HEALTH RESEARCH CONSULTING · CANADA, BRAZIL & INTERNATIONAL

Building Evidence,
Method, and
Health Systems.

Nexus Health Research Lab designs rigorous, fundable, and publication-ready research for academic teams, health authorities, and community partners — from evidence synthesis to grant architecture.

Our Services Start a Conversation
19+
Peer-Reviewed Publications
$1.3M+
Grants Co-Led
15+
Years Experience
Uirá (Mia) Duarte Wisnesky
Uirá (Mia) Duarte Wisnesky
RN, PhD · Founder & Principal Researcher
PhD Nursing RN (Canada & Brazil) KT Trained
PhD-trained registered nurse and senior health researcher with 15+ years of international experience in mixed-methods inquiry, knowledge translation, and CIHR-funded research across Canada, Brazil, Sweden, and Portugal.
English Portuguese Spanish
19+
Publications
$1.3M
Grants
3
Languages
Published In
Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem International Journal of Older People Nursing Frontiers in Public Health Prehospital & Disaster Medicine Journal of Medical Internet Research Nurse Education Today BMJ Open Nurse Educator Small Business Economics Innovation in Aging Int. Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship Brazilian Journal of Health Review
Who We Are

Designed for researchers
who need methodological depth.

Nexus Health Research Lab was founded by Uirá (Mia) Duarte Wisnesky, RN PhD — a senior health researcher with 15+ years of international experience spanning nursing, emergency medicine, aging, Indigenous health, and health systems research across four countries.

We work with academic teams, health authorities, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous community partners who need high-level research design, rigorous evidence synthesis, and grant methodology — without hiring a full-time researcher.

Our approach is senior, selective, and relationship-driven. We don't take every project — we take the right ones, and we do them well.

Through an established network of researchers, scientists, and methodological specialists, we assemble focused, project-specific teams when the scope calls for it — bringing the right expertise to every engagement without the overhead of a large firm.

Methodological Rigour
We apply internationally recognized frameworks — JBI, PRISMA, Cochrane — to every engagement.
Senior Expertise
Every project is led by a PhD-trained principal researcher, not delegated to junior staff.
Equity & Community Lens
Deep experience in Indigenous health, community-engaged research, and culturally safe inquiry.
Cross-National Reach
Trilingual capacity (English, Portuguese, Spanish) supporting international research collaborations.
Education
PhD in Nursing · Canada
MA, History & Health · University of Évora, Portugal
MSc, Social Sciences · Linköping University, Sweden
BSc in Nursing (Licentiate, Teacher Education Track) · Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil
Grant Leadership
Co-Lead — CIHR Women's Health Initiative · $575,350
Co-Lead — CIHR Health Workforce Transformation · $749,163
Co-Applicant — AHS Systematic Review Grant · $15,000
Brazilian Funding Agencies
CNPq — Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
FAPERJ — Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
FAPESP — Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
CAPES — Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
$1.3M+
Total Grants Co-Led & Supported
Peer Review & Editorial
Review Editor — Frontiers in Public Health (Aging)
Peer Reviewer — IAGG World Congress (54 abstracts)
Peer Reviewer — Canadian Association on Gerontology
Languages
English (Fluent) Portuguese (Native) Spanish (Fluent)
What We Do

Our Services

Five core services. All delivered at senior level. Scoped precisely. No vague deliverables.

01
🔬
Knowledge Synthesis & Evidence Mapping
Rigorous scoping and systematic review design using internationally recognized frameworks — from protocol architecture to publication-ready methods sections.
  • Scoping review design (JBI, PRISMA-ScR)
  • Systematic review protocol architecture
  • Search strategy framework development
  • Evidence and gap mapping
  • Covidence setup and extraction framework
PRISMAJBICovidenceEvidence Synthesis
02
📋
Grant & Protocol Methodology
The methodological backbone behind competitive grant applications. We design rigorous, reviewer-proof methods sections aligned with CIHR, SSHRC, and international funders.
  • Full methods section engineering
  • Mixed-method integration plans
  • Knowledge Translation & implementation framing
  • Sample size & analytic plan
  • Feasibility and risk mitigation sections
CIHRSSHRCGrant WritingProtocol Design
03
🧩
Qualitative & Mixed-Methods Design
Expert design of qualitative and mixed-methods research, from interview guide development to analytic framework construction and rigor audit trails.
  • Interview and focus group guide development
  • Reflexive thematic and framework analysis design
  • Mixed-methods integration strategy
  • NVivo codebook architecture
  • Rigor and audit trail structure
EthnographyNVivoThematic AnalysisMixed Methods
04
📊
Program Evaluation & Knowledge Translation
End-to-end evaluation frameworks and Knowledge Translation strategies that move research from evidence to action — for health systems, community organizations, and funded programs.
  • Theory of change and logic model development
  • Impact measurement and indicators
  • Knowledge Translation plan design (integrated and end-of-grant)
  • Equity-focused evaluation frameworks
  • Policy brief and dissemination strategy
Knowledge TranslationCIHR Knowledge TranslationEvaluationLogic Model
05
🎙️
Senior Qualitative Interviewing
Expert-level qualitative data collection for complex or high-sensitivity research involving older adults, Indigenous communities, emergency contexts, or cross-cultural settings.
  • In-depth individual interviews
  • Focus group design and facilitation
  • Sensitive population interviewing
  • Cross-cultural and multilingual fieldwork
  • Field notes and reflexive journaling
TrilingualIndigenous ResearchOlder AdultsEmergency Medicine
Not sure which service fits your need?

Every engagement begins with a no-obligation scoping conversation.

Book a Conversation
98×
Average ROI on
CIHR grant support
How We Work

A structured, transparent process.

No vague deliverables. No scope creep. Every engagement is scoped precisely before work begins.

01
Scoping Conversation
A 30-minute no-obligation call to understand your project, timeline, and what you need. We clarify fit before any commitment.
02
Scope & Proposal
We provide a written scope of work with clear deliverables, timeline, and fixed project fee. No hourly surprises.
03
Design & Delivery
We execute with regular check-ins. Two structured revision rounds are included in every project scope.
04
Review & Transfer
Final deliverable with a walkthrough session. Resubmission support available as a separate defined service if needed.
Selected Research

Published, peer-reviewed,
internationally recognized.

19+ peer-reviewed publications across nursing, emergency medicine, aging, and health systems research.

Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem
Perceptions and experiences of older people with the sit-to-stand activity: An ethnographic pre-feasibility study
Wisnesky, Olson, Paul & Dahlke · 2023
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine
METASTART: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Diagnostic Accuracy of the START Algorithm for Disaster Triage
Franc, Kirkland, Wisnesky et al. · 2021
Frontiers in Public Health
A qualitative assessment of studies evaluating the classification accuracy of personnel using START in disaster triage: A scoping review
Wisnesky, Kirkland, Rowe et al. · 2022
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Academic Electronic Health Record in Undergraduate Nursing Education: A Pilot Study
Kleib, Jackman, Wisnesky & Shamsa · 2021
International Journal of Older People Nursing
Sit-to-stand activity to improve mobility in older people: A scoping review
Duarte Wisnesky, Olson, Paul et al. · 2020
Nurse Education Today
Interprofessional simulation to promote teamwork and communication between nursing and respiratory therapy students: A mixed-method study
Kleib, Jackman & Wisnesky · 2021
View Full Publication List on ORCID  ·  0000-0002-0643-6097
Get In Touch

Start a conversation.

Every engagement begins with a candid, no-obligation scoping conversation. Whether you have a grant deadline approaching, a synthesis project to design, or a Knowledge Translation strategy to build — we'd be glad to hear from you.

Good-fit clients typically need:
  • Senior methodology support for a CIHR or SSHRC grant application
  • A rigorous scoping or systematic review designed from scratch
  • A qualitative or mixed-methods framework for a funded study
  • A Knowledge Translation strategy or program evaluation framework
  • High-quality interviewing for a sensitive or complex population
Email
info@nexusresearchlab.ca
ORCID
0000-0002-0643-6097
Base
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Serving clients nationally & internationally
Languages
English · Portuguese · Spanish

We respond to all inquiries within 2 business days. Initial scoping conversations are always no-obligation.

Curriculum Vitae

Academic & Professional Record

Full academic and professional record of Uirá (Mia) Duarte Wisnesky, RN, PhD. View full publication list on ORCID 0000-0002-0643-6097.

Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2014 – 2019
Master in Social Sciences, minor in Health and Society
Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
2009 – 2011
Master of Arts in History, minor in Dynamics of Health and Welfare
University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
2009 – 2011
Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing (Licentiate, Teacher Education Track)
Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
2004 – 2008
Employment History
Principal Researcher & Consultant
Nexus Health Research Lab, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2025 – Present
Senior Research Associate
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2023 – 2025
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2020 – 2023
Research Coordinator
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2019 – 2020
Research Assistant
Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2015 – 2019
Community Health Nurse
Clínica Dr. Afonso Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2014 – 2015, 2017 – 2018
Language Teacher & Curriculum Developer
Mind Fuel Language School, Miami, USA
2011 – 2014
Community Health Nurse
Clinica da Dor, Mossoro, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
2008 – 2009
Research Assistant
Faculty of Nursing, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
2005 – 2007
Grants, Fellowships & Awards
National Women's Health Research Initiative Innovation Fund
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) · Co-lead
$575,350
Strengthening the Health Workforce for System Transformation
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) · Co-lead
$749,163
Systematic and Scoping Review Grant
Alberta Health Services · Co-applicant
$15,000
Knowledge Translation Summer Institute Award
Knowledge Translation Canada · Principal applicant
Summer Program in Aging, Institute Community Support
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) · Principal applicant
Research Award
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
$500 CAD
Research Award
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
$500 CAD
Legacy Fund
Canadian Association of Gerontology
$1,500 CAD
Education Abroad Individual Scholarship
University of Alberta
$6,000 CAD
Summer Program in Aging, Institute Community Support
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
2016
Research Award
Innovations in Seniors Care Research Unit
$1,000 CAD
Doctoral Scholarship [Grant #232826/2014-5]
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil
$130,000 CAD
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
European Commission
€30,000
Research Scholarship [Grant #E-26/150.744/2006]
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Brazil
$13,200
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Wisnesky, U. D., Olson, J., Paul, P., & Dahlke, S. (2023). Perceptions and experiences of older people with the sit-to-stand activity. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.
Wisnesky, U. D., Paul, P., Olson, J., & Dahlke, S. (2022). Perceptions and experiences of functional mobility for community-dwelling older people. International Journal of Older People Nursing.
Kleib, M., Nagle, L. M., Furlong, K. E., Paul, P., Duarte Wisnesky, U., & Shamsa, A. (2022). Are future nurses ready for digital health? Nurse Education Today.
Wisnesky, U. D., Kirkland, S. W., Rowe, B. H., Campbell, S., & Franc, J. M. (2022). A qualitative assessment of studies evaluating the classification accuracy of personnel using START in disaster triage: A scoping review. Frontiers in Public Health.
Franc, J., Kirkland, S., Wisnesky, U. D., Campbell, S., & Rowe, B. (2021). METASTART: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Diagnostic Accuracy of the START Algorithm for Disaster Triage. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine.
Mota, A. S., Abrahão, A. L., Wisnesky, U. D., et al. (2021). Professional identity in nursing. Brazilian Journal of Health Review.
Kleib, M., Jackman, D., Wisnesky, U. D., & Shamsa, A. (2021). Academic Electronic Health Record in Undergraduate Nursing Education: A Pilot Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Kleib, M., Jackman, D., & Wisnesky, U. D. (2021). Interprofessional simulation to promote teamwork and communication between nursing and respiratory therapy students: A mixed-method study. Nurse Education Today.
Villas, B., Wisnesky, U. D., Campbell, S., et al. (2020). The role of occupational therapy in musicians' health. Small Business Economics.
Cubbon, L., Darga, K., Wisnesky, U. D., Dennet, L., & Guptill, C. (2020). Depression among entrepreneurs: a scoping review. Small Business Economics.
Duarte Wisnesky, U., Olson, J., Paul, P., Dahlke, S., Slaughter, S. E., & de Figueiredo Lopes, V. (2020). Sit-to-stand activity to improve mobility in older people: A scoping review. International Journal of Older People Nursing.
Dahlke, S., Davidson, S., Wisnesky, U. D., et al. (2020). Nursing education research. Nurse Educator.
Lopes, V., Andrade, M., & Wisnesky, U. D. (2017). Continuing health education in the family health strategy. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.
Wisnesky, U. D., Duggleby, W., & Slaughter, S. (2017). Sit to stand activity: A literature review. Innovation in Aging.
Wisnesky, U. D., Azevedo, S. L., Braga, A. L. S., et al. (2015). Insulin therapy: The reuse of disposable materials. Brazilian Journal of Health Review.
Teaching
Introduction to the Scientific Method
2020 – 2022
Introduction to Knowledge Synthesis
2020 – 2022
Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry Methods
2020 – 2022
Introduction to Mixed-Method Designs
2020 – 2022
Fundamentals of Ageing
2020 – 2022
Collective Health Nursing; Semiology and Physical Examination; Comprehensive Health Care
Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil
2006 – 2008
Student Supervision
Co-supervisor — Summer Studentship
University of Alberta · Funded by EEPA ($5,000)
2021
Co-supervisor — Summer Studentship
University of Alberta
2020
PhD Committee Member
Universidade Federal Fluminense
2021
Peer Review & Editorial
Review Editor — Aging and Public Health
Frontiers in Public Health
Conference Peer Reviewer
IAGG World Congress (54 abstracts); Canadian Association on Gerontology Annual Meeting (37 abstracts)
Journal Peer Reviewer
Basic and Applied Social Psychology; Research, Society and Development
Professional Memberships & Licensing
Registered Nurse — CRNA, Alberta, Canada
Registered Nurse — Conselho Regional de Enfermagem, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Treasurer; Involvement Committee Member
Canadian Association on Gerontology
Postdoctoral Fellows Working Group
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta
Volunteer Work
Changing Stories
Community-driven development projects in Nicaragua · Edmonton, AB
2022 – Present
Multicultural Health Brokers (MCHB)
Multicultural Seniors Outreach Program · Edmonton, AB
2017 – 2019
Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE)
Edmonton, AB
2015 – 2016
Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital
Promoting personal healthcare and therapeutic recreation services through local events · Ottawa, Canada
2008
View Full Publication List on ORCID →