Dr. Nevicia Case, Cognitive Scientist & Health Law Researcher

Academic Experience

2022 - 2024

Postdoctoral Fellow - Faculty of Law, University of Alberta

My research mapped and analysed regenerative medicine (RM) research activity and pipelines towards the clinical translation and market authorisation of regenerative medicine (RM) products and therapies, and associated trends and gaps in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). This research was validated at a workshop in South Africa that I co-organised which convened experts from diverse LMICs. I also researched the experiences of patients, clinicians, and researchers to understand ethical, legal, and societal issues related to regenerative medicine therapies in Canada.

2015 - 2022

Doctor of Philosophy - Psychiatry, McGill University

In response to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, I researched the role of alcohol in risky driving. While the per se criminal legal threshold for alcohol in Canada is 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC), my research supports that a lower BAC of 0.05% may still result in greater risky driving among males, an at-risk group. I identified alcohol misuse as a significant predictor of risky driving as much as 3 years later among male first-time driving while impaired (DWI) offenders. I also sought to elucidate the neuropsychological (decision-making) and personality trait (sensation-seeking) effects of depressed mood and alcohol use/misuse on risky driving. Implications of my research include additional support for lowering the per se criminal legal threshold in Canada and the development of more targeted driver relicensing policies for DWI offenders. This research was supported by two grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

2013 - 2015

Master of Science - Medical Science, University of Calgary

My research identified the neuropsychological profile of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). I compared CAA participants to the normal population and cognitively similar patient populations, distinguishing between CAA syndromes, and determining whether white matter hyperintensity volume or the apolipoprotein ε4 allele mediate cognitive impairment. Cross-sectional data revealed lower performance on tests of perceptual speed, episodic memory, and executive functioning in CAA when compared to the normal population. Overall, CAA was most cognitively similar to vascular cognitive impairment. My research findings were presented at the International CAA Conference in London, England in 2014 and published in the journal Stroke in 2016. This research was supervised by Dr. Eric Smith. Funding was provided by the Canadian Stroke Network, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Alberta Innovates–Health Solutions, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Pfizer Cardiovascular research award.

2010 - 2013

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, University of Calgary

I conducted a mixed-methods research exploration of motivations for amends-making in romantic relationships. My research found that high narcissism and high growth beliefs together play a role in the emergence of empathy and the desire to be forgiven as motives for amends-making among transgressors. In revealing these motives for amends-making, my research broadens the overwhelmingly negative perceptions of narcissism. This research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Susan Boon.

Experience Beyond Academia

2024 - present

Member -- Board of Directors, The Howl Experience

Contribute to strategy development for The Howl Experience, an Indigenous-led charity that offers land-based learning programs for youth

2023

Certificate: Project Management Professional, Project Management Institute

Extensive knowledge and mastery of project management concepts, tasks, and techniques that are applicable across virtually any industry and methodology
Knowledge and skills needed to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close a project

2022 - 2023

Impact Consulting Fellow, Propel Impact (formerly Social Innovation Academy)

Trained in social innovation research, design, and finance
Completed two 3-month consulting challenges in impact measurement and market research for social innovation organisations

2022

Alumna (2023-present) / Vice-curator (2022) / Member (2020 - 2022), Montreal Hub - Global Shapers Community

Led the writing of a whitepaper on tools of oppression and empowerment of Indigenous, Black, and Palestinian communities in Canadian education systems.
As vice-curator, I co-led the Montreal Hub of the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Community, a network of young people driving dialogue, action and change.
Led the impact measurement, mixed-methods analysis, and reporting for our in-house Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) alignment tool.

2022

One Young World Scholar, Johnson & Johnson

Completed project leadership course and two social impact challenges in the One Young World program
Led a team of 6 Johnson & Johnson employees to conduct research on social impact frameworks for clinical cardiovascular research

2021

Certificate: Canadian Private Capital Investment School,
Ivey Business School and the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association

Only applicant selected for merit-based full sponsorship from Amplitude Ventures
Trained in the future of investing, entrepreneurs' perspective, managing portfolio companies, investing in a time of turbulence, deal flow management, due diligence, legal & tax, negotiations, and valuation

2017 - 2022

Co-founder, Health Innovation Initiative

Created a Montreal-based non-profit organization to support growth in health innovation in Canada through collaboration
Hosted 900+ attendees at our educational and facilitated networking events
Provided pro-bono financial consulting to Protection Collective, a community of 3D-printing hobbyists who produced and donated nearly 3000 face shields to frontline healthcare workers in Montreal as part of the COVID-19 first-wave emergency response to shortages.