Dr. Molly Cairncross receives 2024 Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar award

Congratulations to assistant professor Molly Cairncross, who has been awarded the 2024 Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar award. The MSHR BC Scholar Program is designed to support early career researchers as they establish independent research careers, form their own research teams and develop research programs that advance cutting-edge health solutions.

Molly's program of research is focused on concussion, with particular interest in understanding the psychosocial risk and resilience factors that impact recovery. Her team uses these insights to develop digital platforms that connect youth and families with evidence-based knowledge and care that is accessible, cost effective, and informed by the needs of patients, families, and health care providers. 

Read more about her winning project, "Digital interventions for concussion: Connecting youth and their families to care" below:

Concussions are very common among children and adolescents. While many recover without complication, a third of those who sustain a concussion will experience symptoms that last months or years after injury. Children and adolescents who experience a slower than typical recovery report lower quality of life. This means they have increased physical and mental health concerns, more family stress, and reduced participation in valued activities (e.g., school, sports). Despite the prevalence and negative impacts of concussion, treatment options are lacking and often inaccessible (e.g., expensive, only located in major city centers). My research aims to create accessible treatment options for children and adolescents who sustain concussions. I will develop and test digital health interventions that support children, adolescents, and their families with their recovery (e.g., psychoeducational websites and smart-phone app-based behavioral interventions). This research will improve the lives of the many Canadian youth and families who have been impacted by concussion. This knowledge will be shared with other researchers and healthcare providers to improve concussion care.