A year of research, learning and collaboration at the Centre

Diane Balkaran, a practicum student from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, joined the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children in January 2025. In this feature, Diane reflects on her past year at the Centre, sharing how she built on her public health training through hands-on research experience and contributions to a range of projects and knowledge sharing activities.

Over the past year, my time here has been both rewarding and transformative. I had the opportunity to contribute to a range of activities, from conducting literature screening and data extraction to supporting knowledge sharing and developing presentations. Along the way, I also presented at internal events, including the 2025 Leong Centre Symposium and SickKids Research Institute Retreat, which helped strengthen my confidence in sharing research with diverse audiences.

A major focus of my time at the Centre was a scoping review examining the health of international students in Canada. This project explored healthcare access, health outcomes, and the social and structural determinants shaping their experiences. Through this work, I gained a deeper understanding of the complex challenges international students face, particularly when navigating healthcare systems and managing their mental health. Overall, the findings showed that healthcare access varies widely across provinces, with many students relying on private or institutional insurance, and that mental health was the most reported outcome. While some studies found that international students reported lower levels of anxiety and depression than domestic students, they also faced higher risks of self-harm and were less likely to seek support. These findings highlight the need for more equitable, accessible, and culturally responsive supports for international students across Canada. Seeing this work progress from initial screening to publication in February 2026 was an incredibly meaningful milestone.

Beyond the research, what made this experience truly special was the people. I had the privilege of learning from supportive mentors and collaborating with thoughtful, passionate colleagues at the Centre, including Senior Research Associate, Susitha Wanigaratne, and Research Program Coordinator, Ally Lucchese, who made the environment both welcoming and inspiring. This environment played a key role in strengthening both my skills and my commitment to equity-focused public health work.

Now that I have completed my MPH, I am excited to continue pursuing opportunities in health policy, research, and health promotion. I am currently working in an administrative role at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto and will be supporting data collection at York Region Public Health over the summer. I hope to build on the skills and insights I have gained here to contribute to work that improves health equity and informs meaningful change. I am deeply grateful for my time at the Centre and for everything I have learned along the way.