Student
University of British Columbia, Canada
Anika, a second-year medical student at the University of British Columbia's Island Medical Program, embarked on her journey into medical research during her undergraduate years at the University of Victoria, where she focused on cellular neurobiology and the genetic disorder aniridia.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Anika followed her passion for sports, competing in world tour road cycling events globally. Through her professional sports career, she witnessed firsthand the prevalence and impact of mental health disorders, sparking a deep interest in understanding and addressing mental wellness.
Returning to Victoria, Anika pursued a diploma in mental health and addictions at Camosun College, where she now works as a mental health clinician with the Vancouver Island Health Authority. Her experiences in mental health have fueled her desire to promote wellness across various domains, including sports, medicine, and medical education.
Transitioning to graduate studies in Kinesiology, Anika focused on behavioral medicine, particularly investigating physical activity programs for individuals with severe mental illness. Employing an implementation science approach, she aimed to integrate physiology and psychology, emphasizing holistic care.
Anika's involvement in research extends beyond the laboratory. She has actively contributed to initiatives improving healthcare delivery, from developing recovery-oriented care guidelines to co-authoring manuals on surgical patient optimization.
Since starting her medical degree, Anika has collaborated with course directors to enhance medical curriculum development using modern technology to improve medical education and student well-being. This ongoing research is demonstrating the profoundly positive impact these changes can have on medical student anxiety and imposter syndrome.
