On Friday November 29, 2024, the Graduate Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences (RHSC) were proud to usher across the graduating stage three students receiving their Master of Science degrees and five candidates receiving their doctorates. They join our four MSc and three Doctoral graduates from the May ceremony in becoming 2024’s RHSC Alumni.
While some of our talented graduates go on to further studies within Rehabilitation Science or careers in academia, others are entering research-oriented project management positions in industry, and others are pursuing medical degrees with the goal of becoming physicians.
We wish all our graduates continued success in their future careers!
The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science
- Kohle Merry’s dissertation entitled “Optimizing Resistance-Based Exercise Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: Development of the ‘PhysViz’ Telerehabilitation System” focused on creating an at-home rehabilitation system to track home exercises with real-time feedback and improve their progress.
- Saori Ogura’s dissertation entitled “The Meaning of Traditional Small Grains Cultivation: Generational Wisdom, Well-being and food security” explored the significance of small grains cultivation in three Japanese communities, focusing on its role in food security, biodiversity, and cultural continuity. The research highlighted how using traditional methods of cultivating small grains, crops typically neglected by modern industrial methods, can connect communities and bridge generational gaps, thus promoting emotional and physical well-being.
- Debora Petry-Moecke’s dissertation entitled “Optimizing the therapeutic relationships between physical therapists and Indigenous people receiving care via telehealth” researched how to enhance trust and rapport in telehealth consultations for chronic conditions by mapping existing knowledge, investigating patient-provider dynamics, and developing culturally appropriate best practices.
- Victoria Rapos’ dissertation entitled “Brain, Balance, & Coordination: Understanding collision avoidance behaviours at a neural and behavioural level in children with developmental coordination disorder” researched how children with DCD rely heavily on visual information to avoid physical collision as they move about their daily activities. This understanding can be used in clinical practice to aid children with DCD reduce risk of injury as they adapt their locomotion.
- Cristina Rubino’s dissertation entitled “Oculomotor Function and Functional Connectivity: Insights into Motor Skill Learning and Implications for Motor Function After Stroke” showed that oculomotor performance improves during skill acquisition and that stronger oculomotor functional connectivity is associated with better motor performance, both in healthy adults and individuals with stroke.
The Degree of Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science
- Julianne McLeod studied under the supervision of Associate Professor Naznin Virji-Babul, completing a thesis on “Causal connectivity changes in females related to menstrual cycle and concussion”
- Ho Shun (Ray) Tuin studied under the supervision of Professor Alex Scott, completing a thesis on “The Effects of Sex Hormones on Tendons During Pregnancy: An In Vitro Study in Primary Human Cells”
- Gillian Smith studied under the supervision of Professor Kristin Campbell, completing a thesis on “The Combined Effect of Changes in Body Composition and Sociodemographic Factors on Colon Cancer Survival”
- Nicole Ketter, studied under the supervision of Brodie Sakakibara, completing a thesis on “Prevention and management of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in Canada”. Nicole received her degree in August 2024.
- Ryu Lien, studied under the supervision of Teresa Liu-Ambrose completing a thesis on “Reshaping white matter integrity with resistance training: an analysis of a randomized controlled trial”. Ryu received his degree in August 2024.
Three of our 2024 Master’s graduates are continuing their research into our Doctoral program:
- Sunaina Chopra, “Niwh Yizt’iyh Hilht’iz Nets’eelh’iyh – “Strengthening our Bodies”: The Values and Barriers to Physical Activity in Remote and Rural First Nations Communities in Northern British Columbia”. Supervisor: Dr. Pat Camp
- Avneet Dhillon, “Understanding the needs of South Asian youth accessing mental health services in British Columbia, Canada”. Supervisor: Dr. Skye Barbic
- Alanna Hind, “Sex differences in exercise-induced arterial hypoxaemia and pulmonary oedema development following high intensity exercise in elite endurance athletes”. Supervisor: Dr. Jordan Guenette
