People

Faculty

Dr. Liu-Ambrose has a leadership role in two major Canadian Institutes of Health Research initiatives in aging – the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA) and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA). Recognition of Dr. Liu-Ambrose’s research excellence include her national research chair award (Canada Research Chair), 2 national salary awards (Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada), 1 provincial salary award (Michael Smith Foundation of Canada), and 2 institution research excellent awards (Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement in Clinical Research and Peter Wall Scholar Award). She also received the Royal Society of Canada’s Alice Wilson Award as a postdoctoral fellow.

Dr. Liu-Ambrose is known internationally for her work in randomized controlled trials of exercise with cognitive and mobility outcomes in older adults. Her research findings have been implemented in health authorities, translated into a provincial-wide program, and influenced international practice guidelines to promote healthy aging.

Nárlon Cássio Boa Sorte Silva
PhD

CIHR and MSFHR/PARF Postdoctoral fellow
Department of  Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Nárlon Cássio Boa Sorte Silva is a postdoctoral research fellow in Dr. Liu-Ambrose’s lab. He received a PhD degree in Kinesiology from Western University in London, Ontario. Originally from Brazil, Narlon received a BSc degree in Physical Education from Nove de Julho University in São Paulo. The overarching goal of Narlon’s research is to investigate the impact of physical exercise on health outcomes in older adults at risk of dementia. In Dr. Liu-Ambrose’s lab, he is investigating whether exercise can prevent or slow down pathological processes affecting the white matter of the brain, in older adults with vascular cognitive impairment. He has established international collaboration in dementia research through the Vascular Cognitive Disorders Professional Interest Area (VPIA) within the Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART). His postdoctoral fellowship in Dr. Liu-Ambrose’s lab is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and a joint grant by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR)/Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation (PARF). Narlon is passionate about research, exercise, poetry, music, and Brazilian food.

Contact: narlon.silva@ubc.ca

Elizabeth Dao
PhD

Previously, Liz completed her BA (Hons) in Psychology at the University of British Columbia.  In her undergraduate training, she looked at the role of mind wandering in visual attention using event related potentials (ERPs) with Dr. Todd Handy. After completing her undergraduate degree, Liz worked as a coordinator on several research studies investigating the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in promoting neuroplasticity and motor recovery after stroke with Dr. Lara Boyd. Currently, Liz is a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose. Her PhD work focuses on the pathophysiology of small vessel ischemic disease and how it may affect cognitive and physical function in older adults. Specifically, Liz utilizes conventional and novel neuroimaging methods to assess the role of demyelination, white matter hyperintensities, and cerebral amyloid deposition in cognitive and physical impairments. In addition, her PhD work investigates the role of lifestyle interventions, such as aerobic exercise, in modifying small vessel ischemic pathology to improve clinical outcomes for older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Contact: lizdao@hiphealth.ca

Lisanne ten Brinke
PhD

Department of  Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Lisanne ten Brinke is a postdoctoral fellow supervised by Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose. During her PhD Lisanne focused on the effects of computerized cognitive training and exercise on cognitive function in healthy older adults and those at risk for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition to cognitive performance, she focused on neuroimaging outcomes such as resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging collected at multiple timepoints. Lisanne is originally from The Netherlands and loves all the outdoor opportunities British Columbia has to offer, such as (mountain) biking, beach volleyball, surfing, and snowboarding.

Contact: lisanne.tenbrinke@ubc.ca

 

Ryan Falck
PhD

Department of  Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Ryan Stanley Falck is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Physical Therapy. His research investigates how lifestyle can promote healthy cognitive aging in people at risk for cognitive decline. Major research foci include examining how physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep quality share an interactive relationship with cognitive health.

Contact: ryan.falck@hiphealth.ca

Guilherme Moraes Balbim
PhD

Department of  Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Guilherme (Gui) got his PhD in Kinesiology and Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Gui is from Brazil, where he received his BS and MSc in Physical Education from the State University of Maringá. During his PhD, his research interests revolved around increasing older Latinos‘ physical activity levels with dance interventions and examining its impact on the brain and cognitive health. In Dr. Liu-Ambrose‘s lab, in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency, Gui investigates the efficacy of exercise training in mitigating the effects of experimental bed rest on older adults’ cognitive function and brain health. The research also explores the underlying mechanisms by which both bed rest and exercise training impact cognitive function and its potential moderators. His postdoctoral fellowship is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). In his free time, Gui loves running, cooking, being outdoors, and exploring the city and nature. 

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PhD Trainees

Rachel Crockett
MSc

Rachel Crockett is a PhD student in the Rehabilitation Sciences program under the supervision of Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose. Previously, she completed her B.Sc. in Psychology and her M.Sc. in Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Birmingham in the UK. Her research focus is in motor neuroscience and the effect of exercise on the structure and function of the brain.

Contact: rachel.crockett@hiphealth.ca

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MSc Trainees

Matthew Noseworthy
B.Sc.

Matthew is a MSc student in the Neuroscience program under the supervision of Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose. Previously, he completed a BSc in Biochemistry (Honours and Co-op) and ran with the varsity cross-country running and track team at the University of Victoria. During his Honours and Co-op terms, Matt performed research in Dr. Brian Christie’s molecular neurobiology lab, Dr. Brad Nelson’s cancer immunotherapy lab, Dr. Katherine Elvira’s microfluidics lab, and Drs. Sandra Hundza and Marc Klimstra’s motion and mobility research lab. Broadly, Matt is interested in lifestyle and integrative approaches to cognitive and physical health and performance. His MSc project will assess the effect of exercise in a natural, outdoor environment versus a built, indoor environment on cognitive health in community-dwelling, older adults. Outside of the lab, Matt will be training and competing with UBC’s cross-country running team.

Contact: mattnose@alumni.ubc.ca

Ryan Stein
B.Kin.

 

Ryan Stein is a MSc Student in the Rehabilitation Sciences program and is under the supervision of Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose. He completed his BSc in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria under the supervision of Dr. Brian Christie in the UVic Concussion Lab.

Contact: rstein03@student.ubc.ca

Madison Welch
B.Kin.

 

Madison is a MSc student in the Rehabilitation Sciences program and is supervised by Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose. She previously completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology degree at the University of the Fraser Valley. Her research focuses on the role physical activity has in pregnancy.

Contact: madison.welch@hiphealth.ca

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Research Coordinators

Alexis Bullock
B.Sc., M.Kin.

Alexis completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Masters of Science in Kinesiology at McMaster University. In her spare time, Alexis enjoys mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and spending time in the great outdoors.

Sofia Grant
B.Sc.

Sofia completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary with a major in Exercise and Health Physiology. In her spare time, Sofia enjoys listening to music, spin classes, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

 

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Research Assistants

Patrick Chan
B.Sc.

Patrick completed his Bachelor of Science in Integrated Sciences at the University of British Columbia.  In the Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Health Lab, he is mainly working on the Buying Time Study. He has an interest in medicine, hoping to pursue a career as a geriatrician. In his spare time, Patrick also enjoys playing the piano, listening to music, running, hiking, and playing soccer.

Daria Tai
B.Sc.

Daria completed her Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia. She is currently working as a research assistant for various studies in the lab. She enjoys baking, hiking and swimming in her spare time, so much that she is also a swimming instructor and lifeguard.

Mij Santos
B.Sc.

Mij is an undergraduate Psychology student at the University of British Columbia. She is the Falls Prevention Clinic Admin Assistant. She supports the Falls Clinic Coordinator in her day-to-day work and assists with other research activities. She hopes to work in healthcare after graduation. In her free time, Mij likes watching movies, going to concerts, and visiting new places.

Randall Kwan
B.Kin.

Randall completed his Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia with hopes to pursue massage therapy in the future. He is one of the new exercise instructors who help out with the classes within the lab. In addition, Randall also spends his time scooping ice cream part time at his other job. Some of his hobbies include going to happy hour, photography, and volleyball.

Jasmine Sindhar
B.Kin.

Jasmine completed her Bachelor degree in Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia. She is currently working as a research assistant within the Factorial exercise studies and assisting in other exercise studies. After tearing her ACL and having a positive experience with physical therapy throughout her recovery, Jasmine became inspired to pursue physical therapy to provide the same if not better level of care for others. In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys hiking, weightlifting, and baking.

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Undergraduates

Daniel Backhouse

Daniel is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia completing his degree in Engineering Physics. Within the lab he works on pre-processing data for ongoing research studies. Daniel is interested in pursuing a career in medicine. In his spare time he enjoys playing piano, boxing and hiking.

Jean Oh

Jean is an undergraduate student pursuing a BSc Honours Degree in Integrated Sciences along with a Minor in Psychology. She is interested in conducting research that informs health interventions at the population scale, particularly for older adults. In the future, she aspires to work in healthcare. Some of her hobbies include teaching piano, hiking with her dog and searching the world for her next best bite.

Kat Loutet

Kat is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia completing her degree in Behavioural Neuroscience. She is also doing a minor in Spanish, and hopes to study abroad in Spain. Kat is a provincial team athlete and coach in the sport of Canoe / Kayak. In her free time she enjoys hiking, weightlifting, and baking.

George Gao

George is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree at the University of British Columbia, and hopes to pursue a career in the fields of physical or occupational therapy. In the lab, he is an exercise instructor for the RVCI and Factorial studies. He also works as a strength and conditioning coach at the UBC Varsity Gym. Outside of work and research, he enjoys weightlifting, biking, long-distance running, and basketball.

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Alumni

Masters Students

Kim Bennett, MSc
Tracy Dignum, PT, M.Ed
Walid Al Keridy, MD
Elizabeth Dao, B.A.
Lauren Marcotte, B.Sc.
Liang Hsu, B.Sc.
Lindsay Nagamatsu, B.A.

PhD Students

Liang Hsu, PhD
Lindsay Nagamatsu, PhD
Niousha Bolandzadeh, PhD
Jennifer David, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellows

Deborah Jehu, PhD

Glenn J. Landry, PhD

Jennifer Davis, PhD

Olav Kringolson, PhD

Anna Rita Egbert, PhD

John R. Best, PhD

Hyuma Makizako, PhD

Research Associates

John Best, PhD
Jennifer C Davis, PhD