Battlab

‘Battlab’ is a virtual collaborative space to support research students and graduates of Dr. Alan Batt and promote socialization. Members of the lab are predominantly paramedics by background and profession, whose academic focus is on research, education, and practice improvements.

Battlab members actively research health professions education and practice, social and structural determinants of health, health equity, health policy, and the care of structurally marginalized and under-served populations.

The lab meets as a group virtually once a month to share work-in-progress for feedback, review important philosophical and theoretical aspects of research, and support the research, career and professional development of individual members of the lab. These meetings are key to graduate student development and success. In addition, current students meet with Dr. Batt on a weekly or bi-weekly basis as required. Lab members also provide resources and expertise to other group members with writing, grant applications, and presentations such as writing sessions, access to literature, and collaboration opportunities.

Lab members

Principal Investigator

A/Prof. Alan Batt, PGCME, MSc, PhD, MAcadMEd, FHLA, SFHEA
Dr. Alan Batt leads Battlab. He is an Associate Professor (adjunct) at Monash University, Assistant Professor (adjunct) and Paramedicine Program Lead at Queen’s University, and Assistant Professor (status) at IHMPE at the University of Toronto. He is Editor-in-Chief (interim) of Paramedicine, the leading Q1 journal in the profession. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Fellow of the Healthcare Leadership Academy, a Member of the Academy of Medical Educators, and an Associate of the Prehospital Care Research Forum at UCLA. He holds an MSc in Critical Care from Cardiff University, a PGCert in Medical Education from the University of Newcastle, and a PhD from Monash University among other qualifications. His scholarship explores health professions education, workforce evolution, care of under-served and marginalized populations, and structural and social determinants of health. Dr. Batt serves as a subject matter expert for multiple national and international organisations. He received the Award of Excellence for Leadership in 2018 from the Paramedic Association of Canada, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2024 for significant contributions and exceptional service to paramedicine in Canada. He has clinical experience as an Advanced and Critical Care/Intensive Care Paramedic in several countries. View his full biography here. View his research on Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6473-5397.

Graduate Students (PhD and Masters)

Cheryl Cameron, BA(Hons.), MEd, PhD candidate
Cheryl is an Advanced Care Paramedic currently working as Director of Operations for the Canadian Virtual Hospice. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Master of Education in Health Sciences Education and Certificates in Adult/Continuing Education and Occupational Health and Safety. She is a member of the leadership team at the Paramedic Pay it Forward Award and provides both educational and operational program expertise on a number of national initiatives in the sphere of paramedicine and palliative care. Her research interests include mentoring, preceptorship, and interprofessional/interdisciplinary education, with additional interests in quality and patient safety, female leadership advocacy, and policy development. She received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for services to palliative care in Alberta and Canada. Cheryl is undertaking a PhD at Monash University. View her research on Google Scholar and ResearchGate.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4085-7995

Michelle O’Toole, BSc, MA, PGDipHPE, PhD candidate
Michelle O’Toole is a Teacher Practitioner in the School of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the HUGS@Home programme in RCSI SIM Centre for Simulation Education and Research, in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), Dublin. She is an accredited Paramedic, Tutor, and Examiner with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC), with specific expertise in teaching communication skills to Firefighters and Paramedics. She is an experienced peer supporter and mentor, and an approved instructor in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Her research interests include wellbeing, peer support, post-traumatic growth following adversity and using simulation to prepare learners for real-world experiences. She leads the HUGS@Home programme supporting and training family and friends of first responders in psychological first aid via a co-designed simulation enhanced curriculum. She is a PhD candidate at the Dept. of Paramedicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9193-5933

Jennifer Bolster, BPara(Hons.), MA Public Policy, PhD candidate
Jen is an Advanced Care/Intensive Care Paramedic who serves as Executive Director of Clinical Services with Ambulance Tasmania. She is a former Paramedic Practice Leader with BCEHS. She practiced as a paramedic in BC for 8 years, and before that she worked as a Community Health Worker and served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a reserve Medical Technician. She worked as an instructor at both of BC’s paramedic institutions. She completed a Bachelor of Paramedicine (Hons.) with Monash University, focused on the paramedic’s role in caring for people who use drugs, and an MA in Public Policy. She is now undertaking a PhD in Paramedicine at Monash University furthering her research into the intersection of policy and the care of people who use drugs. Her other research interests include paramedic mental health and resilience, contemporary leadership styles, organizational culture, and women in paramedicine. View her research on Google Scholar and ResearchGate.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7239-5839

Jennifer McCool-Closs, BSc(Hons.), MSc, PhD candidate
Jen is an Advanced Care Paramedic and Superintendent of Professional Standards with Toronto Paramedic Services, and a faculty member at Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph, as well as a Master of Science in Health Quality from Queen’s University. She is undertaking a PhD in Health Quality at Queen’s University, and completed an internship at the Paramedic Health and Wellbeing Research Unit (PHAWRU) at Monash University.

Shannon Leduc, BClinPrac, MSc, PhD student
Shannon is an Advanced Care Paramedic and Commander of Community Paramedicine with the Ottawa Paramedic Service. She holds a Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedicine) from Charles Sturt University and an MSc in Epidemiology from the University of Ottawa. Shannon is undertaking a PhD at Monash University researching the role of advanced practice paramedics in Ontario. She received the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal in 2022.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0277-2560

Chelsea Lanos, BSc, MSc, PhD student
Chelsea is an Advanced Care/Community Paramedic with the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Ottawa, and an MSc in Critical Care from Cardiff University. She is a faculty member at Algonquin College and Monash University. Chelsea is a strong advocate for paramedic led research, and her interests are primarily organ and tissue donation as it relates to the role of paramedics in the setting of out-of-hospital death. In addition, Chelsea is passionate about end of life care at home, and the implications of medical ethics on advanced care directives, including ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ orders in the paramedic setting. She is undertaking a PhD in Health Quality at Queen’s University starting in Fall 2026. View her research on Google Scholar and ResearchGate.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4909-1305

Brianna Wilson, BA(Hons.), MSc student
Brianna is a Primary Care Paramedic with five years’ experience, currently working as a paramedic with BCEHS. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media, Information and Technoculture (MIT) from the University of Western Ontario and works alongside Dr. Eric Jarvis at Kings University College as a research assistant contributing to public health, history, and epidemiology topics. Brianna is currently completing a Health Data Analytics certificate program at UBC and is enrolled in the MSc in Information Systems at Queen’s University starting in Fall 2026. She is passionate about the intersection of pre-hospital care, technology, and the potential of data-driven insights to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. She is particularly interested in leveraging health informatics and analytics to address systemic issues in emergency medical services and contribute to evidence-based policy development that enhances community health outcomes.

Dayna Hilliard
Dayna is a Primary Care Paramedic with eight years of experience working with Ottawa Paramedic Service. She also has a background as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Through her work in frontline healthcare, she has been drawn to opportunities that explore innovative approaches to patient care, healthcare delivery, and the evolving role of paramedics within the broader healthcare system. Her professional interests include healthcare education, mentorship, and fostering positive learning environments for students and early-career practitioners. She is particularly interested in the adaptability of paramedicine and the diverse roles paramedics can play within healthcare. Dayna is also passionate about advancing opportunities for women in healthcare leadership and contributing to workplace cultures that support learning, professional development, and excellence in patient care. Dayna is currently exploring graduate education opportunities and is particularly interested in health research, healthcare education, and women’s leadership in healthcare. She enjoys connecting with professionals and students from diverse backgrounds and values opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth.

Trevor Hines Duncliffe, BA(Hons.), MA, PhD candidate
Trevor is a PhD candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Western Ontario and has a paramedic faculty appointment at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. He holds a Master of Arts and Honours Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from The University of Western Ontario, and completed his paramedic diploma at Fanshawe College. Trevor’s research interests include stress and its impact on health care providers’ performance, inter-professional teams in health care, and the aging process with a particular focus on maintaining dignity as people age. His doctoral research is focused on the impact stress has on health inter-professional team performance. View his research on ResearchGate.

Graduates (Masters and Undergraduates)

Adam Greene, MSc
Adam is a Critical Care Paramedic with the British Columbia Ambulance Service and the current chief of the Greater Vancouver base. In addition to his clinical practice, he holds a variety of academic appointments in both Canada and Wales. Adam holds an MSc in Critical Care from Cardiff University. His research interests include prehospital transfusion and transport medicine. View his research on ResearchGate

William Johnston, BA(Hons.), MSc
Will is an Advanced Care Paramedic working as a Special Operations Paramedic with the Ottawa Paramedic Service. He is a graduate of McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, and an MSc in Health Science Education. He has a keen interest in paramedic driven research with a focus on paramedic initial and continuing education, simulation, and frailty and falls in older adults. He received the Award of Excellence for Innovation and Research in 2026 from the Paramedic Association of Canada. View his research on ResearchGate.

Meghan Lysko, BSc(Hons.), MSc
Meghan is a Primary Care Paramedic with Oxford County in Ontario. Prior to paramedicine, Meghan obtained her Honours Bachelor of Science degree with a human biology specialization from the University of Toronto. Meghan then completed her Master of Science degree within the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto. Her focus was in neuro-rehabilitation at the cellular level following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an animal model. Meghan moved into paramedicine with goals of working more directly with patients, but hopes to continue to fuse her research background with her growing paramedicine knowledge. Some of Meghan’s research interests in the field of paramedicine so far include; infection control and recognition and treatment of addiction. View her research on PubMed or ResearchGate.

Paige Mason, BA(Hons.), MA
Paige is an Advanced Care Paramedic working as a Special Operations Paramedic with the Ottawa Paramedic Service. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from Western University, and an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Royal Roads University. She is an enthusiastic award-winning paramedic researcher with speaking engagements nationally and internationally. She is passionate about paramedic driven research and her research interests include female leadership in paramedicine, organizational culture, human factors, decision making, as well as the impact of appreciative inquiry and positive psychology on performance. View her research on ResearchGate.
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2177-3410

Tyne Markides, BPara(Hons.)
Tyne is an Advanced Care Paramedic working as a Clinical Operations Manager for BCEHS. Drawing on the unique value of working within multiple rural clinical practice settings, Tyne cultivates collaborative relationships with public service stakeholders and healthcare allies. Her desire to push the leading edge of her profession forward has led to her expanded roles in Community Paramedicine, multidisciplinary committee membership, provincial and national project work, education, research, and leadership. Her research interests include palliative and end of life care, professionalism, cognitive bias, women’s leadership, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion, and accessible health equity. Tyne completed her Bachelor of Paramedicine (Hons.) at Monash University. View her research on ResearchGate.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4257-9968

Cameron Woodman, BHSc(Hons.)
Cameron works as a Primary Care Paramedic with Halton Region Paramedic Services and has been working since 2016. He also works on a regular part-time contract basis for Humber College as a clinical skills laboratory instructor. He completed an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences at Queen’s University and is currently striving to get involved in more paramedic-led research. Cameron looks forward to contributing to the development and advancement of this rapidly growing profession in Canada. Cameron was awarded a LifTING and Sepsis Canada Trainee Scholarship in 2024.

JD Heffern
J.D. previously served as Chief Paramedic for Indigenous Services Canada with the Government of Canada. As a second career Paramedic he has worked as a front-line Paramedic, Paramedic educator, Community Paramedic, and at various levels of Paramedic service leadership. J.D. is a Commander with the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service facilitating a myriad of portfolios. His passion and interests are Community Paramedicine, paramedic practice focusing on vulnerable populations, international trends and best practices and networking with like-minded individual and organisations.

Sadhvi Datta, HBHSc, paramedic student
Sadhvi is a paramedic student and a graduate from the University of Ottawa with an Honours Bachelor of Health Science. Her interests focus on enhancing prehospital and community-based care to improve patient outcomes and alleviate strain on emergency departments. She is passionate about developing innovative care models that connect paramedics, community services and healthcare systems, ensuring patients receive timely, effective and patient-centered care. She aims to bridge practical field experience with evidence-based research to improve outcomes and protocols in out-of-hospital settings.

Undergraduate students

Past members

2025 – Caitlin Zhang, BSc(Hons.) Life Sciences student, Queen’s University – undergraduate intern
2021 – Julia Heffern, BA & BNSc(Hons.) student, Queen’s University – undergraduate intern

Research outputs

https://www.researchgate.net/lab/Battlab-Alan-M-Batt

Honours and awards

Research in Medical Education Award, 2026, Irish Network of Healthcare Educators. Michelle O’Toole
Award of Excellence for Innovation and Research, 2026, Paramedic Association of Canada. Will Johnston.
Top International Submission, 2026, Canadian Paramedicine Research Day. Michelle O’Toole.
Emerging Scholar Award, 2025, McNally Project for Paramedicine Research. Paige Mason
Top oral abstract award, 2025, Canadian Paramedicine Research Day. Paige Mason. Paramedic flourishing at work: a way forward.
Women in Ambulance Honour Recipient, 2025, Council of Ambulance Authorities: Jennifer Bolster
Best Poster Award Winner, 2024, PHECC Prehospital Research Day. O’Toole et al. HUGS@Home project.
King Charles III Coronation Medal, 2024. Significant contributions and exceptional service to paramedicine in Canada. Dr. Alan Batt.
LifTING and Sepsis Canada Trainee Scholarship 2024. Cameron Woodman.
Victoria Foundation’s Rachel and Ernest Fox Legacy Award, 2024. Paige Mason.
Emerging Scholar Award, 2024, McNally Project for Paramedicine Research. Chelsea Lanos.
Highest Quality Research Award, 2024, 999 EMS Research Forum. O’Toole et al. The voices of family members and first responders in Ireland.
Top oral abstract award, 2023, Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program. Lanos et al. Organ donation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Canada.
‘Best-of-the-Best’ Highest Quality Research Award, 2023, Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference. Batt et al. Developing a competency framework for contemporary paramedic practice in Canada.
Top 3 Canadian Paramedicine Research Papers, 2023, Canadian Paramedicine Research Day. Bolster et al. The paramedic role in substance use: a scoping review.
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, 2023. Significant contributions and exceptional service to palliative care in Alberta. Cheryl Cameron
Top EMS Research Award, 2022, Dalhousie University EMS Research Day. Bolster et al. The paramedic role in substance use: a scoping review.
Best oral abstract, 2021, Alberta EMS and Paramedicine Research Day. Lunn et al. Dealing with dying- progressing paramedics’ role in grief support.
Award of Excellence for Leadership & Community Building, 2018, Paramedic Association of Canada. Alan Batt

Interested in working with Battlab?

Members of Battlab are students or graduates who are/were supervised by Dr. Alan Batt.
We are happy to support fully funded post-doctoral research fellows in the broad areas identified above.
We are happy to support a limited number of undergraduate students in health sciences and the broad areas identified above. These can take the form of full academic year internships or summer studentships. These positions are unfunded at present.
Undergraduate students who wish to apply for a CSA Group Undergraduate Research Scholarship should contact Dr. Alan Batt to discuss.