Biography:

Dr. Brenda Elias is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, a CIHR New Investigator, and a researcher at the Centre for Aboriginal Health Research. Her research interests include gender health, social determinants, health infostructures, knowledge translation, Aboriginal health, and research ethics. Dr. Elias is the University Principal Investigator of the Manitoba First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (2003), which is a social determinant study of Manitoba First Nations children, youth and adults. She conducts multilevel quantitative studies and mixed method studies into the social, cultural, economic, political, and historical determinants of health. Dr. Elias currently directs two CIHR team grants in this area: 1) The social environment and health of Manitoba First Nations women and men; and 2) The Manitoba First Nations health report card to understand health disparities. These grants include sub-studies to build effective knowledge translation networks by strengthening, through mutual learning and mentoring, interdisciplinary knowledge translation and analytical capacity between indigenous, government, health service, and university partners.