Allison Cammer receives Research Excellence Award

The College of Pharmacy and Nutrition is pleased to present the 2026 Research Excellence Award to clinician-researcher Dr. Allison Cammer (PhD) in recognition of research that spans the continuum of care, from prevention and primary care to long-term care and end-of-life settings.

Recognizing that as many as 45 per cent of dementia cases are linked to modifiable risk factors such as diet, Cammer led the co-design of The Cognitive Kitchen, an innovative six-week program that aims to reduce dementia risk and support people living with dementia and their caregivers. The program combines nutrition education, culinary skill development and social engagement.

Since its launch, The Cognitive Kitchen has reached hundreds of participants across Saskatchewan through virtual and in-person delivery. Ongoing research continues to evaluate the program’s effectiveness, with early findings demonstrating benefits related to social connection and food-related skills. The program has attracted national and international interest, and work is underway to adapt and translate it for broader use.

Cammer’s leadership also extends to improving dementia care in rural and community settings. As co-lead of the Rural Dementia Action Research (RaDAR) team, Cammer has advanced innovative approaches to diagnosis, care delivery and support systems. This work includes evaluating the integration of dietitians into interdisciplinary primary care memory clinic teams.

In long-term care and end-of-life settings, Cammer’s research has helped shape national conversations about nutrition care. As a member of the Dining in Residential Communities (DiRECT) team, Cammer has contributed to the implementation of CHOICE+, a program designed to enhance mealtime experiences for long-term care residents. The initiative is now being evaluated through a large multi-province study.

Through this award, the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition recognizes Cammer’s patient-oriented contributions to nutrition, aging and dementia care. The research program is supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation and the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research.