About Us
The research team May 2022
The research team December 2020
The research team September 2019
Part of the 2019 BMED research team
The BMED lab research team in 2016
Who is in the BMED Lab?
The BMED lab was created in 2004 by Dr. Ryan Rhodes. The lab complement includes administration staff, research project coordinators, and postdoctoral, doctoral, masters, and undergraduate trainees focused on conducting research in the domain of physical activity and population health.
Lab members promote a positive, encouraging, supportive, and collaborative working environment with lab meetings, workshops, and social events that serve to advance knowledge exchange, learning, and experience.
Professor, Director Behavioural Medicine Lab
School of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education, Cross-listed Faculty Psychology Department
Contact
Room 189, McKinnon Building
rhodes@uvic.ca
250-721-8384
Dr. Ryan E Rhodes is a Professor in the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, cross-listed Professor in the Department of Psychology, and Director of the Behavioural Medicine Lab (BMED) at the University of Victoria. His primary area of research is on the psychology of physical activity and sedentary behaviour with an applied focus of physical activity promotion during early family development.
Dr. Rhodes is an expert on the intention-behaviour gap and studies how to link intention to action and physical activity. Based on this research, his team has developed the multi-process action control framework which focuses on effective ways to turn good intentions into action. He is also interested in determining the behavioural and psychological aspects of physical activity and population health. Click here to read more about Dr. Rhodes' research interests. For a complete profile of his research, please see publications, abstracts, invited presentations and keynotes, and presentations. For information about research funding, please click grants and awards.
Dr. Rhodes teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in health psychology and behavioural medicine. In his class, he shows students that community participation and engagement are an important part of research. Find the courses Dr. Rhodes teaches here.
Educational Qualification:
- Ph.D. Behavioural Medicine University of Alberta (2001)
- M.A. Exercise Psychology University of British Columbia (1998)
- B.A. Psychology University of British Columbia (1996)
Professional Affiliation:
- Professor, Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, UVic
- Director, Behavioural Medicine Lab, UVic
- Graduate Program Director, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education
- Cross-listed Faculty, Psychology Department, UVic
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Manitoba
- Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Toronto
- Adjunct Professor, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Australia
- Supervisory Professor, Griffith University, Australia
- Affiliated Researcher, Island Health
Fellowships and Distinctions:
- Fellow, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
- Fellow, Society of Behavioral Medicine
- Fellow, Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research
- Fellow, Royal Society of Canada
- Co-Editor-In-Chief at Psychology and Health
- Associate Editor, Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews
Sandy Courtnall
Research Coordinator & Lab Manager
My name is Sandy and I joined the Behavioral Medicine lab in June of 2014. Prior to this I spent 10 years as a Research Coordinator at the Institute of Applied Physical Activity & Health, University of Victoria working on various Community Based Research Projects involving the overall well-being and health of BC Youth.
I am currently the Lab Manager for the Behavioural Medicine lab as well as the Research Coordinator for the following two(2) studies:
The All in the Family Study is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council which explores the impact of different levels of education for family functioning and physical activity.
The Family Physical Activity Study which is funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada which focuses on promoting habit formation in family physical activity.
When not working in the lab I can usually be found either outside hiking, biking, running etc. or instructing a variety of fitness/weight training classes for youth, adults & seniors :)
Rachel Mallinson
Research Coordinator
My name is Rachel Mallinson and I joined the lab in January 2025! I am currently coordinating the following two studies:
(1) Active Together Study - Funded by the Canada Cancer Society
(2) We are an Active Family Study - Funded by Diabetes Canada
I was born in the UK and moved to Victoria, BC from Calgary, AB in 2019 for my undergraduate studies. I completed my BSc in Psychology with Honours here at the University of Victoria from 2019 to 2023, where my thesis explored gender differences in psychopathology and relationship functioning.
Before joining the BMED lab, I worked as Lab Coordinator for Dr. Woodin’s Healthy Relationships Lab and am also a proud coordinator of research and marketing for WellIntel, a Vancouver-based wellness education company. My work has primarily focused on applying evidence-based psychological practices to foster healthier, more supportive environments, particularly for neurodiverse populations. When I'm not working, you'll find me exploring the beautiful outdoors of Vancouver Island, reading a book, or playing a cozy video game.
Alfred Lee
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
My name is Alfred, and I’m from Hong Kong. I completed my PhD at The University of Hong Kong in 2020, where I focused on applying psychological theories to develop innovative mHealth applications. Afterward, I worked as a post-doctoral fellow at The Education University of Hong Kong, designing interventions to enhance the well-being of kindergarten educators and parents, which positively impacted their students’ physical and mental health. I later became a research assistant professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, focusing on physical activity interventions to support preschool children with specific learning difficulties. My research explores psychosocial, motivational, and social-cognitive factors that influence well-being. Alongside my research, I teach health psychology, public health promotion, and mental training techniques, while supervising student research. As a postdoctoral fellow in the BMED lab, I will be working on the All in the Family project, where we will examine the effectiveness of family physical activity interventions on family functioning. Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, hiking, and kayaking.
Carol Brennan
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
My name is Carol and I am excited to join the Behavioural Medicine Laboratory team here in UVic. I am from Ireland have a BA in Physical Education and Maths from the University of Limerick, followed by a MBs from the Irish Management Institute. After holding a position as a company director for 13 years, I undertook an MSc in Sports Management and in 2020. I have recently completed a PhD in physical activity related behaviour at University College Dublin. My PhD research focused on pre-teen girls and their mothers, where we used co-design methods to develop a theory-informed mHealth intervention prototype for mothers and daughters. As a postdoctoral fellow in the BMED lab will be working on the VR FIT trial where we will examine the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) exercise on physical and mental health outcomes. In my free time I like to go to the gym, walk my dog and coach adolescent girls field hockey.
Alyssa Manankil-Lakusta
Master's Student
After moving to Victoria from Toronto in 2013 and almost 8 years of undergraduate study, I am excited to finally be pursuing my Master’s (Fall 2021). Before joining the BMED Lab, I obtained Bachelor's degrees in Psychology (UVic ’17) and Kinesiology (Camosun ’20). My previous research experience includes designing and executing an applied research study investigating the environmental factors of fatigue and resilience in aerial firefighting pilots. I am fascinated by the mind-body connection and want to understand how movement impacts the psyche, whether it’s through research or exploring holistic approaches to health management. Outside of my studies, you can find me participating in various types of volunteer work, spending time on the mats doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or planning my next road-trip adventure.
Avishan Ghorbani
Master's Student
Hello my name is Avi! I graduate with a BA in Psychology at UBC and am excited to be a new member of the Behavioural Medicine Lab here at UVic. My research focus is very psychology invested, and I'm currently exploring Exercise Addiciton in an attempt to understand the underlying mechanisms that are at work and that help to sustain detrimental habits and health behaviours. I plan to bridge my research into a Clinical Psychology degree in the near future. When I am not in school, I enjoy going for runs in the warm weather and visiting art exhibits!
Emily Magel
Master's Student
Hi there! My name is Emily, and I will be pursuing my M.A in Kinesiology through the BMED Lab this fall, 2021! After completing my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Ottawa, I have spent the last two years putting my undergraduate research into practice through my coaching and personal training career. I’m excited to be joining Dr. Rhodes research team and continue learning more about health behaviour change theory. My research will focus on the psychological factors that influence the mindset behind athletic adversity, athletic achievement, and maintaining physical activity when faced with environmental barriers. Outside of the lab you can find me at the gym, in the forest, or by the ocean.
Harvey Zhang
Master's Student and Research Assistant
My name is Harvey, and I am a fourth-year Kinesiology student at UVic. I started helping out at the BMED lab in the fall of 2021. It has been truly inspirational as I gained knowledge and experience in accelerometry, literature review, and data collection. Working in the lab, I became fascinated by how different interventions could help people change their mindset, behavior, and adherence to physical activity, thus promoting healthy living. I am very fortunate to be a part of a wonderful and welcoming team, and I am thrilled to learn and contribute more here in the future. I enjoy watching basketball games in my free time, and you can catch me playing basketball at CARSA.
Heather Hollman
Doctoral Student
I’m excited to be joining the BMED lab this coming fall of 2020. My passion for research stems from my clinical experience as a chiropractor where I managed a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. During my clinical work, I became aware of gaps in the literature regarding musculoskeletal care and was led to pursue a Master of Rehabilitation Science degree. My master’s research focussed on running-related injury prevention knowledge and behaviours. For my PhD, I will be exploring the optimization of participation in regular physical activity by postpartum women suffering from lumbopelvic pain. Outside of the lab, I can be found chasing after my toddler and border collie/aussie shepherd, hopefully somewhere in a forest, on a beach, or up a mountain.
Henry La
Web Developer and Research Assistant
I graduated from UVic in the summer of 2017 and started working with BMed Lab in May 2017 and worked as a Research Assistant and web developer for the lab. My work mostly consisted of helping researchers build online intervention programs to help people improve their lifestyles. Working in the lab not only helped me improve my web development skills but working around health specialists helped me learn a lot about being healthy and become more active. Outside of the lab, I work as a freelance web developer/designer helping small local businesses improve their online presence, and some of my hobbies are biking, hiking, boxing, and kick-boxing.
Joe Barton
Master's Student and Research Assistant
Hi, my name’s Joe! I graduated from UVic with a B.A. in psychology and am very excited to be starting my M.A. in kinesiology with the BMED lab this September. Coming from a psychology background, my research interests mainly focus on the psychological tools that can help people overcome the common problems that arise when starting/maintaining health behaviour change. Outside of school I enjoy playing sports with friends, watching movies, and finding new spots to eat.
Chris Graham
Master's Student
I started working at the Behavioural Medicine Lab as fitness tester while I was at Camosun College getting my Kinesiology degree and am starting a Masters degree in the fall of 2023. My research interests are in the area of youth health, chronic disease management and resistance training, particularly how these areas intersect. As a paddling coach and personal trainer, I have worked with a broad spectrum of individuals from children to seniors, including competitive athletes and people living with chronic health conditions. Outside of school I enjoy paddling, weightlifting and board games.
Sarah Hough
Master's Student
Hello!! My name is Sarah, and I joined the BMED lab in January of 2023. I am a uOttawa BSc Human Kinetics graduate and have a minor in psychology. I moved to the island in September of 2021 to pursue an internship at the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific and ended up falling in love with Victoria and studying psychology within the scope of sport and exercise! I come from a competitive figure skating background, and am extremely passionate about how physical activity or certain sports have a relationship with body-image and well-being. Outside of the lab, I work as a perosnal trainer and enjoy to go out with friends, try new things, eat lots of yummy foods and spend time outdoors!
Sophie Alexander
Master's Student
I’m from Calgary, Alberta, and I recently completed my undergraduate degree in psychology, specializing in social and personality psychology, at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. My research focused on comparing rock climbing to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a way to support people with mental health challenges.
I joined the lab in the fall of 2024 and am now pursuing a master’s degree in kinesiology. I am excited to learn more about other disciplines outside of psychology. My research interests center around using exercise to improve mental health and exploring strategies to encourage people to engage in physical activity. Outside of my academic work, I teach kids climbing at Boulder House. My hobbies include reading, playing cards, and spending time with friends and family.
Evie Streight
Research Coordinator (2022-2025)
Colin Wierts
Post Doctoral Fellow (2023-2024)
Brad Rudner
Master's Student (2023-2024)
Amy Cox
Research Coordinator (2018-2022)
Samantha Gibson
Master's Student (2021-2023)
Yoah Sui
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2021-2023)
Aleah Ross
Master's Student (2020-2023)
Stina Grant
Master's Student; Project Coordinator (2015-2022)
Alexandra Soanes
Research Assistant (2020-2022)
Brittany Atkins
Research Assistant (2021-2022)
Josh Palmer
Research Assistant (2018-2022)
Michael Smith
Research Assistant (2020-2022)
Peter Filice
Research Coordinator (2022)
Erla Hjartar
Visiting International Research Student (2021-2022)
Katie Dzynel
Research Assistant (2020-2021)
Richele Alde
Fitness Tester (2021)
Savana Godfrey
Fitness Tester (2020-2021)
Sara Paziraei
Master's Student (2017-2021)
Riana Rajaram
Master's Student (2018-2021)
Reza Sayar
Master's Student (2019-2021)
Aimee Harrison
Master's Student (2017-2021)
Anika Todd
Master's Student (2018-2021)
Bianca DeSilva, MSc
Research Trial Coordinator (2020-2021)
Alison Quinlan, MSc
Research Coordinator (2011-2021)
Alexander Lithopoulos
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2018-2020)
Erin Patrick
Fitness Tester (2019-2020)
Quinn Fitzgerald
Research Assistant (2020)
Madeline Juba
Master's Student; Project Coordinator (2017-2020)
Amy Cox
Research Coordinator (2019-2020)
Emily Medd
Project Coordinator (2017-2019)
Jessica Alkana
Recruitment Officer (2016-2020)
Savanna Malli
Research Assistant (2019-2020)
Dayna Clarke
Research Assistant (2019-2020)
Erica Somer
Recruitment Officer (2018-2019)
Maria Baranova
Research Assistant (2018-2019)
Casandra Noble
Fitness Tester (2018-2019)
Christina McLean
Fitness Tester/Research Assistant (2014-2019)
Raven Loucks
Research Assistant (2017-2019)
Cassandra Husband, MSc
Master's Student (2016-2018)
Claire Sauvage-Mar, MSc
Master's Student (2016-2017)
Annie Walters
Recruitment Officer (2017-2018)
Patrick Boudreau, MA
Master's Student (2016-2017)
Maeve Hodge, BSc
Research Assistant (2014-2017)
Allison Rodway
Fitness Tester (2015-2017)
Joy Egilson
Fitness Tester (2016-2017)
Justin Wolfe
Fitness Tester (2015-2016)
Clarise Lim, MSc
Master's Student (2012-2017)
Samantha Gray, MSc
Master's Student (2015-2017)
Alison Haynes
Fitness Tester (2015-2016)
Hannah Flahr
Fitness Tester (2015-2017)
Navin Kaushal, MSc
PhD graduate student (2011-2016)
Megan Webb (2014-2015)
Recruitment Officer
Chet Mistry (2012-2015)
PhD student
Christopher Yao
Master's student
Shabnam Almasi
Research assistant (2014 - 2015)
Olivia Romalis
Work study student (2014)
Andrew Kates
Research assistant/fitness tester (2013-2014)
Erica Crowe
Fitness tester/research assistant (2013-2014)
Molly Hulbert
Recruitment Officer (2014)
Cara Temmel
Research Assistant (2009-2014)
Kristina Kowalski, PhD
PhD graduate student (2011-2014)
Natalia Zapotoczny
Research Assistant 2013-2014
Greg Mulligan, MSc
Former Laboratory Coordinator 2013
Holly Murray, BSc
Former Laboratory Coordinator (2004-2013)
Katrina Laquian
Research assistant 2013
Janine Sigurdson
Research assistant 2012
Alisha Witter
Research assistant 2012
Kathryn Moncks
Research assistant 2012
Alex Anderson
Research assistant 2010
Rachel Blacklock, MSc
Master's student 2004-2007
Megan Buchholz
Research assistant 2010-2011
Naomi Casiro, BSc
Undergraduate Co-op student 2008-2010
Kim Choy, BSc
Research assistant 2010-2011
Alexandra Coates
Research assistant 2010-2012
James Coble, MA
Master's student 2003-2005
Anna-Marie de Zwager, BSc
Research assistant & Project coordinator 2009-2010
Leanne Dickau, MSc
Project coordinator 2009-2011
Jelena Dukic, MA
Project coordinator 2010-2012
Bonnie Fiala, MA
Master's Student 2007-2010
Amanda Frazer, BSc
Research assistant 2009-2010
Keri Fuchko, BSc
Research assistant 2010
Lindsay Grainger-Frost, BSc
Research assistant 2010
Lizette Greyling, BA
Research assistant 2010-2011
Krista Hoffert, BSc
Undergraduate student (directed study) 2006-2007
Rosie Hsu, BSc
Research assistant 2010
Olivia Hughes, BA
Research assistant 2011-2012
Marc Jacobson, MSc
Project Coordinator 2010-2011
Alyssa Jesson, BA
Research assistant 2010-2011
Kelly Kerr
Research assistant 2010-2011
Megan Kirk, MA
Master's student 2008-2010
Aviva Kliman, MA
Master's student 2003-2006
Rachel Mark, MA
Master's student 2007-2009
Research coordinator 2009-2010
Kevin McDowall
Research assistant 2010-2011
Carolyn McIntyre, MScPT
Master's student 2004-2006
Alyssa OConnor, MA
Research assistant 2008-2009
Gabriella Nasuti, MSc
Project Coordinator 2008-2010
Research Coordinator 2010-2012
Alyssa OConnor, MA
Research assistant 2008-2009
Danielle Olmstead, BKin
Research Assistant 2011-2012
Mika Oshige, MA
Website development & maintenance 2009-2011
Thalia Parkinson, MSc
Project Coordinator 2007-2008
Leila Pfaeffli, MSc
Project coordinator 2008-2009
Research Coordinator 2009-2010
Rachel Phillips, PhD
Research assistant 2010-2011
Gregory Rickwood, MA
Research assistant 2010
Eleanor Rushton, BSc
Research assistant 2009-2010
Felicity Scott-Klimstra, BSc
Undergraduate Honours student 2007-2008
Nicole Smith, MSc
Master's student 2005-2007
Evan Thomas, BSc
Research assistant 2009-2010
Linda Trinh, MA
Project coordinator 2005-2008
Lori Horne
PhD student (2011-2013)
Karlie Windatt, BA
Research Assistant 2011-2012