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The first walk took place when she was a young university student. Engaging the advice of her brother, Dr. Oulton debated whether or not she should take a challenging course in physical chemistry, which would allow her to complete a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, or drop the course, and finish with a Bachelor of Arts instead. It was the early 1960s, and at the time, she didn’t envision a future where she would need a science degree. The two walked along the Acadia University campus, as snow gently fell from the sky. The decision was eventually a decisive “no” and she dropped physical chemistry, moved onto studying at �¼������ϲʿ���ֱ�� to complete her final credits, transferring them back to Acadia, to finish with a degree in arts.

“At the time, I didn’t consider myself to be a great student,” explains Dr. Oulton. “I enjoyed science, but school wasn’t a big personal priority. I met my future husband when I began studying at �¼������ϲʿ���ֱ��, and in time, we got married and started a family.” Aside from being a wife and mother, Dr. Oulton began teaching grades seven through 12, at a junior and senior high school in Harvey Station, N.B.

An unexpected career in science leads to a “eureka” moment

Flashforward several years, and Dr. Oulton took another life-altering walk in the snow; she was contemplating whether or not she should take that same course in physical chemistry she dropped at Acadia, only this time at �¼������ϲʿ���ֱ��. The course would allow her entrance into the Masters of Biochemistry program. Having already worked as a research lab tech in the Department, Dr. Oulton had begun taking courses in biochemistry part time. She proved to have an aptitude for the program, earning top marks in her courses.

Dr. Oulton’s intellect caught the attention of the faculty, and they were eager to have her become a part of their team. This time, Dr. Oulton engaged the advice of her husband Ian, and they walked through a snowy �¼������ϲʿ���ֱ�� campus, pondering whether they could manage her being in school, as they raised their young family. This time, the answer was “yes”, and Dr. Oulton embarked on what would prove to be an illustrious career.

In 1975, Dr. Oulton earned a PhD in Biochemistry, something of which she said felt like vindication after what she deemed to be her less than stellar performance during her undergrad. No matter: Dr. Oulton had found her place as a mature student and now, as an esteemed scientist. For the next three decades, Dr. Oulton became a steadfast and valued member of the �¼������ϲʿ���ֱ�� community, earning professorships in the departments of Physiology and Biophysics, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Beyond these remarkable endeavours, Dr. Oulton was a champion for women, demonstrating this as a staff scientist at the IWK Health Centre and as a lead medical researcher at �¼������ϲʿ���ֱ��’s Faculty of Medicine. Much of Dr. Oulton’s award-winning research focused on advancing health outcomes for infants who were at risk for serious breathing issues. In fact, while leading a team of researchers at �¼������ϲʿ���ֱ��’s Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Oulton had what she called her “eureka” moment.