Current Students

Stuart Wilson, PhD(c)

Email: stuart.wilson@queensu.ca

I am a Postdoctoral Fellow working with Dr. Jean Côté, Dr. Luc Martin, and the rest of the PLAYS Research Group to study psychosocial factors influencing athlete development. Originally from Ottawa, I pursued my BSc Kin at McMaster University, my MSc at York University, and my PhD at the University of Ottawa. My doctoral dissertation explored how elite endurance athletes define, implement, and manage their recovery between workouts to enhance their training. This work adds to my broader research experience with related projects examining how long-term skill development is influenced by self-regulated learning in practice, talent identification models, and family sport experience.

Beth Barz (5th Year)

Email: beth.barz@queensu.ca

I am in the fifth year of my part-time PhD and a local high school teacher. I’m working with Dr. Jean Côté and Dr. Luc Martin while studying coach developers (or those coaches who coach coaches). Outside of work and academics, I’m a Facilitator and Mentor Coach for the Advanced Coaching Diploma program at the Canadian Sport Institutes in Ontario and Calgary where I support high-performance coaches in values-based leadership and decision making. I also facilitate and work with TC4S (Transformational Coaching for Sport) and for COACH+ in the areas of coach development, research, and content/resource development. This work is supported by many lessons learned while earning designations such as Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), NCCP Master Coach Developer in rugby and multisport, and World Rugby Trainer. I am in my 22nd season coaching university rugby in Kingston.

Alex Murata (5th Year)

Email: a.murata@queensu.ca

I am currently a fifth-year PhD student studying under Dr. Jean Côté with the PLAYS group at Queen’s University. I completed my MSc under Dr. Côté in 2019 and attended The University of British Columbia (B.A. Psychology) and the University of Ottawa (Hons. B.A. Communications) previous to my time at Queen’s. Broadly, my research interests lie in the examination of how adult stakeholder behaviour (i.e., sport parents, sport coaches, sport administrators) affects the athlete experience and athlete development in the context of youth sport. Outside of the lab, I coach youth ice hockey and try to sample as many sports as possible.

Cailie McGuire (4th Year)

Email: 13cm115@queensu.ca

I am in my fourth year of my PhD supervised by Dr. Luc Martin in the PLAYS lab. Originally from Mississauga, I completed my Bachelor of Recreation and Sport Studies at the University of New Brunswick and my MSc at Queen’s University which focused on subgroups in the context of interuniversity sport. During my undergraduate degree I competed in cross country as well as mid-distance track events. My participation in athletics cultivated my interests in sport psychology focusing on youth sport participation, group dynamics, mental health, and holistic athlete development. My PhD specifically focuses on the importance of building trust between teammates to promote athlete thriving. In my spare time, you can find me running along one of the many trails in Kingston, at Orangetheory, or spending time with friends playing intramurals!

Kelsey Saizew (4th Year)

Email: kelsey.saizew@queensu.ca 

I am in my fourth year of my PhD under the supervision of Luc Martin. I am originally from Calgary, Alberta where I completed my Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary (’13). I competed on the Dino’s track and field team throughout my undergraduate degree. My research interests include: elite sport, group dynamics, leadership, team cohesion and subgroups/cliques. I completed my Master’s thesis in 2018 where I looked at the social processes within a sport composed of multiple subgroups. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, reading, and being active with my son.

Mitch Profeit (1st Year)

Email: mcp3@queensu.ca 

I am a first-year PhD student supervised by Dr. Martin within the PLAYS Research Group. In my hometown of Prince George, B.C., I completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia and a Graduate Diploma in Psychosocial Rehabilitation from Douglas College in New Westminster, B.C. Before entering university, I enjoyed a rewarding junior ice hockey career as a goaltender and goaltending coach. Having the privilege to compete at a high level in a youth sport fostered an interest in sport psychology, specifically group dynamics. During my MSc, I, along with Dr. Martin explored subgroups and cliques through the development of a psychometrically sound questionnaire. Outside of the PLAYS RG, I am passionate about teaching and education and work with the Faculty of Health Sciences where I contribute to the development of online education for both graduate and undergraduate-level programs. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy spending my time at a movie theatre, at a rink, or cheering on the Canadiens.

Cam Davidson (4th Year)

Email: cameron.davidson@queensu.ca

I am a fourth-year MSc candidate supervised by Dr. Luc Martin in the PLAYS lab. Originally from Kentville, Nova Scotia, I completed my Bachelor of Kinesiology at Acadia University while enjoying a 5-year varsity football career. I am currently in my fourth season as the Queen's Football Running Backs Coach, and second season as the Queen's Football Mental Performance Coach. I was recently named the Head Coach of the Queen's Women's Football team and look forward to growing and developing Women's Football.  Additionally, I serve as the Offensive Coordinator for the U18 Kingston Jr. Gaels football team. I have immense passion for coaching, sport psychology, and the development of sport at all levels. I am extremely lucky to be able to expand my passions through my research on the impact injury has on athlete experiences with positional competition.

Haley Smith (2nd Year)

Email: haley.smith@queensu.ca

I am currently a second-year Master’s student under the supervision of Dr. Côté in the PLAYS lab. I completed my BSc degree in Kinesiology at Queen’s University (’15) while also competing as a member of the Canadian National Mountain Bike Team. I took the years following my undergraduate degree to focus solely on the Olympics, which was a long and rewarding journey that took me around the world and, ultimately, to Tokyo. That decades-long pursuit, coupled with a personal history of mental illness, sparked my interest in the field of sport psychology. My academic interests are broad, and include the influence of the family in lifestyle sports (the likely focus of my thesis research), mental health in young athletes, and inclusion in outdoor adventure sports. Outside of the lab, I am still a professional off-road cyclist and spend as much time as possible pedalling around in the woods, watching Great British Bake Off, and spending time with my family. I am also involved in athlete governance, fulfilling the role of off-road representative for the TCA (The Cyclists’ Alliance), which is the international professional women’s cycling union.

Mia KurtzFavero (2nd Year)

Email: 17mjk9@queensu.ca

I am a second-year MSc candidate supervised by Dr. Jean Côté in the PLAYS lab. Originally from Guelph, Ontario, I attended Queen’s University where I completed my BA in Health Studies. During my undergraduate degree, I had the opportunity to complete an Honours Thesis project with Dr. Côté, focusing on the coach effectiveness and implemented practices of youth sport parent-coaches. My experience completing this project and engaging in research within the lab, together with my lifelong participation in youth sport and coaching have cultivated my interest in the field of Sport Psychology. Given my involvement in coaching at the local and provincial levels, I am fascinated by coaching behaviours, transformational leadership, and knowledge translation to coaches. When I am not in the lab, you can find me coaching volleyball, challenging friends, and family to various sports/activities, or playing on the nearest volleyball court!

Jared Chisari (2nd Year)

Email: 22xb9@queensu.ca

I am a 2nd year MSc candidate supervised by Dr. Luc Martin in the PLAYS lab. I am originally from Maine and decided to come to Queens after completing my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While at Umass I also competed in Division 1 FBS college football. Now I am currently on the Queen's football team, enjoying my time pursuing both my academic and athletic futures. Having been a part of multiple sports organizations during my athletic career, I am very fascinated in the different avenues that connect sports and psychology. One of my biggest interests lies in the role that playing time has in status and the psychological effects behind status with regards to group dynamics in sports. Outside of football and research I like spending time with friends, family, working out, and going on motorcycle rides.

Lauryn Bons (1st Year)

Email: l.bons@queensu.ca