“I’ve found that using music helps people, and I’m extremely lucky to work in this lab,” said Maclean, who is entering her second year at the University of Toronto and has been playing piano since she was five, guitar since she was 11, and recently joined of a band. The lab in question is the PEARL (Possibility Engineering and Research Lab) at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, where Maclean will assist researcher Elaine Biddiss on the project. There was a time when research projects were assigned only to graduate students, leaving bright, curious undergraduates to eagerly await the day they could unravel their own mysteries. But universities, hospitals and companies have broken down those barriers and are welcoming younger helping hands. The Ward Family Summer Student Research Program at Holland Bloorview, for example, is aimed at undergraduate students, with a 12-week program that offers mentorship and a salary to young researchers. It also reserves one place for an Indigenous student and one for a student living with a disability. “It’s important to start student researchers on this path as soon as possible,” said Tom Chau, vice president of research at the hospital and director of its research institute. “There are so many potential research fields to attract students to, and the disability field may not be the first that comes to mind as a career. It’s important to get the idea into people’s consciousness.” Maclean’s is contributing research that Biddiss said is “aimed at reducing the early years gaps in access to music education. For children with disabilities, there are often barriers. And we’re trying to address that with a fun and engaging app that provides some learning opportunities.” Maclean has reviewed music curriculum guidelines for students in grades 1 to 3 in school districts across the province, highlighting accessibility issues that will help ensure the app aligns with music curricula, Biddiss said. She is also mentored by the lab’s game developer. They are thinking about which of her findings can be translated into an application. Maclean hopes to work toward a career as a music therapist or music teacher. “This will help me prepare,” he said. Mallory Solomon, a psychology major from Algoma University, is also spending her summer doing lab research, working virtually. An Oji-Cree from Constance Lake First Nation, Solomon lives in Hearst, Ont., not far from the Bloorview Research Institute. Solomon is part of a team developing brain-computer interface tools for children who cannot speak. One in particular, a cap, translates signals from the user’s brain into various actions, such as turning on a light or playing a computer game. It helps children with disabilities to be independent and interact with their environment. Solomon’s task is to create a framework to bring Indigenous voices into the research and allow Chau’s team to incorporate an Indigenous perspective. “We don’t want to exclude anyone’s voice, but many Indigenous communities are reluctant to participate in research in general,” Solomon said. “I try to build relationships with Indigenous organizations and introduce research in the right way, through sharing circles for example. “It’s really exciting work,” added Solomon, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in psychology at Lakehead University this fall and then earn a Ph.D. “It is important that Indigenous voices are included in health research so that their needs can be met.” Biddiss believes the summer research program is valuable for both students and established researchers. “Teaching students and providing research opportunities is an investment in the next generation of scientists and research innovations for children with disabilities,” said Biddiss. “Students come with so much passion and enthusiasm. it is refreshing and enriching for us as researchers and an honor to be involved.” SHARE:
