Lab Members

Kathleen McGinnisKathleen Martin Ginis, B.Sc., M.A., Ph.D., O.M.C., Distinguished University Scholar

Director, UBC Faculty of Medicine Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management
Professor, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine
Professor, School of Health and Exercise Sciences
Principal Investigator, ICORD (International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries)
Chair & Principal Investigator, Canadian Disability Participation Project

The University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory
1088 Discovery Avenue
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7
Phone: 250.807.9768
kathleen_martin.ginis@ubc.ca

Education

  • B.Sc. Psychology, 1992, University of Toronto
  • M.A. Kinesiology, 1993, Western University
  • Ph.D. Kinesiology, 1996, University of Waterloo
  • SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1996-1998, Wake Forest University

Research

My primary research focus is physical activity participation in community-dwelling people living with spinal cord injury. In particular, I am interested in how we can use principles of exercise psychology and behavioural science to improve physical activity participation. I am also interested in the psychosocial and physical health benefits of physical activity in people with SCI and other physical disabilities.

Community partnerships are at the heart of my research program. I work closely with over 20 provincial and national organizations (e.g., Spinal Cord Injury British Columbia [SCI BC], Disability Foundation, Neil Squire Society, Praxis Spinal Cord [formerly Rick Hansen] Institute, Canadian Paralympic Committee). I also collaborate regularly with a close network of colleagues working in a wide variety of disciplines including exercise physiology, rehabilitation science, sport psychology, and disability studies.

Graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in my lab typically have a primary interest in the behavioural aspects of exercise or other health-related behaviours* in people with disabilities. Most students in my lab have a background in Kinesiology, Psychology or a related discipline that has provided training in the behavioural aspects of health or exercise.

(*Note that we are not a bioscience research lab. We do not do research with animal models or in areas such as neuroregeneration or biomedical treatments for spinal cord injury)

Selected Awards and Honours

  • 2019 SCAPPS Brawley & Elliott Award for Excellence in Supervision & Mentorship
  • 2019 Readers’ Choice Award for best review paper published in 2018 in Spinal Cord
  • 2015 John Gibbons Counsell Award for contributions to the cause of people with SCI
  • 2014 Government of Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
  • 2014 National Spinal Cord Injury Conference Research Award, 1st Prize
  • 2011 International Fellow, National Academy of Kinesiology
  • 2010 The President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision, McMaster University

Funding

cihr-logo Mitacs logo praxis-logo

 
jumpstart-logo innovation-canada-logo onf-logo

 
SSHRC logo

Femke Hoekstra, PhD

Postdoctoral fellow, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: femke.hoekstra@ubc.ca
ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0068-652X
Twitter: @FHoekstra_Groot

Research

  • My research focuses on understanding and improving knowledge translation processes, especially in the area of rehabilitation and health promotion. My research involves studying implementation processes of behavior interventions and trials in real-world settings from different perspectives (organization, professional, and client/patient).
  • My research focuses on understanding and improving effective exercise counselling in spinal cord injury

Education

  • BSc, Human Movement Sciences, 2009, VU University Amsterdam.
  • MSc, Fundamental and Clinical Human Movement Sciences, 2012, VU University Amsterdam.
  • PhD, Physical Activity, Rehabilitation, and Implementation, 2017, University of Groningen

Funding and Awards

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship (2020-2022)
  • Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) Trainee Award (2021-2023)
  • Association for Canada Studies in the Netherlands (ACSN) Student Research Awards (2016)
  • Stichting Nicolaas Mulierus Fonds (the Netherlands) (2016)
  • Stichting Beatrixoord Noord-Nederland (the Netherlands) ReSpAct-study (2014-2015)

Cameron Gee, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia

Email: cgee@icord.org
Twitter: @CameronMGee

Research

  • Effects of novel exercise interventions, specific to individuals with spinal cord injury, on quality of life.
  • Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels, stressors, and lifestyle habits in Canadians with disabilities.
  • Hemodynamic management in the intensive care unit to enhance spinal cord oxygenation and promote neurological recovery following acute spinal cord injury.

Education

  • BAppSc, School of Human Movement Studies, 2008, University of Queensland
  • MExSc, School of Human Movement Studies, 2011, University of Queensland
  • PhD, School of Kinesiology, 2020, University of British Columbia

 

robert

Robert Shaw, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: shawrb1@mail.ubc.ca
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=SHYMmGQAAAAJ&hl=en
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert_Shaw42

Research

  • Research focusing on ‘deconstructing’ the peer mentorship experience for people with spinal cord injury in order to better understand how specific elements of peer mentorship contribute to its effectiveness.
  • Development and implementation of evaluation tools for peer support programming for persons with spinal cord injury.

Education

  • BPHE, 2014, Nipissing University
  • Ph.D., 2021, University of British Columbia

Scholarships & Awards

  • Governor General’s Gold Medal (2022)
  • Mitacs Accelerate Grant (2022)
  • SSHRC CGS Doctoral Scholarship (2018-2021)
  • SCI BC Gragopean Scholarship (2018-2021)
  • Institute for Work and Health Fellowship (2017-2018)
  • UBC University Graduate Fellowship (2017-2021)
  • Harry Lyman Hooker Senior Fellowship (2014-2016)

sarah

Sarah Lawrason, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: svcl11@mail.ubc.ca
Twitter: @sarahvclawrason

Education

  • BScH, Specialization in Kinesiology, 2016, Queen’s University
  • MSc, Sport Psychology, 2018, Queen’s University
  • PhD, Kinesiology, 2022, University of British Columbia

Research

  • I conduct research in partnership with research users (e.g., community organizations) using an integrated knowledge translation approach. I am interested in developing, delivering, and evaluating programs and services with the disability community. My current research involves the development of a program evaluation toolkit for disability sport and exercise organizations.

Scholarships and Awards

  • SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, UBC (2020-2023)
  • WorkSafe BC Doctoral Research Training Award, UBC (2020-2022)
  • University Graduate Fellowship, UBC (2019-2021)
  • Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship, UBC (2018-2019)
  • Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Queen’s University (2017-2018)
  • Academic Excellence Scholarship, Queen’s University (2012-2013)

Matteo Ponzano, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: matteo.ponzano@ubc.ca
Twitter: @PonzanoMatteo
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5471-041X

Education

  • BSc, Sports Sciences, 2014, University of Turin, Italy
  • MSc, Sciences and Advanced Techniques of Sport, 2016, University of Turin, Italy
  • PhD, Kinesiology, 2022, University of Waterloo

Research

  • Matteo is a physical activity and health promotion scientist. His research focuses on the development and implementation of non-pharmacological interventions for people with disabilities to:
    • improve mental health and quality of life
    • promote the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviours
    • prevent falls and fractures

Scholarships and Awards

  • Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) Trainee Award (2022-2025)
  • Exceptional Doctoral Student Scholarship (2018)

Robert Buren, MA

PhD Student, University of British Columbia

Email: rburen@mail.ubc.ca

Education

  • B.A. Honours, Sociology, 1995, University of Western Ontario, King’s College
  • M.A., Sociology, 1998, University of Victoria

Research

  • Investigating the potential of mindfulness meditation for pain relief to reduce neuropathic pain among individuals with a spinal cord injury
  • Investigating the relationships among biopsychosocial factors and the individual’s experience of suffering from neuropathic pain

Scholarships and Awards

  • University of British Columbia Okanagan, Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship (2022)
  • Mitacs Accelerate Grant (2022-2025)
  • University of Victoria, Graduate Teaching Fellowship (1998)
  • University of Western Ontario, King’s College, Gold Medal Award for Highest Academic Achievement (1995)

Nathan Adams, MA

PhD Student, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: adamsnt@student.ubc.ca
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nathan-Adams-11

Education

  • B.S., Exercise Science, 2020, Pacific Lutheran University
  • M.A., Exercise Physiology, 2022, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research

  • Evaluating the psychosocial and physiological characteristics of acute sedentary behaviours in individuals with spinal cord injury
  • Determining if cardiometabolic health in individuals with spinal cord injury can be improved by breaking up or reducing sedentary behaviour in addition to increasing physical activity

Scholarships and Awards

  • Marvin E. Allen Excellence in Teach Award: UNC Chapel Hill Department of Exercise and Sport Science (2022)
  • UNC Chapel Hill Graduate and Professional Student Government Travel Award (2022)
  • PLU Presidential Scholar (2016-2020)
  • Bangsund Endowment Scholarship (2018-2020)
  • Gates Global Study Opportunity Scholarship (2020)

Kierstyn Palmer, BSc

MSc Candidate, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: kierstyn.palmer@ubc.ca

Education

  • B.Sc. Biology, 2022, Acadia University

Research

  • Investigating the effects of physical activity participation on biopsychosocial aspects of chronic pain in adults with spinal cord injury
  • Investigating the relationship between pain levels, inhibitory control, and inflammatory levels after exercise in adults with chronic neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain

Scholarships and Awards

  • Acadia University, Harrison McCain Scholarship (2018-2022)
  • Acadia University, Acadia Excellence Scholarship (2018-2022)
  • PEI Realtor’s Association, Realtor’s Care Bursary (2021)
  • Three Oaks Senior High School, Jim & Fran Maclean Award (2018)

Aleksandra Jevdjevic, BPHE

MSc Candidate, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: aleks.jevdjevic@ubc.ca

Education

  • Bachelor with Honours in Physical Education, 2017, University of Banja Luka

Research

  • My research is focused on exploring the lived experiences of children with physical and/or sensory disability and developing a deeper understanding about children’s participation in physical education classes.

Scholarships and Awards

  • Academic Excellence Scholarship, The City of Banja Luka (2013-2017)
  • Student Organization of Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (University of Banja Luka)- Vice President (2013-2017)
  • AIESEC Alumni
  • Association for Sports Animation and Recreation of Serbia (Ministry of Youth and Sports, Republic of Serbia)- Teaching Assistant (2020-2021)

Ava Neely, Undergraduate Student

B.H.K. Honours Student, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: aneely01@mail.ubc.ca

Education

  • Current B.H.K student, Concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
  • ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Research

  • My research in the lab has focused on various topics relating to health promotion and exercise counselling for adults with spinal cord injury and other disabilities. My undergraduate thesis this upcoming year will focus on assessing and validating an exercise testing measure for individuals with disabilities.

Scholarships and Awards

  • UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship (2021)

Haley Berrisford, Undergraduate Student

BKin/BEd Undergraduate Student, University of Alberta

Email: hberrisf@mail.ubc.a

Education

  • Current BKin/BEd Student, University of Alberta

Research

  • My research focuses on filling gaps in our current knowledge about measuring physical activity in people with spinal cord injury and other disabilities. This involves evaluating the reliability and validity of the these measures in order to inform future translational research.  

Scholarships and Awards

  • (U of A) National Achievement Award 2018-2022
  • Academic All-Canadian 2018-2022
  • Kathleen Yetman Team Contribution Award 2021-2022
  • (U of A) Undergraduate Scholarship 2019-2020
  • (U of A) Chris and Kerry Mummery Swimming Scholarship 2018-2020
  • (U of A) Kinesiology Academic Excellence Scholarship 2018-2019
  • Governor General Bronze Medal Award 2017-2018
  • Academic Excellence Scholarship 2018

Kenedy Olsen, B.H.K. Honours 

Research Coordinator, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: kenedy.olsen@ubc.ca
Twitter: @olsen_kenedy
Phone number: 236-970-6226

Education

  • Bachelor of Human Kinetics (Honours), Specialization in Clinical Exercise Physiology & Minor in Psychology, 2022, University of British Columbia

Research

  • My research focuses on implementing physical activity programs for adults with spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis to see the impact of physical activity on general well-being and happiness among these populations.
  • My research also looks to examine how the coaching and implementation of coordinated physical activity programs delivered during transition from in-hospital care to living in community affects physical activity behaviour, as well as how these practices impact the psychosocial predictors of physical activity, among people living with spinal cord injuries.

Scholarships and Awards

  • UBC Okanagan Head of Class Medal in Human Kinetics, Top of Graduating Class (2022)
  • UBC Okanagan Human Kinetics Student Association Achievement Award (2022)
  • UBC Faculty of Medicine Summer Student Research Award (2021)
  • UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship (201892021)
  • Canadian Federation of University Women- Kelowna 100th Anniversary Scholarship (2019)
  • UBC Okanagan, Undergraduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship (2018)

Adrienne Sinden

Adrienne R. Sinden, B.Sc., MSc.

Research Coordinator, University of British Columbia

Email: adrienne.sinden@ubc.ca

Education

  • Hons. B.Sc., Psychology, Specialist, 1996, McMaster University
  • Hons. Kinesiology, 2nd degree course work, 1998-1999, McMaster University
  • M.Sc., Health & Exercise Psychology, 2001, McMaster University

Research

  • SCI Action Canada Lab research coordinator (2010-present), UBC
  • Canadian Disability Participation Project research coordinator (2013-present), UBC
  • Health & Exercise Psychology Lab (Kinesiology), Community Health Lab (Rehabilitation Sciences) research assistant (2003-2004), McMaster University
  • Infant Auditory Lab, Cognitive Lab research coordinator (1996-1998), Psychology, McMaster University
  • experience researching and coordinating studies involving adults with spinal cord injury, able-bodied adults, infants and seniors

Awards

  • Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2000-2001)
  • Harry S. Lyman Hooker Senior Fellowship (1999-2001)
  • Abe Black Memorial Prize (1996)

 

Sarah Lawrason
PhD 2022
Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia

Kendra Todd 
PhD 2021
Current Position: Policy Analyst (Office of Public Service Accessibility), Government of Canada

Robert Shaw
PhD 2021
Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia

Gabriel Dix
MSc 2021
In memoriam

Joan Úbeda Colomer
Post-Doctoral Fellow 2020
PhD 2019: Co-Supervised, José Devís Devís, University of Valencia, Spain
Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Valencia, Spain

Matthew Stork
PhD 2018
Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia

Jasmin Ma
PhD 2018
Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia

Jan van der Scheer
Post-Doctoral Fellow 2017, International trainee
Current Position: Research Associate, University of Cambridge

Kendra Todd
MSc 2017
Current Position: PhD Student, University of British Columbia

Marie-Josée Perrier
Post-Doctoral Fellow 2016
Current Position: Private Consulting

Lauren Salci
MSc 2015
Current Position: Hospital Sales Representative, GlaxoSmithKline

Jennifer Tomasone
PhD 2014
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Queen’s University

Jessica Stapleton
PhD 2014, International Trainee
Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of North Florida

Matthew Stork
MSc 2014
Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia

Shane Sweet
Post-Doctoral Fellow 2013
Current Position: Associate Professor, CRC Tier 2, McGill University

Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos
Post-Doctoral Fellow 2012
Current Position: Associate Professor, University of Toronto

Rebecca Bassett-Gunter
PhD 2011
Current Position: Associate Professor, York University

Desmond McEwan
MSc 2011
Current Position: Lecturer, Bath University

Natascha Wesch
Post-Doctoral Fellow 2010
Current Position: Sport Psychologist, Private Practice

Heather Strong
PhD 2010
Current Position: Adjunct Professor, Trinity Western University

Sen Hoong Phang
MSc 2010
Physiotherapist, Propel Physiotherapy

Brianne Foulon
MSc 2010
Current Position: Health Promotion Specialist, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit

Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos
PhD 2008
Current Position: Associate Professor, University of Toronto

Neil Barr
MSc 2008
Current Position: Assistant Professor, McMaster University

Elisa Murru
MSc 2008
Current Position: National Manager, Canadian Mental Health Association

Jennifer Woodgate
Post-Doctoral Fellow 2007
Current Position: Social Entrepreneur; Founder of Cuddle + Kind

Guillaume Coudevylle
Post-Doctoral Fellow 2007, International Trainee
Current Position: Maître de conferences (equivalent of Associate Professor) Université des Antilles

Rebecca Bassett-Gunter
MSc 2007
Current Position: Associate Professor, York University

Jeffrey Eng
MSc 2006

Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos
MSc 2005
Current Position: Associate Professor, University of Toronto

Amy Latimer-Cheung
PhD 2004
Current Position: Professor, CRC Tier 2, Queen’s University

Mary Jung
MSc 2004
Current Position: Associate Professor, University of British Columbia

Tara-Lyn (Elston) Dinyer
MSc 2004
Current Position: Professor, Mohawk College

Catharine Lichtenberger
MSc 2003

Amy Latimer-Cheung
MSc 2001
Current Position: Professor, CRC Tier 2, Queen’s University

Julie Flemming
MSc 2001
Current Position: Teacher, Toronto District School Board

Adrienne Sinden
MSc 2001
Current Position: Research Coordinator, University of British Columbia