Meet our researchers

Owen Swan, BKin

Faculty supervisor: Alison Pritchard Orr

Project #1: Older Adults Subjective Experiences of Quality of Life While Participating in a University-Run Cycling Without Age Program

Project #2: Dementia in the Outdoors: Exploring the Mechanisms of Engagement

"For both studies, I’ve been involved in methodology development and data collection, data analysis, and knowledge dissemination. It's been great being able to participate in community-based research that has the potential to make a substantial difference in the lives of the older adult population in the Fraser Valley and beyond. My involvement in this research also led to my interest in pursuing a career in Physiotherapy as it increased my interest in the well-being of older adults and reinforced the importance of restoring and/or maintaining mobility and independence for seniors as they age."

Anoop Bhatti

Faculty supervisor: Gillian Hatfield

Project: The Effect of a Group Exercise Intervention on Muscle Activation Patterns in People with Knee Osteoarthritis

"I was involved in the baseline and follow-up testing for a clinical intervention. This included measuring muscle activity during walking using surface electromyography, measuring knee strength using isokinetic dynamometry, and conducting a clinical test of dynamic balance. The things I found most important about this experience were working with a clinical population and gaining hands-on experience with research assessments and testing procedures. My favorite part has been seeing participants return for their follow-up appointments and observing the significant improvements not only in their clinical metrics, but also in their overall quality of life."

Rida Khan

Faculty supervisor: Shelley Canning

Project: Building Age and Dementia Curriculum to Address Ageism and Support Development of Meaningful Intergenerational Connections

"As a research assistant, I have the opportunity to synthesize and extract meaningful findings from data and literature, as well as contribute ideas to the planning and implementation of the project. What I found most valuable about this experience was seeing how the research process can actively create strong community connections and inspire participants to become aware of the importance they hold in our society. It strengthened my appreciation for collaborative research and showed me the importance of building connections through healthcare and academia."

Emma Tremblay

Faculty supervisor: Kristina Gicas

Project: SMART-AD

"I joined this study as a volunteer Research Assistant. My role involves contacting individuals interested in participating, confirming their eligibility for the study, and coordinating suitable times for them to attend data collection sessions with trained Research Assistants. Through this experience, I have seen how many individuals are enthusiastic about contributing to research at UFV, which has been especially meaningful to witness. It’s wonderful to see how strong community involvement helps to advance research."

Makaela Gelowitz, BScN

Faculty supervisor: Shelley Canning

Project #1: Dementia-Friendly Cancer Care

Project #2: Dementia Destigmatization in Elementary Classrooms

"Having the opportunity to immerse myself in the research process has been an incredibly valuable experience that has strengthened my passion for research and highlighted the important role it plays in improving patient care. Learning about dementia care through these projects has broadened my understanding of the experiences that individuals living with dementia and their families face. As I move forward in my career as a registered nurse, this knowledge will help me provide compassionate, person-centered care, advocate for dementia-friendly practices, and better support patients and their families as they navigate the challenges associated with dementia."