缅北强奸

Startup built by 缅北强奸 alumni helps researchers recruit participants for research studies

Weiwei Li and Catherine Chan stnad in front of a large mural on a wall depicting hands of different colours raised up
Weiwei Li and Catherine Chan, both 缅北强奸 alumni, built their startup after Chan experienced challenges recruiting and managing participants for research studies during her master's degree in nutritional sciences (photo courtesy of Honeybee Hub)

University of Toronto alumni Catherine Chan and Weiwei Li have developed a digital solution to reduce the time and money it takes for researchers to find suitable participants for their research studies. At the same time, they鈥檝e also created an innovative way to encourage stronger public participation.

Chan has first-hand experience with the challenges of participant recruitment and management. As a master鈥檚 student in the department of nutritional sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, she spent much of her time looking for people to participate in her study on how faba bean pasta affects glycaemia, satiety, and metabolic control in young adult males.

Frustrated, she saw other university researchers spending a large portion of their time and budget on recruitment.

鈥淩esearchers are spending too much time on advertising and administrative tasks rather than their expertise and we want to change that,鈥 says Chan.

鈥淭he goal of human-based research studies is to get important data that will help researchers create a better community for everyone to live in. Difficulties in recruitment delay research outcomes that could change lives.鈥

Chan鈥檚 solution was . Instead of paper notices on cluttered bulletin boards and ads on public transit and radio, the startup provides a platform where academic researchers can post research studies that are actively recruiting participants. At the same time, the general public can use Honeybee Hub to find interesting studies to join.

 

Chan (left) first got the idea as she was writing up her master鈥檚 thesis. With encouragement from her supervisor, Harvey Anderson, a professor in the departments of physiology and nutritional sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, Chan was accepted into Techno, the entrepreneurship training program at the Faculty of Arts & Science鈥檚 Impact Centre 鈥 one of several entrepreneurship hubs on campus.

鈥淐atherine made a fantastic first impression 鈥 she came with a passion to solve a problem experienced by people at 缅北强奸 and beyond and was absolutely determined to solve it,鈥 says Leo Mui, the Impact Centre鈥檚 manager of entrepreneurship programs.

鈥淲e were delighted to help her start her company.鈥

Chan soon partnered with Li, who received two applied science degrees from 缅北强奸鈥檚 Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, to found Honeybee Hub.

The Impact Centre provided Honeybee Hub with mentorship and workspace through its startup incubation process.

Recognizing the importance of data security, Chan and Li built an anonymous and encrypted chat feature to ensure secured communication. By replacing other instant messaging platforms, social media chats and third-party emails, participants can join studies without the risk of compromising their online identities.

Heartened by the willingness of 缅北强奸 researchers to use their website, Chan and Li plan to launch a mobile app in November to better communicate with potential participants and busy researchers.

鈥淩ecruitment for research study participants was challenging because people didn鈥檛 know what opportunities existed and they aren鈥檛 aware of how rewarding it can be to take an active part in research,鈥 says Chan. 鈥淭he participants from my pasta study asked me where they could join more studies but I had no idea where to direct them.

鈥淣ow, I can tell them to visit HoneybeeHub.ca.鈥

Arts & Science