ABC Lab Alumni

Kelsey Wuerstl, PhD

E-mail: Kelsey Wuerstl
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-wuerstl-b02b31275/
ABC Lab Member: September 2018 – August 2024

Kelsey is a behavioural scientist with expertise in health behaviour change, community engagement, and implementation science. By combining evidence-based research with the lived experience of communities, she creates health programs that are feasible, useful, and impactful. She works with diverse teams of researchers, clinicians, and community and service organizations to develop programs to help people stop smoking, increase their physical activity, manage their stress, and improve their diet. Through MSc and PhD at the ABC Lab, she has developed an in-depth understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, and strong communication skills to ensure that behavioural science can be understood by technical and non-technical audiences alike.

Femke Hoekstra, PhD

E-mail: Femke Hoekstra
Twitter: @FHoekstra_Groot
ABC Lab Member: September 2017 – November 2023

Femke earned her PhD at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Her PhD project was part of Rehabilitation, Sports and Active Lifestyle study (ReSpAct-study) and focused on the nationwide implementation of a physical activity promotion program in Dutch rehabilitation care. In November 2017, she started her postdoctoral research with Drs. Heather Gainforth and Kathleen Martin Ginis. Femke’s main research interest focuses on understanding and improving knowledge translation processes, especially in the area of rehabilitation and health promotion. Her research involves studying implementation processes of behavior interventions and trials in real-world settings from different perspectives (organization, professional, and client/patient). Outside research, Femke enjoys running/hiking, cross-country skiing and playing tennis.

Rhyann Mckay, PhD

E-mail: Rhyann Mckay
Twitter: @rhyann_mckay
ABC Lab Member: September 2016 – November 2021

Rhyann completed her PhD in the ABC Lab and completed her Bachelor of Human Kinetics at UBCO. Rhyann is interested in understanding the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on participation behaviours in family, friends and partners who support someone with an SCI. In partnership with several SCI community-based organizations, her PhD research has systematically developed and will test an intervention to promote participation among family support providers of people with SCI. Outside of research, Rhyann likes to be outdoors either skiing, biking, or running – ideally with her dog.

Miranda Cary, PhD

E-mail: Miranda Cary
ABC Lab Member: October 2018 – September 2020

Miranda is currently finishing her doctoral degree in Kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan. She earned her Master’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan in 2014. Broadly, her PhD research focuses on psychosocial factors important for adults with chronic pain to engage in regular physical activity. Miranda’s postdoctoral research focuses on implementation science, especially aims to on gain a better understanding of research partnerships and consensus methods within the area of integrated knowledge translation. Outside of research, Miranda spends time with her dog, enjoys going for hikes, and looks forward to exploring Kelowna.

Michael Kennefick, PhD

Post Doctoral Fellow

Twitter: @kennefickm
E-mail: Michael Kennefick

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 UBCO to complete his PhD focusing on the preparation of movement, where he was co-supervised by Drs. Chris McNeil and Paul van Donkelaar. Mike is currently extending his research in the preparation of movement as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Brian Dalton, while also shifting focus to understand how bench research can be integrated with knowledge translation concepts with Dr. Heather Gainforth. Outside of the lab, Mike enjoys searching for hidden fishing and camping locations in the backcountry.

Kristy Baxter, MSc

Centre for Scholarly Communication Coordinator at UBCO
E-mail: Kristy Baxter
ABC Lab Member: September 2017 – December 2019

Kristy is currently in her 2nd year as a Master’s student in the Health and Exercise Sciences program. Her thesis project aims to understand how doctors establish patient-centred care, specifically therapeutic alliance, with their patients. Her project is being completed in partnership with The South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice and the Centre for Collaboration, Motivation and Innovation. Kristy enjoys cross-discipline collaboration, detail- and task-oriented work, and exploring new research methodologies. She hopes to find passion and joy in a career that allows her to use what she has learned, but also challenges her to always learn more. She is (almost) always down for an adventure and is excited for the adventures that post-grad 2019 holds.

Blake Nicol, MSc

Research Associate at UBCO (Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research)
E-mail: Nicol Blake
ABC Lab Member: September 2017 – August 2019

Blake is currently in his 2nd year of his master’s degree in the ABC Lab. He is studying the screening behaviours of staff at women’s shelters with regards to traumatic brain injuries for women who have experienced intimate partner violence. Blake’s research aims to provide intervention recommendations to help promote screening of traumatic brain injuries in women’s shelters. In his spare time, Blake enjoys playing on his hockey team in the winter and going on backpacking trips in the summer.

Clayton March, BA

E-mail: Clayton March
ABC Lab Member: September 2018 – April 2020

Tineke Dineen, MSc

PhD Student at UBCO (Diabetes Prevention Research Group)
E-mail: Tineke Dineen
Twitter: @tineke_dineen
ABC Lab Member: September 2017 – August 2018

Tineke completed her Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph before pursuing a Master of Science at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Her main research interests revolve around adherence and maintenance to physical activity programs for individuals with diabetes. This led her to completing an internship at the University of Calgary in the Clinical Trials Unit as a kinesiologist and research coordinator for an exercise study for individuals with type two diabetes. Tineke has now joined the ABC lab and is excited to bring her knowledge and experiences as a research coordinator to the ABC group and is eager to help out!  When not in the lab Tineke enjoys making the most of living in the beautiful Okanagan valley and can be found on her bike exploring the landscape, hiking the nearby trails or skiing at Big White!

Hannah Bergman

UBCO Student
ABC Lab Member: October 2017 – April 2018

Hannah is currently in her 3rd year of the bachelor of Human Kinetics undergraduate degree at UBCO. She is excited to be a part of the ABC lab, as she has taken particular interest in exercise psychology throughout her degree. Hannah is a hardworking and passionate student, and eventually hopes obtain a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. But for now, she is focusing her love of exercise and health sciences as a member of the ABC lab, the HKSA and working for Canucks Autism network. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys yoga, baking and visiting her hometown, Kamloops, BC.

Jade Banman

UBCO Student
ABC Lab Member: September 2016 – January 2018

Jade Banman is currently a 5th year student. She is optimistic in finding a career to fulfill her passion for promoting the importance of exercise. She is motivated, ambitious, and ready to tackle any challenges that come her way. Outside of school, Jade is most likely to be found at a hockey rink or soccer field.

Sidney Paul, BHK 

MSc Student at UBCO
ABC Lab Member: September 2016 – April 2017

Sidney has recently graduated from Human Kinetics with his studies focused on health promotion. He has great interest in contributing to the field of Indigenous Peoples health and working with this population. During his studies as an undergrad he was a leader for the Indigenous Student Association on campus. He also worked with the Aboriginal Programs & Services center as a student mentor. His leisure time is mostly spent playing sports such as hunting, fishing, rugby, hockey, and soccer.

Anna Radziszewski, BHK

UBCO Alumna
University of Alberta for Masters of Occupational Therapy
ABC Lab Member: September 2016 – April 2017

Anna (also known as Ania), has just finished up her Bachelor of Human Kinetics at UBCO and has graduated with Honours. Ania has just recently been accepted to The University of Alberta for Occupational Therapy. She is excited to begin a career path she is passionate about, and is always eager to learn. Ania is conscientious, hardworking, reliable, and hopes to make a difference with the research she pursues. When she’s not busy studying, you can find her either hiking or sleeping.

Andrew Tsang, BHK

UBCO Alumnus
ABC Lab Member: January 2017 – April 2017

Andrew is a graduate of the Human Kinetics program at UBCO. He is currently taking a year off from school and working within the health and fitness industry. He plans to apply to dental school in the future. Andrew is an easy-going and motivated individual that is readily willing to assist with work from the always busy ABC Lab. Andrew has a lifelong passion for hockey and enjoys playing guitar.

Krysta Halliwell, BHK

UBCO Alumna
ABC Lab Member: September 2016 – December 2016

Krysta finished up the final term of her Bachelor of Human Kinetics this fall. Her passion for new experiences and sharing knowledge led her to join the ABC lab. Krysta is an eternal optimist who hopes to spend her life discovering creative ways to improve the happiness and freedom of herself and others. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy to further explore these passions. In her free time she likes to explore cities, eat sushi, and live life as a film geek.

Kailey Owens, BHK

UBCO Alumna
University of Alberta for Masters of Occupational Therapy
ABC Lab Member: September 2015 – August 2016

Kailey completed her Bachelor of Human Kinetics at UBCO, graduating at the top of her class. She is currently pursuing her dream of becoming an Occupational Therapist at The University of Alberta. Kailey is a hard working, dedicated, and efficient lab member who ensures that everyone is organized and up to date. Outside of the lab she is a stellar volleyball player, an amazing friend, and a lover of sriracha.

Kennedy Louis, UBCO Student

ABC Lab Member: September 2018 – December 2018

Brianna Tsui, UBCO Student

ABC Lab Member: October 2017 – April 2018

Randy Butler, UBCO Student

ABC Lab Member: January 2018 – April 2018