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 President, 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.
Graduate Students
Brook Hadwen, PhD Candidate
Brook (she/her) is a doctoral candidate in the FAST lab. Brook has a 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 understanding how experiences and behaviours across the lifespan contribute to physical and mental health outcomes. During her PhD, Brook is examining the extent to which individuals with adverse childhood experiences engage in physical activity and whether physical activity may buffer the health consequences associated with childhood adversity. 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.
Maryam Sarfjoo Kasmaei, PhD Student
Maryam is a doctoral student in the FAST Lab at the University of British Columbia. She holds a Master of Health Sciences from the University of Northern British Columbia, where her research examined job satisfaction, stress, and mental health among long-term care aides during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also brings an interdisciplinary academic background in health sciences and engineering.
Maryam's research interests focus on the relationships between physical activity, stress, mental health, and health behaviour. Her long-standing involvement in squash as a player, coach, and provincial referee has further shaped her interest in understanding how physical activity can influence stress, resilience, and psychological wellbeing. She is particularly interested in how behaviour change and accessible physical activity interventions can support mental health and wellbeing across diverse populations. Outside of research, Maryam enjoys staying active, travelling, and exploring new places.
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.
Leo McHegg, MA Student
Leo (he/him) is a lab manager and research coordinator at the FAST Lab. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and has a keen interest in health behaviour promotion and statistical methods. Outside the lab, Leo enjoys running, reading non-fiction, and exploring new restaurants in Vancouver.
Staff
Portia Kuivi, Lab Manager
Portia Kuivi (she/her) is a Project Management Professional and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She's passionate about supporting and developing evidence-based interventions and programs that advance equitable healthcare and improve health outcomes for underserved and hard-to-reach populations. Her experience managing research projects spans clinical, behavioural science, and community-based settings. When not in the lab, you'll find her working her way through video games, taking spin classes, or working towards becoming a certified scuba diver.
Carson Wong, Research Coordinator
Carson (he/him) holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia and is interested in the intersection of exercise, social conditions, and health, with a passion for advancing health equity among underserved populations. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, cycling, running, and pottery.
Emily Godfrey, Research Coordinator
Emily (she/her) is excited to be joining the FAST Lab as a EURO student this summer. Her educational background is in Kinesiology, and she also works as a Research Assistant in Reproductive Mental Health at BC Children’s + Women’s Hospital. Outside of work, Emily enjoys volunteering with the BC Brain Wellness Program, where she helps lead ballroom dance classes for adults with Parkinson’s Disease and stroke. These experiences bring her a great deal of joy and purpose as she works toward a future career in medicine. Her dream is to become a psychiatrist supporting at-risk youth.
Joanna Noh, Project Coordinator
Joanna is a project coordinator at the FAST Lab, where she coordinates the TRACER (Transportation Responses: Affective, Cardiovascular, EEG, and Respiratory) study. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia, and her interest in how lifestyle factors such as stress, exercise, and sleep influence health and well-being developed during her internship in the Sports and Exercise Psychology Lab at Seoul National University. Outside of the lab, Joanna enjoys coaching golf, crocheting, and spending time with friends and family.
Laurel Takahashi, Research Coordinator
Laurel is an undergraduate student who has just finished her first year in the Faculty of Science. She is interested in psychology, neuroscience, and public health. Outside of classes and the lab, she enjoys reading, going to the gym, and hanging out with her cat.
Melody Pan, Research Coordinator
Melody is a third year undergraduate student studying Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences in UBC’s Faculty of Science. She is passionate about exercise and sport, especially in understanding how it intersects with her studies in Physiology. In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball, going for hikes, and baking pies.
Tomer Berko-Gabay, Research Coordinator
Tomer is in his final year of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia, specializing in the Neuromechanical and Physiological Sciences. He is passionate about exercise physiology, mental health research, oncology, and pediatrics, with a particular interest in how lifestyle and social factors influence long-term health outcomes. Outside of the lab, he enjoys running, strength training, and volunteering in programs that support youth living with chronic illness.
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 Student Gabriel Zieff, PhD Kyle Gooderham, PhD Jenna Farhoud, Research Coordinator Lara Vaziri, Research CoordinatorGraduate Student Directed Studies
Matthew Noseworthy – Directed Studies in Kinesiology (2021)
Nikol Grishin – Directed Studies in Kinesiology (2021)
Angelo Graffos – Directed Studies in Kinesiology (2019)