Following its 7th Postdoctoral Fellowships Program competition, Obvia is pleased to announce the awarding of a $50,000 grant, for a non-renewable twelve-month period, to three new postdoctoral researchers.
Obvia’s Postdoctoral Fellowships Program aims to support the development of the next generation of researchers working in the field of the societal impacts of AI and digital technologies. It targets researchers whose academic paths stand out and whose research projects are distinguished by their innovative potential and interdisciplinary scope.
Funded Projects
Shifting mindsets: Leveraging AI to enhance HIV and other STI prevention among young women in Ghana
Postdoctoral researcher: Abdul Cadri
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a significant global health burden for young women—a burden exacerbated by gender inequalities in Africa, particularly in Ghana, where young women bear a disproportionate share of HIV cases.
AI-powered chatbots offer a confidential, stigma-free space to educate young Ghanaian women about HIV/STI prevention. This research aims to co-design MARVIN-HYPE, a chatbot that will deliver evidence-based strategies for HIV/STI prevention and stigma reduction, tailored to the specific needs of young women in Ghana.
The project will be carried out at Polytechnique Montréal, under the supervision of Professor Sofiane Achiche.
Writing in French in the Era of Generative AI Systems (G-AIS)
Postdoctoral researcher: Marjorie Cuerrier
According to a recent survey conducted by the Digital Transformation Academy, in partnership with Université Laval, one-third of Quebecers use generative artificial intelligence systems (G-AIS) in educational, professional, and personal settings. Their forecasts suggest that this usage will continue to grow, despite the fact that these technologies are predominantly trained on English-language data. This raises concerns about their impact in Francophone contexts.
The general objective of this research is to examine the effects of G-AIS on written production in French and, at the same time, to position the French language as a key topic of discussion in an AI era heavily dominated by English. A particular focus is placed on the use of ChatGPT, as it is currently the most widely used G-AIS worldwide.
The project will be carried out at UQAM, under the supervision of Professor Katrine Roussel and Professor Normand Roy.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration in Health Profession Education (HPE): A Systematic Scoping Review
Postdoctoral researcher: Farzaneh Yousefi
Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly prominent role in healthcare, with diverse applications in diagnostics, personalized medicine, robotic surgery, virtual assistants, and predictive analytics. These advancements promise improved clinical decision-making, greater efficiency in care delivery, and reduced costs. However, the integration of AI into clinical settings faces several challenges, including a lack of specific training, ethical concerns, and some resistance from healthcare professionals.
In light of these challenges, it is essential to adequately train future professionals in the use of AI tools in healthcare. Yet, the literature reveals an absence of standardized curricula, a lack of clarity in educational objectives, and a shortage of hands-on training. In this context, the primary goal of this study is to review and synthesize existing knowledge on the integration of AI in the education of healthcare professionals, in order to identify gaps and propose the foundation for a structured and effective training program. This approach aims to strengthen professionals’ competencies in using AI technologies, in alignment with current clinical realities.
The project will be conducted at Université Laval, under the supervision of Professor Marie-Pierre Gagnon.
