Current Graduate Student Profiles
Here is a profile of some of our current graduate students including a description of their research interest (listed alphabetically by lab, by student) and a link to their specific lab.
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Current Graduate Student Blogs
Read more about our graduate students' ongoing research activities through their blogs:
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Where Are They Now?- list of recent graduates' theses and their careers
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Pete Galbraith, MSc Candidate
Background: I recently finished my degrees in PHE and Life Sciences and played four years of Varsity Volleyball here at Queen's. School and athletics took up all my time in undergrad so I'm definitely looking forward to new experiences and lots of new learning.
Current Research: I'm starting in independent study on longboarding and comparing the differences in stability of novices and experts. I'm not sure if that will transfer into a thesis but it should still be an interesting experience nonetheless.
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Ryan Graham, PhD Candidate
Background: Originally from Kanata, ON, I completed my double undergraduate degree (Physical and Health Education and Biology) at Queen’s University, before taking a year off to teach English in Taiwan and travel. I then returned to Queen’s to complete my MSc and decided to continue for a PhD under the supervision of Dr. Joan Stevenson.
Current Research: My MSc focused on the effects of an on-body ergonomic lifting aid on low back physical demands in an automotive manufacturing facility, and I would like to continue looking at low back disability in industry during my dissertation. I am also interested in the study of spinal stability, and how alterations in stability affect one’s risk for low back pain.
Future Goals: Although not 100% sure what I will be doing upon completing my degree (my childhood and adolescent goals of playing professional hockey are now looking pretty slim), I enjoy teaching and research and foresee a future in a related field.
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Dan Moser, MSc Candidate
Background: Graduated from Acadia University in 2006 with a bachelor's of Kinesiology.
Current Research: My current research goal is to investigate the ergonomic and biomechanic principles of the portable water pump carriage systems currently being used in the Canadian Forest Firefighting Industry.
Future Goals: Someday I would like to work in the field of product development and testing of outdoor equipment.
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Erin Sadler, MSc Candidate
Background: Originally from Whitby, ON, I completed the dual undergraduate degree
program in Physical and Health Education and Life Science at Queen's University in 2008. I guess four years wasn't long enough, so I chose to continue my career at Queen's, pursuing an M.Sc under the supervision of Dr. Joan Stevenson. Current Research: My M.Sc research will involve examining the effects of an on-body ergonomic lifting aid on lifting technique, as well as looking at other aspects of lifting through Principal Components Analysis. Future Goals: I hope to attend Medical School upon the completion of my M.Sc. If there is a will...there is a way!
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Tegan Upjohn, PhD Candidate
Background: I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph in Human Kinetics then went on to do my master's at McGill University in Sports Biomechanics.
Current Research: I am now in the 4th year of my PhD and my research focuses on the Occupational Biomechanics of Tree Planters. More specifically, I am concerned with postures and joint loading that may contribute to musculoskeletal symptoms and injury in this understudied occupational population.
Future Goals: I plan on pursuing a career in Ergonomics after the completion of my PhD.
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Cardiovascular Lab
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Michael Bravo, MSc Candidate
Background: Hailing from my adopted hometown of Whitby, ON, I attended the University of Toronto where I created my own specialist program focusing on human physiology, kinesiology and health. Over the last year, I worked as a research assistant in the Division of Respiratory Medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, under the excellent tutelage of Jane Schneiderman, Greg Wells and Donna Wilkes.
Current Research: Having just started my MSc, I have no idea as to the exact focus of my research. Let's say, something to do with the cardiovascular system? That sounds about right...
Future Goals: Ideally, I'd like to coach Liverpool FC to an unprecedented back-to-back treble of championships. In truth, I have difficulty planning dinner let alone my future, so I cannot really say what I want to do in a few years time. Spaghetti anyone?
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Mikhail Kellawan, PhD Candidate
Background: University of Guelph (B.Sc., Human Kinetics), University of Victoria (M.Sc., Kinesiology)
Current Research: Exercise physiology, examining human vascular control in exercise health and disease.
Degree supervisor: Dr. Michael Tschakovsky
Future goals: Professor of exercise physiology
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Exercise Physiology Lab
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Peter Janiszewski, PhD Candidate
Background: While the journey originally started in Czestochowa, Poland, meandered through Athens, Greece, and barely avoided a rock-and-roll career detour during my highschool days, somehow I ended up at the University of Western Ontario doing an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. While there, a number of independent projects with inspiring faculty members solidified my decision to pursue graduate school at Queen's. I finished my MSc in 2006 and since thenhave been pursuing my PhD.
Current Research: My research topics have varied over the years from the effects of radiation therapy for childhood leukemia, clinical predication of diabetes and cardiovascular risk using anthropometric markers, physical activity in the treatment of obesity, body composition and health risk, and most recently to erectile dysfunction. The purpose of my CIHR funded study is to investigate the effects of acute and chronic exercise in the treatment of erectile dysfunction among sedentary obese men.
Future Goals: Although I have learned much during my years of graduate work at Queen's, in the words of Michalangelo, "I am still learning....". Where I will end up once I've obtained my PhD remains a mystery.
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Health Promotion Lab
Revved Up Lab
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Jessica Cowan-Dewar, PhD Candidate
Background: Jessica has an M.Sc Reproductive & Sexual Health Research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is currently working on a PhD in SKHS at Queen's University.
Current Research: Her research focus is gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Jessica is a doctoral trainee on the CIHR-funded project "Targeting young males in rural South Africa to prevent HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence. Formative research for intervention design, pilot-testing and evaluation".
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Marie-Josee Perrier, PhD Candidate
Background: I completed a BHSc in health science with a minor in psychology at the University of Ottawa. As an undergraduate, I developed an interest in physical activity, program evaluation, and research methods while working as a research assistant studying the facilitators and barriers to physical activity in long-term care facilities. In 2007, I moved to Montreal to pursue graduate work in epidemiology at McGill Unversity.
Current Research: My current research involves working with Dr. Amy Latimer to understand the factors that influence the adherence to sport for persons with spinal cord injury.
Future Goals: I am fascinated by people's attitudes towards their body, health, and exercise. My future involves an academic appointment where I could continue developing an understanding of the ebb and flow of attitudes towards sport and exercise....and share my love of research methods with students! I would also like to work with community organizations to promote healthy, active lifestyles. My future athletic goals include completing a full marathon and trying a triathlon.
Why I Chose Queen's: I read the research profiles of a number of faculty at a number of Canadian and American institutions, but I decided to submit my application after visiting the campus. I was drawn to the friendly and supportive atmosphere and sense of community within the department.
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Physical Activity Epidemiology Lab
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Karla Galaviz, MSc Candidate
Background: I came to Queen's University through CAMBIO, a collaborative international project that aims to battle childhood obesity. I am a physical educator from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. My specialty is in Physical Activity and Health and my major duty is to promote active and healthy lifestyles.
Research Focus: My research is focused on childhood obesity and intervention programs to prevent and treat this public health issue.
Future Goals: My main goal is to contribute to the solution of the childhood obesity problem in Mexico.
Why I Chose Queen's: Queen's University has offered me the opportunity to prepare and grow at the personal, academic, and professional level. It has offered me a second home where I have found an excellent academic level, good friends and I have discovered a great country.
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Mariane Heroux, PhD Candidate
Academic Background: I am originally from Kingston, Ontario and after completing high school decided to venture to Ottawa where I completed a BSc in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa as well as a Nutritionist degree from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. After four years of life in Ottawa I decided to come back to Kingston to complete an MSc in Community Health and Epidemiology at Queen's University and am now working towards a PhD in Kinesiology and Health Studies.
Current Research: My current research looks at childhood obesity from an international perspective with a special focus on the role of nutrition.
Future Goals: Ideally, I would like a career in the public health sector where I can work towards improving population health through nutrition legislation, interventions, and education.
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Socio-Cultural Lab
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William Bridel, PhD Candidate
Background: I have a BA in Sociology from York University and an MA in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa.
Current Research: My current research, supported by SSHRC and Sport Canada, explores the intersections of pain and pleasure with conceptualizations of health and masculinity within extreme fitness practices.
Future Goals: Upon completion of my doctorate, I look forward to attaining a faculty position. My interest and expertise lies in the area of socio-cultural studies of the body, sexuality, sport, exercise, and fitness.
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Martyn Clark, PhD Candidate
Background: I graduated with an honours degree in history from the University of Manitoba in 2006. In 2007 I came to Queen's to pursue a master's degree in history, studying pro hockey and capitalist development in North America. I chose to pursue a PhD in the socio-cultural study of sport in the department of Kinesiology and Heath Studies because of the distinctly sport-focused research environment that it provides.
Current Research: I recently completed my M.A. cognate essay on the relationship between civic identity and pro hockey in Winnipeg and I am continuing my work in this area with Dr. Mary Louise Adams.
Future Goals: I intend to continue studying the relationship between cities and pro sport. I am fascinated with the city, especially post-1945 urban growth and how the development of professional leagues and teams has influenced the trajectory of urban history.
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Karima Dorney, MA Candidate
Background: My background is in social justice. I also competed nationally as a gymnast and power tumbler.
Current Research: I am currently researching women's fitness practices and the idea of empowerment.
Future Goals: I would like to pursue a PhD in the area of women's body politics.
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Kat Heintzman, MA Candidate
Background: Kat has a BAH in Health Studies from Queen’s University’s SKHS and a Certificate in Sexual and Gender Diversity Studies from Queen’s University’s Women’s Studies Department.
Current Research: Kat’s research is focused on the overlap and contradictions between pathologization of sadism/masochism in biomedical discourse and sites of eroticism such as bdsm play guides and erotica/pornography. Hir interests include: feminism, queer theory, gender studies, anti-identity politics, the body, and sexual “health.”
Future Goals: Kat’s plans change from day to day; you should probably just ask hir.
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Shea Balish, MSc Candidate
Background: Born and raised in Nova Scotia, I attended Dalhousie University to both play basketball and perform an undergraduate degree studying health and human performance. At Dalhousie I developed a passion for research, specifically focused on the acquisition of expertise and expert performance. This passion led me to Queen's University.
Current Research: I aim to identify psychosocial and developmental factors that contribute to the acquisition of expertise in sport. I expect much of this research to focus on early stages of athlete development.
Future Goals: I aim to complete my master's degree and a PhD degree in the near future. Beyond this I intend to both further and apply my expertise by performing entrepreneurial activities and working with universities and sport organizations.
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Renee Bolkowy, MA Candidate
Background: Originally from Red Deer, AB. I
completed my B.A. in psychology through the University of Calgary at Red Deer College in the collaborative program. Prior to Graduate School, I worked as a personal trainer in Toronto.
Current Research: I am interested in the
effectiveness of psychological strategies during an athlete's recovery process following an injury. My supervisors are Drs. Barbi Law and Amy Latimer.
Future Goals: I want to continue working in the field of sport and exercise, whether its in Kingston, Toronto, B.C., Alberta, Hawaii, Europe, or Australia.
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Jaymi Edwards, MA Candidate
Background: Originally from St. Catharines, I completed my undergrad at Queen's in a double degree program (Physical & Health Education and Life Sciences). I love playing and coaching a wide variety of sports!
Current Research: My current research goal is to examine the beneficial aspects of mental imagery on sport performance.
Future Goals: I hope to either continue in academia or attend Teacher's College.
Why I Chose Queen's: I decided to further my education and stay at Queen's because of my amazing undergraduate experience. I also wanted to continue working with the same wonderful professors who I was supervised by during my undergraduate thesis work.
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Karl Erickson, PhD Candidate
Background: Originally from Cobourg, ON, I went to undergrad at Queen's (Physical & Health Education and Psychology) and am heavily involved in rugby and basketball, both as an athlete and coach.
Current Research: My current research focuses on coach-athlete interactions in youth sport, particularly how these interactions influence youth's psychosocial development.
Future Goals: In the near future, I will be continuing on to the PhD program here in Kinesiology & Health Studies at Queen's.
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