Dr Kaasalainen joined the School of Nursing in 2002 as an Assistant Professor. She completed a CHSRF Post Doctoral Fellowship at McMaster University and was an Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Career Scientist. Currently, Dr. Kaasalainen is an Associate member of the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University. Dr. Kaasalainen’s research program is focused on improving the quality of life for people living in long term care homes with a particular focus on implementing a palliative approach in dementia care. She has received research funding from CIHR, SSHRC, and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care; both as a principal and co-investigator with the primary focus on improving quality of care for LTC residents and their family.