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
- 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
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Femke Hoekstra, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
Email: femke.hoekstra@ubc.ca
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=2z2277EAAAAJ&hl=nl
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
- Stichting Beatrixoord Noord-Nederland (the Netherlands), ReSpAct 2.0, (2018 – 2022)
- Ministry of Health Welfare and Sports (the Netherlands), ReSpAct-study, (2012-2017)
- 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)
Joan Úbeda-Colomer, PhD
Post Doctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
Email: joan.ubeda-colomer@uv.es / joan.ubedacolomer@ubc.ca
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ncFr_pgAAAAJ&hl=es&oi=ao
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Ubeda-Colomer
Twitter: @UbedaColomer
Research
- Research focusing on the study of the psychosocial and environmental factors associated with physical activity in people with disabilities, in order to generate valuable knowledge that could inform interventions aiming to encourage physically active lifestyles in this population.
- Research focusing on examining the effect of exercise on chronic pain and subjective well-being in adults with spinal cord injury.
Education
- BSc (Hons), Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, 2013, University of Valencia
- MSc (Hons), Research and Intervention in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, 2014, University of Valencia
- MSc, Physical Education Secondary School Teacher, 2015, University of Valencia
- MSc, Applied Statistics with R software, 2018, University Rey Juan Carlos
- PhD, Physical Activity and Sport, 2019, University of Valencia
Funding and Awards
- Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Spain) Research Assistant Scholarship (2013-2014)
- Generalitat Valenciana Award for the Promotion of Academic Excellence (2014)
- Divina Pastora Chair of Adaptive Sport, University of Valencia Award to the best Master Thesis in the field of physical activity for people with disabilities (2015)
- Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Spain) FPU Pre-doctoral Fellowship (2015-2019)
Robert Shaw, BPHE
PhD Candidate, 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.
Education
- BPHE, 2014, Nipissing University
Scholarships & Awards
- SSHRC CGS Doctoral Scholarship (2018-2021)
- Gragopean Scholarship (2018-2019)
- Institute for Work and Health Fellowship (2017-2018)
- UBC University Graduate Fellowship (2017-2018)
- Joseph David Hall Memorial Scholarship (2017)
- Rising Star Alumni Award (2016)
- Harry Lyman Hooker Senior Fellowship (2014-2016)
- McMaster Graduate Scholarship (2014-2016)
- Toronto Rehab’s Research Training Award for Students with Disabilities (2014-2015)
Kendra Todd, MSc
PhD Candidate, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
Email: ktodd03@mail.ubc.ca
Twitter: @ktodd16
Education
- BSc Human Kinetics, 2015, University of Guelph
- MSc Interdisciplinary Sciences, Health and Exercise Science, 2017, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
Research
- Research focusing on the effects of exercise on subjective wellbeing and neuropathic pain experienced by adults with spinal cord injury. My research involves evaluating both the psychological (e.g., questionnaires), and physiological (e.g., inflammatory markers) aspects of neuropathic pain and exercise participation.
Scholarships and Awards
- CGS-SSHRC Doctoral Award (2019-2022)
- Killam Doctoral Scholarship (2019-2021)
- WorkSafe BC Research Training Award (2019-2021)
- UBC University Graduate Fellowship (2017-2020)
Sarah Lawrason, BScH, MSc
PhD Candidate, 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
Research
- My research focuses on the quantity and quality of physical activity experiences for individuals living with spinal cord injury who ambulate/walk. My work is informed by behaviour change theory and an integrated knowledge translation approach to maximize the potential effectiveness of strategies developed to improve quality participation for this group.
Scholarships and Awards
- University Graduate Fellowship, UBC (2019-2020)
- Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship, UBC (2018-2019)
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Queen’s University (2017-2018)
- Academic Excellence Scholarship, Queen’s University (2012-2013)
Gabriel Dix, B.H.K
M.Sc. Student, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
Email: gabriel.dix@ubc.ca
Twitter: @gabedix
Research
- Research focuses on examining the effects of non-pharmacological interventions (i.e. diet and exercise) on immunology and neuropathic pain in adults with spinal cord injury.
- Involved in the evaluation of the availability of healthcare services as they pertain to diabetes and obesity in the Okanagan and South Okanagan regions.
Education
Bachelor of Human Kinetics (Hons), 2019, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
Scholarships and Awards
- Lieutenant Governors Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation (2019)
- Canadian Institute for Health Research: Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis – Summer Studentship Award (2019)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada – Undergraduate Student Research Award (2019)
- Frederick Banting & Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship -Master’s (2019)
- UBC Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship (2019)
- UBC Okanagan Health and Exercise Sciences Deans Scholarship (2019)
- Julianne Lion Memorial Bursary in the Faculty of Health and Social Development (2019)
- Human Kinetics Student Association Achievement Award (2018)
Miranda Dinwoodie
Undergraduate Student, Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
Email: miranda.dinwoodie@gmail.com
Research
- Research project focusing on behaviour change and physical activity interventions in individuals with spinal cord injury
Joan Úbeda Colomer
PhD 2019: Co-Supervised, José Devís Devís, University of Valencia, Spain
Current Position: Post Doctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia
Matthew Stork
PhD 2018
Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia
Jasmin Ma
PhD 2018
Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow, 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, McMaster University