Bárbara from Brazil

"My name is Bárbara Chaves Santos, and I’m a dietitian from Brazil. I was awarded the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) scholarship, which allowed me to be a visiting PhD student at the University of Alberta (U of A) in Edmonton, from January to July 2024. During my time at the U of A, I received hands-on training in state-of-the-art tools and techniques to assess body composition and energy expenditure and had the opportunity to learn from world-renowned researchers in my field.

I also had the honor of being selected for the 2024 Global Affairs Canada Study Tour in Ottawa, where I participated in visits and discussions with key government, industry, and academic stakeholders. During the Study Tour, I had the chance to learn about Canadian history and culture and was deeply inspired by Canada’s commitment to and appreciation for research. I always felt welcome in Canada, and I was fortunate to have very kind people helping me through this unique experience of living in a new country. I made dear friends, visited beautiful places, and gained knowledge that has contributed to both my professional and personal growth. Receiving the ELAP scholarship and conducting research in Canada for six months brought me many opportunities and broadened my career perspectives, and I am thrilled to share that I will be returning to Canada as a postdoctoral fellow at the U of A after finishing my PhD. I hope my story encourages younger students from my home institution and country, as well as prospective applicants for scholarship programs in Canada. This experience was truly transformative, and I will always be grateful to the Government of Canada for this amazing opportunity."

Visiting PhD student
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta