Sarah Benson
MSc Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Marta Erlandson
Research Theme: Female Athlete Health
Sarah's research focuses on female athlete health. Specifically, studying the relationship between psychological variables and bone quality.
Ryan Bilanski
PhD Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Kent Kowalski
Research Theme: Self-compassion, Identity, Transitioning out of sport
Ryan’s research examines the intersection of athlete identity (individual and social), performance, well-being, and self-compassion, with a particular focus on the transition out of sport. Grounded in self-compassion, mental health, and social identity frameworks, his work investigates how social connections and evolving identities shape athletes’ experiences of leaving competitive sport. Ultimately, he aims to design and implement proactive interventions that foster healthier, more supported transitions for athletes.
Evan Boechler
PhD Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Lee Schaefer
Research Theme: Indigenous Wellness
Evan’s research explores land-based learning and Indigenous youth wellness through narrative inquiry, focusing on how experiences on the land shape identity, belonging, and holistic health among youth in Northern communities.
Keira Dyck
MSc Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Leah Ferguson
Research Theme: Human Performance, Compassion, Coaching
Keira’s research focuses on the integration of compassion into women’s sport, with a specific focus on how coaches can create compassionate environments for women athletes to thrive. In addition to her research, she coaches girls basketball at the high school and provincial
Zahra Ghafouri
PhD Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Saija Kontulainen
Research Theme: Musculoskeletal Health in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes
Zahra’s multidisciplinary research project involves assessing the underpinning role of metabolic and hormonal factors in bone strength and development in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Research has shown that children with T1D sustain bone strength development deficits during their early childhood. One primary goal of the study is to reduce the fracture risk in pediatric T1D.
Kiley Grona
MsC Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Heather Foulds
Research Theme: Indigenous wellness, Cardiovascular health, Métis health, Culture
Kiley is a citizen of Métis Nation - Saskatchewan and a graduate student whose research explores cultural connectedness on CVD health determinants for Métis People. In partnership with Saskatoon Métis Local 126, Kiley's study is part of an ongoing collaboration focused on understanding how culture influences CVD outcomes. This work aims to inform culturally relevant interventions that support improved cardiovascular health within Métis communities.
Anya Jackson
MsC Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Natalie Houser
Research Theme: Physical Literacy & Child and Youth Health Development
Anya recently completed a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Honours) at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on creating physical literacy enriched movement opportunities and inclusive physical activity experiences for children and youth. During her undergraduate Honours Research Program, Anya conducted a qualitative study exploring elementary school students’ experiences in a circus arts club. This research highlighted how circus arts can support the development of physical literacy by fostering confidence, competence, motivation, and creativity. Her master’s research aims to explore how changes in instructional strategies and equipment will influence staff roles in supporting physical literacy and inclusive practices for children with neurodiversity during movement-based learning opportunities.
Karissa L. Johnson
PhD Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Leah Ferguson
Research Theme: Human Performance, Self-Compassion, Women Athletes, Implementation Science
Karissa is interested in making sport a safer space for women athletes. More specifically, she is interested in designing tools and programming to support women athletes’ capacity to thrive, and exploring how to enhance coach capacity to support the women they coach.
Yuta Katsumata
MsC Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Kent Kowalski
Research Theme: Human Performance
Yuta’s research focuses on exploring self-compassion as a protective factor against burnout and fear of re-injury among athletes. Yuta earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy and worked as a licensed physical therapist in Japan. Yuta is passionate about integrating physical therapy and sport psychology to help athletes and individuals maintain both physical and mental well-being.
Mohsen Keramati
PhD Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Saija Kontulainen
Research Theme: Falls, Fractures, Healthy Aging
PhD Candidate in Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada
MSc in Nutrition Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
BSc in Nutrition Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sterling Kerr
PhD Candidate
Supervisor: Drs. Kent Kowalski and Leah Ferguson
Research Theme: Human Performance
Sterling's research is focused on sport psychology and mental performance in competitive environments, and how improved athlete well-being and performance outcomes can be facilitated through the use of self-compassion interventions. Sterling also serves as an assistant coach with the Huskies men's soccer program.
M. Rafique Khan
PhD Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Corey Tomczak
Research Theme: Cardiovascular physiology during exercise
Patients with CHD exhibit brachial artery endothelial dysfunction, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. While patients with CHD experience general exercise intolerance, handgrip training is an alternative form of exercise that requires less physical effort and is known to improve brachial artery endothelial function. Thus, Rafique’s research aims to address whether handgrip training improves brachial artery endothelial function in patients with CHD.
Kevin Mageto
PhD Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Leah Ferguson
Research Theme: Healthy aging and management
Kevin Mageto’s research explores physical activity and chronic disease management, with a focus on underserved populations. His interests include healthy aging, equity and equality in health, and culturally grounded approaches to wellness. He is currently examining physical activity in Black adults living with type 2 diabetes in Canada. Kevin remains actively involved in the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program, promoting wellness among Indigenous youth across Saskatchewan and Canada. Outside of research, Kevin is an active member of the USask Huskies Rugby Club and plays provincial rugby in Alberta.
Amy Meyer
MSc Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Alison Oates and Dr. Heather Foulds
Research Theme: Biomechanics and Indigenous Wellness
Amy’s research focuses on describing the kinematics and kinetics of the Red River Jig (RRJ). The RRJ is a beneficial health intervention but is currently inaccessible to individuals with limited physical abilities (specifically lower limb pain). Her primary goal is to use the kinematic and kinetic data to create an adapted version of the dance, in hopes of improving its accessibility as a health intervention.
Sean-Eoin O'Byrne
MSc Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Joel Lanovaz
Research Theme: Human Performance & Functional Balance
Currently, Sean-Eoin is looking into the application of virtual haptic feedback on standing balance. This is new territory for him, and he is intrigued to see if it has implications for people who experience balance impairments. If this research could make even a marginal difference in someone's life, he would be overjoyed.
Jeremy Pynn
MSc Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Jon Farthing
Research Theme: Human Performance, Neuromuscular Physiology
Jeremy’s research focuses on how neuromuscular function and fatigue influence sport performance. Specifically, he’s interested in how vertical jump and strength tests can be used to monitor neuromuscular fatigue and performance changes across a competitive U-Sport season. Alongside his research, he works as a Strength and Conditioning coach with Huskie Athletics (volleyball, wrestling, track and field, cross country).
Parker Scott
PhD Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Jon Farthing
Research Theme: Neuromuscular Physiology, Strength Training, cross-education
Parker’s research focuses on the preservation of muscle strength and size following periods of lower limb immobilization.
Jessamy Sundby
MSc Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Kent Kowalski (MSc) / Dr. Heather Foulds (Research Assistant)
Research Theme: Self-Compassion, Indigenous Wellness
Jessamy’s master’s research, supervised by Dr. Kent Kowalski, will explore how intersecting identities shape self-compassion preferences and practices among competitive athletes. Her work looks to advance understanding of how various factors such as gender, culture, and athletic identity influence the way athletes relate to themselves in high-performance environments. As a research assistant with Dr. Heather Foulds, Jessamy also contributes to Indigenous wellness research, with her current work examining how Métis cultural connection supports health and wellbeing.
Omar Tohamy
MSc Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Saija Kontulainen
Research Theme: Musculoskeletal Health Exercise-induced bone growth
Omar’s research focuses on the impact of exercise and nutrition on bone health, with an emphasis on children with type 1 diabetes. The goal is to reduce the incidence of fractures during adolescence, with a long-term carryover into older age groups.
Ali Rezaei
MSc Candidate
Supervisor: Dr. Saija Kontulainen
Research Theme: Child and youth health and development
Ali Rezaei’s research focuses on musculoskeletal imaging and development in children and youth using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. As part of the Canadian Bone Strength and Development Study (CanBSDS), he investigates longitudinal changes in bone and muscle to better understand growth patterns, structural adaptations, and strength development. His patient-oriented research emphasizes children and youth living with chronic conditions such as Type 1 Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through this work, Ali aims to advance understanding of musculoskeletal health and inform early prevention strategies. He holds a BSc in Occupational Therapy and an MSc in Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises.
Stacey Woods
Post Doctoral Fellow
Supervisor: Dr. Adam Baxter-Jones
Research Theme: Growth and Development
Stacey’s research examines changes in muscle function, activation, and structure throughout the lifespan. Using advanced surface electromyography decomposition techniques, Stacey has gained insights into how motor unit recruitment and discharge strategies differ between children and adults. Currently, as part of the Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study, Stacey focuses on how physical activity and diet affect lean tissue mass development during childhood and adulthood. Additionally, Stacey explores whether lean tissue mass development during childhood and adulthood influences the preservation of lean tissue mass into early and late adulthood.