AQUILA Living Lab
Unite for a better quality of life and optimal care for people living with an age-related neurodegenerative disorder and their caregivers.
The AQUILA research project is at the heart of the major challenges posed by the aging population and the increasing prevalence of major neurocognitive disorders (MNCDs) within Francophone communities in Canada. Indeed, these linguistic minority populations are particularly vulnerable to dysfunctional care transitions. These service disruptions, for example when returning home after hospitalization, significantly affect the quality of life of elderly people and their caregivers.
To address this situation, our research program aims to establish a robust methodological framework to improve care planning and coordination during these critical transitions. Our approach is resolutely focused on co-creation, relying on the expertise of patient partners, caregivers and healthcare professionals to ensure that the solutions developed are relevant and sustainable in the Canadian context.
Research components
The project is deployed through several interconnected components :
- Identify best practices that help seniors living with a neurodegenerative disease and their caregivers transition between different care settings and living environments. This will involve a systematic review of the scientific and grey literature to identify available knowledge tools and determine how they can be adapted to different Canadian contexts.
- Select indicators to measure the effectiveness of using these knowledge tools and ensure rigorous monitoring of the impact of their implementation in three minority Francophone communities.
- Collaborate with targeted Francophone communities to implement the identified knowledge tools.
- Contribute to the training and support of clinical teams so that they can provide the best possible care.
- Study the capacity to scale knowledge tools, in order to make them accessible to all Francophone communities in Canada over the long term.
In summary, this project aims to improve the quality of life of elderly people living with a age-related neurodegenerative disease and their caregivers by ensuring that they receive the best possible care when navigating the health care system at Canada.
AQUILA is looking for a PhD student
We are looking for a dynamic and motivated candidate, ideally wishing to enroll in a doctoral program in public health, epidemiology or a related field. Experience in mixed-methods research (quantitative and qualitative), knowledge translation or community collaboration would be a strong asset. The ideal candidate should have a strong interest in older adult populations, health equity and participatory research methods. She must also demonstrate a good command of both official languages of Canada.
This opportunity offers a stimulating research environment, quality mentorship and the possibility to contribute to a project with a direct and measurable social impact.
Areas of research
- Partnerships
- Participatory research
- Mixed methods
- Public health
- Equity, diversity and inclusion
- Population health
- Health services
- Health systems
- Implementation science
- Interdisciplinarity
- Transitions of care
Available funding
Doctoral scholarship of $40,000 for 1 year, with the possibility of renewal for 2 additional years for a maximum of 3 years. The successful candidate must apply for competitive scholarships to complete his/her doctoral program.
Profiles sought
- Community health
- Public health
- Nursing
- Epidemiology
Requirements and conditions
- Autonomy
- Rigor
- Interest in interdisciplinary research
- Excellent writing skills in French
- Excellent oral and written English skills
- Research experience with mixed methods is an asset
- Experience with conducting systematic reviews is an asset
**** NOTE **** Given the particularly long delays associated with obtaining immigration documents, and the need to start the research project quickly in order to use the available funds and begin the work, an international student person does not meet the required criteria.
Required documents
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Transcript of grades
- Names of two people in reference
Start date
As soon as possible
For any questions, contact Martyne Audet, Scientific Coordinator martyne.audet.cisssca@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
AQUILA Newsletters
This quarterly newsletter is an essential liaison tool to share the progress of our work and maintain a common vision within our pan-Canadian collaboration.
Members of the AQUILA research team
Patrick Archambault, principal investigator, Université Laval, QC
France Légaré, co-principal investigator, Université Laval, QC
Danielle de Moissac, co-principal investigator, Université de Saint-Boniface, MB
Stéphanie Collin, co-principal investigator, Université de Moncton, NB
Marie Laflamme, caregiver partner, Quebec, QC
Brigitte Leger, caregiver partner, Winnipeg, MB
Denis Prud’homme, co-researcher, Université de Moncton, NB
Solange van Kemenade, co-researcher, University of Ottawa, ON
Antoine Groulx, co-researcher, Université Laval, QC
Sharon Strauss, co-investigator, University of Toronto, ON
Jaspreet Khangura, co-investigator, University of Alberta, AB
Arlene Bierman, Co-Investigator, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, MD, USA
Anne-Marie Savard, co-researcher, Université Laval, QC
Sébastien Savard, co-researcher, University of Ottawa, ON
Antoine Desilets, collaborator, Société Santé en français
Sonia Nadeau, collaborator, Alzheimer Society Chaudière-Appalaches, QC
Jennifer Zelmer, co-investigator, University of Victoria, BC
Mwali-Nachishali Muray, co-researcher, University of Ottawa, ON
Maude Laberge, co-researcher, Université Laval, QC
Gabrielle Chicoine, collaborator, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, ON
El Kebir Ghandour, co-researcher, Université du Québec à Rimouski, QC
Simon Berthelot, co-researcher, Université Laval, QC
Anne Totten, cochercheure, Oregon Health & Science University, OR, ÉU
PROFESSIONAL TEAM
Martyne Audet, scientific coordinator, CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches research centre
Farhat Saidi-Mohamed, research professional, CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches Research Centre
Oscar Nduwimana, research professional, Canada Research Chair in Shared Decision and Knowledge Translation
Georgina Suelene Dofara, scientific coordinator, Canada Research Chair in Shared Decision and Knowledge Translation
Presentation of the project at ACFAS, May 2025
With the collaboration of the following organizations:
This research project is funded by:
The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) – Phase III: research teams through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and its partners, the Azrieli Foundation and its Canadian Caregiver Centre of Excellence, and Brain Canada.
