(L-R) Recognition of Scholarly Activity award recipients Dr. Jones Adjei, Dr. Cyrus Taheri, Jason Frizzell, Dr. Heather Markovitch, Dr. Choon-Lee Chai, Dr. Fola Oluwasina (missing Kristen Gulbransen). (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Independent Research

Red Deer Polytechnic recognizes Scholarly Activity and Capstone Projects at event

May 14, 2023 | 11:14 AM

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) hosted their Recognition of Scholarly Activity (RoSA) Awards and Capstone Recognition event on Thursday.

RDP officials say the event was to celebrate their faculty’s innovative scholarly activity and independent research.

“Each year our committee is astonished at the quality of scholarly work completed by the faculty in our institution,” said Erin Lowe, Chair of RoSA Committee and RDP Nursing Instructor. “From ground-breaking research and insightful publications to original works, our faculty has been actively engaged in advancing knowledge and contributing to the world of scholarship. These accomplishments are a testament to their dedication and hard work as they strive to make meaningful contributions to their respective fields. We are proud to honor their scholarship and look forward to seeing the impact of their work in the years to come.”

The RDP faculty was recognized for scholarly activity in four categories that include Discovery, Integration, Application and Teaching.

The institution says the following award recipients were honoured at the event for their exemplary scholarly activity during 2022:

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• Dr. Fola Oluwasina – “Evaluating the Prevalence and Correlates of Major Depressive Disorder among Residents of Fort McMurray, Canada one year after a devastating flood.”
• Dr. Heather Markovitch – “White Magic, Black Humour: Ella D’Arcy’s Narrative Strategies, Cahiers victoriens et edouardiens.”
• Kristen Gulbransen – research to address gaps in care experienced by persons who use substances during pregnancy.
• Jason Frizzell – exploration of reference and influence in visual art creations, culminating in two art exhibitions: “And We Will Dream of El Dorado” and “We’ll Build a Palace Upon the Ruins.”
• Dr. Jones Adjei and Dr. Choon-Lee Chai – research in partnership with the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association to create a Cultural Competency Training Module aimed at supporting immigrant victims of domestic violence.
• Dr. Cyrus Taheri – research on the presence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in High Touch Objects in Washrooms on RDP’s Main Campus leading to the discovery of a new bacterial species.

Since 2006, RDP states a jury comprised of RoSA committee members has selected and recognized significant scholarly endeavours by the faculty. They say these activities enhance and contribute to the experiences of students and communities and help to solve societal and industrial challenges.

Three RDP faculty members were also recognized at the event for completing capstone projects:

• Dr. Jones Adjei – Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom: A Literature Synthesis
• Heather Brandt – Pharmacy Technician Program Analysis of Non-Sterile Compounding Dosage Forms
• Natalie Ford – Engagement and Brave Spaces in the Classroom: A Nursing Ethics Perspective
  (L-R) Heather Brandt, Dr. Jones Adjei, Natalie Ford who completed their Capstone Projects. (Supplied)

The capstone projects are the final component of the Excellence in Teaching and Learning Program, which is a Career Development Certificate taught by faculty Learning Designers in the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

In 2022, more than 100 applied research projects were conducted at the Polytechnic.

“Through scholarly activity and applied research, RDP’s faculty, staff and students find solutions to problems that positively impact the economic growth of industries and social fabric of communities across Alberta and beyond,” said RDP officials in a release.

Learn more about research at RDP by visiting rdpolytech.ca/research.