Seminar Series: Tammy Clifford, PhD
Oh, the places you'll go! The potential of a PhD in Epidemiology: a case study
Tammy Clifford, PhD
Vice President
Research - Learning Health Systems
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Adjunct Professor
School of Epidemiology & Public Health
University of Ottawa
Short Biography:
In October 2018, Dr. Tammy J Clifford joined CIHR as its Vice-President of Research Programs. In this role, Dr. Clifford has been responsible for the design, development, and administration of the agency’s funding programs and science policies. In February 2022, she became the first to assume the role of CIHR’s Vice-President Research – Learning Health Systems. In this new role, Dr. Clifford will establish a team that will bring together existing as well as new initiatives related to clinical trials, patient-oriented research, knowledge mobilization, ethics, research excellence, EDI and capacity building, as well as CIHR’s Centre for Research in Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies.
Prior to joining CIHR, Dr. Clifford served as a member of the Executive Team at the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), most recently as Chief Scientist and Vice-President, Evidence Standards. At the beginning of her career, Dr. Clifford worked on a number of maternal and child health research projects at CHEO’s Research Institute, where she also served as a member of the Research Ethics Board. She continues to hold an adjunct faculty appointment with the University of Ottawa’s School of Epidemiology and Public Health.
Tammy is an authentic leader, and is recognized for her passion and commitment to mentoring, as well as to training the next generation of health researchers. She received her PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University), and her BSc and MSc from McGill.
Abstract:
Through a case study, this presentation will highlight potential careers for epidemiology graduates, with a focus on “alternate” or “non-academic” options. In all instances, linkages will be noted between the tenets of epidemiology graduate training and key competencies for these roles; in other words, this presentation will suggest that “thinking like an epidemiologist” is a strong attribute for many careers, including those outside the academic setting. During the course of the session, discussion will touch on agenda setting for health research (including the concept of research waste), as well as the foundational imperative to address equity, diversity and inclusion in health research.
Keywords:
Health technology assessment, evidence synthesis, patient-oriented research, science policy, research on research
Date: Friday, March 17th
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: PHFM 3015 (Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine)
