Meet our Faculty Researcher: Triana Ortiz
Mar 31, 2025 | Research Centre
Meet Triana Ortiz, a dedicated educator, researcher, and community member with a rich background in social neuroendocrinology, research, and interdisciplinary education. Triana is a faculty member in the Social Sciences Department, predominately teaching Psychology courses. Her academic and professional journey reflects her dedication to fostering knowledge, contributing to northern communities, personal growth, and impactful collaborations.
Triana started her education at the University of Ottawa, double majoring in Psychology and Criminology before transferring to Nipissing University to be closer to home and support her family. She earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts with Specialization in Psychology, completing the thesis route where she examined how psychopathic traits moderate the effect of exogenous testosterone on social-cognitive processes like empathic accuracy. Upon graduation, Triana juggled her work as a research lab manager, Nipissing Parry Sound Children’s Aid Society worker, as well as dance teacher and choreographer all the while completing her Master of Education at Nipissing University. In her Master’s she examined exogenous testosterone in men and its effects on feedback schedules and learning of a spatial motor task.
Triana's academic career began managing the Social Neuroendocrinology Laboratory at Nipissing University, where she managed research projects investigating the complex interplay between hormones and social behavior. Her work included designing research protocols, training over 50 research assistants, thesis students, and post-doctoral staff, as well as overseeing all data collection and participant recruitment. "Mentorship has always been a significant part of my academic career. Helping students develop their research skills and seeing them grow has been incredibly rewarding," she reflects. Her leadership has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Wendy Jackson Memorial Scholarship for outstanding research productivity. Her efforts as laboratory manager resulted in significant advancements in hormone analysis techniques, high-impact publications, and collaborations with international researchers.
During her time at Nipissing University, Triana spearheaded initiatives as the Research Coordinator in the Graduate Studies and Research Office. Her work included promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research, overseeing research funding, ethical compliance, and strategic research-related communications. She supported researchers as the coordinator for the Research Ethics Board, Animal Care Committee, Research Committee, and granting liaison. Facilitating funding opportunities with agencies like SSHRC, NSERC, CFI, and CIHR, she fostered partnerships with government, industry, and the North Bay community. These contributions influenced institutional policies and expanded access to research opportunities. "I am passionate about creating equitable research opportunities. It is essential that all voices are represented and supported in academia. As well as ensuring participant demographics represent the community in question.
Triana’s teaching efforts began as early as 16 years old when she began teaching dance at Barbara Treleaven’s School of Dance (now BTS Dance Corp.). Through extensive mentorship from Barbara Treleaven, a pioneer for dance education in North Bay and the north, and her daughter Denise Treleaven Cote, Triana began teaching with a solid foundation and understanding of dance technique and teaching practices. Since then, Triana has taught dance for the University of Ottawa Fitness Centre, achieved her Canadian Dance Teachers Association accreditation to teach CDTA syllabi while inviting students to challenge their exams, became an artist in residence for the Near North District School Board where she instructs the dance portions of physical health syllabi, and instructs Nipissing University BPHE dance practicums. Within the community, Triana has choreographed for Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre, school choirs, and the North Bay Figure Skating Club, and collaborated with The Studio, Zumba Studio to host Latin events for the public. Triana’s interdisciplinary expertise extends to integrating psychological insights with creative methodologies, such as developing experiential learning tools for educators, designing movement courses for youth, and fostering community engagement through dance and movement programs with the North Bay Parry Sound Children’s Aid Society. These initiatives showcased her dedication to using education as a tool for empowerment and growth.
Triana believes in lifelong learning and the importance of personal growth and is currently engaging in courses to gain knowledge around floor plans, space planning, and architectural design. "Education never stops. I enjoy broadening my knowledge and supporting my skills.” Triana has successfully space planned and designed three CFI-funded laboratory spaces at Nipissing University, renovated two homes for family accessibility needs, and consulted on various projects for peers and community members. She excels at logistical planning, high-level overview, organization, and facilitation, demonstrated within research project management, choreographing competitive dances in various disciplines, and taking human dimensions into consideration when space planning rooms, homes, and workplaces.
With these skills, Triana is excited to collaborate with the Research Centre at Canadore College and Victim Services Nipissing to contribute with conceptual, protocol, and methodological planning and implementation of a new project entitled "Evaluating Compassion Fatigue, Moral Injury, and Burnout in Victim Services and Partner Organizations: Strategies for Action and Improvement," while fulfilling her faculty role and commitments at Canadore College. This project will complement Triana’s experience with the Nipissing Parry Sound Children’s Aid Society. "This research is deeply important to me. It addresses real challenges faced by those providing essential support services, and I am eager to contribute in a meaningful way." While Triana’s recent focus has been on developing her teaching portfolio at Canadore, reengaging in research in an investigator role is something she is very much looking forward to. Canadore College is fortunate to have Triana as a mentor to provide high-level training for student researchers, something Triana is eager to begin as the project starts.
For faculty looking to engage in research again, or for the first time, Triana’s advice is to lead with questions from a place of curiosity and celebrate every step of the journey. "Any steps taken toward inquiry are worth celebrating. It’s not only fun and rewarding but also food for your brain." Through her diverse roles, Triana continues to inspire and contribute to fields spanning research, education, and community well-being. Her commitment to research and creating inclusive spaces for learning makes her an invaluable asset to the academic and broader community.