Linda Hartwick Award

My name is Natalie Kozyrev, and I’m in my final year of the Compressed Time Frame Nursing program at Western University in London, Ontario. My path to nursing has been unique, shaped by a long journey through science and research before finding my true calling in healthcare.

I began my academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Manitoba, followed by a Master’s in Neuroscience at Queen’s University in Kingston. I then completed a PhD in Neurobiology at Western University, where my research focused on understanding how the spinal cord and brain change after traumatic injury. After my PhD, I pursued postdoctoral training in biomedical immunology, studying inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease. Over the years, I worked as a Research Associate, published several peer-reviewed papers and contributed to advancing knowledge in the field of neuroscience.

Although I valued my time in research, I felt something was missing and I wanted a career where I could connect directly with people and make a meaningful impact in their daily lives. This led me to nursing. Through my education and clinical experiences, I have discovered how rewarding it to combine scientific knowledge with compassionate care. My goal is to continue growing in this profession and, ultimately, to become a nurse practitioner.