Lab Director
Courses Taught
HMKN 202 Human Motor Behaviour I HMKN 413 Cortical Control of Movement HMKN 506 Research Methods in Health and Exercise Sciences Research Interests To determine the effect of acute (e.g., muscle weakness, fatigue) and chronic (e.g., adult aging) altered states on the sensorimotor control of human balance and movement. |
Current Trainees
Postdoctoral Fellow
Mike Kennefick (2018-present)
Contact: Email Mike completed his baccalaureate at the University of Ottawa, where he also received his MSc in Human Kinetics under the supervision of Dr. Tony Carlsen. He then went on to the University of British Columbia - Okanagan to complete his PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on the preparation of movement, where he was co-supervised by Drs. Chris McNeil and Paul van Donkelaar. Over the course of his PhD, he also taught Motor Learning and Control at Okanagan College. Mike is currently extending his research in the preparation of movement as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Dalton, and is also interested in integrating bench research with knowledge translation concepts. |
PhD
Mathew Debenham (2018-present)
Contact: Email Mathew is a PhD student majoring in Kinesiology. Mathew attained a bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics and a master’s degree in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, both from the University of Guelph. During his graduate studies he investigated time-dependent neuromuscular mechanisms with a specific focus on rate of torque development and electromechanical delay. He has also investigated explosive performance and fatigue adaptations that occur with chronic blood flow restriction training. Mathew’s current interests involve investigations of hypoxia adaptations to the neuromuscular system and vestibular control. |
MSc
Hogun Kang (2018-present)
Contact: Email Hogun is interested in the brain’s biochemical and electrophysiological functions and capacity, and the ways in which it is disrupted in diseased states. Currently, he aims to investigate how cognitively debilitating conditions may relate to impaired performance of the central nervous system. His current study intends to explore the potential of 24-hour sleep deprivation as a proxy for clinical fatigue in health research. |
Megan Trotman (2019-present)
Contact: Email Megan is in the Health and Exercise Sciences MSc program. She is interested in the use of Electrical Vestibular Stimulation (EVS) to explore different aspects of the vestibular-evoked balance response. Her current project is investigating the effects of stability on the vestibular control of balance in intrinsic foot muscles, and she will also be looking into the vestibular-evoked balance response in patients with Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS). Megan received her Bachelors degree at UBC - Okanagan (2016) in Human Kinetics majoring in Clinical Exercise Physiology. Upon completion she took time off to travel to many countries around the world and spent time living and working in Australia. She also enjoys hiking, running, and playing basketball. |
Paige Copeland (2019-present)
Contact: Email Paige is a fourth-year Human Kinetics student majoring in Clinical Exercise Physiology. In the SPIN lab, she is currently investigating the effects of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on cerebral blood flow. Paige’s interests include the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, specifically those affecting the neuromuscular system. After completing her BHK degree, she plans to pursue a graduate degree to further herself in the field of sensorimotor physiology. |
HMKN 499
Maddie England (2019-Present)
Contact: Email
Contact: Email
Rupy Grewal (2019-Present)
Contact: Email
Contact: Email
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Madison Powls (2018-present)
Contact: Email Madison is a third-year Human Kinetics student majoring in Clinical Exercise Physiology. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to further her education with a Masters in Physical Therapy. Her interests include learning about the pathophysiology of different disorders, especially neurological disorders. In the lab, Madison is currently helping with projects focusing on vestibular-evoked balance responses. When she is not studying, she enjoys playing ringette, golf, and hiking with her dogs! |
Alumni
MSc
Mark Bogost (2014-2016)
Emily McIntosh (Spring/Summer 2016) - Funded by NSERC CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement
Amelia (Molly) Lanning (2014-2016) Thesis: Sex-related differences of fatigability during isotonic concentric contractions of the plantar flexors in humans
Research Assistants/Volunteers
Max Lee (2014-15)
Alyssa Moss (2014-15)
Taylor Rios (2015-2016)
Jordan Ginn (2015-2016)
Andrew Fessler (2015-2017)
Tristen van der Voort (2017-2018)
Roxana Lerin Chavez (2017-2018)
Tess Grantham (2017-2018) - HMKN 499 Research Project (The effect of hypoxia on the vestibular control of balance)
Jacob Coelho (2018) - HMKN 499 Research Project (The effect of head position on the vestibular control of balance in the intrinsic foot muscles)
Nole Dos Santos (2018-2019) - NSERC USRA & HMKN 499 Research Project (The effect of hypoxia on the vestibular control of balance)
Nicole Strachan (2018) - HMKN 499 Research Project (Vestibular control of balance and intrinsic foot muscles)
Janelle Smuin (2018) - HMKN 499 Research Project (The effect of hypoxia on quiet standing balance)
Liam Stewart (2018-2019) - HMKN 499 Research Project (Vestibular control of balance and intrinsic foot muscles)
Sophia Furlan (2019) - HMKN 499 Research Project (Vestibular control of arm-supported balance)
Mark Bogost (2014-2016)
- Mark is currently pursing a MBA and is a Research and Business Development Associate with Phase Diagnostics
- Michael is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Oregon in the Bowerman Sports Science Clinic
- Jacob is currently an Instructor in the Kinesiology Department at Seattle University
Emily McIntosh (Spring/Summer 2016) - Funded by NSERC CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement
- Emily is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Guelph
- Evan is currently pursuing a PhD at Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Tushar is currently pursuing a MSc at the University of Guelph
Amelia (Molly) Lanning (2014-2016) Thesis: Sex-related differences of fatigability during isotonic concentric contractions of the plantar flexors in humans
- Molly is currently pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Colorado
- Jonathan is currently a clinical research coordinator at Oregon Retina
- Wendy is currently pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Northern Arizona University
Research Assistants/Volunteers
Max Lee (2014-15)
Alyssa Moss (2014-15)
Taylor Rios (2015-2016)
Jordan Ginn (2015-2016)
Andrew Fessler (2015-2017)
Tristen van der Voort (2017-2018)
Roxana Lerin Chavez (2017-2018)
Tess Grantham (2017-2018) - HMKN 499 Research Project (The effect of hypoxia on the vestibular control of balance)
Jacob Coelho (2018) - HMKN 499 Research Project (The effect of head position on the vestibular control of balance in the intrinsic foot muscles)
- Jacob was awarded the 2018 UBC Okanagan Medal in Human Kinetics - Awarded to the student at the top of the graduating class
Nole Dos Santos (2018-2019) - NSERC USRA & HMKN 499 Research Project (The effect of hypoxia on the vestibular control of balance)
Nicole Strachan (2018) - HMKN 499 Research Project (Vestibular control of balance and intrinsic foot muscles)
Janelle Smuin (2018) - HMKN 499 Research Project (The effect of hypoxia on quiet standing balance)
Liam Stewart (2018-2019) - HMKN 499 Research Project (Vestibular control of balance and intrinsic foot muscles)
Sophia Furlan (2019) - HMKN 499 Research Project (Vestibular control of arm-supported balance)