People

Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose
PhD, PT

Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD, PT, is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, and Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity, Mobility, and Cognitive Health. She is the Research Director of the Vancouver General Hospital Falls Prevention Clinic (www.fallsclinic.ca) and Director of the Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Health Laboratory (https://cogmob.rehab.med.ubc.ca). Dr. Liu-Ambrose is an associate member of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.

Postdoctoral Fellows

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

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

Rebeca Hernández Gamboa
MSc

Rebeca is a licensed psychologist and current doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose. She received her MSc on Human Movement Sciences at the University of Costa Rica, specializing on lifestyle factors that influence cognitive ageing. Her research has been mainly focused on the effect of resistance training on cognitive function, and the relationship between changes on physical and cognitive outcomes during ageing. Rebeca’s doctoral studies will explore sex differences in exercise efficacy in improving cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Contact: rebecahg@student.ubc.ca

 

Matthew Noseworthy
B.Sc.

Matthew is a PhD 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

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MSc Trainees

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

Jammy Zou
B.Sc.

Jammy is a MSc student in the Rehabilitation Sciences program under the supervision of Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose. He previously completed a BSc in Kinesiology at McGill University and participated in Exercise Psychology research investigating the effects of peer-models on exercise self-efficacy. One of his favourite courses during his undergraduate degree was musculoskeletal and visceral anatomy because it gave him the opportunity to appreciate the complexity of the human body. Outside of the lab, he enjoys any type outdoor activity especially when the activity involves being surrounded by nature. Although he prefers the snow over rain, he is happy to have left the cold winters in Montreal.

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Research Coordinators

Alexis Bullock
B.Sc., M.Sc.

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 the Clinic Coordinator for the Falls Prevention Clinic. She enjoys baking, hiking and swimming in her spare time; she is also a swimming instructor and lifeguard.

Mij Santos
B.A.

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.

Lauren Middlemass

Lauren is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia completing her degree in Kinesiology. After her degree, she hopes to pursue a career in the rehabilitation and/or healthcare field. Outside of work, school and volunteering, she enjoys hiking, skiing and dancing.

Yun Lau

Yun is an undergraduate student completing her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. She enjoys spending time with older adults and helping them stay active. In her spare time, she likes dragon boating, biking and drinking tea.

Magalee Blumenkrans

Magalee is currently completing her undergraduate degree in the UBC Faculty of Kinesiology. Within the lab, she is working as a student assistant for research exercise interventions. When Magalee is not working or studying she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her friends by foot, kayak, or bike, reading, listening to music, and oil painting.

Christine Seo

Christine completed her Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia. She started as a volunteer for the Factorial exercise classes and is now working as an assistant in the Falls Prevention Clinic, helping prepare for patient visits and collecting data for the research aspect of the clinic. In her spare time, Christine loves exploring cities and traveling to new places.

Brandon Gatchalian

Brandon is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia completing his degree in Kinesiology. He is an exercise instructor for the RVCI and Factorial studies. Outside of the lab, he enjoys traveling and listening to music.

Cindy Sha

Cindy is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree at the University of British Columbia, and hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics medicine. Cindy also works as a coach and volunteer with children with disabilities. Outside of academia, she plays rugby for UBC and enjoys teaching her cat new tricks, including going outside for walks together.

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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