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Jennifer Rayner
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
And - Research Professor, Western University & Director of Research & Evaluation, Alliance for Healthier Communities
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Ensure you look for every opportunity to learn from mentors.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I work in collaboration with researchers and policy makers to understand, improve and advance health equity and comprehensive primary health care.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
I have worked with Community Health Centres for years and so many people they provide care to are invisible and excluded from research and population based studies. This has fueled everything I have done to ensure relevant and equity informed data demonstrates the care certain populations receive and identify gaps. I decided the best way to do this was become an epidemiologist. I would never have been able to do this without amazing and life changing mentors who helped me realize that this was possible.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
Reach out and engage with people - you can achieve anything through collaboration
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
I really love thinking through a problem and using data, research and innovation to impact change. I love working with diverse thinkers who challenge me and care deeply about what they do.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
Ensure you look for every opportunity to learn from mentors and talk to them about careers and paths. You will cherish these relationships.
INSPO / FUN FACT
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”