Postdoctoral Fellow Profile: Hanna Usatenko

Tell us about your research and why you find it fascinating

I believe that supporting family ties and parent-child relationships impacts not only direct beneficiaries, but allows different communities in Canada to thrive and stay resilient to life changes.

What do you want people to know about your research?

I adapt research program to the Ukrainian language and culture, going from measures selection and research plan to communication with Ukrainian communities and knowledge dissemination. Ukrainian families who have arrived in Canada as humanitarian migrants fleeing from the war, are extremely vulnerable and at the same time showing an incredible resilience and thriving potential.

What do you aspire to create/learn/accomplish during your time at SFU??

During my assignment in SFU I do my best to accomplish this amazing project of support of Ukrainian parents with children in their native language. I adapt a unique trauma-informed parent training created by Dr. Marlene Moretti to the needs and realities of the Ukrainian community and with the Adolescent Health Lab’s team we will evaluate the effectiveness of this culturally tailored intervention.

Name a scholar (living or dead) who inspires you in your work.

Marie Sklodowska-Curie for her incredible dedication to the wellbeing of people through the scientific work.

What’s your best advice for other postdocs and researchers as they embark on their new projects and studies?

Try as much as you can to foresee what you will answer to the question: “And so what?” at the end of your project. Think about impact on real people and act accordingly.

Contact Hanna: hanna_usatenko@sfu.ca