Can you tell us little bit about yourself?
My name is Tara Kuhn and I am from Calgary, Alberta. I completed my undergraduate studies with a combined major in biology and psychology from the University of Victoria and a master’s degree in Kinesiology from McMaster University. Currently, I am a doctoral candidate in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, within the Aging, Healthy and Well-being collaborative program. My research is focused on how lifestyle factors, specifically exercise and sleep, work together to promote healthy aging. I am also interested in the creation and promotion of sleep interventions in persons living with dementia. My dream job was to be a shark neurobiologist, as I initially went to the University of Victoria to be a marine biologist. It’s funny how things change. Outside of my studies, I enjoy spending time rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, or staying inside and solving jigsaw puzzles.
What interested you about the CLSA?
I was interested in the CLSA because of the sheer amount of knowledge it contains and potential it provides as one of the few comprehensive and longitudinal studies of aging starting in middle age. The research questions and possibilities are endless, and I am excited to see what we will discover as more people access the data and publish their results.
What type of research are you doing with CLSA data? Have you published? If so, what are the findings?
My research with the CLSA looks at how sleep and physical activity interact with each other, and how this may support cognitive processes. Additionally, I am looking at how this relationship might be different with age and sex. I have done a preliminary analysis of the data but have not yet published it. I took some time off to take more advanced statistics courses to help me better analyze the data. Stay tuned for the results.
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 student or in your future?
The CLSA was my first experience working with a large dataset. It was challenging at first as the amount of data was overwhelming and knowing where to begin was difficult. Working with this data has helped me grow as a researcher. It has provided me with invaluable experience working with a large dataset, making it a much less intimidating experience as I move forward and work with other datasets. It also allowed me to expand my skillset and practice my statistic abilities.
How do you think the findings using CLSA data will be useful to you, or others, in the future?
I think the CLSA will be helpful to many Canadians. It is an excellent opportunity for graduate students and trainees to access data and explore research questions on aging. Additionally, the public can greatly benefit from the results of these studies, as it will expand our understanding of healthy aging and help people make informed decisions.
Do you have any idea about what kind of job you’d like to do when you finish school?
I haven’t narrowed down what I want to do when I finish my PhD. My current goal is to finish my degree. I have considered staying in academia, or at least following a research career. My other option is working for the government, as I am cultivating an interest in public health and policy.
What is a non-career related thing that you are grateful for because of your work with the CLSA?
In May of 2021, I had the opportunity to attend the Summer Program in Aging (SPA). This program was focused on the CLSA and longitudinal data. I was able to network with other graduate students who are at a similar place in their studies. We now meet regularly for work sessions and have been able to meet in-person even though we all live in different cities.
