people matter more,” he said.

Another student presenter, Abhinethra Rajamoorthi Gangamani, focused on a predictive analytics system using data to identify risk factors associated with patients leaving without being seen. The project required in-depth engagement with operational workflows and a clear understanding of how healthcare data is processed from raw inputs to the dashboards used by clinicians and patients.

Industry partners in attendance emphasized that grounding analytics in real environments is critical. Kevin Fournier of Microsoft highlighted the importance of strong data foundations and clarity of purpose.

“In today’s world, data is the foundation of decision-making,” he said. “What stood out was how clearly students understood the problem, the data behind it and how their solutions could support better outcomes.”

From the Sobey School of Business perspective, the Symposium reflects a deliberate approach to applied learning and system engagement. Faculty leadership emphasized that embedding students within complex organizations strengthens both analytical capability and professional judgement, helping graduates contribute meaningfully from the outset of their careers.

Dr. Michael Zhang, MBAN Program Director, noted that working directly with Nova Scotia Health enables students to develop a deeper understanding of context, constraints and impact, leading to more relevant and responsible analytical work.

In her opening remarks, Susan MacDonald, Vice-President, Finance and Administration at Saint Mary’s University, underscored the broader institutional importance of partnerships like this one. She emphasized that universities play a critical role not only in educating students but also in contributing to provincial capacity by supporting workforce development and system improvement.

Together, the student work and partner perspectives demonstrated how applied analytics, developed through close collaboration between academia and the health system, can support better decisions, stronger operations and improved patient experience. As healthcare continues to evolve, the Health Data Analytics Symposium offers a growing platform for aligning education and practice in the service of complex, real-world challenges.

Saint Mary’s is offering a new Graduate Diploma in Health Data Analytics program starting in September 2026. Apply now!

Digging deeper: Unearthing Beechville's past through research and real-world learning

When Anthropology Professor Dr. Jonathan Fowler first walked into the community of Beechville over a decade ago, he thought he was taking on a small side project. "I began working at Beechville as an archaeologist in 2013," he says. "What began as just a little sidebar exercise grew over time."

The deeper he stepped into the woods with community members, students and new technology, the more he realized the work wasn't just about mapping the past – it was about reconnecting a community with its own history.

Beechville, founded just over 200 years ago by formerly enslaved people who self-emancipated during the War of 1812, carries a legacy that feels alive beneath the forest floor.

““Anytime we encounter the remnants of places that were formerly inhabited, we kind of encounter an echo of humanity. There’s this still resonant human story remaining in the things left behind.””

— Dr. Jonathan Fowler

Dr. Jonathan Fowler with Ben Sheffar at Beechville

That story is especially powerful because many of today's Black Nova Scotians trace their connections back to these freedom fighters. "A lot of that story has been kind of lost through the process," Dr. Fowler says. That's why the Beechville community chose to work alongside Dr. Fowler and his students, as "collaborators and co-creators of knowledge," committed to uncovering and understanding the site together.

For Dr. Fowler, the project quickly became far more than research. "It's been really, really interesting and also very emotionally and personally satisfying," he says. "This is exciting work. It's academic work. It's community work… It's kind of soul craft."

A classroom under the canopy

Recent graduate Ben Sheffar participated in Dr. Fowler’s Beechville field school

One of the first students to step into the thicket was anthropology student Ben Sheffar BA'25, whose academic path took a turn the moment they joined Dr. Fowler in the field.

Before working on the project, Ben admits their ideas of archaeology came from TV: a "dramatized version." But Beechville changed all that. "I did not fully grasp how systematic and organized everything truly is on archaeological sites," they say.

Even with museum experience under their belt, the reality of the work – deep brush, uneven terrain and the need for quick adaptation – came as a surprise.

Dr. Fowler remembers watching students like Ben transform. On day one, the forest was disorienting. Within days, something shifted.

““Seeing the students get out of the classroom, get into the brush...There’s a kind of experiential learning that takes place only in that environment. You can’t do it with PowerPoint on campus.””

— Dr. Jonathan Fowler

In the field, learning becomes hands-on in a way the classroom can't replicate. Students begin to recognize signs of the old community just by looking closely at the forest floor, such as shallow cavities in the earth where cellars were located, and linear stone features that once formed walls or boundaries. They even learn how to spot old gardening areas by noticing unusual piles or patterns of rocks. "All of this is without digging yet," Dr. Fowler explains. "We start with remote sensing and then move on to our bushwhacking."

Ben recalls the on-the-ground learning vividly. Technology that worked in the classroom was suddenly challenging to use in a dense forest. "This required us to adjust our strategy and use a different method in the field," Ben says. "That adaptation is central to the work."

When community brings the past to life

Both point to community connections as the heart of the project.

Beechville resident Bev Jarvis-Alfenick, seen in Ben’s video: Uncovering Beechville: Surveying a 19th century settlement built by Black Refugees

For Ben, the most powerful moment came when Beechville residents joined them on site. "Working with community members, specifically having them in the survey space and sharing personal experiences about the area where their families might have been for at least a hundred years — it made the work 10 times more important to be trusted with those stories."

Dr. Fowler says research becomes most meaningful when academic perspectives and community knowledge come together.

"Community has their own perspective, informed by its traditions, memories and experience; a very intimate kind of experience on the land," he explains. When that insight meets the archeological and archival work he brings to the project, something more profound emerges. "When you put those two things together, you get a resulting picture that brings together these two incomplete experiences."

A new kind of storytelling

For Ben, the Beechville project was a chance to merge two passions. "I had started making videos for classes… it began on a smaller scale in high school, but significantly increased," they say. So, when the field school came up, they saw an opportunity and approached Dr. Fowler about creating a video that could serve both the research and the community.

Ben used their passion for storytelling and video to highlight the Beechville project

Ben filmed almost every day in the forest, often carrying a large tripod and camera, and later sorted through over a terabyte of footage to shape the story. What mattered most was capturing lived experience: "I consciously included at least one person each day who could reflect on the topic, which makes the lessons highly valuable."

The process showed Ben what was possible. "It cemented my ability to perform this type of work if I commit to it," they share. For the community, the video became a bridge – a way to see and feel the research in a more accessible and human way.

Dr. Fowler believes this kind of storytelling is essential. "It's not enough to do good science in the field," he says. "You really have to put a lot of emphasis on knowledge mobilization and communication."

Lighting the spark

Dr. Fowler often says his job isn't simply to teach, but to ignite curiosity. "I'm just there trying to strike those sparks into the tinder. Job number one is: can I make a little flame? If the flame starts, everything else follows."

For Ben, that spark caught quickly. Their experience through the Beechville project – which combined fieldwork, community connection and filmmaking – clarified the kind of work they want to pursue. Today, the recent graduate works full-time as a media professional at Detect in Burnside, expanding their camera kit and even becoming a licensed drone operator. It's work that blends everything Ben loves, letting them keep growing as both a storyteller and a researcher at heart.

And in Beechville's forest, where history, community and curiosity meet, those sparks continue to shape students and the stories they help bring to life.

Watch Ben’s video: Uncovering Beechville: Surveying a 19th century settlement built by Black Refugees on YouTube.

Sobey MBA ranked among Top 40 in the world for sustainability by Corporate Knights

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that the Sobey School of Business MBA program has been ranked among the Top 40 MBA programs worldwide in the Corporate Knights 2025 Better World MBA Ranking—a global benchmark for sustainability-focused business education. 

This international recognition highlights the Sobey MBA’s commitment to developing responsible, purpose-driven leaders equipped to build an inclusive and sustainable global economy. Rooted in the principle of "Responsible Leadership, the program integrates sustainability management, social entrepreneurship, and ethical decision-making across its curriculum. Faculty members contribute to this mission through relevant, impactful research and experiential learning that prepares graduates to lead with integrity and vision. 

The Corporate Knights Better World MBA Ranking evaluates programs around the world on their integration of sustainability, ethics and social impact across teaching, research, and institutional leadership. Being named among the top programs globally reinforces the strength of the Sobey MBA and its ongoing efforts to embed sustainability in every facet of business education. 

“This recognition speaks to the kind of learning environment we strive to create. Our goal is to ensure that every MBA student is equipped to lead responsibly, think critically about social and environmental challenges and contribute to meaningful change in their organizations and communities,” said Firat K. Sayin, Associate Professor and MBA Director. 

This achievement reflects the collective efforts of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and program advisors who continue to champion responsible leadership and sustainability throughout the Sobey MBA experience. Their contributions play a key role in shaping a program that aligns academic excellence with social and environmental responsibility. 

The Sobey School of Business extends its appreciation to the entire community for their continued dedication to the program’s growth and global impact. 

Learn more about the Corporate Knights ranking and the Sobey MBA: 

• Sobey School of Business MBA Program

• Corporate Knights Ranking 

• Annual Responsible Leadership Day

From executive to evidence-based leader: EDBA graduate champions the unique program

Jonny Stevens graduated with one of SMU’s first EDBA degrees at the Fall 2025 convocation. Shown here with President Michael Khan, Chancellor Michael Durland, and supervisor Dr. Ramesh Venkat

When Jonny Stevens BComm'02 MBA'07 EDBA’25 decided to pursue his Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (EDBA) at the Sobey School of Business, it wasn’t because he needed another credential. With a successful executive career already behind him, Stevens was driven by something deeper: curiosity.

“I didn’t want to just think I knew something—I wanted to know it,” he says. “I wanted to deepen my knowledge, challenge myself, and show my kids that you’re never too old to learn something new.”

As one of the first graduates of the Sobey EDBA program, Stevens helped shape the program’s early development while balancing full-time work and family life. He describes being part of the inaugural cohort as both an honour and a rare opportunity to help define a new academic path. “The core academics were solid from day one, but we got to influence some of the process details. That was exciting.”

The EDBA program, designed for experienced professionals who want to apply research to real-world business challenges, turned out to be exactly what Stevens had been searching for. For years, he had explored doctoral study options but found that traditional PhD programs required leaving full-time work behind. The EDBA provided a rigorous, research-focused alternative that was built around industry relevance.

“It's the same level of academic rigour as a PhD,” he explains, “But it’s designed for people who want to bring evidence-based thinking directly into business practice.”

Putting knowledge into practice

That mindset led Stevens to make a career pivot during the program. Formerly the Chief Revenue Officer of a billion-dollar professional services company, he founded his own consulting practice to help organizations apply research-based approaches to leadership and growth.

“I tell people my superpower is my library card. I help businesses move from thinking to knowing—to make decisions backed by data and evidence.”

His own research explored inclusion climates in B2B sales environments, developing an original 11-item scale to measure the impact of gender inclusion on team performance. The results showed that positive inclusion climate leads to greater job satisfaction and job performance. “It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s the profitable thing to do,” he says.

For Stevens, who graduated in fall 2025, the EDBA experience was transformational. “You can’t start this program and finish it as the same person,” he says. “It stretches your thinking, your skills, and your view of what’s possible.”

His advice for future students? “Know why you’re doing it, be clear about your goals, and be ready to work hard. If you want to be surrounded by the best professors, peers, and research opportunities—this is the program for you.”

Learn more about the EDBA program and how it’s transforming business leadership: smu.ca/sobey/edba

Hope in code: How machine learning is shaping the future of lung cancer care

Dr. Somayeh Kafaie, Assistant Professor in Mathematics and Computing Science at Saint Mary’s University

Behind every lung cancer diagnosis is a family holding its breath, waiting for scans, for plans, for decisions, for the next step. What if advanced technology could help deliver those answers more quickly and tailored to each patient? At Saint Mary’s University, that possibility is becoming clearer. 

Data science meets patient need 

When Dr. Somayeh Kafaie speaks about her research, her voice softens. “For me, my research is about hope and progress,” she says. “It’s about making sure every patient receives the right treatment at the right time.”

An assistant professor in Mathematics and Computing Science at Saint Mary’s University, Dr. Kafaie leads the GraphML Lab, a space where data science meets human need. Supported by a Legacy Research Grant from the Lung Association of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island (LungNSPEI), her project applies machine learning to one of the most complex challenges in modern medicine: how to make radiation treatment for lung cancer faster, safer and more personalized. 

Dr. Kafaie and her team are working to help physicians improve radiation treatment plans for lung cancer patients

The work, titled “Machine Learning for Optimized Lung SBRT Dose Prescription”, explores whether artificial intelligence can help doctors predict the best radiation treatment plan for each patient based on their anatomy, medical history and the unique position of their tumour.

In collaboration with Nova Scotia Health and Cape Breton University, Dr. Kafaie and her team are using data-driven models to help physicians design more precise, individualized care plans, reducing delays and minimizing risk to surrounding organs. 

“Right now, creating a radiation treatment plan can take several days,” she explains. “It requires multiple rounds of adjustment by medical teams before it’s finalized. We’re exploring how machine learning can act as an intelligent assistant; not replacing doctors but helping them predict the right settings more efficiently and with greater confidence.” 

Improving care where it’s needed most 

Her path to this work was shaped early by her father, whose quiet encouragement to “do something meaningful” stayed with her. “He dreamed of me working at a university,” she recalls. Today, that same drive to teach, learn and help others anchors her research, utilizing knowledge to improve care where it is needed most. 

Dr. Kafaie’s passion for healthcare innovation took hold during her postdoctoral studies, when she began to see how data could drive real-world impact. “You can actually see how your work affects people,” she says. “That’s what keeps me going.”  

She grew up far from major hospitals and research centres, in a community where advanced treatment often meant travelling long distances. “Even here, in Nova Scotia, people sometimes have to travel hours or even to other provinces for specialized care,” she reflects. “If we can bring technology and expertise closer to smaller or rural communities, the impact will be enormous.” 

It’s a sentiment that resonates far beyond academic walls. Lung cancer remains one of the most aggressive and least forgiving cancers, touching almost every family in some way. For patients and their loved ones, waiting for treatment can be excruciating. A technology that shortens that wait time while improving accuracy could change outcomes and lives. 

Expanding the impact of innovation 

Dr. Kafaie’s collaboration with Dr. Mike Sattarivand at Nova Scotia Health began with a simple question: Can we make lung cancer treatment planning faster and more precise? That question has since evolved into a cross-disciplinary partnership combining medical expertise with advanced analytics.

““This is what science is. Tiny steps built on the shoulders of others, each of us adding one small improvement that, together, makes a big difference.””

— Dr. Somayeh Kafaie

At Saint Mary’s, the project also bridges disciplines and communities. Students in Dr. Kafaie’s lab gain first-hand experience in using data science to solve real-world problems, while the collaboration with Nova Scotia Health strengthens the connection between academic research and patient-centred innovation. It’s a model of what SMU does best: combining human insight with technical excellence to create tangible public value. 

“SMU provides the academic foundation in data science and machine learning that makes this research possible,” says Dr. Kafaie. “Our students work closely with clinical experts, attending our lab meetings and contributing to the computational models. It’s truly a bridge between the university and the health-care system.” 

Although the project currently focuses on lung cancer, its potential reach extends far beyond. The same algorithms could one day inform treatment planning for other cancers, or even other diseases where personalized care is critical.  

“This is just the beginning,” she says. “AI can be a support system for doctors across many areas of medicine.” 

Still, for all the science and computation, what lingers after speaking with Dr. Kafaie is the humanity. She speaks of patients she has never met with the tenderness of someone who has known loss, and of research as a quiet act of care. “We live in a world where many people feel alone,” she says. “But if we each do a little bit, in our own way, we can make things better. That’s what I want my work to say.” 

For Saint Mary’s University, this project is one of many that show how innovation and compassion can move hand in hand. In labs like Dr. Kafaie’s, data becomes more than numbers. It becomes connection, progress and, most importantly, hope.       

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Related:

• Can AI make medications safer? Saint Mary's prof says yes.     

• Mathematics at Saint Mary’s University (undergraduate)

• Computing Science at Saint Mary’s University (undergraduate)

• Graduate Science programs at Saint Mary’s

• Research News

Global co-operative partnership at the Sobey School of Business

Representatives from Saint Mary’s University and the National Confederation of Cooperatives of the Philippines

NATCCO Philippine delegation arrives in Halifax for a week of collaboration, learning and a newly signed partnership with Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s University deepened its global ties this November, celebrating a new international partnership that connects co‑operative leaders from Canada and the Philippines.

On November 3, Saint Mary’s President Dr. Michael Khan, Sobey School of Business Dean Dr. Michel Delorme, and Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Dean Dr. Adam Sarty joined the International Centre for Co‑operative Management (ICCM) for a special event marking the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) of the Philippines.

With 2025 designated as the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives, the timing underscores a shared commitment to strengthening the co-operative movement worldwide.

According to the International Cooperative Alliance, cooperatives are people-centered enterprises owned, controlled and run by and for their members to realize their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations.

This ethos aligns closely with the UN theme for the year: Co‑operatives Build a Better World.

NATCCO, the Philippines’ national organization representing co‑operatives and credit unions, sent a delegation of 28 senior business leaders to Saint Mary’s for the first week of November. Hosted by the ICCM, the group explored the Canadian credit union system, engaged with the Centre’s specialized research on governance, strategy, and market differentiation, and visited co‑operative partners across Nova Scotia.

“We are delighted to bring our member-cooperatives here to learn, connect, and broaden their perspectives,” said CEO Sylvia O. Paraguya. “This week has been rich with insights, and we are grateful for the meaningful exchanges we have shared. As this is our pilot batch, we look forward to bringing another group next year.”

Regarding the partnership with ICCM, Paraguya states, “NATCCO remains committed to building stronger cooperatives within an integrated network, and education and training continue to be at the heart of our services. We deeply value our relationship with the International Centre for Co-operative Management. This partnership is yet another expression of cooperation among cooperatives — a truly fitting initiative as we celebrate the second International Year of Cooperatives (United Nations).”

For the ICCM, the partnership reinforces a long-standing commitment to global co‑operative education and collaboration.

“It is always a pleasure to connect with our international network,” said Karen Miner, Managing Director of the International Centre for Co‑operative Management. “We have been offering education to co-operatives across the globe since 2003, and each new partnership is strengthening our collective knowledge and network. The NATCCO group was a very engaged group and we look forward to more collaborations.”

Saint Mary’s International Centre for Co‑operative Management (ICCM) and the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) of the Philippines celebrated a new MOU in November 2025

The newly signed MOU promises to open doors to continued learning, shared research and joint initiatives that will support the advancement of cooperative systems in both countries. As the world approaches the International Year of Cooperatives, the partnership between Saint Mary’s University and NATCCO stands as an example of how global collaboration can help co‑operatives thrive.

More information about the International Centre for Co‑operative Management is available at www.smu.ca/iccm.

President’s Award for Excellence in Research: Dr. Diane Crocker

Dr. Diane Crocker is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Acting Associate Dean of Arts, Curriculum and Student Affairs

As a national leader in criminology and restorative justice research, Dr. Diane Crocker is transforming how our communities address gender-based violence. She is widely recognized for her innovation in bringing together diverse partners to design practical solutions for complex social issues. Her collaborative approach connects academia, government and community groups, centering the voices of survivors in policy and program improvements.

Research with meaningful community impact is at the heart of Dr. Crocker’s work. She is a current member of the Research Nova Scotia-funded project CIRCLES-NS (Creating Integrated Restorative Communities for Locally Engaged Solutions). She was a co-investigator with the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative and a member of the Policy and Research Advisory Board for the Mass Casualty Commission, the independent public inquiry created to provide recommendations to help keep communities safer in the aftermath of Nova Scotia’s mass casualty in April 2020.

With support from a team of student and community-based researchers, Dr. Crocker led an evaluation of Nova Scotia’s provincial action plan, Standing Together to Prevent Domestic Violence. She participates in the national effort iMPACTS: Collaborations to Address Sexual Violence on Campus, and works closely with Nova Scotia’s universities to develop effective sexual violence prevention and response policies. Her co-edited book, Violence Interrupted: Confronting Sexual Violence on University Campuses (MQUP, 2020), provides a collection of essays on research related to campus sexual violence in Canada. She has authored the book Crime in Canada (OUP, 2012) and many book chapters, journal articles and over 80 research and policy reports commissioned by government and community organizations.

She has received significant research funding, securing nearly 50 grants and research contracts, many in partnership with federal and provincial government departments. Dr. Crocker is a research partner with PREVNET: Canada's Healthy Relationship Hub and she holds a research fellowship at the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research in New Brunswick. She is a research associate with the Restorative Research, Innovation and Education Lab at the Schulich School of Law and a member of Justice Canada’s Advisory Committee for the National Restorative Justice Research Network. She has also advised the Department of National Defence and organizations as far away as Australia’s National Office for Child Safety.

Dr. Crocker is considered an essential ally in the work to eradicate gender-based violence. With Bridgewater’s Be the Peace Institute, she has helped amplify survivors’ voices through projects like Pathways to Justice and Voices of (In)Justice, promoting trauma-informed and restorative responses. Her collaboration with Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) has enhanced public safety by improving reintegration supports for individuals transitioning from incarceration.

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Crocker has supervised more than 25 honours and graduate students and trains early-stage researchers and community volunteers, fostering future leaders in community-engaged scholarship. In 2018, she received the President’s Award for Exemplary Service, having served on numerous committees and initiatives at Saint Mary’s, such as the Research Ethics Board and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Advisory Committee.

Dr. Crocker holds both a PhD and MA in Sociology from York University and a BA in Anthropology from Memorial University. Since joining Saint Mary’s in 2000, she has held increasingly senior academic roles, including Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (2013-2018), Chair of the Department of Criminology (2019-2024), and currently Associate Dean of Arts, Curriculum and Student Affairs.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Research honours continued exceptional contributions to research and scholarship conducted by a full-time Saint Mary’s University faculty member. More information can be found at smu.ca/fgsr/presidents-award.

Meet your Valedictorian: Kjeld Mizpah Conyers-Steede, MTEI

Kjeld Mizpah Conyers-Steede

Kjeld Mizpah (KJ) Conyers-Steede is a graduate of the Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MTEI) program at Saint Mary’s University. His research explores how social finance and catalytic capital can empower rural and isolated communities to achieve sustainable economic transformation. Under the supervision of Dr. Chantal Hervieux, KJ’s thesis examined how seed funding shapes capital flows and governance in rural regions, providing new insights into how social innovation can reimagine development beyond traditional finance models.

As the founder and CEO of Future Civics, a nonprofit organization based in Nova Scotia, KJ continues to test ways to support rural innovation by merging business startup ideology with community-based approaches.

Learn more about KJ in the Fall Convocation Program.

Q & A

Where is your hometown?
I’m originally from Bermuda, but I’ve made my home in Hantsport, Nova Scotia. Both places are islands in their own way and have shaped how I see community, resilience, and innovation.

Why did you choose Saint Mary’s?
My father went to Saint Mary’s, and for him, it was the launching pad for his career. In many ways, it’s been the same for me. I chose SMU because of its reputation for connecting business with community impact, a balance that reflects both my roots and my goals.

Did you live on campus?
I lived off campus on my property, which I am turning into a small-scale farm while juggling work, research, and community projects. 

What’s your favourite space on campus?

The Inspiration Hub. It’s the heartbeat of the university — open, bright, and filled with the kind of energy that comes from people who believe they can make things happen.

What was your favourite course?
My thesis. It gave me a framework for understanding how ideas move from concept to impact, a lesson that’s shaped both my thesis and my career.

Which instructor had the biggest impact on you?
Dr. Chantal Hervieux. Her guidance pushed me to connect research with purpose, and to always ensure that my work, whether academic or practical creates space for others to lead and innovate.

What is your favourite SMU memory?
Defending my thesis. It was the culmination of years of research, travel, and collaboration. That moment wasn’t just academic; it was deeply personal. It represented resilience, purpose, and growth.

What will you miss most about Saint Mary’s?
The community. SMU has a unique way of bringing together people from every walk of life, each with a story that adds to the bigger picture. I’ll miss that daily exchange of ideas, cultures, and perspectives.

What are your goals for the future?
I want to continue bridging research and practice, especially in social financing and rural innovation. Whether in Bermuda or Atlantic Canada, my goal is to design systems that make it easier for communities to access capital and build sustainable futures.

How has Saint Mary’s helped to set you on this path?
Saint Mary’s gave me the language and confidence to turn ideas into action. The university’s focus on entrepreneurship and social impact helped me see that business can be a vehicle for systems change, not just profit.

What advice do you have for new students?
Be curious about everything — not just your program. The real magic of SMU is in the connections you make and the ideas you explore beyond the classroom. Don’t just chase a degree; chase understanding.

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Fall Convocation takes place November 13 & 14. See the schedule, live stream links and more information here: smu.ca/graduation

Student researcher digs into berry research in northern Canada

Claire Singer (far right, back) and Dr. Erin Cameron (far left, front) from Saint Mary’s University with members of the research project in September 2025 (“The Berry Happy Pickers”).

From back left: Elaine Lamalice (Hay River), Celine Proctor (Fort Good Hope), Lila Fraser Erasmus (Yellowknife), Beatrice Lepine (Hay River), Margaret Leishman (Ka'a'gee), Anne Thrasher (Paulatuk), Claire Singer. From front left: Dr. Erin Cameron, Megan Francisco (University of Victoria), Annie Buckle (Aklavik). Other project members missing from photo.

Curiosity about bears’ food sources led to years of research and collaboration with many people across the Northwest Territories in northern Canada

Claire Singer had been working at the Northwest Territories Species at Risk Secretariat for years when grizzly bears were assessed under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act in 2017.  

This review indicated a decline in berry crops—a key food source for the bears—but at the time, there was no definitive knowledge on the extent of the issue in the Northwest Territories. The Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee recommended that this research be completed, focusing on the extensive knowledge held by Indigenous peoples in the region. 

“Berries are important ecologically, economically and culturally in the northern territories,” explained Claire. “There seemed to be a decline in this food source, and it was clear that more research was needed to gather information about the changes to the land and the habitat.”     

Around the same time, intrigued by a Facebook post to a page focused on the identification of Northwest Territories species by biology professor Dr. Erin Cameron, who was looking for graduate student researchers in her lab, Claire left her job with the government of the Northwest Territories after 13 years to start a PhD in 2020 at Saint Mary’s University. Her PhD examines changes in plant communities in the territory, with a focus on the status of berries. She lived in Halifax for her initial coursework during the COVID-19 pandemic, returning home to the Northwest Territories in 2022 to continue her research and PhD thesis, which she hopes to defend in the near future.

A few members of the team in Fort McPherson for the validation sessions: Claire Singer, Giannina Karki, Karl Hare, and Alestine Andre.

Conducting research in the Northwest Territories involved travelling and facilitating 118 interviews with elders across the region, as well as coordinating with various agencies, government groups and other stakeholders.  

Thanks in part to her work, cranberries will be assessed under the Species at Risk (NWT) Act in 2028. In her research, she learned about regional variations in berries across the territory. Changes in the landscape, from drought in the south to less predictable growing seasons in the north, and fires that saw two-thirds of the territory evacuated in 2023, all indicate that changes are occurring in this vital crop.  

Working with supervisor Dr. Cameron, master’s students and numerous collaborators helped make the sheer scale of the work possible. Project management, finding people to interview, arranging travel and translators, map making and transcribing and coding interviews to analyze data were all possible thanks to the team.  

“Summer students were a big part of the project; it never would have happened without their work,” explains Dr. Erin Cameron. “One student made maps to pinpoint areas where the berries were located. They also transcribed and coded interviews to analyze.” In particular, Giannina Karki, who graduated in 2024 with a BSc in Environmental Science from Saint Mary’s, worked with the team for one of her undergraduate summer co-op terms and continued to work with the project until this fall as a project manager, providing key logistical support. 

A published book that arose from the project, called “Guide to the Berries of the Northwest Territories”, has 14 author credits on the cover, including nine authors who act as the Indigenous knowledge advisory board for the project. One credit indicates a family connection for Claire—her mother, Lesley, created most of the beautiful illustrations throughout the book.   

The book documents Indigenous knowledge of berries throughout the NWT, outlines respectful harvesting principles, and identifies all known Northwest Territories berries and their habitat and uses. Other publications currently under development will summarize broader results from the interviews, including abundance, trends, interactions with animals, and threats, providing a picture of the status of berries across the territory. 

“It is a very collaborative process, and working with Elders who understand the scope of the history of the land is fascinating,” says Claire. “Elders see the changes to the land, and the effects of climate change vary from region to region, but they are generally more pronounced in northern latitudes.”  

As Claire continues her work on her PhD in a part-time capacity, she also operates an ecological consulting firm, Rubus Consulting, in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Her dog Rubus, after the Latin genus name for raspberries and cloudberries, is the namesake for the business. He loves eating berries.  

Celebrating excellence: Saint Mary’s faculty recognized for external research funding

Dr. Adam Sarty recognizes researchers during a recent reception

Researchers at Saint Mary’s University were recently recognized for their success in securing over $10 million in external funding to engage in important work in their fields. The funding received was in the form of research contracts, Canada Research Chair positions and tri-council grants.

Saint Mary’s researchers are focused on such diverse topics as black holes, seaweed-based bioplastics, generating resilience in youth service, improving small-scale fisheries, building healthy leadership systems, innovations in job interviews, and creating culturally sensitive, trauma-informed tools with First Nation communities.

A celebration to honour 116 researchers from the faculties of Science, Arts, the Sobey School of Business and two staff members from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre took place in the McNally Theatre Auditorium on October 10.

Special mentions were given to Dr. Paul Muir in Mathematics and Computing Science for receiving consistent NSERC funding over 40 years. Dr. John Young, Professor Emeritus, was also acknowledged for becoming the fifth Honorary member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Science for his contributions to mathematics and chemistry over 75 years.

The calibre of research happening here at Saint Mary’s University is something that we should all be proud of, congratulations again to all of those that have been recognized.

SMU Monster Fest explores diversity of monstrous topics

Things are looking strangely monstrous around campus this week, as Saint Mary’s University hosts Nova Scotia’s first Monster Fest.

Since the dawn of humanity, people have been preoccupied with monsters and monstrosity. How many different monsters are out there in our imaginations and in reality? Why are we so fascinated by them? What do monsters reveal about us?

These are just a few of the questions Monster Fest 2025 is exploring this week in events across campus and at Halifax Central Library. Celebrating the rapidly expanding field of monster studies, the four-day international conference features academic panels with 50+ speakers, free horror film screenings, a Bazaar of the Bizarre and more. It culminates in a Monster Ball costume party on Hallowe’en night.

Dr. Michele Byers and Dr. Lindsay Macumber in costumes created by NSCAD students at Monster Fest

The conference was developed by two professors in the Faculty of Arts who were inspired by the Festival of Monsters at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Lindsay Macumber teaches the popular “Monsters” course at Saint Mary’s, open to the public through our Arts for Everyone program. She had been preparing a panel of four speakers for this fall’s Santa Cruz event, including herself, a colleague and two SMU students.

“We were in the process of getting ready for that, and it just became apparent that it was no longer safe to travel to the United States,” the Study of Religion professor explained in a radio interview this week with CBC Information Morning. “The political situation in the United States is just untenable at the moment, particularly for any of our queer and racialized students. When we are responsible for their safety, it's not something we were equipped to do.”

Her colleague Dr. Michele Byers, coordinator of the Women and Gender Studies program, suggested that Saint Mary’s could host a sister festival for scholars across Canada and beyond. The idea was born, quickly receiving endorsement from the Santa Cruz festival.

“I think there's something really for everyone,” Byers said in the CBC interview. “We have a really broad range of topics, and I think it speaks to the fact that monsters and the monstrous kind of touch every part of life. They make their way to everything.”

Monster Fest lineup

The academic panels examine monstrosity’s significance across diverse lenses such as gender, race, sexuality, ability, religion and Indigeneity. Student and faculty panellists and delegates are here from universities across the Atlantic region and as far as Alberta and even the U.K., with most panels taking place in the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Halifax Central Library hosts two free public lectures and film screenings. Thursday’s keynote speaker is Dr. Novotny Lawrence, Director of the Black Film Centre and Archive at Indiana University, Bloomington. He’ll discuss Black horror with a focus on Nia DaCosta’s film Candyman (2021). Dr. Krista Collier-Jarvis of MSVU offered a “Too Ghoul for School” keynote, focusing on Indigenous horror via Mi’kmaq director Jeff Barnaby’s Rhymes for Young Ghouls.

Dr. Novotny Lawrence

Dr. Krista Collier-Jarvis

The free films are Barnaby’s Blood Quantum, with Collier-Jarvis leading a panel discussion (Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.); and a 50th anniversary screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with an introduction by Dr. Allyn Walker of SMU Criminology, a shadowcast performance by the SMU Drama Society and a Q&A organized by the SMU Pride Society (Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.).

DJ Anita LandBack

Friday’s highlights include a Coven/Community breakfast, a Dark Romance workshop led by SMU students Jodie Hamilton and Jade Newell, and an artist tour of TWO PANSIES: Autumn Star & Shay Donovan at the SMU Art Gallery. The Monster Ball, hosted by DJ Anita LandBack, follows a “Carrie’s prom” theme, with the SMU Drama Society performing pivotal numbers from their hit Carrie: The Musical. Another highlight at the Ball will be wearable art monster costumes created by students at NSCAD University.  

Monster Fest 2025 is supported by many partners and sponsors. Find the full event lineup, bios, lecture abstracts and more at smu.ca/monsterfest.

Related

• CBC Interview: Saint Mary's University is set to host its first Monster Fest!

• NSCAD students bring the horror to Monster Fest

• Festival of Monsters, UC Santa Cruz Centre for Monster Studies

Cooking up a positive impact on Easy Platter’s operations

Mandhir Singh and Vishnu Priyan Mahendran

Harnessing data to reduce food waste

As Canada’s first on-demand personal chef service, Easy Platter offers a unique approach to meal preparation by enabling customers to hire personal chefs to plan menus and prepare high-quality, personalized meals.

To address operational challenges, Easy Platter collaborated with Dr. Yasushi Akiyama, a professor of Mathematics and Computing Science. Together, they designed a framework to calculate both ingredient costs and potential food waste for selected meal plans. With support from Vishnu Priyan Mahendran, a 2022 graduate student in the Master of Computing and Data Analytics program, they developed formulas and integrated them into the company’s system, improving efficiency.

“Dr. Akiyama was extremely helpful in not just identifying great talent at Saint Mary’s University but also collaborating with us throughout the project,” said Mandhir Singh, Founder of Easy Platter and 2012 MBA Graduate from Saint Mary’s University. “Vishnu has been a huge asset for Easy Platter and has contributed to multiple complex projects.” Vishnu has been employed with Easy Platter since he graduated.

The second phase of the project linked ingredient data with its supply chain. This integration offers automated insights into food waste, which helps the team track sustainability. With nearly 4,000 recipes, the system can now predict how much food waste a menu will generate.

The team also explored machine learning algorithms to identify ingredients that could cause nutrient deficiencies and provided recommendations to enhance meals’ nutritional value. This feature supports personalized nutrition plans, which are incorporated into Easy Platter’s final database and user interface.

With these insights, Easy Platter reduces food waste while helping customers enjoy healthier, personalized meals—combining sustainability and wellness in every dish.

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The Office of Innovation and Community Engagement (OICE) at Saint Mary’s University facilitates research partnerships between the University and companies, government departments and community organizations. OICE is the initial point of contact for faculty members and external partners wishing to collaborate. The office assists with finding suitable expertise, contract development and advising on funding opportunities.

This project highlight is from the 2025 OICE Report, which features researchers from Saint Mary's University and their external partners.