Meet Our Student Researcher: Yuan Hui “Barry” Hsieh
Jul 30, 2025 | Research Centre
Yuan Hui Hsieh, or “Barry,” is a recent graduate of the Occupational and Physiotherapy Assistant program at Canadore College. With a strong interest in rehabilitation and community health, Barry immersed himself in both the academic and hands-on aspects of the program. “In my first year, I actively participated in simulation exercises and interprofessional education,” he says. “I learned how to analyze patient treatment plans, assist in therapy sessions, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.” He also gained valuable field experience supporting Canadore’s varsity athletic teams. “I worked closely with the Athletic Therapist in pre-game and post-game activities, preparing heat and ice packs and setting up emergency protocols.”
Barry’s interest in rehabilitation extended beyond the classroom. He volunteered with the Hospital Elder Life Program at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, where he contributed to therapeutic activities designed to keep older adults mobile, healthy, and mentally engaged. “Helping patients with mobility and mealtime assistance gave me the chance to prevent delirium and support their overall health,” he shares. In the summer of 2024, Barry volunteered as a Recreation Events Coordinator at Village Eulogia’s summer camp in Georgina, Ontario. “That experience allowed me to facilitate meaningful events for young adults with special needs. I really enjoyed creating a warm and welcoming environment for the participants.”
Joining the Research Centre at Canadore became a natural next step for Barry. He was eager to learn how research could enhance healthcare delivery and make a real-world impact. “Being involved in a healthcare research project gave me the opportunity to grow in many ways,” he says. “It helped me strengthen critical thinking, note-taking, and communication skills, all of which are important in my future career as a healthcare professional.” He also found great value in working with an interdisciplinary team. “I was really looking forward to learning from professors, connecting theory to actual data, and understanding how professionals from different fields interpret the same information,” he explains. “That kind of collaborative thinking is what makes research so interesting to me.”
Barry was particularly curious about the role research plays in clinical consistency and control. “Joining the Research Centre helped me understand how to maintain the same conditions before and after an experiment,” he says. “I was hoping that my effort and passion in the healthcare field could contribute to something that made even a small difference.”
Reflecting on his experience, Barry offers thoughtful advice to future student researchers. “Stand in others’ shoes,” he says. “Use their language to explain why your research is important, and how what you are doing will affect the results of the study.” He believes this kind of empathy and clarity is essential to building understanding and trust, especially in healthcare-focused research.
His time at the Research Centre also revealed a new perspective on the purpose of applied research. “I learned that applied research is often focused on improving products or processes,” he says. “In healthcare, that means finding practical ways to solve current issues or offer new services that really matter to clients.” Barry appreciates that applied research is not just about developing theories but about using those theories to bring real improvements to people’s lives.
When asked what he wishes more students understood about research, Barry is quick to respond. “For me, research is about finding facts through data and then using those facts to form a theory,” he explains. “It is a great opportunity for students to enjoy the process of discovery.”
Working at the Research Centre helped Barry develop a wide range of skills that will serve him well in his career. “I learned how to communicate with people of different ages and backgrounds,” he says. “It also opened my eyes to new opportunities in healthcare through placements, hands-on learning, and research. These experiences have helped prepare me to work independently and confidently in the field.”
As a recent graduate and Research Assistant Level I, Barry is a strong example of how research and education at Canadore come together to shape confident and capable high-quality professionals. His journey reflects the impact that a curious mind and a compassionate heart can have, both in research and in care.