Program: MPT/PhD (Rehabilitation Sciences)
Year in Program: Year 1 for MPT, Year 2 for PhD
My lab does research to understand how exercise, physical activity, and physical therapy can improve cancer survivors’ quality of life and wellbeing. Growing up, several of my family and friends had cancer. Seeing how much their lives were affected made me want to pursue a career path to help those living with and beyond cancer. This goal, in tandem with my background as an athlete and undergraduate degree in kinesiology, drew me to the combined MPT/PhD program, which presents a great opportunity to bridge clinical practice and research. The exercise oncology field has grown a lot over the past decade or so, and it has been really exciting and motivating to be part of that progress. I’m constantly learning from those around me (both in my lab and in other labs) and challenging myself, which is everything I could have asked for in a graduate degree.
I completed my Master of Science degree at UBC in 2020 and chose to pursue further graduate work here due to the caliber of my peers and faculty, positive and supportive atmosphere of my lab and program, and beautiful location of the university.
My PhD research involves understanding how best to deliver physiotherapy for people who have received treatment for breast cancer, with a goal to help prevent and treat any shoulder and arm issues they may be experiencing. More broadly, I’m interested in using physical activity and exercise to improve the quality of life, function, and wellbeing of those living with and beyond cancer, especially regarding how to move this evidence into practice.
Learn to surf and climb a fourteener – a mountain with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet – in Colorado.