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Spring 2023 Special Feature

by Lil Crump

Interview with Jack Quach

PHD in Health (candidate)
MScRR Dalhousie
BSc (Med Science Hon) Dalhousie

When Jack Quach researched academic options following his undergrad degree, he determined that Dalhousie’s MScRR program offered an ideal platform for him to pursue his passion for health research, specifically in the area of frailty. “I was drawn to the program because it allowed me to work with a world-class frailty research team, which includes Dr. Olga Theou, Dr. Scott Kehler, and Dr. Ken Rockwood” explains Jack. “The opportunity to work with these experts in the field was a major factor in my decision to pursue this program.”

A bonus of attending Dalhousie for Jack, is that it happens to be his hometown - where his partner is located and where his family resides. As the oldest of 5 brothers, Jack values the opportunity to remain close to his siblings, and with a 20-year gap between them he has gladly taken on the role of “cool uncle”. That in mind, it is not surprising that academic and personal life balance is an important consideration in his life and career planning. When not immersed in academia, Jack enjoys playing soccer, he says “for fun” but last summer his Geriatric Medicine Research (GMR) research group won the Halifax Sport and Social Club play-offs and proudly accepted the accompanying trophy and swag! Jack also has a passion for exploring different cuisines with his partner and is an “avid gamer” with his friends online. Those who have had the pleasure of meeting Jack, may be surprised to hear that he is an introvert and when not engaged in school research or spending quality time with his family and friends, tends to keep to himself.

Personal life balance is an important consideration in life and career planning.

When asked to share some of his insights into Dal’s MScRR program, Jack said that the program gave him the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities that helped him grow as a researcher and as an individual. He was involved in every aspect of research projects, from proposing a study and applying to the Research Ethics Board to analyzing data and publishing journal articles. The hands-on experience allowed Jack to develop a deep understanding of the research process and gain invaluable skills in statistical and data analysis.

One of the projects Jack worked on focused on the importance of frailty in cardiac rehabilitation in a Halifax program. He collaborated with others in a variety of roles, from data collection to analysis and writing. This project provided him with the opportunity to network with scholars and clinicians from the cardiac rehab program and present the findings at conferences. In addition to these activities, Jack also had the chance to publish research, interact with his lab-mates, and develop his statistical and data analysis skills.

Jack gives kudos to his “amazing supervisors”. “They were always supportive and understanding of my goals, providing me with the flexibility to work in the way that I wanted. They supported me through both setbacks and successes, advocating for my skills and marketing them to others. They communicated clearly and encouraged me to apply for awards, funding, and other opportunities. I attribute many of my successes to their mentorship, and I feel fortunate to have had such great mentors during my time in the program.”

Now a graduate of Dal’s MScRR program, Jack is confident in his ability to work in the diverse and evolving profession of physiotherapy. He says he gained valuable skills in programming, analyzing big datasets, and working with different types of health data during his program. Additionally, he’s grown increasingly confident in his leadership abilities and has enjoyed opportunities to lead in the research setting. “While my primary focus has been on research” Jack explains, “I feel that the skills I have acquired during the MScRR program have equipped me with the tools I need to work effectively in my chosen field of work.  I feel confident in my ability to independently conduct original research, and I believe that my programming, data analysis, and leadership skills would be valuable assets in any academic setting.”

Because of his positive experiences in the MScRR program, Jack has continued his studies as a candidate in Dalhousie's, Faculty of Health, PhD in Health program. The flexibility of this program allows Jack to keep working closely with the research group at Geriatric Medicine Research (GMR) while exploring new topics of interest. His thesis topic is a continuation of his MSc work but from a slightly different angle. Specifically, he is using machine learning methods to improve outcome prediction in cardiovascular care, such as in cardiac rehab.  “The intersection of computer science and healthcare is fascinating” Jack shares, “I believe that it is just a matter of time before artificial intelligence and machine learning methods become integral to healthcare systems. However, there are many issues associated with integrating these methods efficiently and ethically into health and medicine. I aim to be someone who can facilitate communication between computer scientists and clinicians to address these challenges.”

Looking back on his MScRR experience, Jack says he would highly recommend the program to others, saying it “offered some challenges, but was also an extremely rewarding experience”. For those considering enrolling in the program Jack offers, “One of the most important things to consider is finding the right supervisors for your goals - so take the time to do your research and find someone who is a good fit for you.”

In terms of funding and awards, Jack emphasizes the importance of starting the process early and working closely with your supervisors who can provide invaluable feedback on funding applications - helping to tailor them to fit the criteria and expectations of the reviewers. “The process of applying for funding and awards can be challenging” Jack says, “but it is also a great learning experience that helps you develop important skills that will benefit you throughout your academic career.”

What’s next for Jack Quack? There is a good chance it will involve applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to healthcare. Jack believes these fields have enormous potential to transform healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. So, while he is exploring his career options, Jack confirms that Dalhousie’s MScRR and PhD in Health programming has/will equip him with the technical skills, writing ability, and leadership skills necessary to succeed in this area. Jack insisted on taking this opportunity to thank his supportive supervisors (Drs Theou and Kehler). “They have been instrumental in shaping my academic journey and supporting my growth as a researcher. Working with them has been a fantastic experience - they have created an environment that is both intellectually stimulating and supportive.” He also expresses gratitude to the GMR team for their support as well as for the opportunity to learn about frailty and even collaborate with area expert, Dr. Rockwood.

Jack is not alone his is excitement to see where his journey leads, we are also very excited to see his positive impact on healthcare. We wish you every success Jack!

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