From Halifax to national policy: How Peter Mackenzie MAE’20 found his path in economics

Peter MacKenzie graduated from the Master of Applied Economics program in the Sobey School of Business in 2020

When Peter Mackenzie MAE'20 first enrolled in the Master of Applied Economics program at Saint Mary's University, a PhD wasn’t part of the plan. Today, he’s helping shape national conversations on Canada’s economy as a Senior Policy Analyst at the C.D. Howe Institute—a journey he credits in large part to his time in Halifax.

“I honestly wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do after my undergraduate degree,” Mackenzie says. “But the MAE program stood out. It looked like a great opportunity to apply economics to real-world problems, and that really drew me in.”

Discovering a passion for economics

Originally from Ontario, Mackenzie came to Halifax for its strong academic reputation and the applied focus of the MAE program. What he found was something more transformative than expected.

“I liked economics before,” he explains, “but the program really deepened that interest. It got me to a point where I wanted to commit another five years to studying it.”

That decision led him to pursue a PhD at York University, specializing in econometrics, a field that combines statistical methods with economic theory to analyze data and inform policy decisions.

Learning by doing

A defining moment in Mackenzie’s academic journey came through his master’s thesis. This was the first time he led a full-scale research project from start to finish.

“That experience was huge,” he says. “Learning how to design research, analyze data and communicate findings clearly are skills I still rely on every day.”

Those skills carried him through his doctoral studies and into roles at institutions such as the Bank of Canada, where he worked as an economics PhD intern, and later into his current position at the C.D. Howe Institute.

Today, his work focuses on financial services research and economic analysis, including contributions to widely read commentary on Canada’s GDP performance and economic outlook.

Making sense of Canada’s economy

Mackenzie recently co-authored a piece examining Canada’s economic resilience in the face of global uncertainty. While many predicted a downturn, the economy proved more stable than expected.

“People were expecting a recession, and we didn’t see that,” he explains. “In some ways, the economy performed better than anticipated, but there’s still room for improvement.”

It’s this balance—combining data-driven analysis with real-world implications—that continues to motivate his work.

“One of the things I love about economics is how versatile it is,” he says. “You can apply it to almost any issue, especially when it comes to public policy.”

Advice for future economists

For current and prospective students, Mackenzie emphasizes both effort and genuine interest.

Peter’s cohort in the Master of Applied Economics program

“Work hard, but also make sure you enjoy what you’re doing,” he advises. “The MAE program prepares you really well for careers in economics and public policy, but that passion is what carries you forward.”

Looking back, he credits not just the program, but the people and environment for shaping his path.

“The professors, my cohort, the city itself...it all contributed to an experience that really solidified my direction,” he says. “It’s a great place to study, and I’d highly recommend it.”

From uncertainty to impact, Peter Mackenzie’s journey is a testament to where curiosity, strong mentorship, and applied learning can lead—and how Saint Mary’s continues to prepare graduates to shape the world around them.

Research Expo highlights innovation and collaboration across campus

President Michael Khan learns about a SMU research project at the Research Expo

Saint Mary’s welcomed more than 150 participants to this year’s Research Expo, a key annual event showcasing the range of research underway across campus. The Expo featured 30 exhibitors and a series of engaging three‑minute pitch presentations on topics spanning early‑literacy challenges, health and well‑being, and end‑of‑life care preferences.

The Research Expo is an annual event that allows faculty, staff, students and external partners to connect, exchange ideas and spark new collaborations. Representatives from Science, Arts, and the Sobey School of Business joined colleagues from industry, government, and community organizations to explore ongoing and emerging projects from across the university.

Dr. Bitu Hurisso, Chemistry Lab Technician, received the Staff Research Recognition Award from Dr. Adam Sarty, AVP Research and Dean of FGSR

An event highlight was the presentation of the Staff Research Recognition Award, given annually since 2010 to a staff member who has demonstrated exceptional support for faculty research. This year’s recipient, Dr. Bitu Hurisso, serves as the Chemistry Laboratory Technician and is widely recognized for his expertise, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to student and faculty success. Dr. Hurisso was praised for his solutions‑focused leadership, his expertise in maintaining advanced instrumentation, and his valued role as an instructor and mentor to students within the chemistry department.

The Research Expo is hosted by the Office of Innovation and Community Engagement (OICE) within the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, which works to facilitate research partnerships between Saint Mary’s scholars and external organizations, including companies, government bodies and not‑for‑profits.

By bringing people and ideas together, the Research Expo continues to strengthen connections across campus and support the vibrant research culture at Saint Mary’s.

For more details about the presenters, visit the Research Expo website. 

Photo gallery

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The Research Expo was featured on CTV News

Forensic Psychology conference attracts researchers and practitioners from across the globe

Congratulations to the Department of Psychology at Saint Mary’s University for hosting the 6th Annual Canadian Forensic Psychology Virtual Conference last month! With attendance increasing every year, this annual event saw almost 600 people registered to attend from every continent (except Antarctica)!

The virtual event was an opportunity to connect with scholars and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology and learn about new, exciting work. It was a day full of presentations on research, applied insights, and critical discussion across key areas of forensic psychology, including policing, forensic mental health systems, and sexual violence prevention.

Designed for researchers, practitioners and students working in forensic psychology, justice-related fields, or with justice-involved populations, speakers included student presenters, professors from Saint Mary’s University, industry professionals and the following keynote speakers:  

Dr. Charlene Senn, University of Windsor — Reducing Sexual Violence on Campus Through Evidence-Based Prevention

Dr. Craig Bennell, Carleton University — Educating the Public About Policing: A Path to Improved Police Legitimacy

Dr. Anne Crocker, Université de Montréal — From Individual Risk to Systemic Vulnerability: Reimagining Forensic Mental Health Research for a Changing World

The conference was hosted by Dr. Veronica Stinson, Dr. Meg Ternes and a team of forensic psychology students, including Stephanie Chen and Maryann Pitre. Check our website for news about the 2027 conference.

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The Department of Psychology at Saint Mary’s University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate-level psychology programs including a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, an honours program, a Certificate in Forensic Psychology, Master’s in Applied Psychology (Forensic Psychology or Industrial/Organizational Psychology) and PhD in I/O Psychology.

Sobey School of Business launches ‘Lead with Purpose 2025–2030’

The Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University has officially launched its new five-year strategic plan, Lead with Purpose: Transforming learners to leaders and purpose to action (2025-2030), setting a clear direction for the future.

The plan builds on the Sobey School's strong foundation in experiential learning, community engagement and responsible management education. Guided by its purpose to advance knowledge and develop leaders to shape a better world, the strategy outlines how the Sobey School will enhance the learner experience, expand research impact and strengthen partnerships locally, nationally and globally.

Dr. Michel Delorme, Dean, Sobey School of Business

“Lead with Purpose captures not only where we are going as a School, but how we will move forward — thoughtfully, collaboratively and with intention,” said Dr. Michel Delorme, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “Grounded in our commitment to experiential learning and responsible management education, this plan reflects our shared belief that business education must be connected to community and responsive to a rapidly changing world. Together, we will translate purpose into action.”

Building on the School’s distinctive strengths, including its dual AACSB and EFMD accreditation and its long-standing commitment to responsible management education, the strategy is organized around three interwoven themes: centering the student experience, prioritizing regional and global impact and influencing organizational practice.

Five interconnected strategic goals define the Sobey School's priorities through 2030:

• Learning for Leadership: To elevate the learner experience through inclusive, experiential, and interdisciplinary learning that equips graduates to lead with confidence, agility and a clear sense of purpose.

• Building Global Community: To build global communities through our programs, research, partnerships, and pedagogy and ensure our graduates thrive in diverse, interconnected environments.

• Research for Change: To advance positive change in business and society through exemplary, boundary-pushing and stakeholder-engaged research that bridges practical relevance with scholarly significance.

• Collaborating for Positive Impact: To address the real-world challenges of businesses and communities through partnerships in research, learning, employment and executive education. 

• Thriving Together: To cultivate a workplace where faculty and staff feel connected, supported and inspired in a collaborative and resilient learning environment.

Together, these priorities align academic excellence with meaningful societal contribution.

Developed through extensive consultation with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners, the plan now moves into action. Clearly defined initiatives and measurable key performance indicators will ensure accountability and track progress over the next five years.

Lead with Purpose 2025–2030 positions the Sobey School of Business to turn purpose into action — transforming learners into leaders and reinforcing its role as a leader in advancing innovation, impact and shared prosperity.

For more information, visit the Lead with Purpose strategic plan page on the Sobey School of Business website.

Saint Mary’s graduate student uncovers hidden barriers in PEI’s rental market

When Brittany Cormier began scrolling through rental ads in Charlottetown, she was not looking for a research topic. She was trying to help people keep a roof over their heads. 

Brittany Cormier

At the time, Brittany was working in a rent-geared-to-income program on Prince Edward Island, supporting tenants who were being displaced by renovations, short-term rental conversions, or landlords reclaiming units for personal use. Helping people find alternative housing meant hours spent reviewing online rental advertisements. 

What she noticed was language that quietly shaped who felt able to apply. “There were patterns that kept repeating,” Brittany recalls. “Requirements that seemed neutral, but in practice discouraged a lot of people before they ever had a chance.” 

Those observations stayed with her. Years later, as a student in Saint Mary’s University’s Master of Applied Health Services Research (MAHSR) program, they became the foundation of a research fellowship through the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) and a published report examining discrimination and exclusion in rental housing advertisements across the capital region of PEI. 

From lived experience to applied research 

Brittany has been a student in the MAHSR program since 2018, with research focused on hidden homelessness, evictions and inequities in the rental sector. Her academic work has always been closely connected to her professional experience. 

“I was already seeing these issues on the ground,” she says. “The fellowship gave me the opportunity to study what I had been observing for years, but in a systematic way.” 

As part of the Canadian Right to Housing Research Fellowship, Brittany manually collected more than 1,800 rental advertisements over a 22-week period in 2023. Ads were gathered from Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji, the two primary platforms used for rental listings on the Island. From that larger set, a representative sample was analyzed in depth. 

Each advertisement was reviewed individually, documenting rental type, pricing and language that could signal discrimination or exclusion. “That close reading is where patterns start to reveal themselves,” Brittany says. 

What the ads revealed 

The findings were striking. 

Seventy-seven percent of the rental ads in the sample contained discriminatory or exclusionary language. More than half included multiple barriers. Some of that language fell within protected grounds under the PEI Human Rights Act, such as source of income or family status. Other language did not technically violate legislation, but still discouraged certain people or groups from applying at all. 

“One of the most important distinctions in the study was between discrimination and exclusion,” Brittany explains. “Even when something is legal, it can still have real consequences for who is able to access housing.”

Even in the absence of evidence of intent or authorship, the findings highlight how the cumulative effect of exclusionary screening practices operating within a constrained housing market can meaningfully restrict access to housing. 

The type of barriers also differed by housing arrangement. For example, language related to source of income and family or marital status was more prevalent in standalone unit ads, while language related to sex and gender expression or gender identity was more prevalent in shared accommodation ads.   

Another unexpected finding was the volume of shared accommodation listings. Nearly half of all ads analyzed involved people seeking roommates. “To me, that really spoke to affordability constraints,” Brittany says. “People are sharing not because they want to, but because it’s the only way they can afford to live.” 

Why it matters 

While the research focuses on rental advertisements, Brittany is clear that the implications extend beyond housing. “Housing is foundational,” she says. “When people cannot access stable housing, the impacts show up everywhere, including health, education, and employment.” 

She points to economic exclusion as particularly urgent. Even without discriminatory language, rising rents alone are preventing low-income individuals and families from participating in the private rental market. “When housing is financially out of reach, people are left with overcrowding, unsafe arrangements or homelessness,” she says.  

For students and researchers, Brittany believes the study offers a clear example of how systemic barriers can operate quietly in everyday processes. “This isn’t just about bad actors,” she says. “It’s about how ordinary practices shape access.” 

The Saint Mary’s influence 

Brittany credits her experience at Saint Mary’s with shaping how she approaches this research.  

Supervision for her MAHSR thesis – a separate project looking at hidden and at-risk homelessness – falls under the Department of Social Justice and Community Studies, which helped her develop a human rights-based lens over time. 

“When I started my program, I didn’t fully understand the right to housing as a framework,” she says. “Through mentorship and coursework, that lens became central to my work.” 

The MAHSR program’s emphasis on applied, community-grounded research also mattered. Brittany completed the fellowship while continuing to live and work in her home community. “It meant I could study housing issues while being embedded in the place I was studying,” she says. “Small communities experience housing challenges too, but they’re often understudied.” 

Looking ahead 

While the report stops short of policy recommendations, Brittany hopes it contributes to broader conversations about housing access and fairness. 

“If we ignore barriers at the earliest stages of the housing search process, we miss a critical part of the problem,” she says. “Addressing housing supply alone isn’t enough if people are discouraged before they can even apply.” 

For anyone searching for their first apartment, her advice is practical. Learn your tenant rights. Ask questions. Keep records. “It’s okay not to know everything,” Brittany says. “But having information can make a real difference.” 

As for what she hopes readers take away: “Housing discrimination doesn’t always look dramatic,” she says. “Often, it’s quiet and easy to overlook, yet its effects can shape people’s lives in lasting ways.” 

Saint Mary's-based Centre sets gold standard for shoreline protection in Atlantic Canada

Molega Lake. Credit: Kelly Umlah

Kingsburg dune plantings - Sept. 2025. Credit: Rosmarie Lohnes

Molega Lake. Credit: Kelly Umlah

Kingsburg - Invasive Species Removal. Credit: Kelly Umlah

Kingsburg - Nov. 2025 - Wattle Fence. Credit: Dawn Slack

Sometimes climate leadership looks like a homeowner choosing a thriving habitat over a quick-fix retaining wall.

TransCoastal Adaptations (TCA), the Saint Mary’s University-based Centre for Nature-Based Solutions, has announced a major milestone for coastal resilience: the first certified Green Shores for Homes projects in Atlantic Canada.

Two waterfront properties, located at Kingsburg Beach and Molega Lake in southwest Nova Scotia (Kespukwitk), have both achieved Gold-level certification, the highest standard under the program.

For decades, waterfront improvements have often involved installing rock walls or concrete that can unintentionally worsen erosion and destroy local ecosystems. The Green Shores for Homes program, coordinated in the Maritimes by the TCA team at Saint Mary’s, offers a different path.

Dr. Danika Van Proosdij, Saint Mary’s University Professor and Director of TransCoastal Adaptations

“These projects prove that climate adaptation and biodiversity protection can go hand-in-hand,” says Dr. Danika Van Proosdij, Coastal geomorphologist and professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Saint Mary’s University, as well as the Director and Co-Founder of TCA.

“By working with natural processes rather than against them, these homeowners are protecting their properties while also strengthening the health of our coastlines,” she says.

Southwest Nova Scotia is a recognized biodiversity hotspot, home to many species at risk. These Gold-certified sites serve as practical models for how individual actions can contribute to broader environmental outcomes:

• At Kingsburg Beach, erosion mitigation and sand-capture techniques were implemented to stabilize the shoreline while maintaining natural coastal dynamics.

• At Molega Lake, a full riparian zone restoration was completed, creating a natural buffer that improves water quality and increases resilience to flooding.

“The impact of these projects extends past the property lines,” says Dr. Van Proosdij. “The homeowners on these two properties treated their certification as a starting point for advocacy, engaging with their neighbours and local communities on shoreline health.”

True to the Saint Mary’s mission of community-engaged research, these projects bring together a wide range of expertise. While TCA provided the framework, the work on the ground was supported by:

• Helping Nature Heal Inc. and CB Wetlands and Environmental Specialists (Design and implementation)

• Manzer Brothers Excavation and Landworks Inc. (On-the-ground support)

• The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute and Government of Nova Scotia biologists (Specialized knowledge of Atlantic Coastal Plain flora and endangered reptiles)

As climate pressures like rising sea levels and storm intensity continue to affect Atlantic Canada, the success of the Kingsburg and Molega Lake projects is a proven example that coastal living can be protected by working in partnership with nature, one shoreline at a time.

To learn more about Green Shores for Homes and how TransCoastal Adaptations is leading nature-based climate solutions, visit transcoastaladaptations.com.

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Event on campus

Join Dr. Van Proosdij for an upcoming event with Dr. Jonathan Fowler: "Re-imagining resilience in Bay of Fundy Dykelands." 

Thursday, February 26, 2026
6-8:30 p.m.
Unilever Lounge, 4th floor Sobey School of Business
923 Robie St.

Welcome to the first annual fireside chat in the series Reimagining Rural Resilience: Changing Landscapes and Lifescapes. Hosted by The Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies (GRI), the TransCoastal Adaptations Centre for Nature-Based Solutions (TCA) at Saint Mary's University, and the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN), this series will showcase new research on and about Nova Scotia with the public.

This is a friendly fireside chat, open to everyone. Light refreshments provided. Together, let's learn about the latest research beyond barriers of university classrooms. Register here.

Charting the universe: From Saint Mary's to the cosmos

Dr. Lousie Edwards MSc’03 is one of the first Black Canadians to earn a PhD in astronomy

By Tara Thorne

Dr. Lousie Edwards MSc’03

A quarter-century ago, Dr. Louise Edwards MSc'03 took a chance on a city she’d never visited, switched coasts and began her Master of Science in Astronomy at Saint Mary’s.

“It was on the ocean, which was familiar,” said Edwards, who grew up in British Columbia and received her undergrad at the University of Victoria. “I was very excited to go to Halifax. As a Black Canadian, I knew there was a large community of Black folks there, which in Victoria didn’t exist then. I was really excited about that.”

She arrived to a small cohort of four students, two a year ahead of her, Glenn Kacprzak and Edwards.

“We all became very good friends. People were very friendly – not just in the reputation of east coasters, but also in the close-knit nature of the department,” said Edwards from Washington, DC, where she’s a Program Director at the National Science Foundation until she returns to her job as associate professor of physics at California Polytechnic State University next year. “David Clark was one of my professors. He knew we were coming across the country for school, and he invited us to his home for Thanksgiving that year.”

Edwards reached a very particular height that few other scientists can claim – while at Saint Mary’s, she was chosen to appear on a stamp as part of a Canada Post series celebrating universities.

Edwards was featured on the Saint Mary’s stamp, part of the Canadian Universities Collection (2002) by Steven Slipp Design

“Saint Mary’s has had astronomy for a very long time, and they told me they wanted to honour that tradition.” Edwards and Kacprzak were each photographed for the stamp, “and we had no idea who would get chosen until it came out.” (Spoiler: It was her.)

“I was wearing a silver chenille super-fluffy sweater. But they had Photoshopped it so I’m wearing a Saint Mary’s sweatshirt,” she laughed. “My mom bought up a whole lot of stamps.”

Since receiving her master’s in 2003, Edwards has been travelling around North America teaching and studying. Her area of focus is, humbly, the largest objects in the universe, including the brightest cluster galaxies and the cosmic web. She received her Ph.D. from Université Laval – one of the first Black Canadians to earn the degree in astronomy – and conducted her postdoctoral research at Caltech and Trent University. She taught at Mount Allison and Yale before landing at Cal Poly.

She has been based in California since 2016, but has been on leave since the summer of 2024 to serve on rotation for the National Science Foundation, where she administers funding for research in astrophysics.

Hot-button topics include instrumentation; Edwards points to a new telescope at the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile as an example. “It’s going to give us more galaxies and stars than have ever been observed in all of history.” There’s also a significant amount of research surrounding Artificial Intelligence. “AI is so much bigger than ChatGPT. It encompasses a range of computational techniques and advancements, including machine learning. Astronomers have been very involved and even crucial to the development of computation.”

Edwards’ role is to guide the process to determine which scientists should receive funding from the Foundation, which has a nearly $10 billion annual budget and accounts for a quarter of the federal funding received by American academic institutions for research. “One of the reasons that the U.S. and Canada have such strong science and economies is because there’s this investment – strong and steady in science and engineering.”

It’s a big, exciting job, and she’s having a blast doing it.

“I get to read everybody’s top ideas in the moment,” said Edwards. “I’m seeing the science everybody wants to do right now, today.”

Disclaimer: This material was written while Dr. Edwards was serving at the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Federal government.

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This story was featured in the Fall edition of the Maroon + White alumni magazine. Visit the online magazine to read more alumni stories!

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