RESEARCH PROFILE numerous health and social costs, particularly for young people. Identifying the mechanisms that contribute to these costs can help us build prevention and intervention tools that minimize these costs and encourage safer use of alcohol and cannabis. It’s exciting to engage in applied research that will help shape the landscape of substance use policy in Canada and help consumers make more informed choices.
Dr. Kara Thompson
DR. KARA THOMPSON Department: Psychology Year Started at StFX: 2015 Courses taught: Psychology 155 (Introduction to Psychology for Nursing), Health 102 and 202 (Health across the lifespan I and II), and Health 490 (Honours Seminar) Could you tell me a bit about your research? My research focuses on understanding patterns of alcohol and cannabis use among youth and young adults. In particular, I focus on understanding what factors contribute to the development of high risk substance use patterns, such as personality and substance use motives, and the impacts of substance use on mental and physical health for young adults. I am conducting research with students examining how the ways that cannabis is consumed (i.e., via a joint, bong, vape, edible) alters the physiological and subjective effects of cannabis.
8
StFX ALUMNINEWS l SUMMER 2021
How did you become a researcher? Growing up, I wanted to be a clinical psychologist, working one-on-one with individuals to help them navigate challenges throughout life. When I entered graduate school, I began working with several prolific scholars at the Canadian Institute of Substance Use Research and witnessed firsthand the significant impact of population health research. I realized that through innovative research I could improve health for individuals and populations. My work today continues to be driven by a need to uncover the factors that determine health and apply this knowledge to programs and policies that promote health and prevent disease for young people. What impact do you hope the research will have? Substance use is deeply embedded in our culture and while it serves numerous social functions for us, it also is associated with
Could you tell me a bit about yourself and any awards or accomplishments? In 2014, I returned home to the east coast for a postdoctoral fellowship at Dalhousie University after graduating from the University of Victoria with a PhD in Life-span Development Psychology. In 2015, I accepted a position at StFX where I have established my program of research focused on Substance use and Health in Emerging Adulthood (SHEA lab). I have published over 50 peer reviewed articles and have been a principle investigator or co-investigator on grants totalling over $4.6 million. I recently received the 2021 StFX President’s Research Award. I attribute my research success largely to the preeminent national and international scholars I have the privilege of collaborating with, as they continually inspire me to push the boundaries of research innovation. What excites you or what do you enjoy about being a researcher at StFX? The small, intimate learning environment that StFX is known for allows me to apply my research in a way I wouldn’t be able to at a larger institution. The research I conduct is highly relevant to supporting student health. As a result, student services are often collaborators on my research and I serve on many institutional committees related to student health and well-being. It’s exciting to know the work I do contributes meaningfully to the StFX community and directly impacts student health. What’s something surprising about yourself that people wouldn’t know? I was born and raised on PEI, only a short drive (and a ferry ride) from Antigonish. In summer, my children and I spend much time at our cottage playing in the red sand, eating Cows ice cream, and enjoying time with family.
