The Graduate Programs in Rehabilitation Science (RHSC) is pleased to welcome 14 new students starting their programs this September. This year eight Doctoral students start their programs, including one embarking on the dual MPT/PhD degree, and six Master’s of Science (MSc) students start their programs. Welcome!
PhD Students
- Nawaf Alkraidees, supervisor Ben Mortenson (OSOT). Nawaf is interested in investigating current rehabilitation technologies, their cultural sensitivity and appropriateness and use in telehealth services.
- Jacob Bosancich, supervisor Brodie Sakakibara (OSOT). Based at UBC Okanagan, Jacob is an Occupational Therapist interested in researching how generative AI can be used by occupational therapists to help patients post-stroke.
- Sunaina Chopra, supervisor Pat Camp (PT). A recent graduate of the RHSC MSc program, Sunaina is starting the MPT/PhD dual degree clinician-researcher program to continue her research on the impact land-based activities can have on the health and well-being of First Nations men in rural and remote communities.
- Avneet Dhillon, supervisor Skye Barbic (OSOT). Another recent graduate of the RHSC MSc program, Avneet will continue her research on understanding perspectives and barriers to mental health care among South Asian Youth to improve rehabilitation practice in this area.
- Raneem Ibrahim, supervisor Bill Miller (OSOT). Raneem is interested in researching assistive technology, focusing on mobility-related technologies, and its effect on quality of life of people living with disabilities.
- Erin Klein, supervisor Jill Zwicker (OSOT). Erin is an Occupational Therapist and part-time PhD student interested in determining an efficacious pathway for service delivery to support early identification and early intervention of Developmental Coordination Disorder in Indigenous communities.
- Chuidan Kong, supervisor Teresa Liu-Ambrose (PT). Chuidan is interested in researching effects of physical activity on cognitive function during mid-life and later life stages, with a focus on identifying mid-life as a potentially critical window for interventions to boost cognitive health in later life.
- Haocheng Zhang, supervisor Michael Hunt (PT). Haocheng is interested in researching movement control to help patients through their rehabilitation progress, specifically osteoarthritis, and how up-to-date techniques can improve or change musculoskeletal analysis and help rehabilitation.
MSc Students
- Maribeth Gelisanga, supervisor Linda Li (PT). Research Interests: Redesigning arthritis rehabilitation program in a low-middle income countries; co-developing a wellness program for middle-aged healthcare workers.
- Paulina Malcolm, supervisors Ben Mortenson and Julia Henderson (OSOT). Research Interests: how informal
caregivers/frequent family visitors act as advocates for people living in long-term care. - Olga Radivojevic, supervisor Jordan Guenette (PT). Research Interests: how breathing method affects exercise performance and breathlessness, and whether they can improve exercise tolerance and decrease breathlessness in clinical populations undergoing rehabilitation.
- Navaneetha Ravichandran, supervisor Julia Henderson (OSOT). Research Interests: how occupation-based assessments can be adapted for people living with dementia from different cultural backgrounds, particularly the Southeast Asian community living in Canada.
- Sarah Tischer, supervisor Jill Zwicker. Research Interests: examining innovative treatment methods that can positively impact the lives of children facing neurological challenges such as DCD.
- David Zimmon, supervisor Teresa Liu-Ambrose. Research Interests: examining how exercise regimentation, including aerobic or resistance training, can affect patients living with mild cognitive impairment or major neurocognitive disorder.