Sam Liu, PhD 
Lab Director
My research interest is to promote health and physical activity using innovative digital technology (e.g. Internet, mobile phones, social media). Specifically, the first area of my research focuses on developing and evaluating the effectiveness of digital communication technology to help individuals prevent chronic diseases and improve their health. The second area of my research focuses on finding innovative ways to monitor and predict lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes using big data (i.e. social media data) in order to better target and personalize digital health interventions.
Educational Qualifications
Post-Doctoral Fellow: University of California Los Angeles (2016)
Ph.D. Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto (2015)
M.Sc. Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto (2010)
Bachelor of Physical and Health Education - Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto (2008)
Contact
Office: MCK 124
samliu@uvic.ca
250-721-8392
Current Team Members
Click on a name or photo for more information about their research and contact information.
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Reda Alqatari, BSc MSc Student
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Honours Student |
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Research Assistant |
Rebecca Jantzen, BSc (Hons), MSc Research Lab Manager |
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Developer |
Liam O'Malley, BSc MSc Student Research Area: Artificial Intelligence and Physical Activity |
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Natasha Tat, BASc MSc Student Research Area: Virtual Reality health interventions |
Amanda Willms, BA, MSc PhD Candidate Research Area: mHealth and Financial Incentives |
Cameron Trim, MSc (2025)
Research Area: mHealth to Support Physical Activity with IBD
Sharan Srinivasa Gopalan, MSc, MSc, BTech (2024)
PhD Candidate
Anna Sui, PhD (2023)
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Rebecca Coulter, MSc (2023)
Research Area: Wearable Devices and Physical Activity Motivation
Allison Plamondon (2023)
Research Assistant
Josie Chrenek (2023)
Research Assistant
Brenda Adams, MEd, BSc (2023)
PhD Candidate
Kayla Nuss, PhD (2022)
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Jeann Buenafe (2022)
Research Coordinator
Alyssa Roehrich, MSc (2022)
Project: Smartphone Addiction and Well-being in Adolescents: Testing the Mediating Role of Self-Regulation and Attention
Sam Lapusniak, MSc (2022)
Project: Physical Activity Promotion in Children Using a Novel Smartphone Game
Bianca DeSilva, MSc (2021)
Research Coordinator
Amanda Willms, MSc (2021)
Project: Financial Incentives for Physical Activity and Heart Health
Utkarsh Patadia (2021)
Developer
Rafay Chaudhry (2021)
Developer
Keatton Tiernan (2021)
Undergraduate BSc Student
Ronak Sheikhi (2021)
Undergraduate BSc Student
Nick Smith (2021)
Research Assistant
Megan Perdew (2021)
Research Coordinator
Parm Johal (2020)
Web Developer
Utkarsh Patadia (2020)
Web Developer
Kahvi Patel (2020)
Web Developer
Dimas Adiputranto (2020)
Project: A Feasibility Study Evaluating a Family-Centered Web-Based Intervention to Promote Physical Activity Among Children
Si Ning Yeo (2019)
Research Assistant
Francisco Colino, PhD (2019)
Project: Evaluating the accuracy of wearable technologies measuring physical activity in older adults
Isabela Marques, PhD (2019)
Project: Physical activity interventions for older adults and children using mobile health
Chloe Paradiso
Project: Assess the validity and accuracy of wearables in measuring physical activity and heart rate
Brian Chan (2018)
Project: Monitor physical activity level using social media data
Danielle Fransen (2018)
Project: Evaluating the effects of cell phone use on the student's academic performance
David Doo (2018)
Project: Assessing methods of using social media data to predict depression
Meagan Pelletier (2018)
Project: Evaluating gamification strategies in web-based interventions aimed to promote physical activity among adults