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Tyler Paetkau

  • Scholar 2025
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Population and Public Health
University of British Columbia
Tyler Paetkau is a Ph.D. student in population and public health at the University of British Columbia, where he works on quantitative public health ethics. Drawing from his Master's in Bioethics from McGill University, he researches how social determinants impact end-of-life decision making and the ethics of expanding medical assistance in dying for mental health conditions.
Profile
Research Project

Exploring the Connection Between Mental Health and Medical Assistance in Dying: A New Approach to Assessing Vulnerability

 

Biography

Tyler Paetkau is a Ph.D. student in population and public health at the University of British Columbia, where he works on quantitative public health ethics. Drawing on the tools gained during his Master’s in Bioethics from McGill University, his research focuses on two areas. First, he investigates how the social determinants of mental health impact end-of-life decision making. Second, he examines ethical issues around the expansion of medical assistance in dying to those whose sole underlying condition is mental in nature. 

Originally from Grande Prairie, Alberta, Tyler’s volunteer work emphasizes lowering barriers to post-secondary education for first-generation students and improving the use of evidence in public policy. In addition to being active in student government and organizing, he is a reviewer for multiple academic journals and helps organize several conferences. Outside of academia, he is active in Vancouver’s theatre community as well as the Alpine Club of Canada and the British Columbia Mountaineering Club. 

Tyler is passionate about interdisciplinary work and tackling problems through diverse approaches. Through the scholarship, he seeks to join a vibrant, collaborative community where he can be challenged, contribute, and learn from the wealth of expertise within the Trudeau Foundation network.