Michaela Davies, BA, M.A Com.
Michaela is what happens when you take a theater kid and give them access to some of the best research stories in the world. As a trained writer and communications professional, it horrifies Michaela that her professional titles cannot be read out loud without taking a very deep breath first. She is the Interim Chief Operations Officer (COO) as well as the Chief Impact and Communications Officer (CICO) for the leading health outcomes research centre in B.C, the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes (Advancing Health), as well as the Knowledge Mobilization Lead for the Canada-wide clinical trials leader, CIHR Pan-Canadian Network for HIV and STBBI Clinical Trials Research (CTN+). Within these organizations, Michaela is responsible for the development of strategies encompassing knowledge translation and mobilization across the research lifecycle, external and internal communications, public affairs including public and media relations, strategic communications, crisis and change management, and brand reputation management. Michaela leads a highly skilled team working to support over 180 clinicians and scientists in evolving healthcare policy and practice in Canada and globally. Recognizing the role knowledge translation plays in bridging the research-practice gap, she trains scientists, clinicians, and research support staff in communications and knowledge translation best practices and provides mentorship and coaching to early career researchers and established researchers. Michaela has been working in communications and knowledge translation field for more than 15 years and within the health sector for over 10 years, crafting and sharing stories of exceptional research, care and innovation.
Alison Muller, PhD
As someone who purposefully pauses to watch bees and smell flowers, Dr. Alison Müller enjoys engaging with and better understanding the world around her, which is why she pursued a career in science. While completing her PhD in Physiology at the University of Alberta, she had the opportunity to discuss her tissue engineering research with people with varying knowledge levels of science. Through this experience she discovered that she enjoys sharing the wonders of medical research with people far more than babysitting cells and has carved a career in science communication. As a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist with the Bridge Research Consortium, part of Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH), she supports work aiming to better understand and support public trust and equitable access to new vaccines and immune-based innovations to strengthen Canada’s readiness for future health emergencies. As Chair of Science Slam Canada, a non-profit dedicated to science communication, Dr. Müller enjoys helping others share their passion for science through fun, engaging events that connect communities and promote civic science literacy.
