With April approaching, our Fellows are entering the final stretch of their CanD3 training journey, having completed two-thirds of the program. As they gear up for exciting projects and the highly anticipated Dragon’s Den at the Annual Keynote event in June, let’s take a moment to get to know three of our Fellows—David Okunlola and Nicole Antunes Rezende —and explore their research journeys, challenges, and passions beyond academia.
David Okunlola
Welcome to the interview, David! Let’s start with a pivotal moment that shaped your research journey. How has CanD3 helped reinforce your research purpose?
I attended some capacity-building workshops at my alma mater that opened my eyes to my weak knowledge of demographic and statistical analysis, especially the basics. I decided to seek a PhD admission in the US to build and strengthen my capacity in quantitative methods. I was so intentional that I was ready to take as many courses as possible. I am glad to have made it into CAnD3, which is a fantastic learning opportunity. I have learned population analytics, R, DAG, etc., which I intend to use in my research activities.
That’s an inspiring journey! Could you share a recent publication, presentation, or project you're particularly proud of? What was the most exciting or challenging aspect of it?
Here is my recent publication: Okunlola, D. A. (2025). Multilevel correlates of the severity of intimate partner violence among women in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Journal of Population Research, 42(1), 3. This project was challenging because it went through at least five journals before finding a home this year. One of the journals I sent it to put it through peer-review for almost a year and still rejected the manuscript despite addressing the comments. I also had to completely revise the paper before it was finally accepted at the Journal of Population Research. Although it was a bitter-sweet experience, I learned a lot in the process and came out victorious.
Your level of perseverance is truly amazing! Outside of research, what hobby or interest might surprise people?
Nothing too surprising—academia keeps me busy! But I enjoy action movies, playing table tennis, browsing social media, and watching TikTok videos.
If you could have dinner with any data scientist or researcher, past or present, who would it be, and what burning question would you ask them about their approach?
I would love to have dinner with Prof. Daniel Lakens, (an experimental psychologist at the Human-Technology Interaction group at Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands). I would ask him about practical approaches to determine the smallest meaningful effect, and how to establish the presence or absence of effect beyond relying on p-values. I would also ask him about practical ways of designing studies using simulation and ensuring research replicability.
Nicole Antunes Rezende
Nicole, your journey has been shaped by international experiences. How has CAnD3 reinforced your research purpose?
A defining moment for me was participating in a Rotary exchange program in Ecuador during high school, where I developed a passion for understanding different cultures and socio-economic issues. Later, a university course in Belgium deepened my interest in comparative studies, shaping my path toward public administration and population studies. CanD3 has expanded my knowledge of data science methods and R programming, particularly through the R Summer Camp with Professor Tim Elrick. I look forward to applying these skills during my internship at Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ)!
That’s amazing—your global perspective must bring unique insights to your work. Could you share a recent publication, presentation, or project you're particularly proud of? What was the most exciting or challenging aspect of it?
Before embarking on a primarily quantitative research project, I initially focused on qualitative methods. My dissertation for my Master's in Public Administration was titled ‘Access to International Mobility Programs in Higher Education: The Case of UFMG in Light of Three International Experiences.’ I was very proud to present my findings and discussion at the 39th ANPAD Annual Meeting – EnANPAD 2015. More recently, I had the privilege of being part of the organizational team for the ADQ (Association des démographes du Québec) Colloquium 2024. I was the facilitator for the Professional Development Activity and also presented a poster titled ‘Standardization as an Appropriate Method for Understanding the Different Admission Categories and Education Levels of Latin American Immigrants in Canada.’
That sounds like an incredible experience! Outside of research, what hobby or interest might surprise people?
During the last two summers, I participated in the Official Language Program called Explore. In 2023, I went to Vancouver, and last year, I went to Winnipeg. I truly enjoyed my time discovering more about the country I chose to live in, improving my English skills, and spending time outdoors. During a workshop in Winnipeg at the Saint Boniface Museum, I learned Métis beadwork, which combines First Nations beadwork with the floral embroidered patterns introduced by French-Canadian nuns working in Roman Catholic mission schools. I was fascinated by this art and how mindful and balanced I felt while creating my stitches. I enjoyed it so much that I continued, and now I have an Instagram account, @traceorange, where I post my embroidery projects! 😊
If you could have dinner with any data scientist or researcher, past or present, who would it be, and what burning question would you ask them about their approach?
I would love the opportunity to have an in-depth conversation with John Rawls, a political philosopher whose theory of justice has profound implications for public policy and data analysis. It would be fascinating to hear his thoughts on how the veil of ignorance principle could be applied in today’s highly digital society—where data governance faces significant challenges, artificial intelligence increasingly shapes our daily lives, and systemic inequalities persist. I would also be eager to explore his perspective on the complex dynamics of human relationships and international affairs in this rapidly evolving, conflict-ridden landscape.
As our Fellows continue their CAnD3 journey, it’s inspiring to see the dedication and diverse perspectives they bring to their research. From tackling critical social issues to exploring creative outlets and engaging with global perspectives. We look forward to seeing their contributions in the coming months while cheering them on as they prepare for the Dragon’s Den and beyond!
