Zack van Allen, PhD, MBA
Researcher & Data Scientist
ABOUT ME
I am an interdisciplinary researcher and the author of 20 peer-reviewed scientific articles in the fields of public health, health science, psychology, and predictive modelling. My academic research has been focused on the potential of machine learning and network analysis to understand behavioural dynamics at the individual and group levels (e.g., how multiple behavioural tendencies interact over time, naturally and in response to interventions). My PhD dissertation entitled "Modelling covarying and co-occurring health behaviours: Applications of machine learning and network psychometrics" aimed to model the interactions between health impacting behaviours and predict health outcomes based on combinations of health behaviour engagement using unsupervised and supervised machine learning and network psychometrics.
My PhD was supported by the 'Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship' from the Canadian Institute of Health Research for 2020-2023 and I completed a Mitacs-Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023-2024) at the University of Ottawa and the Perley Health Center for Excellence. I have been a successful co-applicant on two grants funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research.
During my postdoctoral fellowship I applied supervised machine learning and mixed-effect models to the study of aging using datasets from large cohorts studies (e.g., the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging, and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe). I am currently a Research Associate with the uOttawa Department of Family Medicine and the Bruyere Research Institute where I collaborate on research with physicians and faculty.
I have also conducted analysis in industry where I performed comprehensive strategic analysis for a local business including an assessment of macro environmental trends, industry analysis, market segmentation, and SWOT analysis as part of my MBA training. Additionally, I have co-authored reports for the Department of National Defence, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Diabetes Action Canada.
Beyond my core academic projects, I am also broadly interested in artificial intelligence, research methods, and techno-futurism. When not doing research, I enjoy training jiu-jitsu, reading science fiction, and 3D printing robotic hobby projects.
EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA DEPTARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE & BRUYERE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Research Associate II (2024-present)
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
University of Ottawa / Perley Health (2023-2024)
OTTAWA HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Clinical Research Associate (2023 - 2024)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PSYCHOLOGY)
University of Ottawa (2019-2023)
OTTAWA HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Clinical Research Coordinator (2018 - 2023)
MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Sprott School of Business (2017-2019)
UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION IN MEDICAL EDUCATION
Research Coordinator (2017)
MASTERS OF ARTS (PSYCHOLOGY)
Carleton University (2014-2016)
DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE
Research Assistant (2015-2017)
BACHELOR OF ARTS (PSYCHOLOGY)
Carleton University (2009-2014)
CARLETON UNIVERSITY HAPPINESS LAB
Research Assistant (2013-2017)
SKILLS
Quantitative Research
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Statistical programing in R, Python, & SAS
(10 years experience)
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Published analysis using: OLS
and logistic regression, ANOVA, multi-level modelling, temporal network analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and systematic reviews with meta-analysis
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Experience cleaning and analysing large datasets and cohort studies (e.g., Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging)
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PhD dissertation compared several supervised machine learning methods to model relationships between health behaviours and outcomes (OSF | Zack's PhD Dissertation)
Qualitative Research
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Performed deductive and inductive qualitative analysis across multidisciplinary projects
in healthcare settings
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Lead qualitative analysis of project identifying barriers to eye screening for recent immigrants (published paper)
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Developed semi-structured interviews lead qualitative analysis for multi-hospital study
of decision making processes in organ donation (published protocol
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Performed qualitative analysis on interviews with people who inject drugs regarding their HepC knowledge (published paper)
Project Management
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Executive committee member for multi-hospital study interviewing people who make organ donation decisions for loved ones (learn more here).
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Study coordinator at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute for several studies involving multiple data collection sites. Managed budgets, timelines, third-party contracts, data collection, analysis, and publication submissions.
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MBA level training in: project management, leadership, information management, conflict and negotiation, and managing people and organizations.
RESUME, CV, PUBLICATIONS
Publications
1. van Allen, Z. M., Orsholits, D., Boisgontier, M. P. (in press). Pre-stroke physical activity matters for functional limitations: A longitudinal control study of 12,860 participants. Physical Therapy Journal. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.09.14.23295576
2. van Allen, Z.M., & Presseau, J. (in press). A multiple behaviour temporal network analysis for health behaviours during COVID-19. British Journal of Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/kmubv
3. van Allen, Z. M., Dionne, N., & Boisgontier, M. (under review). Prospective classification of functional dependence: Insights from machine learning and 39,927 participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Physical Therapy Journal. https://medrxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.07.15.24310429v1
4. van Allen, Z. M, Bacon, S., Bernard, P., Brown, H., Desroches, S., Kastner, M., … Presseau, J. (2023). Clustering of health behaviours in Canadians: A multiple behaviour analysis of data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Annals of Behavioural Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaad008
5. van Allen, Z. M., Bacon, S., Bernard, P., Brown, H., Desroches, S., Kastner, M., … Presseau, J. (2021). Clustering of healthy behaviours in Canadians - Protocol for a multiple behaviour analysis of data from the CLSA. JMIR: Research Protocols, 10(6), e24887. https://doi.org/10.2196/24887
6. van Allen, Z.M., Dogba, M. J., Brent, M. H., Bach, C., Grimshaw, J. M., Ivers, N. M., ... & Presseau, J. (2020). Barriers to and enablers of attendance at diabetic retinopathy screening experienced by immigrants to Canada from multiple cultural and linguistic minority groups. Diabetic Medicine, e14429. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.14429
7. van Allen, Z. M., Walker, L., Streiner, T., & Zelenski, J. M. (2021). Enacted extraversion as a well-being enhancing strategy in everyday life: Testing across three, week-long interventions. Collabra: Psychology. 7 (1): 29931. DOI: 0.1525/collabra.29931
8. van Allen, Z. M., & Zelenski, J. M. (2018). Testing trait state isomorphism in a new domain: An exploratory manipulation of openness to experience. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01964
9. Crawshaw, J., Presseau, J., van Allen, Z.M., Carvalho, L. P., Jordison, K., English, S. W., … Chassé, M. (2019). Exploring the experiences and perspectives of substitute decision-makers involved in decisions about deceased organ donation: A qualitative study protocol. BMJ Open. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034594
10. Crawshaw, J., Konnyu, K., Castillo, G., van Allen Z.M., Grimshaw, J., & Presseau. J. (2022). Behavioural determinants of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among healthcare workers: A rapid review. Public Health, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2022.06.003.
11. Dogba, J. M., Brent, M., Bach, C., Assad, S., Grimshaw, J, Ivers, N., … Presseau, J. (2020). Identifying barriers and enablers to attending diabetic retinopathy screening in immigrants to Canada from ethnocultural minority groups: Protocol for a qualitative descriptive study. JMIR: Research Protocols, 9, e15109. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/15109
12. Ebersole, C. R., Atherton, O. E., Belanger, A. L., Skulborstad, H. M., Allen, J. M., Banks, J. B., … Nosek, B. A. (2016). Many Labs 3: Evaluating participant pool quality across the academic semester via replication. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 67, 68-82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2015.10.012
13. Farajzadeh, A., Goubran, M., Fessler, L., Cheval, B., van Allen, Z.M., & Boisgontier, M.P. (2023). Retraining the automatic reaction to physical activity and sedentary stimuli in adults 60 years of age or older: A cognitive-bias-modification protocol. European Rehabilitation Journal. https://doi.org/10.52057/erj.v3i1.32
14. Fontaine, G., Presseau, J., Bruneau, J., Patey, A. M., van Allen Z.M., Mortazhejri, S., Bordier Høj S., Hung, J. H. C., & Grimshaw, J. M. (2023) “Apparently, you can only be treated once”: A qualitative study exploring perceptions of hepatitis C and access to treatment among people who inject drugs visiting a needle and syringe program. International Journal of Drug Policy
15. Lynch, T., Ryan, C., Hughes, C. M., Presseau, J., van Allen, Z. M., Bradley, C. P., & Cadogan, C. A. (2020). Brief interventions targeting long-term benzodiazepine and Z-drug use in primary care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 115, 1618-1639. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14981
16. Mangone, G., Capaldi, C. A., van Allen, Z. M., & Luscuere, P. G. (2017). Bringing nature to work: Preferences and perceptions of constructed and natural workspaces. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 23, 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2017.02.009
17. Nealis, L., van Allen, Z.M, & Zelenski, J. (2016). The role of affective valence and arousal in cognitive restoration. Plos One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0147275
18. Ruci, L., van Allen, Z. M., & Zelenski, J. M. (2018). Pro-social personality traits, helping behaviour, and ego-depletion: Is helping really easier for the dispositionally pro-social? Personality and Individual Differences, 120, 32-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.08.013
19. Silva, C. C., Presseau, J., van Allen, Z.M, Dinsmore, J., Schenk, P., Moreto, M., & Marques, M. M. (2024). Components of multiple health behavior change interventions for patients with chronic conditions: A systematic review and meta-regression of randomized trials. Annals of Behavioural Medicine kaae021, https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaae021
20. Wagenmakers, E.-J., Beek, T., Dijkhoff, L., Gronau, Q. F., Acosta, A., Adams, R. B., … Zwaan, R. A. (2016). Registered Replication Report: Strack, Martin, & Stepper (1988). Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11, 917-928. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1745691616674458
21. Wilson, M., van Allen, Z.M., Grimshaw, G., Brehaut, J., Durand, A., Francis, J., … Presseau, J. (2023). Investigating motivational, volitional and non-reflective predictors of touching eyes, nose and mouth (T-zone) to reduce the spread of infectious disease: a prospective study. British Journal of Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12660