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The O’Brien Foundation has awarded fellowships to four scholars with University of New Brunswick (UNB) connections.

Patrick Hickey (BSc’21, MA’23), Ethan O’Connell (BSc’23), Kristen Maureen Byrne (BA’18) and Annika Kathleen Beatteay (BA’20) were recognized on July 24 by Lt.-Gov. Brenda Murphy at a ceremony at Government House in Fredericton.

“The O’Brien Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support by giving scholarships to current and former residents of New Brunswick who are pursuing graduate studies,” said Michelle Nowlan, executive director of the foundation.

“Since the foundation’s inception in 1971, O’Brien Fellowships totalling nearly two million dollars have been awarded to 373 deserving and distinguished recipients.”

Applicants must include evidence of substantial scholarly or creative achievement or proposed work beyond coursework, such as theses or dissertations, reports, capstone projects, conference presentations, publications, public performances, gallery shows or film festival participation.

A selection committee of professors from New Brunswick’s three public universities (Université de Moncton, UNB, and Mount Allison University) evaluates the applications. The committee considers academic achievement, research potential and letters of reference.

Awards are for graduate studies in any discipline at any accredited, degree-granting university or institution in Canada or abroad, although professional master’s programs are excluded. Nowlan said that the foundation does not prioritize any field of study over others.

Byrne, pursuing a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies at UNB, was motivated to apply for the scholarship because her research aligned with the foundation's goals.

“My doctoral research explores the centrality of urban issues in social policy. My research focuses on the New Brunswick context and examines the experiences of the aging population, newcomers, and persons with disabilities living in the province's urban centres,” she said.

“I am excited that the fellowship will support my research and allow me to attend conferences and publish papers to share my findings. My research will provide additional insight into the needs of residents of New Brunswick. I look forward to sharing my research findings and staying in contact with the O'Brien Foundation and other fellows.”

Beatteay, who is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at UNB, said her $5,000 fellowship would help with expenses.

“Finances can be a major barrier for graduate students, so not having to worry about how I will cover some of the costs is incredibly helpful and will allow me to spend more time focusing on research,” she said.

“My research primarily focuses on cognitive and perceptual factors influenced by age, lifestyle and mental health. This is an area of great importance to New Brunswick, as we are greying more rapidly than many other provinces.”

She said her goals are to further the knowledge of the cumulative effects of ageing on perceptual processes and develop an early warning system for the onset of illness. This could lead to timely interventions and appropriate support placement to allow older adults to age in place longer. This research could lead to better outcomes for older adults and help reframe ageing as a more positive experience.

O’Connell, awarded $5,000, started at UNB in electrical and computer engineering but discovered an interest in mathematics. After graduation, this led him to pursue a master’s degree in environmental statistics at Dalhousie University.

“I value my time at UNB, especially transitioning from engineering to math. I was able to do that seamlessly. UNB was great in allowing me to create close relations with faculty. I developed connections and research opportunities during my undergraduate and co-op opportunities. That set me up to know I wanted to attend graduate school and consider a research career,” O’Connell said.

Environmental statistics may sound esoteric, but they have significant practical implications in studying eastern Canada's climate change.

“How can we quantify the accuracy of our models? How certain are we about the estimates? If the climate models’ output can be assessed more knowledgeably, decision-makers can develop better policies,” O’Connell said.

Hickey, awarded $10,000, is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at Dalhousie University. His research is in 2SLGBTQIA+ mental health and well-being, particularly in small and rural communities in the Maritimes, including the use of virtual mental health services and resiliency factors in the face of discrimination.

“We look at many things, including the differences between rural and urban and different intersectional identity factors, to understand their experiences and how that impacts mental health. There is a huge underrepresentation of people outside the major cities,” Hickey said.

“I hope to practise as a psychologist, but I’m also interested in teaching and research. The award greatly contributed to my ability to continue my studies. Just the financial support it brought is huge. It’s often tough to find funding for research like this.”

Hickey said his undergraduate and master’s degrees at UNB developed his foundational research skills and academic abilities.

“My supervisor, Dr. Lisa Best, was a huge support in all my endeavours and research. UNB made a big contribution there.”

Nowlan said the foundation plans to increase the value of fellowships awarded annually. It is also exploring mentorship programs for fellows and fostering diversity and inclusion.

Potential applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate the significance and originality of their research, demonstrating how it addresses important questions or challenges in their field. Strong applications should include a well-defined research plan, a detailed methodology, and evidence of the applicant's capability to carry out the proposed work.

Additionally, obtaining strong letters of recommendation from established researchers and highlighting any previous research achievements can significantly enhance the strength of an application.

The O'Brien Foundation engages in continuous dialogue with academic institutions, researchers, and students to remain relevant and responsive. It regularly reviews and updates its funding criteria to align with current trends and emerging needs in the academic community,” Nowlan said.