Naeha Sharma
Master of Public Health Candidate
Queen's University | 2019
Hello! I'm Naeha
I am a Master of Public Health candidate at Queen’s University. I studied Honours Biological Sciences at the University of Guelph, which fundamentally deepened my passion for mixed-methods research, as well as chronic diseases. Through my current studies and volunteer work, I have developed a keen interest in sustainable program planning and knowledge mobilization, which I hope to utilize to move research into action. Ultimately, I am motivated by a long-standing passion for global health equity and strive to reduce health inequities by building connections between research and practice.
EXPERIENCE
2017-PRESENT
The Canadian Cancer Society
PUBLIC ISSUES AND ADVOCACY VOLUNTEER
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Disseminated research-findings to Members of Parliament to communicate the CCS’s policy recommendations, ultimately contributing to a framework that was presented to the government. The framework outlined prevention and protection measures for recreational cannabis.
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Completed background research to outline potential public health policy amendments. Shared recommendations in policy consultations on behalf of the CCS, including the Pharmacare, Standard Lease Agreement, and Cannabis Consultations.
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Advocated through social media, such as the use of “Thunderclaps”, leading to a social reach of approximately 66,000 people.
2017-2018
Diabetes Canada
HEALTH PROMOTION VOLUNTEER
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Created and delivered engaging “Let’s Talk Diabetes” presentations to a diverse audience by modifying content and delivery according to sociocultural factors, thus displaying intercultural competence and flexibility.
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Facilitated communication with stakeholders and sought out sponsorship opportunities by disseminating the objectives and previous successes of our projects. Ultimately built a relationship with the Lions and Rotary Clubs of the Greater Toronto Area.
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Helped design the first annual Scarborough Multicultural Diabetes Convention to engage at-risk communities by addressing the social determinants of health.
2017-2018
Relay For Life
COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
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Contributed to the creation of a development plan to successfully prepare for the event. Demonstrated ability to effectively organize a large-scale, time-sensitive event that exceeded goals by raising $55,423.
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Spearheaded use of Twitter by creating a social media plan. Collaborated with participants by posting about their fundraising initiatives and their reasons to Relay, thus nurturing the relationship between Relay and the community.
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Initiated use of a Facebook group for participants, facilitating collaboration year round. Implemented feedback by extending the Survivor’s Tent and including a Caregivers’ Lap.
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Showcased collaboration skills by fostering relationships with stakeholders and sponsors, coordinating meetings and presentations, and initiating new relationships.
2014-2017
University of Guelph
SOCIAL MEDIA EXECUTIVE
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Delegated tasks to match the strengths of team members, resulting in successful completion of campaigns based on the needs and interests of the Guelph university community.
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Controlled and developed content for social media accounts, communicating health information, such as facts about disease incidence and prevention, as well as information about our events.
EDUCATION
2018-2019
Master of Public Health
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY
Relevant Courses: Epidemiology, Foundations of Public Health, Biostatistics, Applied Regression Analysis, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Public Health System in Canada, Applied Research Methods in Program Planning and Evaluation
2013-2017
Honours Bachelor of Science
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
Focus: Biological Sciences
SKILLS
Literature Reviews & Protocols
Quantitative Analysis - SAS
Microsoft Office
Infographics & Social Media Content
Multilingual - English, Punjabi, Hindi
Intercultural Awareness Certificate
THEMES
HEALTH EQUITY
I hope to consider the social factors that apply pressure to low-income countries, such as fetal and early-life nutritional status, and how these factors have transformed diabetes from a Western disease to a global one. Many low-income countries do not have the capacity to coordinate divergent goals of stakeholders, nor do they have the sustainable, context-driven systems and the real-time data needed to swiftly transform current research into practice. Thus, I hope to stand at the intersection between research and practice, to build connections between researchers and practitioners, ultimately bridging global knowledge gaps.
HEIA Presentation
During my Master of Public Health program, I created a Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) report exploring the impact of the legalization of nicotine and e-cigarettes on Toronto’s youth, unemployed, and immigrant populations. I examined the differential impact of this policy change and what equity-based improvements can be made, before assessing Toronto Public Health’s previous work to determine what was feasible for a health unit. To complete the HEIA, I leaned on my previous research abilities to support my mitigation, monitoring, and dissemination suggestions, effectively applying research to a real policy issue. Out of a class of 65, my HEIA report was chosen as one of three to participate in a webinar with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, to educate policy makers, stakeholders, and practitioners on how to ensure their work is equitable. Thus, I effectively utilized the HEIA tool to examine how policy can be used to prevent differential health outcomes, which can be extended to examining and informing decision-making.
Real-time data is needed to swiftly transform current research into practice. Thus, I have developed skills and interest in quantitative analysis through academic projects, in the hopes to bridge knowledge gaps. In particular, I hope to utilize research to inform program and policy decisions, paying particular attention to the changing context of public health issues, to ultimately ensure sustainable programs and policies.
DATA ANALYSIS
Through my undergraduate studies and volunteer work, I have developed a keen interest in chronic disease prevention and management. In particular, I hope to use research to effectively target populations who experience barriers to health information, yet greater burdens of chronic disease.
"Let's Talk Diabetes" - Sample Page
Multicultural Diabetes Convention - Promotional Poster
The “Let’s Talk Diabetes” Presentation was a PowerPoint presentation I helped improve for the purpose of educating communities on the nature of diabetes, prevention and management, as well as resources available. I utilized this presentation as a health promotion tool to translate knowledge to diverse audiences at schools, workplaces, Rotary Clubs, retirement homes, religious centres, and more. However, I quickly recognized that utilizing a standard presentation hinders the accessibility of health information, particularly for at-risk communities. After each presentation, I decided to note the benefits of my approach and what could be improved upon, later discussing changes with my volunteer coordinator, who allowed me permission to modify the PowerPoint as I saw fit. Ultimately, I decided to consider a variety of novel methods, such as utilizing different languages, activities, and a cultural context in my delivery method. This revealed to me that nuanced needs and barriers limit access to health information. Motivated to extend the information I’d gathered, I joined fellow volunteers to create the Multicultural Diabetes Convention, specifically focusing on at-risk communities. I applied what I learned from my presentations, leading to a successful large-scale event that has been renewed for subsequent years. Thus, I have demonstrated and developed transferrable leadership qualities, such as collaboration, ambition, intercultural competence, and knowledge translation. Coupled with these skills, I have also been able to apply my interest in chronic disease prevention and management to real-world issues.