Meet some of our graduate students...

Erica Bennett
golf05@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Peter Crocker
Research Area: Sport and Exercise Psychology

I am originally from Moncton, New-Brunswick and came to Vancouver to pursue my BA in Psychology at UBC and play varsity golf. After completing BA, I took a year off and became a teaching/playing golf professional. I quickly realized that it was time for me to get back to school and given my background in psych and sport, I decided to begin my MA in Sport and Exercise Psychology.

My research interests surround the beliefs and attitudes women hold towards physical activity during pregnancy. I am interested in the enablers/barriers to physical activity and if and how they change throughout the course of pregnancy. I am looking at how these enablers/barriers affect psychosocial components such as motivation for physical activity, self-efficacy and social support.

I am also a TA for HKIN 231 Sport and Exercise Psychology, as well as HKIN 373 Research Methods.
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Sara Brune
smbrune@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Peter Crocker
Research Area: MA, Sports Psychology

For my thesis I will be looking at self-conscious emotions (guilt, shame, pride) and their influence on lifestyle behaviours (physical activity, eating habits). 











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Anita Coté
Supervisor: Dr. Darren Warburton
Research Area: Environmental and Exercise Physiology: Cardiovascular function and thermoregulation in extreme environments

My current research is looking at the cardiovascular responses to acute and chronic cold exposure at rest and with exercise.   I am also investigating the mechanisms behind human cold acclimation.  Our lab is working in collaboration with the Environmental Physiology Unit at SFU.  

Publications:
Cote, AT, Bredin, SSD, Wong, SC, Warburton, DER (2009). Heart Rate Variability Is Not a Predictor of Orthostatic Intolerance in Healthy Young Women (abstract). Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(5), S113.  (Oral Communication) Presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington, May 27-30, 2009.

Cote, AT, Bredin, SSD, Gatto, SN, Wong, SC, Warburton, DER (2008).  Predictors of Orthostatic Tolerance in Healthy Young Women (abstract). Journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 33(Supplement) S22.  (Oral Communication) Presented at the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, Banff, Alberta, Oct. 15-18, 2008.

Cote, AT, White, MD. (2008).  Influences of gender and acute upper limb cooling:  Fine and gross motor tasks and thermal comfort/pain. (Oral Communication)  Presented at the Western Canadian Conference on Environmental Ergonomics and Physiology, Burnaby, British Columbia, February 24, 2008.

Cote, AT, Bredin, SSD, Gatto, SN, Wong, SC, Warburton, DER (2008).  Association of Arterial Pulse Pressure and Stroke Volume during Lower Body Negative Pressure in Women.  (Poster) Presented at the Western Canadian Conference on Environmental Ergonomics and Physiology, Burnaby, British Columbia, February 24, 2008.
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Kat Cureton
kcureton@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Wendy Frisby
Research Area: Improving access to recreation for marginalized populations

For my masters thesis, I looked at the challenges and values involved in providing participation opportunities in public recreation for people living on low incomes from the perspectives of municipal recreation staff in Vancouver who do this work. I’m currently writing up my results and looking for work in this field.

NASSS 2009 presenter; SSHRC recipient

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Amanda De Lisio             
adelisio@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Robert VanWynsberghe
Research Area: Sport Sociology/Educational Policy

My experience as a high school student-teacher in Ontario, led me to pursue a Master of Arts at UBC in the School of Human Kinetics, a department within the Faculty of Education. As a graduate student here, I am able to collaborate with my supervisor, Dr. Robert VanWynsberghe, on a research project dedicated to understanding high school students’ perceptions of Daily Physical Activity (DPA) – a school-based physical activity policy mandated by the provincial government in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. I am excited about using my research to advocate for student voice, as it is often neglected from the policy process.

Publications:
Lu, C. and De Lisio, A. (In press). Forget the physical and the difference is clear! Confronting the confusion surrounding physical education and physical activity. Physical and Health Education Canada.

De Lisio, A. (January 2009). Daily physical activity: Where do we go from here? Report to Comox Valley School District (Number 71). Courtenay/Comox Valley, British Columbia, Canada.

De Lisio, A., and Lu, C. (May 2009). Confronting the confusion surrounding physical education and physical activity. Report to Physical and Health Education Canada. Banff, Alberta.

Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Master's).
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Inge Derom
derom@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Robert VanWynsberghe
Research Area: Sport Sociology

Two years ago I moved from Belgium to Canada to pursue more education abroad. At the University of Windsor, Ontario, I worked with Dr. Marijke Taks as my supervisor. My thesis was entitled: “Identity and motives of participants at the 2008 Canadian Transplant Games”. After graduating, I traveled the East Coast of Canada, which was an amazing experience! In September of 2009, I started the PhD program at UBC and I am still in the process of figuring out what I want to research for the next four years.
               
I presented both my undergraduate and parts of my master’s thesis at the annual conference for the North American Society for Sport Management. It is definitely exciting to share your projects with others in the field!


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Lianne Dolan
lbdolan@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Don McKenzie
Research Area: Clinical Exercise Physiology – attempting PhD

Using exercise as a therapeutic tool to ameliorate the side effects of breast cancer treatments.  I could use the term ‘lymphoscintigraphy’ as a descriptor, but then your eyes would glaze over.

Grad school lesson #1: Develop patience and respect Murphy’s Law








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Christopher Edwards
chrise1@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Nicola J. Hodges
Research Area: Human Motor Skill Learning

I am in the third year of my MSc under the supervision of Dr. Nicola J. Hodges.  I completed the final two years of my BHk at UBC, after attending Kwantlen College and receiving a Certificate from the Douglas College Sport Science program.  I was born in Vancouver and have always lived in the area, it is the most beautiful city in the world – why would anyone want to leave?

My research interest is in further understanding the mechanisms and processes that optimize learning.  I am currently looking into comparing and contrasting theories of information processing and dynamic systems modeling of human behaviour.  Specifically, I am looking at what influences introducing non-task-relevant variability (noise) into the learning environment have on the learner, and its implications for the mechanisms and process of learning.

Publications:
Edwards, C. Luttin, S., Bowcock, A. and Hodges, NJ. (2009) Learning from the experts: A study of self-determined practice during the acquisition of three novel motor skills. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.

Edwards, C., Cybucki, J., Balzer, W., Maslovat, D., Chua, R., & Hodges, N.J. (2008) Visual search and bimanual coordination: Searching for strategies of performance. NASPSPA. Niagara, Ontario, Canada. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 30, S75.

Hodges, NJ., Augaitis, L., Edwards, C., Crocker., P. (2008) Commitment and deliberate practice among triathletes. NASPSPA. Niagara, Ontario, Canada. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 30, S18.

Edwards, C., Luttin, S., Bowcock, A. and Hodges, NJ. (2007) Learning from the experts: Gaining insights into best practice during the acquisition of three novel motor skills. SCAPPS. Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Edwards, C., (2008) Learning of Bimanual Coordination is aided by Random Perturbations. Graduate Student Research Day presentation of Master’s thesis proposal.
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Katie Gunnell
kgunnell@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Peter Crocker
Research Area: Exercise Psychology

I am a first year PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Peter Crocker. I completed my BKin and MA in Applied Health Sciences at Brock University in Southern Ontario. I am originally from a small town outside of Ottawa.

I am interested in the association between physical activity and well-being in various populations including those diagnosed with osteoporosis. I am interested in examining both hedonic (i.e., pleasure vs. pain) and eudaimonic (i.e., realizing human potentials) forms of well-being. A secondary research interest is Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985; 2002), and more specifically, looking at the role of perceived psychological need satisfaction in the physical activity-well-being relationship.

I am funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) scholarship and also through a UBC faculty of Education entrance scholarship.

Publications:
Gunnell, K. E., Mack, D. E., & Wilson, P. M. (2009). Does psychological need fulfillment mediate the leisure-time physical activity- eudaimonic well-being relationship. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology.

Gunnell, K. E., Mack, D. E., Wilson, P. M., Oster, K. G., & Grattan, K. P. (2008). Predictors of well-being in osteoporotics: Associations with demographic, health and physical activity indices. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 30, S173.

Wilson, P. M., Mack, D. E., Gunnell, K., Oster, K., & Gregson, J. P. (2008). Analyzing the measurement of psychological need satisfaction in exercise contexts: Evidence, issues, and future directions. In M. P. Simmons & L. A. Foster (Eds.), Sport and Exercise Psychology Research Advances (pp. 361-391). Hauppauge, NY: Novapublishing.
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Valerie Hadd
(PhD) Sport Psychology

I am a third year PhD student. I received my B.A. in kinesiology from the University of Montreal in 2002 and my M.A. in Human Kinetics specializing in sport psychology from The University of British Columbia in 2004. I currently work with Dr. Peter Crocker. I grew up in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec; a small city 30 minutes south of Montreal.

My main research interests are stress and coping in sport and for health reasons. For my thesis, I looked at the effects of self-efficacy on coping behaviours, performance, and emotions of youth swimmers. In the last 2 years, my main focus has shifted to understanding stress processes in a population of breast cancer survivors. For my PhD, I propose to examine 1) personal variables (i.e., personality, socio-economic status, ethnicity, and marital status) that could potentially explain the differences in stress perception among breast cancer patients; and 2) the influence of physical activity on stress perception that may lead to an improved quality of life for the survivors.

Working in the School of Human Kinetics has provided me with amazing opportunities to be involved in cutting edge research and travel to various conferences all around North America. The School of Human Kinetics’ close connections with other departments/schools have enabled me to take courses outside my department and meet other students that shared their own experiences. The best part of my graduate experience is that I am looking forward to come to work every day!! This makes my whole graduate experience more enjoyable.

I am presenting at the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS) conference, Halifax, NS in November 2006 (previously attending conferences in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Niagara, Ontario). I have also presented at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity in Denver, Colorado as well as the Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology conference, Montreal, PQ and the Canadian Public Health Association conference, Vancouver, BC.

In addition to a PhD tuition waiver and a full TA ship I have received funding from SSHRC for my last two years of study.

Publications:
I have 3 peer-reviewed journal articles and I have co-authored 3 book chapters.
Lovato CY, Sabiston CM, Hadd V, Nykiforuk CIJ, Campbell HS. (2006, in press). The impact of school smoking policies and student perceptions of enforcement on school smoking prevalence and location of smoking. Health Education Research.
Lovato, C.Y., Hsu, H.C.H., Sabiston, C.M., Hadd, V., Nykiforuk, C.I.J. (2006, in press). Tobacco Point-of Purchase Marketing in School Neighbourhoods and School. Smoking Prevalence: A Descriptive Study. Canadian Journal of Public Health.
Hadd, V. & Crocker, P.R.E. (2006, in press). The effect of stress-related factors on post-performance affect in competitive adolescent swimmers. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
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Adina Houldin                 
ahouldin@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Tania Lam
Research Area: Neural mechanisms of Walking 

My undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences at York University in Toronto sparked my interest in the human nervous system and the physical impairments that result from neurological dysfunction. I am currently a second year MSc student under the supervision of Dr. Lam in the Human Locomotion lab. From this experience I have gained an appreciation for the complex neural processes that drive the rhythmic, oscillatory and repetitive pattern of walking. In an attempt to understand the underlying control of walking, I use a robotic walking device called the Lokomat. My current research project explores the sensory feedback response to varying levels of velocity-dependent resistance during treadmill walking in individuals with partial spinal cord injury. This research is expected to have implications for rehabilitative programs designed for individuals with spinal cord injury.

I hold a Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS-M) funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Publications:
Lam T., Luttmann K., Houldin A., Chan C. (2009) Treadmill training with leg weights to enhance functional ambulation: a pilot study. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 33(3):129-35
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Megan MacGillivray
megank84@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Tania Lam (HKIN) and Dr. Bonita Sawatzky (adjunct HKIN)
Research Area: Biomechanics and Cutaneous Reflex Modulation during Manual Wheeling

I completed my BSc with honours in kinesiology focusing on biomechanics at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. Throughout my undergraduate degree I had the opportunity to work with individuals with disabilities. I was quite excited to come to UBC and combine these two interests. My overall focus has been to improve the quality of life of individuals with physical disabilites.

My MSc research project looks at developing a more complete understanding of manual wheeling from both a biomechanical and neural perspective. The first theme of my project explores the differences in biomechanical characteristics of manual wheeling between experienced manual wheelchair users and inexperienced able-bodied subjects. My second research theme focuses on cutaneous reflex modulation during manual wheeling and arm cycling exploring the theory of an upperlimb central pattern generator.

Poster Presentations:
Neuroscience 2009, Chicago, Il
Rehab-move 2009, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Martin MacInnis
mmacinni@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Jim Rupert
Research Area: Genetics and exercise physiology

In 2009, I completed my BSc (honours, biology) at Cape Breton University, near my hometown of Sydney River, NS. My undergraduate research interests were centered in molecular biology, with applications in plant biotechnology and molluscan mitochondrial genomics. I decided that I wanted to focus on the role of genetics in the health and performance of  humans, so I made the cross-Canada trek to Vancouver to do an MSc degree under the supervision of Dr. Jim Rupert.

I am interested in the genetic determinants of acute mountain sickness, and the applications of genetic technology to exercise science.

I enjoy running, riding my bicycle, coaching, and exploring nature. I’m excited to be living in such an active and beautiful city and to be part of an exciting and nurturing research group. I am funded through an NSERC CGS-M award, a graduate entrance scholarship, and a TA position.
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Mona Maghsoodi, BSc Life Sciences (UBC), MSc Human Kinetics (UBC)
monamaghsoodi@yahoo.com
Supervisor: James Rupert
Research Area: Genetics and Exercise Physiology

My interest in physiology was sparked during my undergrad while taking a directed studies lab course with Dr. Tim O’Connor.  In the lab, I was working on developmental neurobiology focusing on the mechanisms of neuronal growth and guidance.  It was interesting to observe neuronal growth and to identify the molecular defects that cause congenital problems in the development of the nervous system. It was this that further enhanced my interest in fetal development, and eventually led to my enthusiasm for genetics. I am currently studying genetics in professional endurance athletes; using genetic variation in blood to detect homologous blood doping.

Blood transfusions have long been used to enhance athletic performance. It is the rate at which hemoglobin delivers oxygen to the exercising muscle that limits muscle performance. Blood transfusions address this limitation by increasing the number of hemoglobin molecules carrying oxygen to the muscles.  Blood doping has always been a trend in sports, but a high spike in cases has recently been observed.  Athletes are simply going back to “traditional” methods of blood doping, staying clear of steroids and other drugs. It is my hope to identify a cost effective and simple method of detecting homologous blood doping to ensure that the spirit of sports is maintained as Vancouver looks forward to hosting a clean and doping-free 2010 Olympics. 

My lab is funded by the World Anti-Doping Agency. 
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Kate Maliha
(MA) Social Sciences

I came here by way of Montreal, New Brunswick and Ottawa, but Vancouver is my favorite place in Canada by far. I’ve worked in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and fitness program director for many years, but recently decided to pursue my Master’s in the area of health and fitness sociology. I’m currently in the first year of my program and I’m fortunate to be working under the expert supervision of Dr. Laura Hurd Clarke.

I’m interested in learning about older women’s experiences in the fitness industry from a socio-cultural perspective. Specifically, I’d like to explore how personal training affects older women’s body image perceptions. In addition, I am looking forward to working with all the talented people at the Leisure and Sport Management Research Lab throughout my studies at U.B.C.

I am looking forward to attending my first conference as a Masters student, the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) conference at the end of October.

I have a full TAship for next semester.
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Brad Millington
bmill@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Brian Wilson
Research Area: Socio-cultural

My dissertation research involves a sociological exploration of the use of new media technologies for the purposes of health promotion. I am interested in particular in the ways that video games are designed, marketed, and consumed to address pressing health concerns surrounding both the body and mind. This work extends some of the main themes from my Master’s thesis where I undertook an empirical study of the relationship between young males’ interpretations of gender in media and their experiences in school physical education. Other topics of interest include sport and environmental sustainability, youth cultures, and health activism. I’ve also been fortunate to participate as a member of the graduate student facilitator team with UBC’s Centre for Teaching and Academic Growth (TAG). I’m originally from Ottawa, and completed my undergraduate degree at Queen’s University.

Publications:
Millington, B. & Wilson, B. (Forthcoming). Media Consumption and the Contexts of Physical Culture: Methodological Reflections on a ‘Third Generation’ Study of Media Audiences. Sociology of Sport Journal.

Millington, B. & Wilson, B. (In press). Context masculinities: Media consumption, physical education, and youth identities. American Behavioral Scientist.

Millington, B. (2009). ‘Wii’ has never been modern: ‘Active video games’ and the conduct of conduct. New Media and Society, 11(4), 621-640.

Millington, B., Vertinsky, P., Wilson, B. & Boyle, E. (2008). Making Chinese-Canadian masculinities in Vancouver’s physical education curriculum. Sport, Education, and Society, 13(2), 195-214.

Katie Morton

katiemorton84@gmail.com
Supervisor: Dr. Mark Beauchamp
Research Area: Exercise and Health Psychology

The overall purpose of my PhD research is to apply an innovative framework of parenting that draws from Transformational Leadership Theory to better understand the influence of parents on health-enhancing behaviours among adolescents. This framework of parenting has only recently been applied to the fields of health promotion and adolescent psychology and extends work carried out over the first two years of my PhD in physical education settings that demonstrated the salience of transformational teaching. My PhD research involves designing and testing an evidence-based intervention designed to nurture transformational parenting, with a view to fostering salient health promotion behaviours in adolescents. It is envisioned that my PhD research will develop a firm understanding of how transformational parenting influences adolescent self-regulation and motivation, and the impact this has upon health-enhancing behaviours and quality of life.

Publications:
Morton, K. L., Keith, S. E., & Beauchamp, M. R. (in press) Transformational teaching and physical activity: A new paradigm for adolescent health promotion? Journal of Health Psychology.

Beauchamp, M. R., & Morton, K. L. (in press). Leadership in sports. In Michechli, L. J. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of sports medicine. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. [publication 2010]

Morton, K. L., Biddle, S. J. H., & Beauchamp, M. R. (2008) Changes in self-determination during an exercise referral scheme. Public Health. 122 (11), 1257-1260. 

Morton, K. L., & Beauchamp, M. R. (2009, June). Transformational teaching and adolescent motivation, positive affect and effort in physical education. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 31, S131.  Paper presented at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity conference, Austin, TX.

Morton, K. L., & Beauchamp, M. R. (2008, June).  Transformational teaching and adolescent physical activity: What is it and does it matter? Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 30, S188. Paper presented at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity conference, Niagara Fall, ON.

Amber Mosewich

(PhD) Sport and Exercise Psychology

Amber Mosewich is a first-year PhD student at UBC working under the supervision of Dr. Peter Crocker. She completed her M.Sc. (2008) and B.Sc. (Honours, 2006) at the University of Saskatchewan in the College of Kinesiology. Her research interests surround understanding the emotional experiences of young women athletes and the implications of different emotions, particularly the self-conscious emotions (e.g., shame, guilt, and pride), on performance and body-image related variables. She is also interested in the potential of self-compassion in the management of emotions, as well as the construct’s viability as a useful resource in the promotion of not only successful, but positive and healthy sport experiences. Amber is currently funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) scholarship and also through a UBC Graduate Entrance Scholarship and UBC Faculty of Education Award.

Amber’s undergraduate honours work looked at the construct of drive for muscularity in women track and field athletes. Her M.Sc. thesis focused on the relations between the self-conscious emotions of guilt, shame, and pride with potentially unhealthy self-evaluative thoughts and behaviours. This study also looked at the moderating effects of self-compassion on these relations.

Publications:
Kyrejto, J. W., Mosewich, A. D., Kowalski, K. C., Mack, D. E., & Crocker, P. R. E. (2008). Men’s and women’s drive for muscularity: Gender differences and cognitive and behavioural correlates. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 6, 69-84
Mosewich, A. D., Vangool, A. B., Kowalski, K. C., & McHugh, T.-L. F. Exploring women track and field athletes’ meanings of muscularity. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, Manuscript accepted for publication.

Presentations and Conferences:
Mosewich, A. D., Kowalski, K. C., Sabiston, C. M., Sedgwick, W. A., & Tracy, M. J. L. (2008). Young women athletes’ self-conscious emotions and self-compassion. Oral presentation at the annual Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology conference, Canmore, AB (November).
Mosewich, A. D., Vangool, A. B., Kowalski, K. C., & McHugh, T.-L. F. (2007) Exploring women track and field athletes’ meanings of muscularity. Poster presentation at the annual North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity conference, San Diego, CA (June).
Mosewich, A. D., Kowalski, K. C., Fleming, T.-L., & Vangool, A. B. (2006). Female track and field athletes’ drive for muscularity. Oral presentation at the annual Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology conference, Halifax, NS (November).
Mosewich, A. D., & Kowalski, K. C. (2006). Female track and field athletes’ drive for muscularity. Oral presentation at the annual University of Saskatchewan Psychology Undergraduate conference, Saskatoon, SK (April).
Kowalski, K., Fleming, T., Mosewich, A., & Magnus, C. (2005). Arts-based research as an alternative lens: Rethinking current scientific models of physical self concept. Oral presentation at the First International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, Urbana-Champaign, IL (May).
Kyrejto, J. W., Mosewich, A. D., Kowalski, K. C., Mack, D. E., & Crocker, P. R. E. (2005). Coping with the drive for muscularity. Oral presentation at the annual Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology conference, Niagara Falls, ON (November).
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Nicole Ong        
nong@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Nicola Hodges
Research Area: Motor learning and control - observational learning, visuomotor adaptation.

I hail from Singapore, an island country approximately 13,000 km from Vancouver. For my bachelor degree, I majored in Financial Analysis but followed my heart and went on to complete a postgraduate diploma in Physical Education. Before arriving in Vancouver, I taught PE in a high school and coached gymnastics, soccer and softball.

For my Masters programme, I am examining the processes underlying observational practice using a visuomotor adaptation paradigm. Other research projects I have been involved in pertain to action embodiment and expertise in language comprehension, and focus of attention and timing of instructions in motor skill learning.






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Jordan Querido

(MSc) Exercise Physiology

I am a second year MSc student, working in the Health and Integrative Physiology Laboratory, under the supervision of Dr. Bill Sheel. I came to UBC following my undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa.

I have been studying cerebrovascular physiology with special interest on the effects of intermittent hypoxia and cerebral blood flow. My doctoral work will use a model of sleep apnea to more fully understand the cerebrovascular changes at rest and during exercise that occur from repetitive hypoxia and hypercapnia.

Working in the School of Human Kinetics at UBC has provided me with many opportunities to enhance my training as a research trainee. I have been actively involved in collaborations with geneticists, physicians, and physiologists. This upcoming summer I will be accompanying a research team traveling to California where we will investigate the effects of high altitude acclimation and re-acclimation on many physiological variables.

Since being a graduate student at UBC I have had the opportunity to attend conferences in Quebec and Nova Scotia, presenting at both. Graduate students also have the opportunity to present current research conducted in their lab at an annual research day for graduate students in the school of Human Kinetics. I have found the other graduate students to be very helpful in my training through academic discussion and assistance with research projects. In addition, many social events for graduate students allows for us to have fun outside of the lab.

During my first year of my MSc, I received an entrance scholarship, as well as a TA assignment. This year, in addition to my work as a TA, I am funded through a University Graduate Fellowship.

The school provides many opportunities for students to become involved in a wide range of research. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with many different labs in Human Kinetics, as well as other researchers based out of the Vancouver General Hospital. A couple of the most relevant publications to my work are listed below:

Querido, J.S., Sheel, A.W. (2006). Regulation of cerebral blood flow during exercise. Submitted to Sports Medicine, August 2006: 47 pages.
Querido, J., Godwin, J., Sheel, A.W. (2006). Acute hypoxic cerebral blood flow response following 10 days of intermittent hypoxia [Abstract]. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. 31: S68.
McGuire, A., Querido, J., Fedoruk, M., Wang, P., Rupert, J.L., McKenzie, D. (2006). Plasma erythropoietin concentration following normobaric hyperoxia [Abstract]. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. 31: S58.
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Benjamin Schellenberg
bschelle@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Peter Crocker
Research Area:  Sport Psychology

I am a first year MA student under the supervision of Dr. Peter Crocker. I graduated from The University of Winnipeg with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (Honours). 
In my future research, I intend to research the stress process in coaches, and gain insight into what types of stressors affect coaches, the characteristics of these stressors, how coaches cope with stress, and if their efforts are effective in managing stressful situations.   I may also examine how this process relates to other constructs, like perfectionism and passion.

My sources of funding come from SSHRC (Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s), a UBC Graduate Entrance Scholarship, and a TAship.




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Cynthia Thomson (PhD student)
cthomson@interchange.ubc.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Jim Rupert
Research Area:  The genetics and behaviours of risk-inclined populations

I’m from a small town south of Ottawa, Manotick, Ontario.  I completed a B.P.H.E. and a B.Sc. at Queen’s University, had a stint as a ski-bum in the Canadian Rockies before getting back to business... to study skiers (and other exciting sports!).  I finished my MSc in the Rupert lab in 2008 and decided to continue the same line of research for my PhD. 
The 'high', the sensation of excitement, is related to the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. My interdisciplinary research involves: 1) looking for variants in the dopamine receptor gene that are characteristic of risk-inclined populations, 2) personality trait correlations between risk-inclined populations in sports and 'on the street', and 3) an investigation of the potential of 'adventure-based' interventions in dealing with substance abuse.  I am funded by CIHR CGS.

My MSc data (“The -521 C/T polymorphism in the dopamine-4 receptor gene (DRD4) is associated with sensation seeking in skiers and snowboarders”) is currently in submission, and I have presented the findings recently at the American Society for Human Genetics Conference in Honolulu, HI. 
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James Tyer
james.tyer@ubc.ca
Supervisor : Brian Wilson
Research Area: Commercialisation of alternative sports/fitness movements/organisations

I completed an MA in Political Science at UBC back in 2005.  After spending a few years working for an accounting firm downtown, I re-evaluated what I was doing and made a change.  I changed jobs and at the same time started exploring how I could combine my interests in social/cultural movements and sport and fitness participation...hence the PhD in Human Kinetics.  In addition to my PhD, I also work as a project manager in UBC's Organizational Development & Learning department and I am a certified yoga teacher.

Recent Publications/Presentations (max: 150 words): To come very soon (hopefully).



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Nicolien van Luijk           
nicolienvl@gmail.com
Supervisor : Dr. Wendy Frisby
Research Area: Sport Sociology

Without knowing what my specific research area would be, my interest in undertaking critical social science research led me to UBC to work under the supervision of Dr. Wendy Frisby. As soon as I arrived in the city my future research topic became clear; the Olympics, a highly controversial and fascinating phenomenon was coming to town.

My research concentrates on examining the Vancouver Games through a marginalized perspective. As I became aware of the presence of community resistance groups formed to protest against the Games, I felt that this was a perspective that was deserving of critical attention. While community protests have been present at nearly every Games for the last thirty to forty years very little research has noted the presence of them, let alone focused their research on these groups.

For my specific thesis project I have become interested in examining how a community resistance group challenges the dominant ideologies of the Olympics through their use of public space. I’m intrigued as to how the protestors frame the use of public space in relation to the dominant Olympic framing and how they negotiate their way through that space.
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Pei Wang

(PhD) Genetics and Exercise Physiology

I am a second year PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Rupert. I graduated from Tiajin Institute of Physical Education in China and got MSc degree (Genetics and Exercise Physiology) there. Before I came here, I worked as a research assistant at Beijing Genomics Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences for two years.

Since I started my PhD study last year, I have been studying the association between gene polymorphisms and acute mountain sickness during my first year. Currently, I am focusing on the role of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) including its genotype, plasma concentration, and inhibition, on altitude adaptation and physical performance in humans.

Having been involved in different projects has given me the opportunity to collaborate with people from different research backgrounds including exercise physiology, clinical medicine, and molecular biology. The energy and enthusiasm being emanated from the HKIN grad students and faculty, both in their personal lives and in their research works, give me deep admiration of my new colleagues. In addition, our school organizes academic seminar periodically and holds the HKIN Research Day every year to insure cohesiveness among grad students. All these research work and academic activities help to broaden my horizons and deepen my sense of scientific research in a different culture’s work environment.

I am funded through a TAship, faculty supervisor research funding and a PhD Tuition Award.

Koehle MS., Wang P., Guenette, JA., Rupert JL. (2006) No association between variants in the ACE and angiotensin II receptor 1 genes and acute mountain sickness in Nepalese pilgrims to the Janai Purnima Festival at 4380 metres. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. (In press)
Wang P., Ma LH., Wang HY., et al. (2006) Association between Vitamin D receptor gene ApaI, BsmI and TaqI polymorphisms and muscular strength in Chinese women. Int. J. Sports Med. 27:182-6.
Wong GK., Liu B., …Wang P., et al. (2004) A genetic variation map for chicken with 2.8 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Nature. 432: 717-722.
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