Faces of PharmSci: Amanda Yee

What is your academic background and why is this area of research important?

Prior to my PhD, I completed an MSc in Family Medicine at McGill University. Currently, my PhD research aims to optimize medication care for older adults experiencing homelessness to inform clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. Older adults experiencing homelessness often exhibit accelerated biological aging that outpaces chronological age by 10 to 20 years, contributing to multimorbidity, premature mortality, and complex medication needs. Therefore, effective pharmacotherapeutic management is essential to improving health outcomes for the aging homeless population and the efficiency of the healthcare system.

What led you to your current Supervisor’s lab/research group?

Throughout my academic journey, I have developed a strong interest in geriatric care and health equity, shaped by my academic and volunteer experiences. I was drawn to Professor Lisa Dolovich’s research group because of her clinical background and expertise in health service and medication management research, with an emphasis on implementation sciences.

What are some of the challenges you had to overcome within your research?

Early in my research, a key challenge was establishing patient partnerships. Patient partners are individuals with lived experience who contribute to the research. At the time, no hospitals, organizations, or academic networks had established patient partner groups that met the specific criteria of being older and experiencing homelessness. I took a few months of outreach and relationship-building to establish a meaningful partnership. Despite logistical barriers across healthcare and shelter settings, my partnership with a Toronto-based shelter exclusive to older adults has provided invaluable lived-experience perspectives that have informed and strengthened my research.

How do you see your current research playing a role in your career?

Although I have not decided whether I will pursue a career in academia, medicine, or a combination of both, my commitment to advancing geriatric care remains central to my goals. Through my future work, I hope to continue contributing to improving the healthcare system to better respond to the health needs of marginalized older adults.

What do you like to do when you are not working on research?

Volunteering has been a meaningful and rewarding part of my life, and since middle school I have spent my weekends volunteering at long-term care homes and/or hospices. Outside of volunteering, I enjoy exploring Toronto’s vibrant food scene and the city’s many events and activities.