June 2021 – Active Aging Research Team PhD student Callista Ottoni was one of nineteen UBC doctoral candidates who received a Killam Doctoral Scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year.

"These awards are available to students in all disciplines, and this year’s winners are researching areas across the intellectual spectrum, from Mathematics to Reproductive and Developmental Science," explains the award website.

Ottoni's research uses mixed methods and video to explore older adults’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly loneliness and social connection.

"I am honoured to receive this award and grateful to the guidance from my mentors. Most importantly this award allows me to champion research that advocates for listening to, learning from, and being led by the lived experiences of people too often overlooked in our society, such as older adults. I hope my research can contribute to a greater understanding of how to decrease urban loneliness and foster resilient social connectedness," said Ottoni.

The Killam Doctoral Scholarships are provided each year from the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund for Advanced Studies and are awarded to the top doctoral candidates in the annual Tri-Agency/Affiliated Fellowships competition.

Read More about Callista Ottoni here:
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/campus-community/meet-our-students/ottoni-callista