Who We Are

Caden Pedlow is a first-year Bachelor of Education (After-Degree) student at Brandon University. His focus is in the Senior Years stream, with teachables in Biology and Chemistry. He is a recent graduate from the BU Faculty of Science (2025), holding a Bachelor of Science (4-Years, Honours) in Biology. At his graduation, he was inducted into the Brandon University Honour Society and received the Brandon University Silver Medal in Biology.

Caden is an active contributor to STEM education initiatives, with a focus on making science and mathematics accessible and engaging. He is a science outreach volunteer with Let’s Talk Science at Brandon University, where he engages K–12 students across Manitoba through hands-on activities. His outreach has included leading workshops on DNA extractions and physiology in both rural and urban schools alongside participating in regional science fairs and community STEM events. Currently, Caden has contributed to research with the Manitoba Rural Learning Consortium (mRLC) and BU CARES, assisting in the assessment of the Numeracy Achievement Program (NAP). In this role, he supported data analysis, literature review, and research communication to help evaluate numeracy outcomes and inform educational practices across Manitoba’s rural and remote communities.

Akech is a fourth-year student at Brandon University, where she is pursuing a degree in Psychiatric Nursing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Canadian Mennonite University. As a research assistant, she has worked on collaborative projects focused on developing interactive anti-racism resources and creating safe spaces for BIPOC students. Akech is interested in creative research projects that are accessible and impactful with focuses on mental health, racism, and social justice.

I’m a first-year, mature student enrolled in pre-nursing. In the last couple years, I have found a great passion in understanding my Indigenous heritage as well as helping other people understand it. Research within this field is what originally sparked my interest in becoming a research assistant, however, having the ability to research a wide array of subjects to broaden my knowledge, and help others broaden theirs, is a life skill that I think is necessary for everyone, and I can’t wait to have a part in making this happen.

Christiane is a Brandon University graduate with a 3-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Economics. She has worked as a copy editor and journal assistant for the Journal of Rural and Community Development since 2013. In 2015 she started working for BU CARES as a research assistant and has been the copy editor of Research Connection, a periodical publication of Brandon University’s academic research.

Having grown up in Germany, she is fluent in German, and has also served as a translator, and has assisted with international student applications at Brandon University.

In her free time, Christiane enjoys horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing, biking, cooking, and travelling.

I am currently enrolled as a graduate student in the Education program at Brandon University specializing in Education Administration. I am an avid advocator for the growth of policies and systems that support the improvement of domains such as Health, Social justice, and Education. I am piqued with a multidisciplinary approach to research and as such have ventured into different research projects that encompass a wide array of issues in our society. I have had the great opportunity of being a part of several research projects that resonate with me still in skill and experience such as the Tech Manitoba project and the ReStorying Autism project. I anticipate my next contribution.

I am a current Master's student in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Manitoba, previously graduating with a Bachelor's in Social Work and a Master's in Public Administration. I have had the privilege of being a research assistant studying antiracism with multiple Faculties of Education in the prairies, including BU CARES. I was particularly drawn to seek out becoming part of the BU CARES team due to the centre's value of community engagement and collaboration in research, a value of which I hope to carry throughout my academic career focusing on critical whiteness, anti-colonial paradigms and genocide.

After earning a B.A. in Communication and Media Studies at the University of Calgary, I have continued my studies as a graduate student in Editing at the University of Chicago. Being a research assistant has given me the wonderful opportunity to combine both my passions for editing and for learning. I am very happy to be a part of the good work that BU CARES is doing.

A recent graduate of Digital Marketing, Chandra Elston is eager to use her new skills and creativity to showcase to our community and beyond the Faculty of Education's good work. As a long-time resident of Brandon, she considers it a privilege to highlight the research, events, and various ‘goings-on’ here at BU. She has a varied background with skills in administration, leadership, event facilitation, and project management. She has run social media accounts through her volunteer work in the past, helping to promote events, local news, and announcements through social media and online.