Learn about what others have chosen to study and do through this innovative program.
If you are a KAHS alumni, we would love to share your profile on this page. Please email us at kahs@yorku.ca.
Alumni List
PhD 2019
Dissertation Title: Generalization of Motor and Sensory Changes in Motor Learning
- MEd in Physical Education (2009, Mansoura University)
- PhD (2019) in Kinesiology and Health Science with Dr. Denise Henriques
- Research focused on examining how changes in hand localization reflect mainly proprioceptive recalibration of the hand
- Is currently an Assistant Professor at Mansoura University, as well as a Visiting Research Fellow at Justus Liebig University Giessen
MSc 2021
Thesis Title: The Effects of Target-Distractor Competition on the Oculomotor System
- BSc in Biological Physics and Mathematics (2019, York University)
- MSc (2021) in Kinesiology and Health Science and Graduate Diploma in Neuroscience (2021) with Dr. Mazyar Fallah
- Research focused on saccadic eye movements and the corresponding neural circuits involved in a target selection process
- Is currently a Research Coordinator at Sunybrook Health Sciences Centre
PhD 2013
Dissertation title: Dissertation title: Investigating molecular mechanisms by which shear stress regulates endothelial cell function in skeletal muscle
Cassandra completed her BSc, MSc, and PhD in Kinesiology and Health Science at York, under the supervision of Dr. Tara Haas. Cassandra currently works as a medical writer at Sage Medica, a medical communications company in Toronto.
PhD 2023
Title of Dissertation: Exploration of the Mitochondria as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Catherine Bellissimo is a postdoctoral researcher at the University Health Network, where she works with Dr. Ewan Goligher to understand how critical illness affects respiratory and skeletal muscles. She completed her PhD at York University with Dr. Christopher Perry, examining how mitochondrial-targeted therapies influence muscle wasting in preclinical models. Her background in muscle biology and cross-disciplinary collaboration supports her current efforts to map the mechanisms driving muscle atrophy during mechanical ventilation and to identify pathways that could preserve strength and function in critically ill patients.
PhD 2016
Dissertation Title:
Navigating the Empty Spaces of Care: A Feminist Political Economy Analysis of the Care Experiences and Work Practices of Women Living with Cancer
Cheryl is a Research Scientist with the Applied Health Research Centre (AHRC) at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital. Pritlove is a qualitative methodologist and health equity researcher with specific interests in gender disparities. Much of her work involves the application of gender theory to explore the conditions of paid and unpaid work and how social and health policies affect the health and health care of women and men at times of illness.
PhD 2018
Dissertation Title: Cortical Mechanisms of Visual Target Memory and Movement Planning and Execution for Reaches and Saccades in Humans
- BSc in Psychology (2008, York University)
- MSc in Kinesiology and Health Sciences (2011, York University)
- PhD (2018) in Kinesiology and Health Science with Dr. J Douglas Crawford
- Research focused on understanding how the human brain uses visual information to plan eye movements and arm movements towards objects
- Is currently Director of Global Marketing at Bayer
MSc 2021
Thesis Title: The Effects of Concussion on the Determinants of Gait Velocity in Community-Dwelling Men and Women
- BSc in Kinesiology and Health Science (2019, York University)
- Associate degree in Persian Language and Islamic Teachings (2019, Al Mustafa Open University)
- MSc (2021) in Kinesiology and Health Science with Dr. George Mochizuki
- Research focused on identifying factors that impact the cognitive and motor contributions to gait velocity in concussed individuals
- Is currently an Informatics Program Coordinator at the Ontario Brain Institute
PhD 2024
I graduated in February 2024 with a PhD from the School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences under the supervision of Olasunkanmi Adegoke. My dissertation was on Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism: Regulation and Effect on Insulin Resistance. I am currently a course instructor teaching anatomy and physiology courses at York University and Guelph University. My graduate experience at York helped prepare me for this role. As a teaching assistant you get the opportunity to work closely with undergraduate students and teach them complex course content. Also the program was designed to give students a lot of opportunities through seminars, graduate courses and conferences to present their research, which improved my public speaking skills and strengthened my ability to translate complex scientific concepts and findings to the science community but also laypersons.
PhD 2021
Dissertation title: Integrating biomechanics and health psychology: Biophysical and psychological considerations for spine and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders.
Heather O’Reilly completed a PhD in Kinesiology and Health Science (Biomechanics/Ergonomics - Dr. Janessa Drake) and a Diploma in Health Psychology at York University. Her graduate studies supported her in receiving the Ralph McGinn Postdoctoral Fellowship funded by WorkSafeBC at The Institute for Work and Health.
Heather is currently an Assistant Professor and Associate Director - Life Science Program in the School of Interdisciplinary Science at McMaster University. Heather also holds research collaborations as an adjunct scientist with the Institute for Work and Health (IWH) and as a researcher within the Centre for Research Expertise on Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD).
MSc 2012
Thesis title: The Detrimental Effects of Concussion on Cognitive-Motor Integration
After completing his undergraduate degree in health sciences (University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2010) Jeffrey went on to complete his Masters in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University. Upon completing his Masters, Jeffrey moved to Australia to study medicine at the University of Queensland.
Currently, Jeffrey works as an Emergency Doctor at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, in Brisbane, Australia.
PhD 2013
Dissertation title: The role of the posterior parietal cortex in cognitive-motor integration
Josh’s current employment involves the validation of alternative delivery methods for learning and training using mobile technologies for Defence Research and Development Canada Toronto Research Centre, Canadian Armed Forces.
MSc 2022
Thesis Title: Contribution of Modified Visual Gain to Human Balance Control During Quiet, Upright Stance
- BSc in Human Kinetics (2020, University of Guelph)
- MSc (2022) in Kinesiology and Health Science and Graduate Diploma in Neuroscience (2022) with Dr. Taylor Cleworth
- Research focused on understanding how the gain of optic flow contributes to balance control during quiet, upright stance among healthy adults
- Is currently a Research Assistant at Providence Care while pursuing her MD at Queen’s University
MSc 2020
Thesis title: The Impact of Chair Type on Quality Sitting Behaviours in a Prolonged Sitting Exposure
Mario Simone completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University under the supervision of Dr. Janessa Drake. His research examined the impact of chair type on quality sitting behaviours during prolonged sitting exposure, combining biomechanics and ergonomics to better understand how posture and movement influence musculoskeletal health.
After completing his graduate studies, Mario transitioned into the private sector, where an opportunity with a custom furniture company allowed him to apply his analytical and problem-solving skills in a new way. His ability to identify problems, develop innovative solutions, and execute them effectively led him to advance rapidly within the organization, ultimately helping ownership integrate a new business into their manufacturing portfolio.
Today, Mario is the Chief Operating Officer at By Quality, a leading manufacturer of case goods furniture. He credits the Kinesiology and Health Science program at York for shaping his approach to leadership and strategic thinking:
“The program challenged my ability to identify problems, create solutions, and execute them effectively. In business, every challenge requires a hypothesis and evidence-based conclusion — just like in research.”
PhD 2025
Dissertation title:A Multi-Faceted Approach to Understanding the Effects of Fatigue on Muscle and Kinematic Variability
After completing his Masters of Health Science in neuroscience and biomechanics at OntarioTech University, Matt completed a PhD at York University with Dr. Jaclyn Chopp-Hurley and Dr. Janessa Drake. His work investigated shoulder motion through a biomechanical lens to understand how the brain controls movement. The interconnected research community at York University gave Matt opportunities to connect interdisciplinarity, with opportunities to teach at an undergraduate level and lead passion outreach projects with the Muscle Health Research Centre.
Matt is now a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Waterloo, where his work integrates emerging technologies like wearables and opensource software with the foundational biomechanics he learned at York, to build accessible new software for researchers, industrial partners, and the public.
MSc 2024
Thesis title: Investigating the Association Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity, Trunk Endurance, and Previous Low Back Injury
Placide completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology & Health Science at York University before beginning his Master of Science degree in neuroscience and biomechanics, also at York University, under the supervision of Dr. Janessa Drake. He completed his Master’s degree while concurrently pursuing his Juris Doctor degree at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. Placide is currently an articling student at Samsung Electronics, where he supports both litigation and corporate matters.
MSc 2011
Thesis title: Dual adaptation to opposing visuomotor rotations with similar hand movement trajectories
Ravindra is currently an articling student at a law firm in Toronto. He also recently worked for an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in Toronto. His graduate and legal training enables him to better understand and resolve novel issues at the intersection of health science and law.
He previously completed his law degree at the University of Ottawa.
MSc 2011
Thesis title: mRNA translation inhibitor PDCD4 is down regulated during L6 myoblast differentiation
Sana teaches at the College level as Lead Lecturer of the Medical Office Administrative Program at CDI College. She also takes on a significant role as Employment Specialist in the department of Career Services. Her role involves close collaboration with stakeholders of a wide range of business areas; focused on developing, monitoring, and implementing relationships and partnerships, in order to employ CDI graduates.
PhD 2023
Dissertation Title: The effects of learning schedules and external visual information on implicit sensorimotor adaptation of upper limb movements
- Completed BSc in Biomedical Science (2014, York University)
- Did his MSc (2018) and PhD (2024) in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University with Dr. Denise Henriques
- Research focused on the interplay between explicit and implicit neural processes when learning in virtual environments
- Is currently a Research Engineer/Data Scientist at Meta Reality Labs
PhD 2024
Dissertation Title: The Influence of Oral Contraceptives on the Autonomic Nervous System
- BASc in Kinesiology and Exercise Science (2015, Guelph-Humber)
- MSc in Exercise Physiology (2018, Guelph)
- PhD (2024) in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University with Dr. Heather Edgell
- Research focused on physiological responses to reflex activations in healthy women, as well as the effects of the menstrual cycle and sex differences
- Is currently a Project Manager at the University of Waterloo
MSc 2022
Thesis Title: Testing the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain and Aging in the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging
- BA in Kinesiology and Health Science (2018, York University)
- MSc (2022) in Kinesiology and Health Science and Graduate Diploma in Neuroscience (2022) with Dr. Lucia Gagliese
- Research focused on correlation of pain and aging with various biophysical, cognitive-motor, and psychosocial factors
- Is currently a Senior Performance Analytics Advisor at Trillium Health Partners
MSc 2010
Thesis title: Characteristics of Young Adults at High Risk for Metabolic Syndrome: A Trajectory-Based Approach
Vivian is currently a second year law student at Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. She hopes to practice in the field of information technology and intellectual property law. Prior to pursuing her legal education, Vivian worked as an epidemiologist for the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and as a health analyst with the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Kinesiology and Health Science at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.