For more information on how to pursue your graduate studies with us, please visit the School of Kinesiology and Health Science's graduate program webpage. Here are some of our current students.
Tia Bankosky (she/her) is a doctoral student under the supervision of Drs. Sachil Singh and Amanda Delisio. A combination of lived experience, academic interest, and martial arts training has led her to investigate the intersections of martial arts and disability studies. She hopes to use her research as a stepping stone for improving martial arts education to be more inclusive and accessible.
Valerie Bhupaul (she/her) is a PhD student in Kinesiology and Health Science under the supervision of Dr. Amanda De Lisio and Dr. Hala Tamim. She is interested in qualitative methodologies, maternal theory and reproductive justice. Her research focuses on anti-Black racism in maternal health in Canada, with consideration of future possibilities for anti-racist care.
Co-supervised by Drs. Karl Erickson and Parissa Safai, Samantha Burelle (she/her) is a PhD Candidate with research interest in safeguarding, safety in sport, risk/risk-taking, sport policy, and applied sport psychology. Prior to York, she received a BKin at Acadia University and a thesis-based MKin at Wilfrid Laurier University focusing on injury rehabilitation psychology.
Julia Ferreira Gomes (she/her) is a PhD student in Kinesiology and Health Science, studying under Julia is a PhD student in Kinesiology and Health Science interested in sport for development, gender equity, and sexual and reproductive health promotion. Under the guidance of Dr. Lyndsay Hayhurst, her research revolves around trauma-and violence-informed sport for development and physical activity for gender diverse youth.
Javian Hyman (he/him) is a Master of Arts Student in Kinesiology and Health Sciences at York University under the supervision of Dr. Ashley Day. His research interests include the sociocultural aspects of health and physical activity, with an emphasis on diversity and policy. Prior to his graduate studies, he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Kinesiology from York University.
Wahid (pronounced wa-HID) Khan is a doctoral student in Kinesiology and Health Sciences and is co-supervised by Dr. Ashley Day and Dr. Yuka Nakamura. Wahid’s interests stem from his birthplace of Scarborough with his immigrant parents navigating a foreign health care system. His research takes a closer look at how physical activity is impacted by AI and technology in diverse (immigrant/newcomer) communities locally and across the world in technologically advanced countries in East Asia. He is also deeply interested in Big Tech, sport, hip-hop, culture, racialized/marginalized communities and how physical education manifests in schools and communities. Wahid completed his Master’s degree at University of Toronto in Education (OISE).
Jess Nachman (she/they) is a PhD student at York University, studying under the supervision of Dr. Lyndsay Hayhurst. Jess’ research interests include decolonial methodologies, arts-based methods, physical culture, and mobility. Jess completed their undergraduate degree of Kinesiology at the University of Toronto, and their MA degree of Kinesiology and Health Science at York. Jess’ MA research involved collaborating with a non-profit mutual aid bicycle organization to support racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ cyclists.
Benton J. Oliver (he/him)is a Master of Arts student in Kinesiology and Health Science under the supervision of Dr. Amanda De Lisio. His work unpacks patterns of policing/security through critical feminist geographies in host cities. In collaboration with a local community health group, The Sidewalk Project LA, he critically examines the politics and practices of event urbanism in the Figueroa Corridor, Los Angeles, as the city prepares for the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Superbowl, and 2028 Olympics. He is a Graduate Diploma Student with the Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLAC) and Graduate Member of the CITY Institute at York University.
Photo credit: Jason S. Cipparone
Hadeth Rassol (she/her) is a PhD student in Kinesiology and Health Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Yuka Nakamura. Hadeth completed her MSc at York University, exploring the negotiation processes of identity, belonging, and feelings of citizenship for Muslim Canadians participating in a community- and faith-based sport. Her research interests lie in the intersection of sport, identity and gender, community-based sport, and decolonial methodologies.
Kimiko Taniishi (she/her) is a Master of Science student in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science, supervised by Dr. Parissa Safai. Her current research interests focus on how sociocultural influences impact sport psychology and mental health in high-performance youth athletes. Prior to her graduate studies at York, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Queen’s University.
Jumana Waez (she/her) is a PhD student in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University, supervised by Dr. Lyndsay Hayhurst. Her research interests include sport-for-development, diversity and inclusion in sport, youth development, community-based research, and decolonial methodologies. Currently, her research focuses on newcomer girls’ resettlement experiences in Canada, exploring how sport can foster social integration, wellbeing, and belonging through trauma-informed and culturally-sensitive approaches.
Zi Cen (Monica) Wang is a first-year graduate student in Kinesiology and Health Science who studies the sociocultural dimensions of sport, health, and physical activity. Drawing on an independent study on "(Trans)women in sport" with Dr. Sachil Singh, she examines how institutional bias—especially gender discrimination—shapes access and outcomes. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of sport, health care, and social justice, and she aims to explore how practices can reduce barriers and expand opportunities for athletes and broader patient populations.
Marika Wildeboer (she/her) is a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Parissa Safai and Dr. Lyndsay Hayhurst. Her research explores feminist theory and sexual violence prevention in high-performance sport. She focuses on gender, power dynamics, and the development of strategies to create safer, more equitable environments in sport.