Tell us about yourself in a paragraph or two: What is your name, and what have you been studying? Where are you from? What was your dream job as a kid? What’s your favourite thing to do outside of school/work?
My name is Jhalok Ronjan Talukdar. I am a postdoctoral fellow working with Dr. Jason W. Busse and Dr. Dena Zeraatkar in the Department of Anesthesia and the Department of Health Research Methodology, Evidence, and Impact (HEI) at McMaster University. Originally from Bangladesh, my academic journey began with degrees in Social Work and Public Health, which eventually led me to McMaster, where I completed both my Master of Science (clinical epidemiology stream) and PhD (Biostatistics stream) in Health Research Methodology. Before my current role, I served as a Senior Research Associate at the James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University in Bangladesh, accumulating experience in public health research, including developing survey questionnaires, guidelines for qualitative interviews, data collection, analysis, and writing manuscripts. My passion lies in leveraging research to enhance public health outcomes and train future public health professionals. Although my childhood aspirations leaned towards a medical career, my transition to research allows me to contribute to health care by designing and conducting studies that inform improved interventions and policies.
Outside of academia, I find joy in pursuing various interests and hobbies such as playing and watching football (soccer), cycling, photography, and watching movies.
What interested you about the CLSA?
My dedication to research for marginalized populations, particularly children, women, and older adults, led me to actively seek opportunities involving these populations. For instance, I conducted a study on the well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh, offering insights into their mental, emotional, and physical health, and informing the design of HIV-sensitive social protection services.
The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) presented a unique opportunity to delve into aging populations, a realm I had not explored extensively. Despite the timing challenges during my PhD defense preparation, my fascination with the comprehensive CLSA data, particularly in understanding healthy aging trajectories, encouraged me to conduct a study examining the effects of different fats on frailty (health deficits), thus broadening my research horizons.
What type of research are you doing with CLSA data? Have you published? If so, what are the findings (in lay terms)?
Our study examines the association between fat composition and frailty, investigating the impacts of fats, including visceral, subcutaneous adipose tissue and appendicular lean mass, on physical, social, psychological, and cognitive frailty dimensions. I am working with Dr. Alexandra Mayhew and Dr. Lauren Griffith on this project. While we have yet to publish our findings, our preliminary results, presented at McMaster University’s HEI Research Day, indicate a higher overall frailty among females, positively correlated with age and visceral adipose tissue, but inversely associated with subcutaneous adipose tissue, appendicular lean mass, income, and education. Further analysis will explore the nuanced effects of fat distribution on various frailty dimensions, aiming to inform early interventions for an improved quality of life and reduced health-care costs. Additionally, I am currently leading a study investigating factors associated with chronic pain using CLSA data, with anticipated findings expected to inform future interventions and policies targeting older populations.
What is the most interesting or surprising thing you’ve learned from your work with the CLSA? How do you think the CLSA will help you grow as a researcher or in your future?
The most striking revelation from my CLSA experience is the sheer magnitude and granularity of the data at hand, enabling multifaceted examinations of aging dynamics. Access to such a vast dataset has refined my skills in data wrangling, analysis, and interpretation, providing invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities inherent in large-scale data utilization. This experience not only enhances my analytical skills but also deepens my understanding of population health dynamics, thus positioning me as a more adept and impactful researcher in future endeavors.
How do you think the findings using CLSA data will be useful to you, or others, in the future?
Findings derived from CLSA research hold immense potential to enhance the health and well-being of older people. For instance, insights gained from studies on fat composition and cognitive function could inform tailored dietary recommendations aimed at mitigating cognitive decline in the elderly. Similarly, research on factors associated with chronic pain will inform future interventions and policies addressing the specific needs of aging populations. Moreover, the breadth of research topics explored using CLSA data, spanning chronic diseases, mental health, and social determinants of health, promises to inform robust policies and interventions that foster healthy aging trajectories.
Do you have any idea about what kind of job you’d like to do when you finish your training as a postdoctoral fellow?
Upon completing my postdoctoral fellowship, I aspire to establish an impactful research program as a university faculty member, leveraging my comprehensive skill set encompassing epidemiology, biostatistics, evidence synthesis, mixed-methods research, and health research methodology. Equipped with the experience acquired from leading-edge research and teaching roles at McMaster, I will be poised to tackle complex public health challenges, mentor future health professionals, and contribute meaningfully to academia and public health organizations alike.
What is a non-career related thing that you are grateful for because of your work with the CLSA?
My engagement with the CLSA extends beyond professional growth, fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the research landscape. Collaborative endeavors with researchers across Canada have enriched my understanding of diverse research methodologies and expanded my professional network. Furthermore, the flexibility afforded by my CLSA involvement (ability to access data through a secured network from home) allows me to pursue non-academic interests such as cycling, photography, and football, nurturing a holistic sense of well-being amidst scholarly pursuits.
