Dr. Jessie-Lee McIsaac (she/her), PhD
Co-Lead Investigator, Mount Saint Vincent University

Dr. McIsaac’s research aims to enhance the well-being of children during the early years. This is done by ensuring that both policy and practices support families as they transition across learning environments.
Dr. McIsaac is an Associate Professor at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), and the Tier II Research Chair in Early Childhood related to diversity and transitions with the faculty of education and department of child and youth study. She holds a PhD in Public Health and MSc in Health Promotion, both from the University of Alberta. She also holds a BSc in Kinesiology from Dalhousie University.

Jessie-Lee's team of researchers at the Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre (ECCRC) use an engaged scholarship approach to co-produce research that mobilizes knowledge and experiences for and with marginalized families. She works collaboratively with researchers, community, policy makers, and research participants to inform policy and program design, as well as decision-making.

To learn more about the work that Dr. McIsaac is doing please visit the ECCRC website.

Dr. Misty Rossiter, PhD, RD
Co-Lead Investigator, University of Prince Edward Island

Dr. Misty Rossiter is interested in early childhood development, with a particular focus on responsive feeding practices and nutrition policy.

Dr. Rossiter is a Registered Dietitian and an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). She is a Jeanne and J.-Louis Lévesque Research Professor in Nutrisciences and Health. She holds a BSc in Foods & Nutrition from UPEI, an MSc in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University, and a PhD in Family Relations and Applied Nutrition from the University of Guelph.

Misty’s research aims to support families and early learning settings to maximize nutritional opportunities for children during this critical time of development. Her work seeks to promote early learning environments that foster a healthy relationship with food by encouraging self-regulation through a respectful and reciprocal approach to feeding and by celebrating a variety of foods in a supportive atmosphere.

Misty has been recognized nationally with an award from Dietitians of Canada for Leadership in the Profession related to her work in early years nutrition and has been invited to speak across Canada to profile her research on responsive feeding practices. You can read more about her work on the Resources page.

Sarah Caldwell (she/her), MSc
Project Coordinator, Mount Saint Vincent University

Sarah has an MSc in Nutrition and Behaviour from Bournemouth University (UK), and a BSc in Psychology from Cardiff University (UK).

She is very excited to be involved in the CELEBRATE Feeding project as she is passionate about helping promote good health and well-being, with a particular interest in nutrition. She has previously been involved in well-being workshops, volunteered at a soup kitchen, been a first aider for St John's ambulance, and worked as a child and youth care worker. These experiences have shown her first-hand the impact that early child experiences can have on future health and well-being which has sparked her interest in research that focuses on the younger years.

Sarah has been involved in a few health-related and nutrition projects and is keen to be involved in a project that aims to support healthy feeding behaviours in early childhood and help provide children with a foundation for lifelong health.

Originally from the UK, Sarah moved to Canada in 2016. In her free time, she loves exploring new places, baking, and going on walks with her partner and their 7-month-old puppy called Riley!

Margaret Young (she/her), MSc , RD
Early Years Nutrition Coach, University of Prince Edward Island

Margaret’s experience working with young families and creating nutrition education resources for the early childhood sector makes her a great fit for the CELEBRATE Feeding team.

Margaret is a Registered Dietitian with a Masters of Science in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University. She has extensive experience working in community nutrition and culinary dietetics. Margaret’s areas of expertise include knowledge translation, group facilitation, early childhood nutrition and food allergies. Margaret uses her passion for food and cooking to support healthy eating in ways that are engaging and client focused.

Margaret is enthusiastic about helping others set and reach their goals. She has created and delivered numerous nutrition education programs for community and health groups and participated in the development of a national peer mentorship program.

When Margaret isn’t working, you can find her walking her rescue dog on one of PEI’s many beautiful beaches and trails.

Elizabeth Dickson (she/her), MHSc, RD
Early Years Nutrition Coach, Mount Saint Vincent University

Elizabeth is a Registered Dietitian, nutrition educator, and communications professional. She has always had a passion for helping others develop a positive relationship with food; especially when it relates to early childhood and early educational experiences.

Elizabeth holds an MHSc in Nutrition Communication from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), as well as a BSc in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University. Elizabeth’s dietetic focus has been her work as a pediatric nutrition educator in the community, with a particular interest in providing support to primary and secondary schools. Her work focuses on building eating competence and supporting responsive feeding environments.

Elizabeth is passionate about delivering evidence-based content that is easy-to-consume, and appropriate for the audience. More recently, Elizabeth joined the MSVU Applied Human Nutrition Department as a part-time faculty member.

She is excited to be putting her experience and passion to work as the Nova Scotia Nutrition Coach for the CELEBRATE Feeding project!

Rachel Barich (she/her/hers), MS, BS
Research Assistant, University of Prince Edward Island

Rachel is passionate about sharing nutrition education with everyone and aims to make nutrition knowledge accessible and inclusive to all populations

Rachel comes to the CELEBRATE Feeding team with a background in longitudinal research in adolescent eating behaviour at the University at Buffalo where she also obtained her BS and MS in Nutrition Science. She is a co-author on numerous nutrition research and behaviour publications, and is currently enrolled in the Foods & Nutrition program at University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) with the intention of becoming a Registered Dietitian. 

Outside of Research and Nutrition, Rachel is a driven student, athlete, and works as the assistant cross-country coach at UPEI. She comes from 6 years of running division 1 in the NCAA at Buffalo and is continuing her own running career as competitive marathoner. She also enjoys cooking, yoga, cycling, and discovering local food scenes. Originally from Niagara Ontario, Rachel is an energetic and fresh face in the Maritimes looking forward to exploring more of the east coast of Canada.

Julie Campbell (she/her), MSc
Data Analyst, Mount Saint Vincent University

Julie’s interest in the CELEBRATE Feeding project stems from her enthusiasm for promoting healthy lifelong habits for children through supportive environments, whether for nutrition or movement behaviours.

Julie is a PhD student in the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University, studying outdoor learning and play with school-aged children. Before starting her PhD at Dalhousie, she completed a BSc (Hons) in Kinesiology with a minor in Nutrition at the University of Prince Edward Island and an MSc in Kinesiology (Physical Activity Epidemiology) at Queen’s University.

She is looking forward to making exciting and meaningful contributions to the project through her role as Data Analyst.

Olga Levin, (she/her), RD, MSc

Data Analyst, Mount Saint Vincent University

Olga is a registered dietitian with diverse clinical and research expertise in the field of early years nutrition. Originally from Israel, Olga holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science and a master’s in applied human nutrition from MSVU. Olga’s master’s thesis delved into the infant-feeding culture in Nova Scotia, shedding light on the shifting norms and priorities among young men towards infant feeding, while also revealing their prevailing sense of alienation.

 Olga is working as the qualitative data analyst for the Celebrate Feeding project at ECCRC. Olga is passionate about large-scale projects and finding new discoveries that can contribute to children’s well-being

In her free time, Olga enjoys hot yoga, hiking, and spending quality time with friends. She is also a busy mother of two daughters and a furry golden retriever baby who has recently joined their family.