Trainees

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Simran is a PhD candidate in the Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences (WACH) program, under the supervision of Dr. Christine Voss and Dr. Mary Jung. Her research focuses on using a mixed methods approach to better understand the physical activity behaviours of children living with Type 1 Diabetes in BC’s Interior. She is currently working on developing, implementing and evaluating a virtual physical activity counselling intervention for children with Type 1 Diabetes. Simran previously served as the VP Academic and Career Development.

Dorsa is an enthusiastic M.Sc. student in the Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences (WACH) program at UBC, working under the supervision of Dr. Christine Voss. Her research focuses on developmental outcomes in children with Type 1 Diabetes at the population level. She is particularly interested in understanding disparities between these children and their peers without diabetes while accounting for socioeconomic factors. Dorsa’s work aims to inform more inclusive educational policies to support the success and well-being of children with Type 1 Diabetes. Dorsa is originally from Tehran, Iran, and is passionate about community involvement and personal development. She enjoys reading, playing the violin, hiking, and volunteering in her free time. As the Vice President of Academic Development, she co-leads initiatives that provide trainees with learning opportunities such as research rounds, workshops, and guest lectures.

Nicole recently completed her Masters in Rehabilitation Science with Dr. Sakakibara, focusing on the management and prevention of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in Canada. She previously completed her BSc in Biology at UBCO. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and biking around Kamloops on traditional and unceded Secwepemc territory. Within her role as Operations Alumni, Nicole is creating a LinkedIn group to foster a sense of community amongst CCDPM alumni.

Sarah is a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Sarah Purcell. Her research focuses on evaluating portable indirect calorimetry for application in clinical practice and weight management settings. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science at UBCO in 2023. Sarah enjoys reading, skiing, biking, and hiking in her free time. As VP Career Development for TEC, she supports initiatives aimed at career and professional development.

Ty is an MSc student in the Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences (WACH) program, under the supervision of Dr. Christine Voss. His research focuses on the investigation of physical activity and health in children with congenital heart disease. Originally from Summerland, BC, Ty enjoys snowboarding, going out to social events and motorcycling. His priority with the CCDPM TEC is to build and strengthen relationships within our centre and affiliate labs.

Julian Jongkind received his Bachelor’s of Health Sciences from Queen’s University in 2024 while he was 19 years old. He is now researching spinal cord injury under Christopher West as a graduate student, focusing on using hypoxia to improve heart health. His future plan is to become a clinician-scientist, extending his passion for science and medicine.

Michelle is a PhD student at the University of British Columbia’s Rehabilitation Sciences program and the VP Operations of the CCDPM TEC. Her research focuses on areas of chronic disease prevention and management, health promotion, and telehealth delivery. Currently, her research involves developing interventions to support self-management in stroke patients. Outside of her studies and research work, Michelle also likes reading, playing video games, trying different food places, and going for walks and taking landscape photos in areas she explores on her walks.

Spencer completed his BSc at The University of British Columbia Okanagan in biochemistry and molecular biology. During this time, Spencer completed an honours thesis for his research on intestinal stem cells, designer probiotics, and how they can influence the mucus barrier of the gut. Current research interests for Spencer are a culmination of his personal pursuits in exercise and sport, in addition to his fascination with human metabolism and biology. Spencer’s master’s degree will examine how exercise regimes, body composition, and dietary interventions can impact mitochondrial respiration. Apart from laboratory work, Spencer is an ultra-distance triathlete and rock climber, he enjoys socializing and surrounds himself with friends and family.

Vienna is an undergraduate student in her final year of her BSc and works as a clinical research assistant at the CCDPM under the supervision of Dr. Christine Voss and Simran Gill. Her research focuses on identifying barriers and facilitators to physical activity among children living with Type 1 Diabetes in BC’s Interior. She is also currently completing a directed study with Dr. Zachary Walsh, investigating the stigma associated with classic psychedelics in mental health treatment compared to SSRIs, and advocating for expanded research into psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health disorders. Outside of her studies and work in the lab, Vienna enjoys watching hockey (a dedicated Habs fan), strength training, watching crime documentaries, travelling, and hanging out with friends and family.

Nathan Adams

Nathan Adams is a member at-large in the CCDPM TEC, and works as a PhD Student in the SCI Action Canada Lab led by Dr. Kathleen Martin-Ginis. Nate is an alumnus of Pacific Lutheran University and the University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill. His ongoing work within UBC and the CCDPM evaluates how acute sedentary behavior occurs in people with spinal cord injury, and aims to determine if breaking up a bout of prolonged sedentary behavior could be an effective strategy for improving cardiometabolic health and psychological well-being in people with spinal cord injury.

Natalie Grieve

Natalie Grieve is a general memberof the CCDPM TEC and works as a PhD Student in the Diabetes Prevention Research Group led by Dr. Mary Jung. Natalie’s research interests include the implementation of community health programs and understanding the emotional components involved in health behaviour change. Natalie is the VP of GHESS and hopes that her involvement in CCDPM TEC will support the collaboration of academic and social initiatives across CCDPM and HES.

Roddie Sandilands

Roddie graduated with a BSc in Human Kinetics from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. During this time, he completed his honours thesis in the realm of child growth and development investigating physical literacy in children who participate in elite sport and children who attend a well-structured afterschool physical activity program. Roddie’s research within EMIL focuses on the feasibility and efficacy of integrating brief movement breaks (termed exercise “snacks”) into real-world settings. More specifically, he is interested in the acute and chronic effects of exercise snacks on glucose control, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour among individuals living with type 2 diabetes. Outside of the lab, Roddie can be found on the golf course, at the rink, tennis court, spending time with friends and family, reading, and listening to podcasts.

Yashika Nekkanti

Yashika is an MSc student under the supervision of Dr. Hashim Islam. Her research focuses on mitochondrial bioenergetics in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Specifically, her project will examine how Type 2 Diabetes impacts mitochondrial function in different immune cells in South Asian and Caucasian populations. Previously, Yashika completed her BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UBC Okanagan. As a master’s student, she is involved with CCDPM TEC and GHESS at UBCO. Besides being in the lab, Yashika likes to read and spend time with her friends and family.