Lab Director
Eli Puterman, PhD
Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Physical Activity and Health (2015-2025) Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar (2016-2021) Associate Professor, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education Investigator, Healthy Starts Theme, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute Associate Editor, Health Psychology Scientific Advisory Board Member, John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation Executive Board Member, Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research Eli is passionate about supporting individuals to move their bodies more and to understand how movement can improve the healthspan and lifespan. He’s committed to walking the walk, and spends most of his free time walking his crazy dog with his husband, taking his son to parks, and working out in the gym.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Gabriel Zieff, PhD
Dr. Gabriel Zieff is a Killam and Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellow. He received his Master’s in Exercise Physiology and PhD in Human Movement Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gabriel’s broad research interests encompass the effects of lifestyle factors on cardiometabolic and mental health with an emphasis on the role of psychological stress as a contributing factor to disease states. Gabriel’s work at UBC examines how aerobic exercise may help promote healthy regulation of biological stress networks and improve mental health in adults who have experienced adverse childhood events. Gabriel is co-supervised by Dr. Joelle LeMoult in the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Laboratory within the UBC Department of Psychology.
Kyle Gooderham, PhD
Dr. Kyle Gooderham is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow supported by a Peter Wall Legacy Award. Kyle joined the School of Kinesiology after receiving his Master’s and PhD in Psychology from the University of British Columbia. His research integrates civil engineering, urban planning, kinesiology, and psychology to develop transportation infrastructure design that equitably attracts people to use sustainable modes of travel and fosters positive experiences. Kyle is co-supervised by Dr. Alex Bigazzi from the Department of Civil Engineering and School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia.
Graduate Students
Brook Hadwen, PhD Student
Brook (she/her) is a doctoral student in the FAST lab. Brook has Master of Science degree from Western University in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and completed her undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences at Western University. Her research interests include exploring how adverse childhood experiences affect physical activity habits, and how chronic stress may impair physiological responses to physical activity. Brook grew up as a competitive dancer, and also enjoys running and hiking.
Lizzy Gipson, PhD Student
Lizzy is a doctoral student in the FAST lab. She earned her Master of Science in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University, where she studied the circadian impact on fasting and metabolism and taught exercise physiology. Her research interest in lifestyle medicine is currently focused on the influence of outdoor exercise on mental and physical health, along with future intentions to be active. Outside of the lab, Lizzy enjoys hiking, spartan races, and reading fantasy novels.
Naomi Maldonado-Rodriguez, PhD Candidate
Naomi is a doctoral student in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia. She holds a Master of Science in Health and Exercise Sciences from the University of British Columbia Okanagan where she studied blood biomarkers of brain injury in women who have experienced intimate partner violence. She is interested in intersectional and participatory approaches to health promotion and equity, as well as mixed-methods, collaborative, and embodied approaches to health research.
Peter Zhao, PhD Student
Dr. Peter Zhao (MD, MHLP) is pursuing an interdisciplinary PhD co-supervised by Dr. Lillian Hung from the UBC School of Nursing. Peter's research sits at the crossroads of aging, exercise, technology, and dementia care, with a focus on creating meaningful, practical interventions that improve everyday life for older adults. Peter’s current work examines the combined impact of gamified exercise and reminiscence therapy to enhance motivation and support the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults living with dementia.
Isabella Ravaglia, MSc Student
Isabella (she/her) is an Ms.c. student in the lab. She is originally from California in the U.S. and holds a B.A. in Neuroscience from Bryn Mawr College. She is interested in how exercise influences the neurobiological response to stress and the role of the endocrine system in this process. When she is not in the lab, she enjoys distance running and exploring the nearby mountains.
Staff
Jenna Farhoud, Research Coordinator
Jenna is an undergraduate student in her fourth and final year in UBC’s School of Kinesiology. She is interested in learning about the intersection of physiology and psychology, with a focus on how physiological processes and psychological factors interact to shape health, performance, and overall well-being. Outside of her studies and time in the lab, Jenna enjoys hiking, spending time with her cat, and exploring new restaurants and cafés.
Lara Vaziri, Research Coordinator
Lara (she/her) is in her final year of the Honours Psychology program at the University of British Columbia and works as a WorkLearn student helping coordinate the PACE study in the lab. Her research interests focus on the intersection of health behaviors and psychopathology, with particular interest in how early life experiences may shape this relationship. After completing her B.A., Lara plans to pursue graduate training in Clinical Psychology to continue her research journey. Outside of academics, she enjoys working out, exploring the BC mountains, and spending time with friends.
Leo McHegg, Lab Manager
Leo (he/him) is a project manager at the FAST Lab. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and has a keen interest in the intersections between clinical and health psychology. Outside the lab, Leo enjoys running, reading non-fiction, and exploring the amazing Vancouver food scene.
Alumni
Nicole Mazara, PhD Student Luke Peddie, PhD Student Joshua Webster, MSc Student Benjamin Hives, PhD Student Nikol Grishin, Lab Coordinator Brook Haight, MSc Student Boaz Injege, MSc Student Hana Hicks, MSc Student Vincent Gosselin Boucher, Postdoctoral Fellow Sierra Moores, MSc Student Erica Bennett, Postdoctoral Fellow Anne Lasinsky, Postdoctoral Fellow Sarah Koch, Postdoctoral Fellow Renee Reimer, MSc Student Adam Caplin, MSc StudentGraduate Student Directed Studies
Matthew Noseworthy – Directed Studies in Kinesiology (2021)
Nikol Grishin – Directed Studies in Kinesiology (2021)
Angelo Graffos – Directed Studies in Kinesiology (2019)