Three people walking together along Curry Place at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.

Our researchers

  • Marion Alexander, pictured outside of the Dr. Marion Alexander Research Centre

    Marion Alexander, PhD

    Senior Scholar
    Research and expertise: Research interests focus primarily on sport biomechanics, or the analysis of athletes using filming techniques and computerized analysis programs.

     

  • Dean, Douglas Brown.

    Douglas Brown, PhD

    Professor
    Research and expertise: Focused on the origins of the Modern Olympic Games, early Canadian Mountaineering and winter sports. Explores themes such as identity, ethnicity and human agency within sport as well as the aesthetics or poetics of sport participation.

     

  • Stephanie-Chesser-Headshot

    Stephanie Chesser, PhD

    Assistant professor
    Research themes: Aging, identity roles, community-based participatory research, social justice, qualitative research.

     

  • Stephen-Cornish-Headshot

    Stephen Cornish, PhD

    Associate professor
    Research and expertise: Focused on exercise and nutritional immunology. Concerned with the effects that exercise and nutritional interventions can have in ameliorating chronic low-grade inflammation that is observed in many cases of chronic disease.

     

  • Todd-Duhamel-Headshot

    Todd Duhamel, PhD

    Professor
    Research and expertise: Research examines the role of physical activity for the prevention, as well as treatment, of cardiovascular disease. Utilizes exercise physiology as a tool to identify novel therapeutic targets and signaling pathways that regulate cardiovascular and skeletal muscle health.

     

  • Russell-Field-Headshot

    Russell Field, PhD

    Associate professor
    Research and expertise: Examines the socio-cultural study of sport and physical activity. Focused on the lived experience of sport participants, the desire to separate organizational rhetoric from local remains and the integration of oral history with archival sources as a methodological approach. Interested in the cultural representations of sport and physical activity found in both narrative and documentary films.

     

  • Phillip Gardiner, pictured at event

    Phillip Gardiner, PhD

    Professor emeritus
    Research and expertise: Interested is in the adaptations that occurs in the nervous and neuromuscular systems as a result of increased and decreased physical activity, aging, spinal cord injury, stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Adaptations that are of interest include electrophysiology, morphology, and gene expression.

     

     

  • Gordon-Giesbrecht-Headshot

    Gordon Giesbrecht, PhD

    Professor
    Research and expertise: Studies human responses to exercise/work in extreme environments. Conducts cold-water immersion studies that have provided valuable information about cold stress physiology and pre-hospital care for human hypothermia. Other research interests include human physical and mental performance in other stresses such as altitude and diving.

     

  • Cheryl-Glazebrook-Headshot

    Cheryl Glazebrook, PhD

    Associate professor
    Research and expertise: Research program seeks to understand how the nervous system integrates information from different senses to perform precise movements. Particularly interested in understanding the processes of multisensory-motor integration to develop an understanding of perceptual-motor performance in individuals with developmental disorders as well as neurological disorders and injuries.

     

  • Dan-Henhawk-Headshot

    Dan Henhawk, PhD

    Assistant professor
    Research and expertise: Researches multiple conceptualizations of leisure and the socio-cultural study of sport and recreation. Specifically interested in how understandings and meanings of leisure are changing in relation to understandings of work. Focused on Indigenous notions of decolonization, indigenization, sovereignty and self-determination.

     

  • jay johnson pictured smiling

    jay johnson, PhD

    Professor
    Research and expertise: Explores the role of climate change on our physical experiences. Investigates how Indigenous youth experience the built environment and outdoor adventure-based education. Examines gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality and homophobia in team initiation rituals.

     

  • Fenton-Litwiller-Headshot

    Fenton Litwiller, PhD

    Associate professor
    Research and expertise: Studies recreation for social inclusion and well-being. Uses participatory action research methods to cultivate understandings on how to create welcoming and inclusive recreation environments for individuals with mental illness. Researches drag performance with LGBTQ youth to explore gender, in particular, gender identity and gender expression.

     

  • Steven-Passmore-Headshot

    Steven Passmore, PhD

    Associate professor
    Research and expertise: Utilizes a theoretical and applied background in perceptual motor behaviour to explore performance-based outcome measures in an attempt to objectively determine population characteristics, movement outcomes and sustainability of interventions.

     

  • Michelle Porter, pictured outdoors

    Michelle Porter, PhD

    Professor
    Research and expertise: Interested in research pertaining to older adults. Themes include mobility, age-friendly environments, and physical activity.

     

  • Liz Ready

    Elizabeth Ready, PhD

    Senior Scholar
    Research and expertise: Interested in physical health and functional benefits of physical activity in older adults. Explores the impact of age-friendly neighbourhoods on physical activity and health.

     

  • Brian Rice, pictured in the Active Living Centre

    Brian Rice, PhD

    Professor
    Research and expertise: Qualitative land-based education expert with a focus on Indigenous community building.

     

  • Ayesha Saleem pictured in the Active Living Centre

    Ayesha Saleem, PhD

    Assistant professor
    Research and expertise: Mainly focused on deciphering the extracellular signalling as mediated through extracellular vesicles, that regulates the interplay between host tissue and imposed challenges. These challenges can be physiological, metabolic, environmental or developmental.

     

  • Ben-Schellenberg-Headshot

    Ben Schellenberg, PhD

    Assistant professor
    Research and expertise: Sport psychologist with a research focus on understanding how people can engage in their favourite activities in a way that produces the most benefits (e.g., high levels of performance and well-being), while avoiding potential costs (e.g., conflict, burnout). Other topics of study include savouring, self-compassion, coping, and perfectionism.

     

  • Trisha-Scribbans-Headshot

    Trisha Scribbans, PhD

    Assistant professor
    Research and expertise: Research focused on understanding the neuromuscular mechanisms that control of force production and movement of the upper extremity, with a particular emphasis on the role of scapular position and movement in shoulder and scapulothoracic mechanics/pathomechanics.

     

  • Veronica-Silva-Headshot

    Veronica Silva, PhD

    Assistant professor
    Research and expertise: Research program is dedicated to understanding the determinants of successful mobility in naturally challenging conditions with a focus on the visual perception and executive mechanisms underlying the control of posture and locomotion.

     

  • Jonathan-Singer-Headshot

    Jonathan Singer, PhD

    Associate professor
    Research and expertise: Research works to advance knowledge of the specific neuromechanical mechanisms by which humans maintain stability, and understand why clinical populations, such as older adults and stroke survivors, experience challenges with stability control.

     

  • Leisha-Strachan-Headshot

    Leisha Strachan, PhD

    Professor
    Research and expertise: Research focus on positive youth development in sport. Specifically interested in examining the experiences and various outcomes of children and youth in recreational to high performance sport programs.

     

  • Shaelyn-Strachan-Headshot

    Shaelyn Strachan, PhD

    Associate professor
    Research and expertise: Primary objective is to promote health through adherence to physical activity. Research centers on self-related variables and the role of these construct in the self-regulation of exercise.

     

  • Sarah Teetzel pictured smiling, outdoors

    Sarah Teetzel, PhD

    Associate professor
    Research and expertise: Research focus is on applied ethical issues in sport with emphasis on the intersection of rules and values. Areas of expertise include the Olympics, doping and drug testing in sport and gender issues in sport.

     

  • Headshot of Dr. Fabiana Turelli

    Fabiana Turelli, PhD

    Assistant Professor

    Research and expertise: Exploring connections between theory and practice regarding Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and focusing on mainly ethnographic qualitative research. Seeking to adapt and conciliate this method with collaborative-work, in the manner of participatory action research.

  • Rodrigo-Headshot

    Rodrigo Villar, PhD

    Assistant professor
    Research and expertise: Focused on determining the underlying mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular integrative regulation to physiological challenges. Uses postural changes and exercise as a framework to elucidate the role of perfusion pressure, O2 availability, and vascular conductance/resistance in the regulation of blood flow and O2 uptake and the implications for the muscular system especially the muscle pump.

     

  • Christine Van Winkle

    Christine Van Winkle, PhD

    Professor
    Research and expertise: Interested in visitors’ experiences at events and attractions, understanding visitor learning in free-choice environments, exploring the effects of technology on the visitor’s experience at attractions.

     

Our FKRM research is funded by local, national, and international funding agencies. Researchers are funded by all three of the Tri-Council Agencies (Canadian Institute of Health Research, Natural Science and Engineering Research Council, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council), as well as by other funding agencies such as the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Manitoba Health Research Council, Manitoba Medical Services Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

FKRM professors accepting students for Undergraduate Research Awards

UM provides a multitude of unique learning opportunities for undergraduate students to interact with the best minds and research leaders in their fields.

The Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management is proud to participate in the Undergraduate Research Awards program. Please explore the list of researchers below who are currently accepting undergraduate students. (Researchers are listed in alphabetical order)

The Undergraduate Research Awards application deadline is January 28, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.

Stephanie Chesser

Contact: Stephanie.Chesser@umanitoba.ca

Research area: I use qualitative research methodologies to examine ways that we can go about creating more inclusive communities and societies. One of my current research projects involves an examination of the impact of COVID-19 public messaging on older peoples’ experiences of internalized ageism (i.e., when a person adopts thinking based on social norms/expectations that devalue and marginalize older people) and how these messages might alter their attitudes and behaviours throughout the pandemic. Another current project involves an exploration of ways the University of Manitoba could become more family-friendly, based on the experiences and perspectives of students, staff, and faculty who are involved in some form of dependent caregiving (e.g., a child, a parent, a sibling, a partner). I would be keen to work with an undergraduate student who has an interest in building more inclusive communities, learning about qualitative research, and immersing themselves within the stories and perspectives of participants.

Stephen Cornish

Contact: Stephen.Cornish@umanitoba.ca

Research area: This research study will use a repeated measures cross-over design, where participants will act as their own control, to evaluate the differences in systemic myokine response to three different exercise protocols in young healthy recreationally active adults. The three different exercise protocols will include the following: 1) moderate intensity continuous exercise; 2) high intensity interval exercise; and 3) RE. The main dependent variables for this study will be the systemic blood based myokines which include: apelin, FGF-21, IL-6, IL-15, and irisin. The participants will have their blood sampled at 4 times surrounding each exercise session (immediately prior to exercise, immediately after exercise and 1- and 3-hours post-exercise). This protocol will allow for a minimum of 1-week of rest between each exercise protocol to allow for full recovery following each of the exercise sessions. Furthermore, participants will be asked to consume the same meals on the days we are collecting their blood samples. Participants will also be asked to avoid moderate to vigorous physical activity/exercise for 72 hours prior to the exercise sessions to avoid confounding the results.

Todd Duhamel

Contact: Todd.Duhamel@umanitoba.ca 

Research area: Women’s heart health, physical activity and cardiovascular screening research. 

More information can be found on Todd's bio page.

 

Gordon Giesbrecht

Contact: Gordon.Giesbrecht@umanitoba.ca

Research area: Neuromuscular control of voluntary muscle activity during cold intervention. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (motor cortex) and Electrical Stimulation (spinal regions), and muscle EMG will be used to determine corticospinal and spinal excitability of the biceps muscle when the body surface and/or core is cooled. This relates directly to survival and performance in cold environments

Cheryl Glazebrook

Contact: mcheryl.glazebrook@umanitoba.ca

Research area: Dr. Glazebrook and her students investigate how sensory information, such as what we hear, feel and see, influence how humans learn and control voluntary movements. Ongoing experiments in the Perceptual Motor Integration Lab use behavioural and neurophysiological techniques to understand the underlying neural processes for motor control and learning. Current studies are examining how different auditory (such as sounds, rhythmic cues, and music) and vibrotactile inputs affect movement performance in a variety of populations.

Steven Passmore

Contact: Steven.Passmore@umanitoba.ca

Research area: My research interests include running experimental studies on the impact of where an individual focuses their attention during motor performance tasks. We apply this concept in settings such as simple balance tasks, but also complex skills including Olympic and Paralympic curling. I am also interested in perceptual factors that impact the learning and delivery of spinal manipulative therapies. Lastly, another component of my research program focuses on spine health. I have funded projects looking at integration of conservative spine care, in underserved acute and chronic pain populations in an urban setting, and another project looking at the implementation of conservative spine care in a northern Manitoba's community.

Ayesha Saleem

Contact: Ayesha.Saleem@umanitoba.ca or Asaleem@chrim.ca

Research area: My research focuses on cell-to-cell communication as executed through extracellular vesicles (EVs) and its effect on metabolism using different models of health and diseases. We are looking for undergraduate students who can help with the analysis of EVs from control vs. exercise conditions, their molecular cargo, and their effect on recipient cells.

Ben Schellenberg

Contact: Ben.schellenberg@umanitoba.ca

Research area: I study psychological processes in sport (e.g., with athletes, sports fans) and in other leisure activities. Key research topics that I am currently studying include passion, savouring, perfectionism, and self-compassion.

Trisha Scribbans

Contact: Trisha.Scribbans@umanitoba.ca

Research area: Dr. Scribbans’ Integrative Musculoskeletal Research Lab aims to determine how the nervous, musculoskeletal and fascial systems interact to produce and influence movement and force production of the upper limb in healthy individuals and those with shoulder disorders to learn more about some of the projects going on in the lab and some of the students in the lab.

Veronica Silva

Contact: Veronica.Silva@umanitoba.ca

Research area: My research relates to the problem of falls in the aging population and how people use vision to keep their balance and walk safely. Vision provides crucial information about our surroundings that allows us to avoid obstacles, navigate on uneven terrains and even walk while engaged in another activity (e.g., talking, texting). The goal of my research is to understand how we use visual information to walk under varying conditions and how that changes as we age. URA students will assist with lab equipment setup, participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, while learning about 3D motion analysis, eye-tracking, visual attention, and aging.

Jonathan Singer

Contact: Jonathan.Singer@umanitoba.ca

Research area: My lab aims to understand how individuals control and maintain upright stability during normal activities of daily living and under situations that pose a considerable balance challenge. We use this information to identify the biomechanical factors that may lead to increased fall-risk among clinical populations, such as older adults and stroke survivors. The long-term goal is to use these findings to inform the development of exercise-based balance rehabilitation programs, targeted at an individual’s specific stability control challenges.

Shaelyn Strachan

Contact: Shaelyn.Strachan@umanitoba.ca

Research area: Over 40 years ago, Robert Butler, former director of the National Institute on Aging said, “If exercise could be packaged in a pill it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation” (1978). Since then, epidemiological and experimental evidence has further reinforced the value of exercise for health. It is well-accepted that when individuals engage in regular physical activity, they can have a substantial positive impact on their physical and mental health and well-being (Hardman & Stensel, 2009). Yet unlike simply swallowing a pill, regular physical activity is a challenging behaviour to adopt and maintain (Sallis et al., 2006). This legitimate challenge may explain why the vast majority of Canadians are not active enough to enjoy the health benefits physical activity has to offer (Colley et al., 2011). A variety of factors can help explain why many Canadians are not capitalizing upon this health intervention; it is important for me to acknowledge that the problem of physical inactivity is multifaceted. In my research, I focus primarily on one category of factors - psychological factors - that influence adherence to health behaviours (with a primary focus on physical activity). My research is mainly grounded in social-psychological theories and the concept of self. I employ observational and experimental designs to generate mainly quantitative but also qualitative data which I use to test theoretically-based hypotheses. Through this research, I aim to better understand how psychological factors influence people’s thoughts and feelings about and engagement in health behaviours. Springing from this more basic research, I also conduct intervention research to apply this basic research in real-world settings, in hopes of helping individuals lead more physically active lives.

Sarah Teetzel

Contact: Sarah.Teetzel@umanitoba.ca

Research area: Dr. Sarah Teetzel’s research in applied sport ethics focuses on the intersection of rules and values in sport. Current projects examine the impacts of whistleblower programs in the anti-doping movement and the inclusion of transgender athletes in sport and recreation.