Centre for Trauma and Mental Health Research (CTMHR)

I'm a translational neuroscientist with over 20 years of research experience. I completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 2005, followed by a master’s in 2007.  I completed my PhD in 2011 in Neuroscience at the University of Western Ontario. I then worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Melbourne before setting up my own lab in the Department of Medicine in 2015.

In 2018, I became one of the founding faculty members at Monash University’s new Department of Neuroscience. There I set up and led the Monash Trauma Group.

In 2022 I was awarded the Michael Smith Health Research BC Chair, which brought me to VIU. Here, I am a professor in Health Sciences and the director of the VIU Centre for Trauma & Mental Health Research.

I have published over 150 journal articles in top journals like:

• Brain
• Neurology
• Lancet Neurology
• Brain Behavior & Immunity
• Journal of Neuroinflammation
• Journal of Neurotrauma.

My research has been featured at over 70 scientific meetings. And I have secured more than $60 million in research funding, with more than $7 million as the principal investigator. I've also supervised more than 50 students and postdoctoral fellows.

My research aims to understand the effects and biology of brain trauma and related conditions to find ways to detect it in patients and develop treatments to improve recovery.

Current research projects

1. Developing blood biomarkers and screening tools to help diagnose brain injuries in vulnerable populations. This includes victims of domestic violence, older adults and prison inmates.
2. Examining the relationship between brain trauma and the later onset of other neurological conditions. This includes the relationship between domestic violence and neurodegenerative disease.
3. Clinical trials examining the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and persisting post-concussion symptoms.

Current funding

• Michael Smith Health Research BC
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• New Frontiers in Research
• USA Department of Defence
• Brain Canada
• Canada Foundation for Innovation

Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar
Deputy Director, Centre for Trauma and Mental Health Research
Department of Kinesiology, Vancouver Island University

I’m a professor in the Faculty of Education and Kinesiology at VIU, where I lead the Foot-Ankle Stability (FASt) Lab. My academic journey began at Lakehead University for my undergraduate and master's degrees, followed by a PhD at McMaster University. I then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Calgary, funded by Alberta Innovates, NSERC, and the Killam Foundation. Before joining VIU, I served as a Canada Research Chair at Mount Royal University from 2019 to 2023.

My research focuses on understanding how the foot and ankle are crucial for walking and running. As we age or experience trauma that affects our musculoskeletal or nervous system, our foot and ankle function often deteriorates. This impacts our mobility. My goal is to explore the structure, function and neural control of the foot and ankle during movement in various states—healthy, aging, injured and diseased. Given the complexity of these structures, I use a combination of:

• biomechanical tools
• physiological measures
• computational modeling
• simulation techniques

I aim to translate my research findings into healthcare solutions that enhance our ability to walk and run safely throughout our lives.

Current Funding

• Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Award
• NSERC Discovery Grant
• NSERC Research Tools and Instruments
• Mitacs Accelerate and Elevate programs

Publications

You can explore my research through my PubMed profile.

For a comprehensive list of my works, visit my Google Scholar profile.

I am a dedicated nurse, educator, researcher and author with more than 25 years of experience in mental health nursing. I work in communities, facilities and private practice, always focusing on the strengths and potential of those I care for. I’ve been teaching nursing at Vancouver Island University for more than 20 years, leading curriculum design and team-based teaching methods.

My research interests include:

• resilience
• mental health promotion
• stress management
• capacity-building

My research promotes health and wellbeing, and I excel at turning research into practical solutions. I have worked with fire rescue and emergency services for more than 25 years. I develop and evaluate critical incident stress and resilience programs globally.

I am often asked to speak at healthcare and first responder organizations and international conferences. I volunteered for more than 20 years as the clinical coordinator for the Archipelago Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Society. At Archipelago I supported the psychological health of emergency services and healthcare personnel.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy outdoor activities with my dog Paddington.I am a non-competitive athlete in triathlon, cycling and paddleboarding. I’m an active member of the Rotary Club of Nanaimo and volunteer for Elderdog Canada.

Current research projects

1. Building Resilience Among Nurses: Examining the Feasibility of Detachment Technique (DTech)

• This project aims to test the effectiveness of DTech. DTech is a non-pharmacological strategy that aligns with holistic and empowering mental health recovery models. The study explores how DTech can help nurses manage workplace stress. Lived experience experts (LEEs) advise on research design and implementation. Students will be involved as research assistants once funding is secured.

• Building on the first study, this project examines the effectiveness of game-based resilience education for firefighters. The research will explore changes in firefighters' resilience and their perceptions of the training. The study includes enhancements from the first version. These include more hands-on resilience exercises and improved recruitment strategies. LEEs are involved in content development and gameplay. And students will assist with research once funding is confirmed.

Completed research (2019-2023)

• Firefighter Edge V1
• This project developed and tested a resilience education game for firefighters. We had over 200 participants. The study measured changes in resilience scores and behaviors but faced challenges with post-game survey completion.
• Strengthening the Indomitable Spirit in Nursing: Piloting Targeted Resilience Education
• Building Resilience in Volunteer Firefighters – Bridging the Research to Practice Gap

Current funding

• Seeking funding for:
• Building Resilience Among Nurses: Examining the Feasibility of Detachment Technique (DTech)
• Firefighter Edge V2
• Past and current funding:
• WorkSafeBC
• BC SUPPORT Unit for Patient-Oriented Research
• Vancouver Island University

Publications

Refereed Articles (Sample):

• Blaney, L., Abbey, D., Pollard, E., Agyekum, E., Slonowosky, D., Macdonald, A. (in press). Strengthening the Indomitable Spirit of Nurses Through Targeted Resilience Education. Journal of Adversity and Resilience Science.
• Blaney, L., Spriggs, G., Lumley, J., Agyekum E., Slonowosky, F., & Macdonald, A. (2023). Ignite Your Strengths – Resilience Education for Firefighters. Crisis, Stress, and Human Resilience, 5(2), 35-56.
• Blaney, L., Wilde, D., & Hill, R. (2021). Transcending Adversity: Resilience in Volunteer Firefighters. International Journal of Emergency Services, 10(2), 161-176.
• Blaney, L., & Brunsden, V. (2015). Resilience and Health Promotion in High Risk Professions: A Pilot Study of Firefighters in Canada and the United Kingdom. The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Organizational Studies, 10(2), 23-32.

As a registered nurse and Health Professional Investigator for the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, I focus on

• innovation, education and leadership in resilience programming
• psychedelic-assisted therapy (PaT)
• culturally responsive approaches

I’m a founder and clinical leader for Roots to Thrive (RTT), where I facilitate PaT service delivery. I’m also a clinical leader at Orca Lelum Wellness, dedicated to addictions treatment and wellness programs for Indigenous youth. I chair the Naut sa Mawt Centre for Psychedelic Research (NCPR) and lead the PaT Graduate Certificate Program at VIU. My leadership in PaT is connected through the Three-prong Approach to PaT Learning System (3P-PaT LS), a collaborative effort between VIU and RTT. This approach brings together three distinct but interwoven prongs:

• translating local knowledge to the forefront of resilience
• PaT program research and development
• spreading knowledge to the broader field of mental health and wellness.

I am a proud mother of two tweens and have been in a life partnership for over 20 years. As a second and third-generation immigrant to Canada, I represent a blend of European ancestry. I aim to maintain harmonious relationships with science and spirituality. I strive to walk in humility and allyship with people from diverse backgrounds. My education includes a Doctorate of Adult Education. My PhD research focusing on resilience development. I also have a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Education and research

• Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Chair
• Health Professional Investigator
• Nursing and PaTGC Professor
• Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate (PaTGC)
• Naut'sa Mawt Centre for Psychedelic Research (NCPR), VIU

Professional practice and clinical leadership

• Roots to Thrive (resilience & psychedelic-assisted therapy)
• Orca Lelum Wellness Centre (supportive recovery for Indigenous youth facing addiction)

Publications

• Professor Shannon Dames on PubMed

Professor, Department of Chemistry
Vancouver Island University

Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemistry
University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2

I am a professor in the Department of Chemistry at VIU and an adjunct professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Victoria (UVic). I earned my BSc in Biology at VIU and a PhD in Chemistry at UVic. My PhD research focused on environmental analytical chemistry. During my postdoc at Uppsala University, I transitioned to bioanalytical chemistry. I advanced ambient mass spectrometry imaging technology for mapping small molecules in complex tissue samples.

In my lab, I lead an interdisciplinary team that develops and applies custom mass spectrometry hardware and software to explore the molecular foundations of disease and trauma.

Current research projects

1.     Custom Ambient Ionization Spatial Metabolomics

• We’re designing and building custom hardware and software for ambient ionization spatial metabolomics. This allows us to map molecules in tissue substructures too small to dissect, revealing near-cellular level metabolisms.

2.     Expanding Observable Biomolecules

• This project aims to enhance the detection of low-abundance metabolites, providing a more comprehensive profile of spatial distributions of molecules in tissue samples.

3.     Tumor-Driven Immunosuppression

• Using advanced mass spectrometry imaging, we’re uncovering metabolic mechanisms behind tumor-driven immunosuppression. This research aims to clarify why immune cells are sometimes absent in tumors, affecting patient survival.

4.     Environmental Contaminants in Fish

• We’re mapping environmental contaminants and their metabolites in fish using mass spectrometry imaging. This helps us understand the mechanisms of toxicity.

Current funding

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• Terry Fox Research Institute
• Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation
• Canada Foundation for Innovation
• British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund
• Vancouver Island University

Publications

Example Publications

• K. D. Duncan, H. Petrasova, D. R. Goodlett, J. Lum, Mass Spectrometry Imaging Methods for Visualizing Tumor Heterogeneity, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 2024, 86, 103068.
• J. Lillja, K. D. Duncan, I. Lanekoff, Ion-to-Image, i2i: A New Mass Spectrometry Imaging Data Analysis Platform for Continuous Ionization Techniques, Analytical Chemistry, 2023, 95, 31, 11589-11595.
• K. D. Duncan, X. Sun, E. Baker, S. K. Dey, I. Lanekoff, In Situ Imaging Reveals Disparity Between Prostaglandin Localization and Abundance of Prostaglandin Synthases, Communications Biology, 2021, 966, 1-9.
• K. D. Duncan, I. Lanekoff, Spatially Defined Surface Sampling Capillary Electrophoresis Mass Spectrometry, Analytical Chemistry, 2019, 91, 7819-7827.

For more of Dr. Duncan’s publications, visit his Google Scholar profile.