Karen Hock

PhD Candidate | Public Health Nutrition | Science Communication

Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

About

Experience

  • University of Waterloo (5 yrs 10 mos)
    • Teaching Assistant Workshop Facilitator, Centre for Teaching Excellence
      May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

      • Design and deliver teaching workshops for graduate students (averaging 20 participants per session; topics include giving and receiving feedback, and effective classroom delivery) • Update and enhance teaching resources to reflect the latest research and best practices

    • Teaching Assistant, School of Public Health Sciences
      Sep 2020 - Apr 2025 · 4 yrs 8 mos

      • Supervised 30-50 graduate or undergraduate students • Facilitated in-class and asynchronous online discussions, and evaluated written and oral assignments on Indigenous health and well-being, public health nutrition, social determinants of health, climate change, social prescribing, and human anatomy and physiology over the lifespan

    • Research Assistant, School of Public Health Sciences
      Sep 2022 - Mar 2024 · 1 yr 7 mos

      • Performed statistical analyses using SAS • Prepared reports summarizing findings of the International Food Policy Study, a prospective cohort study used to evaluate the impact of national-level food policies in six countries (Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States)

  • Scientific & Marketing Writer at Seroyal International Inc.
    Feb 2015 - Oct 2020 · 5 yrs 9 mos

    • Reviewed scientific literature and wrote clinically-relevant documentation to support the positioning of natural health products and assist with medical education and sales team training • Developed scientific communications for healthcare practitioners and retailers (e.g., educational brochures, clinical study reports, product monographs, catalogues, advertisements, and blog posts) • Trained and supervised junior product writers

  • University of Guelph (1 yr 4 mos)
    • Graduate Teaching Assistant
      Sep 2014 - Dec 2014 · 4 mos

      • Evaluated midterm and final exams regarding phytochemicals and micronutrients

    • Graduate Researcher, Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences
      Sep 2013 - Dec 2014 · 1 yr 4 mos

      • Collaborated on a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of anthocyanins on cardiovascular disease risk factors • Examined the effects of vitamin D on the differentiation of leukemia cells in vitro; presented a scientific poster on study results • Conducted a literature review regarding the effects of vitamin D on diabetes pathogenesis • Participated in the Students Promoting Awareness of Research Knowledge program; interviewed professors and published newspaper articles highlighting their research activities to promote knowledge transfer and translation • Created affordable nutrition resources for the Guelph Food Bank and collaborated on a tradeshow display promoting functional foods to individuals of low socioeconomic status

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant at University of Guelph-Humber
    Sep 2014 - Dec 2014 · 4 mos

    • Evaluated oral presentations and written assignments regarding natural health products and physical activity

  • Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at University of Guelph
    Sep 2012 - Apr 2013 · 8 mos

    • Investigated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum triglyceride levels in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease • Responsible for participant recruitment through print media • Maintained participant records and documented anthropometric measurements