How students are supporting the HEAL & CHARM studies
Behind every large research study is a team of people working thoughtfully and carefully to make sure the research is meaningful, ethical, and accessible. For the HEAL and CHARM studies, students have played an important role in supporting the study from the very beginning, and their contributions continue to grow as the study progresses.
Since the HEAL and CHARM studies launched, 13 students from the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Waterloo have supported the study. Together, they’ve contributed over 1,000 hours of work, with more to come as the HEAL and CHARM studies continue to evolve.
These students bring diverse perspectives and training backgrounds, including public health, systems design, engineering, and health sciences, and represent a mix of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training levels:
- 6work-study students (undergraduate and graduate)
- 2Master’s students
- 2PhD students
- 3postdoctoral fellows
Whether supporting study design, communications, or knowledge translation, students help ensure that the HEAL and CHARM studies are clear, respectful, and participant-centred.
Below, we spotlight two current work-study students who are helping shape how the HEAL and CHARM studies are shared with participants and the broader community.
Student spotlight: Ramyah
Role with the HEAL & CHARM studies
As a Knowledge Translation work-study student with CanPath, Ramyah supports the communications efforts for the HEAL and CHARM studies. Her work focuses on making complex study information easier to understand and more visually engaging, helping participants stay informed about the study’s progress and the impact of their contributions.
“By creating easy-to-follow content, I help ensure participants understand how their involvement contributes to meaningful health research,” she explains.
What she’s learning
Through the HEAL and CHARM studies, Ramyah has gained hands-on experience tailoring communication to a specific audience, anticipating where someone might feel confused or overwhelmed and addressing those gaps clearly and thoughtfully.
“This experience has reinforced how important it is to meet people where they are,” she says. “I’ll carry this skill forward as I pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology, where adapting communication to each person’s needs is essential.”
Favourite winter activity
“I’m not the biggest fan of the snow, so I love staying cozy indoors. A steaming bowl of spicy ramen and a good show is my perfect winter escape.”
Student spotlight: Abby
Role with the HEAL & CHARM studies
Abby is a Communications Assistant with CanPath, where she supports the creation and delivery of communications materials for the HEAL and CHARM studies. Her work helps translate research updates into clear, engaging content that participants and the public can easily understand.
What she’s learning
Abby enjoys learning how to communicate science in a way that feels accessible and relevant.
“It’s exciting to help share research that can genuinely improve our understanding of how diet and environment affect health,” she says. “Being part of this work has shown me how powerful good communication can be in connecting people to research.”
Favourite winter activity
“I love going skating outside and ending the day with a cup of hot chocolate.”
Why student involvement matters
As the HEAL and CHARM studies continue, students will remain a key part of the team, learning alongside researchers, and helping turn participant contributions into knowledge that can improve health for communities across Canada.