Lab Members

Kathleen 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

  • NASPSPA Distinguished Scholar, [2026 Distinguished Scholar Award North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA)]
  • 2024 Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS) Fellow
  • 2023 Royal Society of Canada (RSC) Fellow
  • 2022 Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) Fellow
  • 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

Cameron Gee, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia

Email: cgee@icord.org
Twitter: @CameronMGee

Research

  • Can exercise improve pain and mood in people with SCI and chronic neuropathic pain?
  • How does exercise improve quality of life/subjective well-being in adults with physical disabilities?
  • The effects of aerobic and resistance exercise training in people with spinal cord injury

Education

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

Scholarships and Awards 

  • Craig H. Neilsen Foundation PSR Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • ASIA Annual Scientific Meeting, Top 6 Award Nominated Oral Presentation, June 2025
  • Gabriel Dix SCI Community Award, ICORD Trainee Committee, October, 2023
  • Post Doctoral Award Winner, International Spinal Cord Society, September 2021

Kenny Noguchi

Email: kenny.noguchi@ubc.ca
Twitter: @ksnoguchi

Research

  • Examining the associations between quality of physical activity participation, physical activity levels, and wellbeing in people with disabilities.
  • Measurement of health measures in people with stroke and physical disabilities.
  • Evaluating the feasibility and effects of power-focused resistance training in people with stroke.

Education

  • BSc, Department of Kinesiology, 2018, McMaster University
  • MSc, School of Rehabilitation Science, 2020, McMaster University
  • PhD, School of Rehabilitation Science, 2024, McMaster University

Scholarships and Awards

  • Michael Smith Health Research BC Trainee Award (2026-2029)
  • SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2026-2028)
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2025-2026)
  • Mitacs Accelerate Grant (2025-2026)

Haley Berrisford, MSc

PhD student, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: hberrisf@mail.ubc.ca

Education

  • BKin, 2023, University of Alberta
  • BEd, Secondary Education, 2023, University of Alberta
  • MSc, 2025, University of British Columbia

Research

  • Investigating the effects of quality physical activity participation on happiness, well-being, and exercise maintenance among adults with disabilities
  • Focus on individual analyses (N-of-1 Analysis) to investigate quality exercise participation

Scholarships and Awards

  • Canadian Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Program (SSHRC) 2024-2025
  • Gabriel Dix Memorial Graduate Award in Health and Exercise Sciences 2023
  • Stober Undergraduate Research Fellow 2022 (University of British Columbia Okanagan)
  • Dean Mortensen Award 2022 (University of Alberta)
  • National Achievement Award 2018-2022 (University of Alberta)
  • Academic All-Canadian 2018-2022 (University of Alberta)
  • Kathleen Yetman Team Contribution Award 2021-2022 (University of Alberta)
  • Undergraduate Scholarship 2019-2020 (University of Alberta)
  • Chris and Kerry Mummery Swimming Scholarship 2018-2020 (University of Alberta)
  • Kinesiology Academic Excellence Scholarship 2018-2019 (University of Alberta)
  • Governor General Bronze Medal Award 2017-2018
  • Academic Excellence Scholarship 2018

Jane Veilleux

MSc student, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: jane.veilleux@ubc.ca 

Education

  • BHES (Honours), Health and Exercise Sciences, 2026, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
  • MSc, Health and Exercise Sciences, In Progress, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Research

  • My research interests focus on understanding the relationship between pain and sleep quality among individuals living with spinal cord injury.

Scholarship and Awards

  • Okanagan Graduate Research Scholarship (OGRS), University of British Columbia (2026–2027)

Harry Wang

Undergraduate Honours Thesis student, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus) 

Email: zwang314@student.ubc.ca

Education

  • BHES, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 2027, University of British Columbia Okanagan 

Research

  • Evaluating oxygen consumption (VO₂) responses among individuals with spinal cord injury during exercise performed in individual versus group-based settings.

Scholarships and Awards

BC Achievement Scholarship (2023) 

Faith Brillon

Undergraduate Honours Thesis student, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus) 

Email: fbrill01@student.ubc.ca

Education

  • BHES, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 2027, University of British Columbia Okanagan

Research

  • Examining barriers and facilitators qualified exercise professionals experience when delivering resistance training to people with physical disabilities and stroke survivors

Scholarships and Awards

  • Alexander Rutherford Scholarship (2023)

Lauren Bligh

Undergraduate HES 493 Practicum placement student, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus) 

Email: lbligh01@student.ubc.ca

Education

  • BHES, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 2027, University of British Columbia Okanagan

Research

  • Assisting in participant engagement and fitness testing for the SCI Action Lab through the Joy Active Program

Awards and Scholarships

  • Alexander Rutherford Scholarship (2023)
  • Enerflex Ltd Total Awards Scholarship (2023)

Abby Taylor-Peckover

Undergraduate HES 493 Practicum placement student, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus) 

Email: ataylorp@student.ubc.ca

Education

  • Honours Bachelor of Health & Exercise Science (Concentration in Kinesiology & Allied Health)

Research

  • Assisting in participant engagement and fitness testing for the SCI Action Lab through the Joy Active Program

Scholarships and Awards

  • NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award, 2026
  • Deputy-Vice Chancellor Scholarship, 2025
  • International Powerlifting World Champion, 2023

Aleksandra Jevdjevic, MSc

Research Coordinator, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Email: aleks.jevdjevic@ubc.ca

Education

  • BPHE, 2017, University of Banja Luka
  • MSc, Health and Exercise Sciences, 2023, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)

Research

  • I lead the Joy-Active program for youth and adults and support community-based research that promotes physical activity and quality participation for people living with neurological conditions.

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)

Adrienne Sinden

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

Research Manager, 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)

 

Julia Kathrin Baumgart 
Post-doctoral fellow
Current Position:

Robert Buren
PhD 2026
Current Position:

Nathan Adams
PhD 2026
Current Position:

Kyra Molen
Research Assistant
Current Position:

Matteo Ponzano
Post-doctoral fellow
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University

Kierstyn Palmer
MSc 2024
Current Position: Research Assistant, University of British Columbia

Sarah Lawrason
Postdoctoral Fellow
Current Position: Researcher, Public Health Agency of Canada

Aleksandra Jevdjevic
MSc 2023
Current Position: Research Coordinator, SCI Action Canada lab, University of British Columbia

Robert Shaw
PhD 2021; Postdoctoral Fellow
Current Position: SCI BC National Peer Program Lead

Femke Hoekstra
Postdoctoral Fellow
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Medicine, Division of Social Medicine, University of British Columbia

Kenedy Olsen
Research Coordinator
Current Position: MSc candidate, Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto

Sarah Lawrason
PhD 2022
Current Position: Research Analyst, Health Security and Operations Branch (Ontario)

Kendra Todd 
MSc 2017; PhD 2021
Current Position: Policy Analyst (Office of Public Service Accessibility), Government of Canada

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
MSc 2014; PhD 2018
Current Position: Senior Scientist Lululemon

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

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

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: Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia

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

Heather Strong
PhD 2010
Current Position: Interior Health authority (Nelson)

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