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
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, Research Coordinator
Joanna is a research coordinator at the FAST Lab, where she helps coordinate the TRACER and PACE studies. 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.
Leo McHegg, Lab Manager
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.
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 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)