Celebrating Innovation and Impact

Each year, the Research Excellence Awards recognize outstanding scholars whose work is transforming lives, advancing knowledge, and strengthening communities. These awards celebrate researchers who demonstrate exceptional creativity, leadership, and impact in their fields, whether through groundbreaking discoveries, community-engaged scholarship, or policy-shaping insights.

The recipients of this year’s awards exemplify the spirit of innovation and dedication that defines Dalhousie’s research community. Their work spans disciplines and borders, tackling some of the most pressing challenges in health, equity, and society. Through their commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and meaningful change, they are not only advancing their fields—they are shaping a healthier, more just future.

Championing Health Equity Through Violence Prevention
Dr. Alexa Yakubovich – Research Excellence Award Winner

Dr. Alexa Yakubovich’s research sits at the powerful intersection of health, social justice, and community engagement. As a leading scholar in violence prevention, her work focuses on uncovering the causes of violence—particularly gender-based violence—and identifying strategies to prevent its devastating health impacts.

Driven by a lifelong commitment to social justice, Dr. Yakubovich’s academic journey led her to explore how structural and social conditions shape health outcomes.

“Violence is one of the greatest determinants of women’s health and wellbeing,” she explains, “and living a life free from violence is a recognized human right.”

Her research is deeply community-engaged and survivor-centered. By partnering with women with lived experience, service providers, and advocates, Dr. Yakubovich ensures that survivor voices guide every stage of her work. This approach has not only shaped her studies but also influenced policy across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.—from gun safety advocacy to national health equity initiatives.

Receiving the Research Excellence Award is a meaningful affirmation of her partnership-based approach.

“It shows that the University values the transformative aims of my research,” she says, “and supports investing time in building a meaningful program of work.”

At Dalhousie, Dr. Yakubovich has found a supportive environment to pursue health equity research tailored to regional needs. Her advice to early-career researchers?

“Find the question or cause that motivates you most, and make sure your work continues to fulfill you.”

Through her work, Dr. Yakubovich is not only advancing knowledge, she’s reshaping systems to better support survivors and promote lasting change.

Fighting for Inclusive Mental Health Care
Dr. Ejemai Eboreime – Research Excellence Award Winner

Dr. Ejemai Eboreime’s research is rooted in a powerful question: How can we ensure that evidence-based healthcare reaches those who need it most?

A physician and implementation scientist, Dr. Eboreime’s work spans continents and communities, from internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria to African Nova Scotians navigating systemic barriers to mental health care.

His flagship project, Rebuilding Emotional Stability and Strength Through Therapeutic and Life-Skills Education for Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria (RESETTLE-IDPs), adapts UNICEF’s life skills education framework to support the psychosocial reintegration of displaced populations. Delivered both in-person and via WhatsApp, the program is now evolving into RESETTLE-AI, a cutting-edge initiative that uses artificial intelligence to scale culturally tailored mental health support.

In Nova Scotia, Dr. Eboreime leads the EMBRACE series, which investigates multifactorial barriers to mental health care for marginalized groups. His work doesn’t stop at identifying gaps—it actively co-designs solutions with communities, ensuring interventions are not only effective but culturally and situationally respectful.

A recent recipient of the Dalhousie Research Excellence Award, Dr. Eboreime is quick to credit his team and the university’s support systems.

“I don’t think I won an award,” he says. “I was supported to win this award.”

“We don’t have hard-to-reach groups. What we have are services that are hard to reach. It’s our responsibility as providers to ensure care gets to those who need it.” — Dr. Ejemai Eboreime