AAG Provincial Graduate Student Award
The Alberta Association on Gerontology Board is proud to sponsor two prestigious awards, recognizing exceptional graduate students in Alberta with an interest in any aspect of aging. These awards aim to support the recipient’s academic pursuits, including costs related to coursework, research, and participation in workshops or conferences.
GRACE MAIER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – MASTER’S
The Master’s Graduate Student Scholarship is named in honor of Grace Maier, a distinguished leader in the field of gerontology in Alberta. Grace served as the Director of Specialized Geriatrics at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, where she pioneered innovative programs designed to enhance outcomes for older adults. Her numerous contributions to the Alberta Association on Gerontology include serving as president and playing an active role in the AAG Futures Policy Forum Stakeholder Collaborative Committee. Grace was widely recognized for her leadership, dedication to patient advocacy, and commitment to improving the lives of older individuals in Alberta.
AAG GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP – PHD
One of the graduate awards will be awarded to an outstanding PhD student in the field of ageing and focusing their dissertation research in this area.
Eligibility:
The applicant must:
- Be registered in a graduate degree program in an accredited post-secondary institution in Alberta.
- Not be in the last term of their program.
- Demonstrate an interest in any aspect of aging.
- Agree to contribute an article for an edition of the AAG Mag (e.g. a written summary of planned research).
An individual can receive the provincially sponsored award only once in their degree program.
Guidelines:
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Applications will be evaluated based on academic excellence, as demonstrated through grades and educational achievements, as well as relevant work or volunteer experience. Additional factors include the applicant’s current studies or research plans, their future commitment to the field of gerontology, and a clear explanation of how the award will support their ongoing interest in gerontology. Preference will be given to full-time students and current members of the Alberta Association on Gerontology. Please complete the Application and required letters of support; email one copy of your entire application no later than mid April to: info@albertaaging.ca.
Nominations will be accepted annually until mid April.
Selection Process:
The awards will be adjudicated/administered by the Alberta Association on Gerontology Board. Award recipients will be announced at the Annual General Meeting, AAGmag, and AAG website.
VALUE & DURATION: One award of $1,000 will be granted to one Master’s graduate recipient, and an additional $1,000 will be awarded to one PhD scholarship recipient. Both award recipients will also receive a complimentary one-year membership to the Alberta Association on Gerontology.
Award Recipients will be announced at the AGM in June and published in the AAG News and Views and Website
Grace Maier Memorial Scholarship – AAG Masters Provincial Graduate Scholarship—2025 RECIPIENT
Sally Chung, University of Alberta, Master of Public Health Program
Sally Chung is a Master of Public Health student at the University of Alberta whose academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing the wellbeing of older adults, particularly those facing structural vulnerability. With a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a minor in Gerontology and Health Ethics from Simon Fraser University, Sally has consistently pursued opportunities to address aging-related disparities through research, policy, and practice.
Her passion for gerontology was sparked during her undergraduate studies and has since evolved into a focused interest in the intersection of aging, housing, and health equity. Through her work on the Aging in the Right Place (AIRP) project, Sally conducted environmental audits of supportive housing and co-facilitated photovoice sessions with older adults experiencing homelessness. Her current graduate research at the Health Technology and Policy Unit explores the experiences of families involved in medical assistance in dying (MAiD), adding further depth to her understanding of aging across the care continuum.
Sally is also a strong advocate for knowledge translation and community engagement. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications on frailty, aging, and end-of-life care, and helped lead public outreach initiatives, including a national webinar on healthy aging that reached nearly 200 attendees. Her work reflects a clear commitment to ensuring that the voices of older adults shape both research priorities and public health responses.
Rooted in community, ethics, and equity, Sally Chung is an emerging leader in gerontology whose work bridges disciplines and centers the lived experiences of older adults. The Grace Maier Memorial Scholarship supports her continued growth as a scholar, advocate, and future public health practitioner dedicated to aging with dignity and justice.
PROVINCIAL GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP-Ph.D—2025 RECIPIENT
Steven Hall, University of Alberta, Faculty of Nursing
Steven Hall is a PhD student in Nursing at the University of Alberta whose research is transforming how healthcare professionals support family and friend carers of older adults living with dementia. His doctoral work focuses on co-designing a practical, person-centred communication tool—The Dementia Carer “What I Need to Know” Toolkit (DC-WINK)—to improve hospital experiences by bridging information gaps between carers and care providers.
Steven brings both academic rigor and lived clinical insight to his research. A former charge nurse in acute care medicine, he has seen firsthand the impact of poor communication on older adults and their carers. His deep commitment to gerontology is reflected in his extensive academic output—17 peer-reviewed publications since 2020—and his leadership roles in projects like My Tools 4 Care-In Care and as a lecturer in the University of Alberta’s nursing program.
Beyond academia, Steven actively contributes to community initiatives. He serves on the Saskatoon Council on Aging’s Caregiver Committee and the Saskatchewan Health Quality Council’s Thrive at Home initiative. His work has helped secure significant funding for caregiver supports and influenced policy and programming across sectors.
As a scholar, educator, and advocate, Steven Hall exemplifies the next generation of gerontological leaders—bridging research, practice, and community to ensure older adults and their carers are supported with compassion, dignity, and innovation.
PROVINCIAL GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP-MASTERS—2024 RECIPIENT
Nicole Moore - University of Alberta
(Master Science in Occupational Therapy program)
Nicole is a proud gerontologist and aging advocate committed to delivering high quality services to older Albertans. She has 6 years of experience in the senior’s living industry, has a Master of Gerontology degree from the University of Northern Colorado and is currently in her second year of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) program at the University of Alberta. She lives in Calgary with her young daughter.Nicole is pleased to be the recipient of the 2023-2024 Gyro Club of Edmonton Graduate Scholarship Masters Level Award and was thrilled recently to receive the Alberta Association on Gerontology (AAG)’s 2024 Graduate Scholarship Masters Award.
She is excited to use the AAG scholarship to support mature students like herself transition into graduate studies by presenting her research at the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) conference in Edmonton in 2025. As part of her group capstone research project, she explored the factors influencing the competence and satisfaction of first year graduate students in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. It is her research groups’ hope to further the academic literature on the unique experiences of this population and inform the development of supportive services to make the transition smoother.
Following Nicole’s graduation from the MScOT program in June 2025 she looks forward to continuing her work with the older adult population and is excited to use the holistic occupational therapy lens to meet older people where they are at and provide them with fulfilling, life enriching OT services. Nicole hopes she can inspire everyone she encounters in her practice to age with pride.
PROVINCIAL GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP-Ph.D—2024 RECIPIENT
Chika Ikeorji - University of Calgary
(PhD Social Work program)
Chika is a PhD student at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. She is originally from Nigeria and in partnership with some aging networks involved in providing care for older adults. Chika’s passion and interest in gerontology developed during her volunteer work at a residential care home.
Chika was awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship for a Masters degree in Gerontology at the University of Southampton, UK and with the knowledge and excellent academic performance acquired during her Master’s degree in Gerontology, she has demonstrated her expertise through publications on aging studies in reputable journals. Her PhD research focuses on improving healthy aging in informal caregiving. Understanding the perspectives of older adults and their care givers about the changing trends in informal care is important in promoting healthy aging for seniors. Chika serves as a Research Assistant to her supervisor and other team of researchers, where she has demonstrated excellent skills in communication, critical thinking and data analysis and is making valuable contributions to global projects that provide actionable recommendations to improving the wellbeing of older people in Canada and Nigeria.
As a recipient of this award, Chika hopes to improve her knowledge and skills in gerontology through research, advocacy and partnership as well as attending conferences and workshops in disseminating knowledge and information about aging, seniors and care givers.