Research Opportunity (MSc): Join Dr. Kristina Kokorelias’s CIHR-Funded Study on Aging, HIV, and Caregiving Networks

RSI is proud to highlight Dr. Kristina Kokorelias (Sinai Health, Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy), whose recent SSHRC Insight Development and CIHR project funding will support groundbreaking research addressing critical gaps in caregiving and healthcare support systems.

These faculty-led projects not only advance knowledge in rehabilitation sciences but also create meaningful opportunities for graduate students to contribute to interdisciplinary, community-engaged research.

Project 1: Supporting Healthcare Professional Caregivers (SSHRC Insight Development Grant, 2025–2027)

This project examines the unique challenges faced by healthcare professional caregivers (HCPCs) who balance demanding healthcare roles with unpaid family caregiving. These dual responsibilities can heighten stress and burnout and may affect patient safety and quality of care.

There remains a significant gap in research on how to support this group effectively.
RSI is seeking an MSc student to join the project, which explores how technology can help HCPCs manage role strain, enhance communication, and access tailored supports.

Student involvement includes:

• Conducting qualitative interviews and facilitating workshops
• Analyzing data and contributing to co-design activities
• Translating findings into practical, technology-based supports

This position offers hands-on experience in applied qualitative research and digital health innovation within a supportive, interdisciplinary team.

Project 2: Advancing Person- and Family-Centered Care for Older Adults Living with HIV (CIHR Funded, 2025–2028)

Older adults living with HIV often rely on non-traditional or “chosen” family caregivers, a group frequently overlooked in traditional care models. This project aims to develop Canada’s first Person- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) model for older adults living with HIV and their caregivers.

An MSc student on this project may focus on:

• Exploring the lived experiences of chosen family caregivers
• Investigating how they interact with healthcare providers
• Analyzing how social determinants like gender, race, and sexuality shape caregiving roles

Through this project, the student will gain training in qualitative research, co-design, equity-informed methods, and community-based participatory research, contributing to the development of inclusive healthcare solutions.

Who We’re Looking For

If you’re a graduate student passionate about aging, caregiving, and digital health, this opportunity is a great fit. At RSI, you’ll collaborate within an interdisciplinary research community and gain hands-on experience in qualitative methods, co-design, and technology-enabled health innovation under the mentorship of leading researchers like Dr. Kristina Kokorelias.

These projects are ideal for students who want to:

• Conduct equity-informed, community-based research
• Explore real-world applications of rehabilitation science
• Develop skills that shape the future of inclusive healthcare

Interested in Joining?

Prospective MSc students interested in these projects are encouraged to contact Dr. Kristina Kokorelias and Cc our graduate coordinators to learn more about application timelines and available research positions.