Mount Allison welcomes Dr. Emily Drake to health studies program
Dr. Emily Drake is a recent postdoctoral researcher at McGill University, where she specialized in psychosocial oncology research with a focus on health systems, knowledge mobilization, and supporting those caring for or living with childhood, adolescent and young adult cancers.
She will be re-joining Mount Allison as an assistant professor in the interdisciplinary health studies program, having taught here in 2023 as well. Drake has an honours undergraduate science degree in psychology from Acadia University, a master鈥檚 degree in health promotion from Dalhousie University, and a PhD in health from Dalhousie University.
鈥淚 took seven years off between my master鈥檚 and PhD and during part of that time I was the Director of a young adult cancer support program in Montreal, where I was able to further my expertise in adolescent and young adult oncology. Interdisciplinary health research and program planning are areas of interest, so I am thrilled to continue to be part of this program. I really enjoyed teaching here in 2023 鈥 it helped shape what I wanted to do for my career after completing my doctorate. It is a privilege to come back,鈥 Drake says.
Drake brings a depth of health services knowledge and research experience into the assistant professor role. A former contributor to the Huffington Post (US) and invited public health speaker, her writing and public speaking skills have been sought out by non-profit organizations, healthcare providers and the private sector in Canada, Europe, the United States and Australia. Drake has been a contributor to the BMJ Blog, the Cancer Knowledge Network and Oncology Exchange. She has also published numerous academic articles.
A social innovator, Drake co-founded the global Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Societal Movement hashtag community (#AYACSM) in 2013. This active, multi-disciplinary social media community continues to grow and is changing the way people involved in the adolescent and young adult cancer field interact and share information on multiple channels. She is active on X, LinkedIn and Instagram () and posts content on her website, .
With her return to campus, Drake looks forward to reconnecting with students she taught in 2023, many of whom will be part of the first graduating class of the health studies program in 2026.
Drake鈥檚 appointment to the interdisciplinary health studies program marks Mount Allison鈥檚 continued investment into career pathway programs. The program offers a multifaceted approach to the study of health, integrating knowledge from across the life sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
