Graduate Students
The Human Kinetics Graduate Students’ Association (HKGSA)
Aims of the Human Kinetics Graduate Students’ Association
- To represent, promote, and defend the interests of all registered full-time and part-time graduate students from the School of Human Kinetics at:
i) the University of Ottawa,
ii) the University of Ottawa’s Graduate Student Association (GSAÉD),
iii) School of Human Kinetics Council,
iv) School of Human Kinetics Graduate Studies and Research Committee, and
v) Faculty of Health Sciences Council.
- To promote interactions amongst Human Kinetics graduate students and professors through academic, social, and sporting activities.
- To assist Human Kinetic graduate students with academic and non-academic matters. This includes directing students towards the appropriate agencies or resources when necessary.
- To liaise with relevant external agencies in the field of Human Kinetics.
- To encourage and support interdepartmental graduate student activities in the Health Science fields.
2011-2012 Executive Committee
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Daniel Gagnon, President Daniel is currently a fourth year PhD student working under the supervision of Professor Glen Kenny, PhD. His current research examines if sex-related differences in local and whole-body heat loss responses are due to physical or physiological differences. Daniel’s responsibilities within the HKGSA include overseeing the general functions of the association, represent the Association in dealings with the GSÉAD, the University of Ottawa and all other internal and/or external bodies and chairing the association’s meetings. |
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Eva Guérin, VP of Executive Committee and Counsellors Eva is currently a third year PhD student working under the supervision of Professor Michelle Fortier, PhD. Her current research examines the influence of self-determined motivation and passion on the relationship between physical activity and well-being in active women with multiple roles. Eva’s responsibilities within the HKGSA include delegating and supervising tasks of the association councillors and executive members, retrieving emails from the HKGSA account and voicing opinions/concerns raised within these emails, and representing the association at the School of Human Kinetics’ council meetings. |
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Travis Saunders, VP Communications Travis Saunders is currently a third year PhD student working under the supervision of Professor Mark Tremblay, PhD. His research examines the relationship between sedentary behaviour (e.g. sitting) and chronic disease risk in children and youth. Travis’s responsibilities include taking minutes from the association’s meetings, sending emails to the association’s members, and representing the association at the School of Human Kinetics’ graduate council meetings. |
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Jill Stapleton, VP Finance Jill is currently a second year PhD student working under the supervision of Professor Glen Kenny, PhD. Her current research examines the effects of aging on local and whole-body heat loss mechanisms. Jill’s responsibilities include the proper management of the association’s funds, seeking internal and external funding strategies, and preparing a yearly budget for the association. She also represents the association at the Faculty of Health Sciences council meetings. |
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Jessica McNeil, VP Social Jessica McNeil is a first year PhD student working under the supervision of Professors Éric Doucet, PhD, and Jean-Philippe Chaput, PhD. Her research will examine the effects of the implementation of a physical activity regimen in short, normal and long-term sleepers on sleep quality, energy balance and food reward. Jessica’s responsibilities include acting as a social and sporting event manager, as well as leading event marketing and promotion strategies for the association. |
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Kylie McNeill, VP Academic Kylie is a second year PhD student working under the supervision of Professor Natalie Durand-Bush, PhD. Her research examines the implementation of a self-regulation intervention with coaches experiencing burnout. Kylie’s responsibilities involve organizing academic events, notably the annual graduate student research conference. She also represents the association at the council meetings of the University of Ottawa’s Graduate student association (GSAED). |
2011-2012 Association Council Members
The councillor positions are intended to appoint a student to represent each of the four study domains of the School of Human Kinetics. Their responsibilities within the HKGSA include acting as communication advisors for their respective study domain, promoting HKGSA events, and having the right to vote during the association’s council meetings.
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Biophysical Sciences Councillor Rick Mills is a 1st year PhD student working under the supervision of Professor Heidi Sveistrup, PhD. His research examines the maintenance of balance and posture, as well as gait analysis, in both clinical and sport settings. The main focus of his work over the next few years will investigate the effectiveness of using virtual reality as a rehabilitative modality in children with cerebral palsy, specifically utilizing the newly acquired CAREN platform system. |
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Psychosocial Sciences Councillor Rachel Levy is a 1st year MA Human Kinetics student with a Specialization in Womens Studies working under the supervision of Professor Christine Dallaire, PhD. Her research examines how female athletes perceive gender inequalities in physical activity. |
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Sport Management and Administration Councillor Ghazal Bandeh-Bahman is a first year student in the Master’s of Human Kinetics program (M.H.K.). |
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Intervention and Consultation in Sport Councillor Martin Poirier is a 1st year MSc student working under the supervision of Professor. Glen Kenny, PhD. His research will examine the effect of short-term heat acclimation on whole-body heat content in the younger and older population. |
