The Drake Lab is led by Dr. Emily Drake, an Assistant Professor at Mount Allison University in the Interdisciplinary Health Studies Program. Dr. Drake is also an Adjunct Professor at McGill University in the Ingram School of Nursing and an Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University in the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Drake is also an Affiliated Scientist at IWK Health. The overarching goal of the lab is to create community-driven research that seeks to help young people achieve better well-being and meaning in their daily lives while living with cancer through addressing equity in care, community member experiences, and knowledge mobilization practice in adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology.

Dr. Drake is a health leader skilled in leading multi-modal research programs and translating evidence into health programs, policies, system innovation, digital content and impactful science communication. She graduated from Acadia University’s Honours Psychology program, Dalhousie University’s Master’s in Health Promotion program and Dalhousie University’s PhD in Health program. She completed postdoctoral training at McGill University before becoming an Assistant Professor at Mount Allison University. Prior to this she completed her PhD and previously worked with Hope & Cope at the Jewish General Hospital/McGill University as the Director of their young adult cancer support program, which offered in person and digital support services.

Dr. Drake demonstrates high levels of health services and knowledge translation/implementation science acuity. A former contributor to the Huffington Post (US) and invited public health speaker, her writing and public speaking skills have been sought out by non-profit organizations, healthcare providers and the private sector in Canada, Europe, the United States and Australia. Dr. Drake has been a contributor to the BMJ Blog, the Cancer Knowledge Network and Oncology Exchange. She has also published numerous academic articles.

A social innovator, Dr. Drake co-founded Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Societal Movement (#AYACSM) in 2013. This active, multi-disciplinary, multi-channel community, continues to grow and is changing the way those involved in the AYA cancer field interact and share information regarding AYAs living with cancer on multiple social media channels.

Speaking Topics